The recently confirmed return of two lost 1965 Likely Lads episodes and their imminent DVD release (in tandem with a 1967 episode of Til Death Us Do Part) is a happy archive television news story. Although less familiar than Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads, what survives of the original sixties series always repays repeated viewing - and we are soon to have two 'new' episodes to enjoy.
In the episode broadcast 54 years ago today, Terry disapproves of his sister going out with an Italian ladies' hairdresser, so attempts to set up Bob with Audrey while he takes Mario to the pub. This one has always struck me of the weakest of the surviving Likely Lads episodes, mainly because I don't believe in the premise. Terry seems to be going to an awful lot of trouble to prevent something that doesn't affect him very much, instead of just going to the match like he planned.
One of the great (if tangential) qualities of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads for me is how it shows how friendships between men and women operate - Terry and Audrey, Terry and Thelma. The funniest section of this episode is also the most emotionally interesting - watching an reluctant Bob set his cap at Audrey and the progression of her reactions from being surprised, to being touched, to being cross when she realises that its one of her brother's ruses, to making fun of Bob's unconvincing efforts.
This episode is organised around a constant flow of food and drink; Back home on a Friday night to fish and chips, bread and butter, a pot of tea and an enormous jar of pickled onions; then brown ale, crisps and a pie in the pub before the match; a family afternoon pot of tea with fruitcake and scones; more brown ale in the pub! It all makes watching it a more sensory imaginative experience.
In the fictional match that Bob attends at St James Park, Newcastle United win 4-1. In real life, Newcastle beat Cardiff City 2-0 in the old Second Division on 23 January 1965, on their way to the championship.
In the episode broadcast 54 years ago today, Terry disapproves of his sister going out with an Italian ladies' hairdresser, so attempts to set up Bob with Audrey while he takes Mario to the pub. This one has always struck me of the weakest of the surviving Likely Lads episodes, mainly because I don't believe in the premise. Terry seems to be going to an awful lot of trouble to prevent something that doesn't affect him very much, instead of just going to the match like he planned.
One of the great (if tangential) qualities of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads for me is how it shows how friendships between men and women operate - Terry and Audrey, Terry and Thelma. The funniest section of this episode is also the most emotionally interesting - watching an reluctant Bob set his cap at Audrey and the progression of her reactions from being surprised, to being touched, to being cross when she realises that its one of her brother's ruses, to making fun of Bob's unconvincing efforts.
This episode is organised around a constant flow of food and drink; Back home on a Friday night to fish and chips, bread and butter, a pot of tea and an enormous jar of pickled onions; then brown ale, crisps and a pie in the pub before the match; a family afternoon pot of tea with fruitcake and scones; more brown ale in the pub! It all makes watching it a more sensory imaginative experience.
In the fictional match that Bob attends at St James Park, Newcastle United win 4-1. In real life, Newcastle beat Cardiff City 2-0 in the old Second Division on 23 January 1965, on their way to the championship.
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