Robin’s Nest (ITV 1977-1981, Richard O’Sullivan, Tessa Wyatt)

Sitcom. Having created a great dynamic in Man About The House, series creators Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke were unwilling to let that go when that show ended. They came up with not one spin off but two in the shape of George and Mildred and Robin’s Nest. In Nest we catch up with Robin (still played by Richard O’Sullivan) , now a qualified chef and living with his girlfriend Vicky (something of a first this for a sitcom – a couple living together but not yet married).

When Robin spots an opportunity to open his own restaurant – the Robin’s Nest of the title, he persuades Vicky’s wealthy father James (played by Tony Britton and who isn’t overly keen on Robin but will do anything to please his daughter) to provide financial backing. Over the course of the series Robin and Vicky (Tessa Wyatt) get married and later give birth to twins; Many of the laughs in the show were provided by the brilliant David Kelly as the one armed Irish washer upper Albert Riddle (Kelly didn’t really have just one arm by the way!)

Unlike House Cooke and Mortimer didn’t write all the episodes but drafted in the likes of George Layton, Bernard McKenna, Terence Brady, Charlotte Bingham, Dave Freeman, Terence Feely, Richard Waring and Willis Hall. Richard O’Sullivan also contributed an excellent synth led theme tune.

A US version was made under the title Three’s A Crowd which starred John Ritter (this echoed the MATH adaptation Three’s Company which was hugely popular in the states).

production details
UK / ITV Network – Thames / 48 x 30 minute episodes / Broadcast 11 January 1977 – 31 March 1981

Creators: Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke / Theme Music: Richard O’Sullivan / Producer: Peter Frazer-Jones

cast
RICHARD O”SULLIVAN as Robin Tripp
TESSA WYATT as Vicky Nicholls (later Tripp)
TONY BRITTON as James Nicholls
DAVID KELLY as Albert Riddle
HONOR BLACKMAN as Marion Nicholls
BARBARA MURRAY as Marion Nicholls