UK
/ BBC1/Witzend/ Tamariska / 71 episodes mostly
fifty minutes but with some feature length specials /
1986-94
Creators: Ian la Frenais, Ian McShane / Characters: Jonathan Gash /
Theme Music: Denis King
Based
on a series of hard hitting novels written by
former Dr Jonathan Gash Lovejoy concerned the
often shady dealing of antiques expert Lovejoy
(he never revealed his first name). Set in the
idyllic countryside of East Anglia amongst the
cottages and villages Lovejoy was an antiques
dealer with a difference, he was a "divvie"
a diviner, someone who could tell just by the
emanations given off a piece whether it was
genuine or not.
Season one was very much in keeping with the
hard edged novels with Lovejoy not being averse
to the odd spot of skullduggery. He had a couple
of helpers in the shape of alcoholic Tinker Dill
and the somewhat stupid Eric Catchpole whose
father was paying Lovejoy to teach Eric the
trade. Lovejoy usually found himself at
loggerheads with millionaire Auction house owner
Charlie Gimbert. The other main regular was
Lovejoy's sort of love interest Lady Jane
Felsham (she was married but was constantly in Lovejoy's
schemes). After 10 excellent episodes it looked
like that was it. Until 4 years later a watered
down version of the series returned along with
all of the cast (minus Charlie Gimbert), the
series was now aimed at the Sunday evening
market, still deservedly popular but lacking the
original spark.
The show was Ian McShane's baby, co made by his
production company with McShane even directing a
few episodes. As was the norm with the BBC's hit
shows during the 80's and 90's feature length
Christmas specials were made and the show
attracted some big names including the likes of
Sir John Gield, Joanna Lumley (who Lovejoy fell
in love with), Warren Clarke, Lysette Anthony,
Anthony Valentine and many more.
The final two seasons saw many changes Lady Jane
and Eric both departed the show and in came new
assistant Beth and the haughty Charlotte
Cavendish who at first had an antagonistic
relationship with Lovejoy (she was a fellow
antiques expert) but later the pair fell in love
and got married.
A popular Sunday night staple for many years
Lovejoy set out to entertain and did just that.
Cast
IAN McSHANE as Lovejoy / DUDLEY SUTTON
as
Tinker Dill / CHRIS JURY as
Eric Cathcpole / PHYLLIS LOGAN as
Lady Jane Felsham / PAVEL DOUGLAS as
Lord Alexander Felsham / MALCOLM TIERNAY as
Charlie Gimbert / CAROLINE LANGRISHE as
Charlotte Cavendish / DIANE PARISH as Beth
