British Comedy: The Fosters

Years: 1976-1977
Broadcaster: ITV (LWT)
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Jon Watkins Jack Elinson,
Norman Paul, John Donley, Bob Peete,
Allan Manings, Kurt Taylor, Art Baer,
Michael S. Baser, John Baskin, Dick Bensfield,
Eric Cohen, Bill Davenport, Lou Derman,
Robert Fisher, Perry Grant, Ben Joelson,
Eric Monte, Michael Morris, Phil Naples,
Vince Powell, Bob Shayne, Roger Shulman,
Larry Siegel, Jay Sommers,
Kim Weiskopf, Roland Wolpert
Stars: Norman Beaton, Isabelle Lucas
Episodes: 27
Episode Average: 4.259*

BEST EPISODES:
New Year With the Fosters (1977), The Nude (1977)

*including special

SERIES ONE

(1976)
13 episodes
Series Score: 58*
Episode Average: 4.46
Perfect 10's: 0
*not including special

S1E1

SEX AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Originally broadcast: 9 April 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Jack Elinson, Norman Paul

Sonny goes out to get a bottle of mouthwash ahead of his latest big date, Pearl's unhappy about Shirley's involvement with a 21-year-old man, and Samuel comes under fire when he changes his mind about a filthy book.

"That's the trouble with today. Used to be sex was your own private business. Now everything is in the open. You been in to the West End lately? All you see is cinemas showing sex films. Shops selling sex aids and dirty books. Wouldn't surprise me if sometime they open a pornographic cash & carry!"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S1E2

MY SON THE LOVER

Originally broadcast: 16 April 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Bill Davenport,
Lou Derman, Jack Elinson, Norman Paul

Pearl refuses to think about what life will be like when the nest is empty,
Shirley ridicules the idea that a popular girl could be interested in Sonny, and talk of popping the question suggests that things are pretty serious.

"Yes, and I've heard of some that get married on Wednesday and divorced on Thursday, and I don't like the idea of Sonny paying alimony out of his dinner money."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E3

GOD'S BUSINESS IS GOOD BUSINESS

Originally broadcast: 23 April 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Roland Wolpert

Shirley gets a shock when she sees a black face on the broken television, Samuel recognises the preacher as someone he used to know in Guyana, and Pearl's far from pleased when the swindler offers her husband a job.

"£350 a week! Pearl, we're gonna be the richest poor people in the neighbourhood."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S1E4

THE CHECK UP

Originally broadcast: 30 April 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, John Donley, Kurt Taylor

Shirley ends up with the wrong hours when she gets a job at a chip shop, Benjamin finds that his father's irritability might be due to hypertension, and Pearl knows that being laid off from work will make him even worse.

"Shirley, how can you waste time dancing when your brother is so obviously in pain?"

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E5

BLACK JESUS

Originally broadcast: 7 May 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, John Donley, Kurt Taylor

Sonny decides to enter a new art competition at the West Indian Centre, Pearl's not happy when someone messes about with her picture of Jesus, and an old drunk gets the credit when the family have a run of good luck.

"I hope you kids ain't gonna miss me 'cause I'm about to fly into orbit."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

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S1E6

THE MAN I MOST ADMIRE

Originally broadcast: 14 May 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Jack Elinson, Michael Morris

Benjamin tries to pick a man to write about for an English composition, Shirley insists that women are just as worthy of admiration as men, and Samuel returns home miserable after he chickens out of a job interview.

"You don't waste nothing, d'ya? I've got the feeling my underpants used to be the bedroom curtains."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E7

SITUATIONS VACANT

Originally broadcast: 21 May 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Bob Peete

Pearl's told that an older woman has been given the job that she wanted, Samuel's left fuming when sexual discrimination laws get in his way, and the kids have to cook for themselves when their mum goes out to work.

"It's not enough that you're the breadwinner now, you have to show off and become the cakewinner now."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E8

SONNY GETS A PATRON

Originally broadcast: 28 May 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Norman Paul, Jack Elinson, Larry Siegel

Pearl and Shirley complain about finding art equipment all over the flat, Samuel discovers that his son's patron is a man who ripped him off, and Benjamin's not the only one to miss Sonny when he decides to move out.

"And I would like to express the black father's point of view... this house needs less noise from a half-pint troublemaker like you. the same goes for the medium and the large."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E9

BUY NOW, PAY LATER

Originally broadcast: 4 June 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Bob Shayne, Eric Cohen

Vilma has to take messages when Samuel forgets to pay the phone bill,
a blind encyclopaedia salesman is shown pity when he comes knocking, and a closer look at the contract suggests that signing it was a mistake.

