An absolute joy to watch (The Good Life)

Member Name: Krystal

Product:	The Good Life
Date:	20/01/01 (172 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderful, classic comedy

Disadvantages: None

The Good Life is one of the best comedy series ever, in my opinion. Made in the 70's and set in Surbiton, it follows the fortunes of Tom and Barbara Good as they struggle with their chosen way of life - self-sufficiency.

Tired of the rat-race, Tom decides to resign from his office job and for him and Barbara to try living off the land by growing their own vegetables and keeping a few animals.. Their good friends and next-door-neighbours, Margo and Jerry, are appalled at the lifestyle the Goods have chosen, though as time goes on they begin to secretly admire their courage in going it alone.

For much of the time in The Good Life, there are no other actors apart from the four main characters, and it is to their credit that they aren't necessary. These four work so well together. They are:

TOM GOOD (RICHARD BRIERS)

Once Tom has made the decision to leave paid employment, he puts his heart and soul into making self-sufficiency a success. The Goods no longer have a car or fancy clothes, but that doesn't matter to Tom as he is following his heart. He is totally at ease with this lifestyle and is never anything less than enthusiastic in all he does. Peapod wine is one of his triumphs, and is rather potent! Secure in his marriage to Barbara, although they never have any money they are content.

BARBARA GOOD (FELICITY KENDAL)

Wholeheartedly behind Tom's decision to leave work, Barbara has willingly sacrificed all the nice things in life such as new clothes and evenings out to support her husband. She puts her heart and soul into the manual work, and although she's quite small she can more than hold her own. Dressed in dungarees and a flat cap in one episode, she was furious to be mistaken for a boy! Very occasionally does the lack of money niggle, when she tore her last "posh frock" on a nail she was heartbroken; feeling her last chance to be feminine had been snatched away. It all ended happ
ily though, when Tom sold the trousers of his dinner suit to buy her a new dress. Aah!

MARGO LEADBETTER (PENELOPE KEITH)

It's hard to choose because all the actors in The Good Life are superb, but if I had to make a decision on my favourite I think it would have to be Margo by a whisker. She is without doubt a snob, but she has a heart of gold and is always offering the Goods money and asking them for dinner. One of my favourite episodes is when Margo sent back the Christmas tree she had ordered, because it was supposed to be 9ft tall and fell short by about 6 inches!
Margo and Jerry spent Christmas next door that year with Tom and Barbara, with their home-made crackers and wine. When Margo pulled her cracker she was appalled to find a paper hat inside made from the Daily Mirror. "Have the Telegraph" volunteered Tom; they swapped and Margo was happy. She doesn't get jokes either, her cracker motto said: "The Ooh-Ah Bird is so called because it lays square eggs". "I don't understand" said Margo, while the other three fell about laughing. Priceless.

JERRY LEADBETTER (PAUL EDDINGTON)

Jerry is Margo's long-suffering husband. He enjoys a cigar and a takeaway, but has to wait until Margo is safely out of the house before he can indulge. Then he takes the lids off the cartons and wafts the smell around in defiance! Jerry thinks Tom and Barbara are mad to give up their comfortable lifestyle, but at the same time has a sneaking admiration for them. Has a soft spot for Barbara.


The Good Life is currently being repeated on BBC2 on Wednesdays at 7.30pm. However many times I watch it, I never tire of it. I think it's up there among the greats such as Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses.

Dooyoo think so too?

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