British Comedy: A Bit of a Do

Years: 1989
Broadcaster: ITV (Yorkshire)
Genre: Comedy Drama
Written by: David Nobbs
Stars: David Jason, Gwen Taylor
Episodes: 13
Episode Average: 5.385

BEST EPISODES:
The Farewell Party (1989), The Registry Office Wedding (1989)

SERIES ONE

(1989)
6 episodes
Series Score: 33
Episode Average: 5.50
Perfect 10's: 0

S1E1

THE WHITE WEDDING

Originally broadcast: 13 January 1989
Directed by: David Reynolds
Written by: David Nobbs

The marriage of a slob and an idealist unites two very different families, the groom's mother worries about being looked down on by snobs, and his father is soon tempted when the bride's mother offers him her body.

"You don't talk about functions like that at functions like this."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S1E2

THE DENTIST'S DINNER DANCE

Originally broadcast: 20 January 1989
Directed by: Les Chatfield
Written by: David Nobbs

Ted is left stunned when Liz tells him that she's pregnant with his baby, Simon ridicules Elvis when his philosophy degree leads to a waiter's job, and Rita and Laurence suspect that there might be something going on.

"Never mind my condition. It's about my chickens. I mean, do they ever get a chance to go to a dinner dance and eat frozen people? You're all talk and no do, you make me sick."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S1E3

THE ANGLING CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY

Originally broadcast: 27 January 1989
Directed by: David Reynolds
Written by: David Nobbs

Elvis isn't too happy when his dad leaves his mum for a stuck-up woman, Ted finds himself being blackmailed after he cheats to win a competition, and Rita struggles when Laurence suddenly suggests a show of intimacy.

"Arthur Pilbeam has told me all about the problems he's having with his spigotted ferrules rod. I suggested he ought to see a doctor. Didn't go down too well."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S1E4

THE CHARITY HORSE-RACING EVENING

Originally broadcast: 13 January 1989
Directed by: Ronnie Baxter
Written by: David Nobbs

Liz denies dumping Ted just because he went into voluntary liquidation, Paul's caught sneaking into a cupboard with a woman who isn't his wife, and a series of awkward introductions lead to talk about reconciliation.

"If you weren't my brother's wife's brother, I'd make my highly desirable manual extremity extremely convenient for your spacious breathing and blowing organ."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E5

THE CROWNING OF MISS FROZEN CHICKEN (U.K.)

Originally broadcast: 10 February 1989
Directed by: Ronnie Baxter
Written by: David Nobbs

Laurence begs Neville to appeal to Liz after asking him about their affair, Ted refuses to talk to Rodney when he puts chickens in the foundry, and
Paul confesses to sleeping with Carol on the night that his son was born,

"I mean how would you like it if you were described as a crinkly haired ex-company director... 5'8. Bloodshot eyes. Vital statistics: 38-38-5-38?'"

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

S1E6

THE REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING

Originally broadcast: 17 February 1989
Directed by: David Reynolds
Written by: David Nobbs

Paul and Elvis are shocked when Rita introduces them to her boyfriend, Ted's embarrassed when he spots familiar faces in a wedding party, and Liz isn't happy when Neville invites Rodney and Betty to join the group.

"Either that's a bottle of champagne being opened or the chef's shot himself."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

SERIES TWO

(1989)
7 episodes
Series Score: 37
Episode Average: 5.29
Perfect 10's:

S2E1

THE CHURCH WEDDING

Originally broadcast: 20 October 1989
Directed by: John Glenister
Written by: David Nobbs

The vicar is forced to suspend the wedding when the bride fails to show, the Sillitoes cause amusement when they talk about a business venture, and Sandra gets upset when Ted flirts with a tarty piece at the reception.

"Ted, the very man. We have an emerging new business and you have a great big hole."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E2

THE CHRISTENING

Originally broadcast: 27 October 1989
Directed by: David Reynolds
Written by: David Nobbs

Ted shows up unexpectedly at his son's christening with his new fiancée, Neville and Liz discover how Rita's new role as councillor will effect them, and the Sillitoes find Elvis playing back secretly recorded conversations.

"I had no idea I was going to be passionately loved by such a beautiful, sophisticated and glamorous, virginal goddess. I sometimes forget how attractive I am."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 5

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S2E3

THE GRAND OPENING OF SILLITOE'S

Originally broadcast: 3 November 1989
Directed by: John Glenister
Written by: David Nobbs

Rodney and Betty worry about the opening of their health food complex, Ted considers moving to Africa when his restaurant is reduced to rubble, and Liz is horrified when Jenny tells her who she has fallen in love with.

