Something in the City to Sykes

The Ultimate Guide to British Sitcoms

All sitcoms starting with the letter S. This is part three and takes you from Something in the City to Sykes.

Head back to main sitcom page.

SOMETHING IN THE CITY

Associated-Rediffusion/Jack Hylton / 5×30 minute episodes / 1959 6 July – 3 August Mondays 8.30pm
Director: Kenneth Carter
Sitcom. Exploits of three businessmen in the city who travel to work together on the same train. No writer credits were given but the series was based on an American sketch called the Commuters that was part of NBC’s Caesar’s Hour.
George Keyes………………………………. ERIC BARKER
Betty Keyes………………………………… JOAN BENHAM
Freddie Chiddock………………………….. DERYCK GUYLER
Phyl Chiddock……………………………… PEARL HACKNEY
Joe Miller……………………………………. PETER HAMMOND
Maisie Miller……………………………….. DIANE HART

SON OF THE BRIDE

BBC1 / 6×30 minute episodes / 1973 6 June – 11 July Wednesdays 7.30pm
Writer: John Kane / Producer: Peter Whitmore
Sitcom. Middle aged Neville has trouble breaking away from the apron strings of his mother.
Neville Leggit…………………………………. TERRY SCOTT
Mum……………………………………………. MOLLIE SUGDEN
Stan……………………………………………. GEORGE A. COOPER
Miss McDowdie……………………………… JOSEPHINE TEWSON
Angela………………………………………… OLIVIA HAMNETT

SORRY!

BBC1 / 42×30 minute episodes / 1981-88 Seven seasons
Writers: Ian Davidson, Peter Vincent / Producer/Director: David Askey
Sitcom. 43 year old librarian Timothy Lumsden is unable to break free of his interfering domineering mother.
Timothy Lumsden…………………….. RONNIE CORBETT
Mrs Phyllis Lumsden………………… BARBARA LOTT
Sidney Lumsden……………………… WILLIAM MOORE
Frank (Seasons 1-3)…………………. ROY HOLDER
Muriel…………………………………… MARGUERITE HARDIMAN
Kevin……………………………………. DEREK FUKE
Jennifer (Season 6)………………….. WENDY ALLNUTT

SORRY, I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF

Thames / 13×30 minute episodes / 1981-82 Season 1: 15 June – 27 July 81 / Season 2: 13 April – 18 May 82
Writers: David Firth, Peter Tilbury / Producer/Director: Anthony Parker
Sitcom. Ageing librarian Henry Nunn moves into the house left to him in his Uncle’s will, the house was where he spent his formative years growing up.
Henry Nunn………………………………….. ROBIN BAILEY
Tom……………………………………………. DAVID HARGREAVES
Mumtaz………………………………………. NADIM SAWALHA
Doreen………………………………………… DIANA RAYWORTH
Alex…………………………………………… CHRISTOPHER FULFORD

SORRY I’M SINGLE

BBC1 / 9×30 minute episodes / 1967 1 August – 26 September Tuesdays 7.30pm black and white
Writers: Ronald Woolfe, Ronald Chesney / Producer: John Street
Sitcom. Student David shares a flat with three young women.
David…………………………………………… DEREK NIMMO
Brenda………………………………………… GWENDOLYN WATTS
Karen………………………………………….. ELIZABETH KNIGHT
Suzy…………………………………………… PIK-SEN LIM

SOUNDING BRASS

ATV / 6×60 minute episodes / 1980 2 July – 6 August Wednesdays 8.00pm
Writer: Don Shaw / Executive Producer: David Reid / Producer: John Cooper
Sitcom. The new director of Ettaswell Town Band determines to restore it to its former glory.
Horace Gilbert Bestwick………………. BRIAN GLOVER
Leonard Dukes………………………….. STEPHEN HANCOCK
Gerry Thompson………………………… RAY MORT
Mr MacKenzie…………………………… ALEX McCRINDLE
Arthur Mannion………………………….. PHILIP JACKSON
Cynthia Wildgoose…………………….. GWEN TAYLOR
Frank Oldfield…………………………… TEDDY TURNER
Cyril Bacon……………………………… KEVIN LLOYD

