Directed by
Susan Belbin
Richard Boden
Writing credits
Jon Watkins Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Series Credited cast: William Gaunt .... Arthur Crabtree
Patricia Garwood .... Beryl Crabtree
Martin Clunes .... Nigel Crabtree #1 (1983-1986)
Andrew Charleson .... Nigel Crabtree #2 (1986-1987)
Dee Sadler .... Tracy Crabtree
Stephen Watson .... Paul Crabtree (1983-1986)
Beverly Adams .... Lorraine Codd
Daniel Hill .... Raymond Codd
Michael Sharvell-Martin .... Trevor Botting
Marcia Warren .... Vera Botting #1 (1983-1986)
Ann Penfold .... Vera Botting #2 (1986-1987)
Runtime: 30 min (43 episodes)
Storyline
When Arthur and Beryl Crabtree marry off their daughter Lorraine they are finally free of children, their three other offspring having already flown the nest. But their blissful liberty is short-lived because, almost immediately, financial and other crises cause Nigel, Tracy and Paul to move back home; soon afterwards, Lorraine has marital problems and she too returns. Her dolt of a husband, Raymond, desperate to patch things up, then becomes a regular visitor, as do the Crabtrees neighbours Vera and Trevor Botting, so every last scrap of peace and tranquillity well and truly vanishes from Arthur and Beryls lives. Their offspring interfere constantly and the house degenerates into chaos, with unsuitable suitors calling around and marital unrest, unemployment, dubious behaviour and indolence being par for the course.
Transmission Details Number of episodes: 43 Length: 30 mins
Series One (6) 13 Dec 1983-24 Jan 1984 · BBC1 Tue 7.40pm
Series Two (8) 12 Sep-31 Oct 1984 · BBC1 Wed 8pm
Special · 26 Dec 1984 · BBC1 Wed 5.50pm
Series Three (13) 8 Jan-23 Apr 1986 · BBC1 Wed 7.40pm
Series Four (7) 14 Oct-25 Nov 1986 · BBC1 Tue 8pm
Series Five (7) 8 Sep-20 Oct 1987 · BBC1 Tue 7pm
Special · 22 Dec 1987 · BBC1 Tue 7pm