"Yeah from slavery and 'tote that bale' to 'don't talk to me like that, Eddie Booth!'"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S1E10

THE WINDFALL

Originally broadcast: 11 June 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Allan Manings

Samuel is rewarded when he finds £12000 that was stolen in a robbery, the local community call him stupid for handing it over to the police, and Pearl is far from impressed when he admits to helping himself to £1000.

"What are you all staring at? All I did was to keep the reward in advance that they wasn't going to give me in the first place."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E11

OVER THE HILL

Originally broadcast: 18 June 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Bob Peete

Samuel's invited in for an interview after passing a training scheme test, Pearl's told to use the rent money to celebrate an increase in wages, and an unfortunate computer error puts a dampener on the whole evening.

"To watch him! I want the potato crisps to get back here, not just an empty bag."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S1E12

THE MATCHMAKER

Originally broadcast: 25 June 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Jack Elinson, Norman Paul

Samuel and Pearl get themselves dressed up for a big West End wedding, Vilma insists that not going is the only way to avoid being paired up, and the arrival of a newly divorced friend leads to a quickly broken promise.

"Oh, I don't know, girl, I can't remember. I phoned Eddie, and he can't remember. In fact, none of the boys can remember. But I'll tell you what... that was a night to remember."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 1
TOTAL: 3

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S1E13

BENJAMIN'S REBELLION

Originally broadcast: 2 July 1976
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Eric Monte

Sonny gets sick of everyone pointing out a problem with his proportions, Benjamin is sent home by his school after he calls the Queen a racialist, and Pearl makes Samuel regret asking questions about the day's events.

"Yeah, she picked on me too. Talk about fat... she's got a chest way out here. When her arms get tired, she's got lots of space to rest 'em on. You've no idea how fat she is. The other day, somebody stuck a drawing pin on her seat, it took her two hours to jump up with the pain."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

SPECIAL

(1977)

SPECIAL

NEW YEAR WITH THE FOSTERS

Originally broadcast: 1 January 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Alan Mannings,
Robert Fisher, Phil Naples

Samuel's left penniless when the family go a bit mad at the supermarket, news from Vilma suggests that an elderly neighbour is living on dog food, and inviting her round for a meal leads to a rather awkward dinner table.

"It's my one speciality, meatloaf... Mad from my very own recipe. Secret ingredients. Oh yes, anyone who tastes my meatloaf always sits up and begs for more."

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

SERIES TWO

(1977)
13 episodes
Series Score: 49
Episode Average: 3.77
Perfect 10's: 0

S2E1

THE NUDE

Originally broadcast: 16 April 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Dick Bensfield, Perry Grant

Pearl's horrified when Sonny's commissioned to paint a nude neighbour, Samuel argues that he should be allowed to make good use of his talent, and the lack of a studio forces the subject to wear a bathing suit instead.

"Mum, who's gonna pay thirty quid for a portrait of a nude chicken?"

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S2E2

UP IN ARMS

Originally broadcast: 23 April 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Art Baer, Ben Joelson

Shirley struggles to fill the gap while her mum's away at a family funeral, Sonny's promotion hopes are ended when he's made redundant instead, and Pearl's mortified when she finds out that her son is joining the army.

"It's probably Vilma on the cadge again. On Monday, she borrowed half a bowl of sugar. Yesterday, it was a jar of coffee and a bottle of milk. Today she probably wants a spoon to stir it with."

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

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S2E3

GIVE A LITTLE WHISTLE

Originally broadcast: 30 April 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Jay Sommers

Pearl struggles with the constant demands of being a working housewife, a chat with Vilma sees her change her mind about a lunch invitation, and a first taste of Japanese sake brings back memories of a fairground visit.

"Pearl, this shirt sleeve's got no button on it again. In fact, it's been so long since it's had one that the buttonhole is healing up."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E4

TAKE YOUR PARTNERS

Originally broadcast: 7 May 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Roger Shulman, John Baskin

Sonny suddenly announces that his girlfriend has agreed to marry him, Samuel's more interested in an old debt than talking about a wedding, and resistance from both families sees the couple elope to Birmingham.

"Oh mum! Just when it was getting interesting. You're not preparing me very well for when I grow up... the only thing I'm gonna be good at is leaving rooms."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E5

THAT LOVELY WEEKEND

Originally broadcast: 14 May 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Jack Elinson, Norman Paul

The kids struggle to find the right present for their parents' anniversary, Samuel shocks Pearl when he makes plans for a second honeymoon, and a forgotten key sees the romantic weekend get off to a very rocky start.

