Each week, we will be taking an in depth look at some of the best sitcoms and comedy shows from both the UK and the USA.

Today we will be looking at a comedy that was really successful in the seventies and even gave one of the leading actresses a BAFTA – The Good Life

Opening title Sequence / Theme Tune

About the Show

Summary of Plot

 The perils of “escaping the rat race” and dropping out of society – to start a farm in Surbiton (and to drive Margo nuts). – IMDb

Number of Seasons / Episodes

4  Seasons

Characters:

Richard Briers – Tom Good

Felicity Kendell – Barbara Good

Penelope Keith – Margo Leadbetter

Paul Eddington – Jerry Leadbutter

Trivia

+ The writers decided Eddington’s character would be called “Jerry”, rationalizing “we’ve got a Tom, may as well have a Jerry.”

+ Graphic designer Oliver Elmes took his inspiration for the opening title sequence from the swooping bird seen in The Unicorn in the Garden (1953).

+ The Penelope Keith character Margo is heard but not seen in the first episode.

+ Penelope Keith won a BAFTA for playing Margo.

+ As a result of the huge success of The Good Life, Bill Cotton, the controller of BBC 1, promised Richard Briers, Felicity Kendall, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington shows of their own on the BBC when it ended in 1978. A year later, Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith both had huge success with their respective sitcom’s Yes Minister and To The Manor Born. Felicity Kendall followed in 1981, with the less successful Solo, however Richard Briers had to wait six years before starring in Ever Decreasing Circles in 1984.

+ The part of Margo was first intended for Hannah Gordon.

Classic Clips

Home Brewed Wine

Bread with Cheese

Jerry and Margos Dinner Party

The Vibrating Armchair