Dear John - Complete Collection - Series 1 & 2 Plus The Christmas Special [DVD]

How this show became for me the funniest on TV during the 80's when it's subject matter is not funny but sad, can only be attributed to the superb writing of John Sullivan (Only Fools and Horses) and acting of all concerned.
See a forty something school teacher John Lacey (Ralph Bates) try to get his life back in some semblance of order, (After his wife had left him for his best friend.) with his exploits at the 1-2-1 club.
Meet the club's organiser Louise, who ask's all her customer's if they have any "sexual problems".
Meet the flashy Kirk St Moritz a man whom it seems has it all. (So what's he doing here?)
There's also insecure Kate and motorcycle combination owner Ralph.
A show that should not be funny, but is!
~~~~
This set contains all two series:-
Seven episodes series one,
Six episodes series two and the fifty minute Christmas special.
DVD Info.
3 Disc set.
Special features- Cast filmographies, English sub-titles.
Trivia - The part of John's son Toby, was played by Ralph Bates real life son.

Like so many reviewers here, I had waited a long time for this DVD set to be released, and was worried that it might not be as funny as I had remembered it being all those years ago. After slipped release dates and cancellations I stumbled upon the box set by accident and ordered it immediately. It was with some trepidation that I loaded up the first DVD. Would this be another case of nostalgia getting in the way of sub-par TV?

Not a bit of it. These two series and the Christmas special were both funnier and sadder than I had remembered them being, a genuinely touching mix of belly laughs and commentary on human nature. The characters have all been well described in other reviews, but Ralph Bates deserves special mention for his layered portrayal of John, as does his real-life son, who plays John's son. In fact, it is Toby who often comments on the absurdity of adult life from the outside, baffled as to the behaviour of those around him.

This set, then, is recommended without reservation. One could ask for more extras, but it is good enough to have a comedy this - what's the word? - funny available once again. John Sullivan, the writer, who died recently, deserves high praise for this, and I see it as some of his best and most wittily observed work. It puzzles me that this was barely mentioned in his obituaries. It may not have had the multi-series run of other comedies of his, but quality always outstrips quantity.

Watch this - you will long remember Kirk's comment to the lady with the unfortunate bodily problem, the tragic fate of Ralph's caravan, and many other things besides. Watch it through to the end - you would have to have a hard heart not to shed a tear at the end of the Christmas special when John, up to now dealing with his own isolation, realises (and we with him) that there has been somebody close at hand who has known what true loneliness means. Perfect.

Well the long wait is finally over - this classic sitcom from the 80s is finally released - and any fans from its original showing on the Beeb won't need convincing to snap it up! Those not fortunate enough to have seen "Dear John" first time round are in for a real treat. As a previous reviewer has said, the subject matter seems unpromising ground for a sitcom, but the adventures of hapless John Lacey (superbly played by Ralph Bates) after his wife leaves him are a delight!

John decides to put his life back on track by attending the 1-2-1 Club for divorced and separated people. This is run by Louise whose catchphrase "were there any ... sexual problems?" is the stuff of sitcom legends! Other members include Kate (Belinda Lang) an attractive but somewhat insecure divorcee, Ralph, played by Peter Denyer, whose Polish wife has married him to stay in the country and has since disappeared, Mrs. Arnott (Jean Challis) a somewhat frumpy older lady who says nothing until an unexpected revelation at the end of the first episode, and the unforgettable Kirk St. Moritz, brilliantly portrayed by Peter Blake, a medallion-wearing, leather-trousered lothario who appears to be super confident and succeeds only in insulting just about everyone!

This is a briiliantly written series which would certainly have reached a wider audience and fanbase had it been repeated as is the BBC's usual wont with sitcoms, but with the release of the DVD it's time to redress the balance! In my opinion one of the best-ever comedies - treat yourself - you'll be hooked in no time!