"Well, you heard him, Mum, don't just stand there. Approach, curtsy and hand him a menu."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E6

THE FAMILY BUSINESS

Originally broadcast: 21 May 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Jack Elinson,
Allan Manings, Norman Paul

Samuel is encouraged to use his skills to open an electrical repair shop,
a trip to the bank fails to provide him with the money that he needs, and working from home means hiding the truth from a jobsworth caretaker.

"Oh, man, I never bothered. At this moment, my biggest asset is my wife, and that's pretty big."

HOLY GODIVA 1 - ONION JACK 1
TOTAL: 2

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S2E7

THE BARGAIN

Originally broadcast: 28 May 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins

Samuel tries to learn the Highway Code so that he can get himself a car, Vilma tells him that her new boyfriend is trying to sell a Ford Zephyr, and repairs have to be carried out in secret when Sonny reverses into a wall.

"Forwards, backwards and sideways. And if the examiner want to know, the staples holding this booklet together are between pages 26 and 27."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E8

THE DIET

Originally broadcast: 4 June 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins

Pearl's horrified when the family make comments about her appearance, news that an old flame is due to visit England sees her go on a crash diet, and Samuel struggles with hunger when he's forced into supporting her.

"That's nothing... she's in there now shampooing a kipper for dad's tea."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E9

HOME AND AWAY

Originally broadcast: 11 June 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins, Michael S. Baser, Kim Weiskopf

Samuel tries to phone home when he goes to Manchester for five days, Benjamin's desperate to talk to his dad when he falls in love with a girl, and Sonny tries to step into the breach by coaching his younger brother.

"Like old Chinese proverb say, 'Women are like brassieres, they join together behind your back.'"

HOLY GODIVA 1 - ONION JACK 1
TOTAL: 2

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S2E10

WHO NEEDS FRIENDS?

Originally broadcast: 18 June 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Vince Powell

Pearl isn't too happy when a friend of Samuel's turns up with a suitcase, Sonny manages to get himself a job after an interview with the council, and Vilma reveals that the unwanted guest is looking for a wealthy wife.

"And watch out for any bottles because sometimes they leave a drop of the hard stuff in it. If you find any, give 'em to Fred 'cause he's trying to make up a litre bottle."

HOLY GODIVA 1 - ONION JACK 1
TOTAL: 2

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

S2E11

THAT'S MY BOY

Originally broadcast: 25 June 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins

Working at the grocery depot leaves Samuel sick of seeing baked beans, a chat with Vilma persuades Pearl that her marriage lack romance, and Sonny and Shirley bring company back to the flat after staying out late.

"Perhaps there's some connection between the romance going out of your marriage and the elastic going out of his pyjama trousers."

HOLY GODIVA 1 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 3

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S2E12

THE FAMILY WAY

Originally broadcast: 2 July 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins

Sonny and Shirley causes chaos when sickness forces their mum to rest, Samuel has to go for a drink when he gets a nasty shock at the doctor's, and Pearl's left stunned by news that she's going to have another baby.

"Pearl, the only way I can get a wash first thing in the morning is to sleep in the bath all night."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

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S2E13

THE HOUSE GUEST

Originally broadcast: 9 July 1977
Directed by: Stuart Allen
Written by: Jon Watkins

Sonny hears noises in the living room while reading a horror book in bed, the family notice that someone has moved things around in the flat, and Samuel's unimpressed when a medium visits from the fourteenth floor.

"Pearl, I remember taking off me shoes last night, but I don't reminder standing up on that shelf at the time."

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

SAMUEL
FOSTER

Played by Norman Beaton
27 Episodes (1976-1977)
in... Buy Now, Pay Later (S1E9)

PEARL
FOSTER

Played by Isabelle Lucas
27 Episodes (1976-1977)
in... That's My Boy (S2E11)

SONNY
FOSTER

Played by Lenny Henry
27 Episodes (1976-1977)
in... Situations Vacant (S1E7)

SHIRLEY
FOSTER

Played by Sharon Rosita
27 Episodes (1976-1977)
in... The Family Business (S2E6)

BENJAMIN
FOSTER

Played by Lawrie Mark
26 Episodes (1976-1977)
in... The Windfall (S1E10)

VILMA

Played by Carmen Munroe
26 Episodes (1976-1977)
in... New Year With the Fosters (Special)