"I'm not talking to you, but I wanted you to know that I'm only not talking to you because Liz isn't talking to you. I'm not not talking to you really."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

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S2E4

THE FAREWELL PARTY

Originally broadcast: 10 November 1989
Directed by: David Reynolds
Written by: David Nobbs

Ted organises a fancy dress party to celebrate his relocation to Nairobi,
a clash of costumes ends any chance of peace between Rita and Liz, and a visit from the police reveals something rather troubling about Corinna.

"Every pair except Joseph and Mary. But there are people in this town who would be very offended if Liz came as the Virgin Mary."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

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S2E5

THE INAUGURATION OF THE OUTER
INNER RELIEF RING ROAD

Originally broadcast: 17 November 1989
Directed by: David Reynolds
Written by: David Nobbs

Rita finds her great night being overshadowed by Paul's imprisonment, Betty's not happy when Liz recruits Rodney to make Neville jealous, and Ted struggles to say the right thing when he asks Sandra to forgive him.

"It's all very well having scapegoats in theory, but it seems very unfair when one actually know the goat that's being scaped."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E6

THE FUNERAL

Originally broadcast: 24 November 1989
Directed by: John Glenister
Written by: David Nobbs

Rita has to attend a funeral after Ted's involved in a fatal road accident, Simon's shocked when Elvis threatens to expose him for corruption, and Liz and Rita finally agree to end their feud after having a heart-to-heart.

"If you did say that, I might well reply not only insensitively but extremely bluntly that you described as as crackpot, lunatic fringe, animal rights, trendy, health food freaky nut-nuts."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 5

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S2E7

THE CIVIL WEDDING

Originally broadcast: 1 December 1989
Directed by: John Glenister
Written by: David Nobbs

Liz tells Geoffrey that she regrets her foolish decision to call off the feud,
Rita's not amused when her guests turn up with another wedding party, and Rodney and Betty try to use their experience to ease a few tensions.

"Oh, it's the Suffering Matures People Syndrome, is it? Well, I've suffered as well y'know, being dragged through the emotional mangle by you, so I'm just as mature as him. So there, Fish Face!"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

TED
SIMCOCK

Played by David Jason
13 episodes (1989)
in... The Christening (S2E2)

RITA
SIMCOCK

Played by Gwen Taylor
13 episodes (1989)
in... The Church Wedding (S2E1)

LIZ
RODENHURST

Played by Nicola Pagett
13 episodes (1989)
in... The Farewell Party (S2E4)

BETTY
SILLITOE

Played by Stephanie Cole
13 episodes (1989)
in... The Farewell Party (S2E4)

RODNEY
SILLITOE

Played by Tim Wylton
13 episodes (1989)
in... The Grand Opening of Sillitoe's (S2E3)

JENNY
SIMCOCK

Played by Sarah-Jane Holm
13 episodes (1989)
in... The White Wedding (S1E1)

ELVIS
SIMCOCK

Played by Wayne Foskett
13 episodes (1989)
in... The Angling Club Christmas Party (S1E3)

NEVILLE
BADGER

Played by Michael Jayston
12 episodes (1989)
in... The Angling Club Christmas Party (S1E3)

SIMON
RODENHURST

Played by Nigel Hastings
12 episodes (1989)
in... The Registry Office Wedding (S1E6)

CAROL
FORDINGBRIDGE

Played by Karen Drury
10 episodes (1989)
in... The Crowning of Miss Frozen Chicken (U.K.) (S1E5)

ERIC
THE BARMAN

Played by Malcolm Hebden
9 episodes (1989)
in... The Charity Horse-Racing Event (s1E4)

PAUL
SIMCOCK

Played by David Thewlis
6 episodes (1989)
in... The Charity Horse-Racing Event (S1E4)

SANDRA
PICKERSGILL

Played by Tracy Brabin
6 episodes (1989)
in... The Registry Office Wedding (S1E6)

LAURENCE
RODENHURST

Played by Paul Chapman
5 episodes (1989)
in... The Crowning of Miss Frozen Chicken (U.K.) (S1E5)

LUCINDA
SNELLMARSH

Played by Amanda Wenban
5 episodes (1989)
in... The Funeral (S2E6)

GEOFFREY
ELLSWORTH-SMYTHE

Played by Malcolm Tierney
5 episodes (1989)
in... The Civil Wedding (S2E7)

CORINNA
PRICE-RODGERSON

Played by Diana Weston
3 episodes (1989)
in... The Grand Opening of Sillitoe's (S2E3)