Radio Times GUIDE TO TV COMEDY

Victoria Wood

Country of origin	UK
Broadcaster	BBC
Production company
Type of comedy	Sitcoms
Total number of episodes	6
Length of programme	30 mins
Format	Colour
Transmission information	16 Nov–21 Dec 1989 BBC1 Thu 8.30pm
Synopsis/critique	As a departure from her sketch shows, Wood next made a series of individual comedy playlets, using some members of her regular troupe as well as guest actors. Pleasing though it was to find the star unwilling to rest on her laurels, this series while commendably ambitious, was a mite disappointing. Though filled with cracking dialogue and well-drawn characters, the witty lines seemed contrived in this environment, often at odds with the storyline. For other writers the series might have been considered a triumph; as a follow-on from As Seen On TV it was a trifle flat.

Episode 1	Mens Sana in Thingummy Doodah 16 NOV 1989
Main cast	Victoria—Victoria Wood Nicola—Julie Walters Lill—Lill Roughly Dana—Liza Tarbuck Connie—Meg Johnson Sallyanne—Georgia Allen
Credits	Writer Victoria Wood Director Kevin Bishop Producer Geoff Posner
Synopsis/critique	Attempting to be fit and thin means raw broccoli, saunas and trips to the gym. But Victoria thinks there must be more to life.

Episode 2	The Library 23 NOV 1989
Main cast	Victoria—Victoria Wood Sheila—Anne Reid Madge—Carol Macready John—Richard Kane Keith—Philip Lowrie Richard—David Henry Ted—Danny O'Dea
Credits	Writer Victoria Wood Director/producer Geoff Posner
Synopsis/critique	Sheila comes to the library to play a dating-agency tape on the video machine. Well-meaning Victoria tries to help the path of true love but it all goes badly wrong.

Episode 3	Over To Pam 30 NOV 1989
Main cast	Victoria—Victoria Wood Pam Cunard—Julie Walters Lorraine—Kay Adshead Saundra—Meg Johnson Jim—Hugh Lloyd Caroline—Julia St John Sue—Lill Roughley
Credits	Writer Victoria Wood Director Kevin Bishop Producer Geoff Posner
Synopsis/critique	Self-centred, snobbish, hypocritical TV host Pam Cunard meets her match when she goes live on the air with a 'common' member of the public.

Episode 4	We'd Quite Like To Apologise 7 DEC 1989
Main cast	Victoria—Victoria Wood Joyanne—Julie Walters Una—Una Stubbs John—Philip Lowrie Barbara—Lill Roughley Kathy—Jane Horrocks Carol—Celia Imrie Check-out girl—Susie Blake
Credits	Writer Victoria Wood Director Kevin Bishop Producer Geoff Posner
Synopsis/critique	While awaiting a delayed take-off, aeroplane passengers sit in the departure lounge and discuss previous holidays and their hopes for this one.

Episode 5	Val De Ree (Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha) 14 DEC 1989
Main cast	Victoria—Victoria Wood Jackie—Celia Imrie Susan—Joan Sims Mim—Avril Angers Jamie—Michael Lumsden
Credits	Writer Victoria Wood Director Kevin Bishop Producer Geoff Posner
Synopsis/critique	Victoria and Jackie's walking tour of the moors goes less than smoothly, thanks to an un-erectable tent and the hostile woman who runs the Youth Hostel.

Episode 6	Staying In 21 DEC 1989
Main cast	Victoria—Victoria Wood Moira—Patricia Hodge Hilary—Phyllis Calvert Gerald—Roger Brierley Dulcie—Lill Roughley Julia—Celia Imrie Alan—Jim Broadbent
Credits	Writer Victoria Wood Director/producer Geoff Posner
Synopsis/critique	Shy, TV-obsessed Victoria finds herself at posh Moira's dinner party. She would have had a better time staying in …

© Lewisohn, Mark. Radio Times Guide To TV Comedy. BBC Worldwide Ltd: London. 1998. ISBN 0 563 36977 9.