Wood and Walters - The Complete Series [DVD] [1981]

I so hope this DVD will be released - Way way back in the mists of time (1982) before I even dreamt of owning a VHS recorder and my portable (only) TV was still black and white this fantastic comedy appeared on TV. Fortunately I had seen 'Talent' on TV a couple of years earlier so I knew who Woods And Walters were and so was ready to watch this from the start.
And what a start - the very first sketch 'Piano Lesson' is THE Funnniest sketch on TV EVER for me, my personal Parrot Sketch (which I also Love) but I can quote 'Piano Lesson' verbatim and it never fails to make me laugh. "...'avin' trouble are yer?....music like that sounds all the same wether you play it right or wrong dunt it?...yeah...smashin'...."
Although I had no access to VHS back then, I sensibly audio taped four of the series when they were repeated on Channel 4 in 1983 (i unfortunately missed 2 episodes not knowing they would never be repeated again)- and the pleasure those tapes have given me over the years you would not believe. I worked in a shop and for years i quoted wholesale from the fantastic 'Boutique Sketch'...."I don't think we're actually s'posed to serve people...just shoot them if they do anything suspicious....I'm goin' out on't floor Eileen....there's no landmines in seperates are there? ....well if you 'ave any trouble with people wantin' to buy things - LET THE DOGS OUT..."
Just writing this stuff down makes me chuckle, I would so love to own ALL these episodes on DVD.
Does anyone else remember 'The Dentist Sketch' "....We're forever 'avin' brunettes ringin' up sayin' 'oy, my teeth 'aven't been cleaned and me bra's on inside out..." Then the 'Samaritans Sketch' "...What's that? profiterols? - ooh no..it's your dishcloth....Is that black forest gateaux?....Looks more like Cardiff Arms Park..."
Although Victoria Wood rightly became a national favorite later with " As Seen On TV" for me she had already used her best material here - also she invariably (and generously)gave Julie all the best lines and roles because they were billed here as a double act - later some of the best stuff wasn't done by her (Julie) and it lacks her 'bite' - Julie Walters is just superb here and (for example) Dotty is way way superior to the later Kitty charachter (although Kitty is also very very funny)
This will be great if it becomes available. To the people that own the rights - please do us all a favour and let us enjoy this wonderful source of laughs.

After scripting several plays for Granada in the late 70s and early 80s, the station provided Victoria Wood with her first series. In keeping with the way the plays were presented she shared the billing with Julie Walters with Julie coming over as a professional actress and Victoria as a bit nervous. The series was shown in 1982 and was not recomissioned, which is baffling as the sketches are well-remembered, not only for being amusing at the time, but also for the way they were refined later for the BBC in Victoria Wood As Seen On TV.

Clearly like any sketch show the segments are hit and miss, but there's enough hits to make this fun and many of the songs work (although there are too many of them), even if the series didn't get much of an audience at the time. One problem with the show is the lack of focus that would come later with it being unclear whether the aim is gentle comedy, light entertainment, or sharp social satire. In addition a lot of the characters are not so warm and loveable as later creations, and so it works a lot better when the leads slip out of character to be themselves. The one character who does work well is Dotty, a hideous looking creation whose weekly views on life are all gloriously wrong. The character is but a short step away from Patricia Routledge's later Kitty.

Aside from the amusing old hair styles and fashions it's also nice to see familiar faces such as Rik Mayall appearing making this a worthwhile mixture of nostalgia and entertainment.

Victoria Wood's first TV series, which was very much a trial run , for her more finely tuned and successful TV show, As Seen on TV (1985-87).
She has admitted, that following the death of her greatly admired producer, Peter Eckersley, who launched the pilot show, that the following 7 episodes were a mixed bag, without his creative input.
Still for Victoria Wood/Julie Walter fans there are some delightful goodies to enjoy in this hit and miss series.
Below a quick listing;(with the best sketches highlighted)

Pilot Show
Two Creatures and a Small , 1 January, 1981, Running time 26.52 minutes
Best items, are the sketch involving the brilliant Julie Walters, as Dorothy Chubb, Agony Aunt, dispensing her dubious advice to viewers , and in this sketch doing an unforgettable dance number. In the following episodes, she is simply headlined as, Dotty's Spot.
This pilot, also contains the funny hairdresser sketch, with Victoria the hapless victim to a determined Julie as the hair stylist.

Episode ONE, Jan 1982, running time 26.24 minutes
Best sketches, Julie as the cleaning woman,dispensing 'advice' to Victoria as the piano student. Dotty's spot also features.

Episode TWO, Jan 1982, running time 24.51 minutes
Jill Summers (Corrie fame) guests in a brilliant sketch as a baggage handler. Dotty's Spot also a highlight.

Episode THREE Jan 1982, running time 24.25 minutes
Best sketches, Dotty's Spot, a very young Rik Mayall(Young Ones) monologue on feminism, and the Posh music critics.

Episode FOUR Jan 1982, running time 25.02
Dotty's Spot followed by a Beauty Contestant's sketch

Episode FIVE Feb 1982, running time 24.30
The only funny sketch in this episode is once again Dotty's spot.

Episode SIX Feb 1982, running time 25.06
Contains the witty sketch of two women gossiping in a cafe, Dotty's Spot, and a woman (Julie) seeking a divorce for all the wrong reasons !

Episode SEVEN Feb 1982 running time 24.30
Sub titled 'ONE MORE TIME'
This final episode, contains repeat,' best' episodes, from the pilot and previous 6 episodes.
Though it does contain one new sketch, with Julie in fine form as the snobby beautician putting down a client

Overall, still a good buy for those wanting to see some of their earlier work, and to enjoy some of the highlighted items above. Just bare in mind that you will probably have to fast forward through some of the other less successful sketches in some of these episodes !! But that is a given with any TV comedy sketch show.