Remembering Richard Briers

Growing up in the 1970’s there were certain TV sitcom’s that our family watched with religious fervor.  Some Mothers Do Have Them, Are You Being Served and The Good Life.

The Good Life was for my parent’s top of the list, the hilarious antics of Tom and Barbara Good as they gave up the middle class life for self-sufficiency in their back garden.  Pigs, chickens, homemade appliances all things cobbled out of odds and ends added to the great family oriented humour.

Therefore it is with great sadness that I read of the death of actor Richard Briers, who was Tom Good in the sitcom.

Although he was an accomplished stage actor, it is for his Tom Good role that he will be forever treasured in my memories.  The lone man battling against the elements of nature, the system of the world and life. He was the 1970’s equivalent to Richard Hannay,  Shane, and all those other greats that have found themselves battling the system for the oppressed.

I can see him now sitting on his homemade lawn mower / vehicle driving around the middle class suburb. Classic moments.

A few weeks ago i watched an episode of Midsomer Murders where he appeared as the murderous vicar, reaping vengeance on the village inhabitants with an ancient Indian sword.  He had an instantly recognizable and familiar face and was always a pleasure and joy to watch.

Thank you Richard for many great memories and many magical moments,  you were truly a TV great.  

Remembering Onslow

I was very sad to hear today of the death at 68 of one of my favorite TV characters Geoffrey Hughes who played Onslow in ‘Keeping Up Appearances’.

Although I never met Mr. Hughes in ‘the flesh’ I enjoyed his wonderful portrayal as the baseball cap, vest wearing lovable Onslow, cemented to his chair in front of the television.

Then there was also the magical scene in the Royle Family, when Twiggy (Geoffrey Hughes) and Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) stripped wallpaper whilst dancing to the radio. It always reminded me of Disney and dancing to the ‘bare necessities.’

Geoffrey Hughes had the ability to make you laugh and there were many memorable moments. One of the best sums up his wonderful comic ability:

“Onslow: Have you noticed how some days you just get washed over by this sense of cosmic emptiness and lack of meaning?”

“Daisy: Has he run out of beer again?”

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very sad time.