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Yorkshire TV / 7×30 minute episodes / 1985 30 August – 11 October Fridays 8.00pm
Writer: Peter Tinniswood / Producer/Director: Derrick Goodwin
Sitcom. Bigoted Yorkshireman, Edgar Rowley who hates everything about ‘down south’ is forced to move to Southern climes in search of a job.
Edgar Rowley…………………………….. BRIAN GLOVER
Ellen Rowley……………………………… BELINDA SINCLAIR
Anita Rowley……………………………… MOSSIE SMITH
Billy…………………………………………. ROBIN PARKINSON
Nan…………………………………………. MAGGIE JONES
Warwick……………………………………. PHIL NICE
Finbar………………………………………. EUGENE GEASLEY
Ashley……………………………………… PHILIP DUNBAR
Quentin……………………………………. CHRISTOPHER GODWIN

SO YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT TROUBLES

BBC1-Alamo / 6×30 minute episodes / 1991 17 October – 28 November Thursdays 10.00pm
Writers: Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran / Producer: Tara Prem / Directors: Mike Holgate, Colm Villa
Sitcom. The Jewish manager of a pipe tobacco factory is transferred to Northern Ireland and is soon embroiled in the problems of the Belfast Jewish community.
Ivan Fox………………………………………. WARREN MITCHELL
Charley Adamson………………………….. JAMES ELLIS
Anna Adamson……………………………… LINDA WRAY
George Nathan……………………………… HARRY TOWB
Roberta Nathan…………………………….. STELLA McCUSKER
Louise Nathan……………………………… EMER GILLESPIE
Sean Doherty……………………………… JOHN KEEGAN

SPACED

Channel 4 / 13×30 minute episodes / 1999-2001
Writers: Jessica Stevenson and Simon Pegg / Producer: Gareth Edwards / Director: Edgar Wright
Sitcom. Twentysomethings Daisy and Tim pose as a couple in order to be able to rent a flat, once ensconced in their flat they spend their times doing basically nothing.
Daisy Steiner……………………………….. JESSICA STEVENSON
Tim Bisley…………………………………… SIMON PEGG
Marsha………………………………………. JULIA DEAKIN
Brian…………………………………………. MARK HEAP
Mike…………………………………………. NICK FROST
Twist…………………………………………. KATY CARMICHAEL

SPARK

BBC1 / 6×30 minute episodes / 1997 10 November – 15 December Mondays 8.30pm
Writer: Roy Clarke / Proucer: Mike Stephens
Sitcom. Following the death of his mother, gauche middle aged Ashley Parkerwell is desperate for a little fun out of life.
Ashley Parkerwell…………………………… JAMES FLEET
Colette………………………………………… JAN FRANCIS
Gillian…………………………………………. REBECCA RAYBONE
Mike…………………………………………… ALISTAIR McGOWAN
Mrs Wells……………………………………. BRIGIT FORSYTH
Ursula Craig…………………………………. JULIA DEAKIN
Mrs Rudge…………………………………… ANNE REID

SPLIT ENDS

Granada / 6×30 minute episodes / 1989 7 June – 12 July Wednesdays 8.30pm
Writer: Len Richmond / Theme Sung by Anita Dobson / Producer: James Maw / Director: Alan J.W. Bell
Sitcom. Hairdresser Cath has trouble choosing between the two men in her life.
Cath……………………………………………. ANITA DOBSON
Clint……………………………………………. HARRY DITSON
David…………………………………………… PETER BLAKE
Herbie…………………………………………. ROBIN DAVIES
Aretha…………………………………………. NIMMY MARCH
Lee…………………………………………….. LEE WHITLOCK

SPOONER’S PATCH

ATV-Regent-Central(1982) / 19×30 minute episodes / 1979-82 Three seasons.
Writers: Johnny Speight and Ray Galton / Producer: William G. Stewart
Sitcom. Exploits of a group of inept policemen.
Insp Spooner(1)…………………………. RONALD FRASER
Insp Spooner(2)…………………………. DONALD CHURCHILL
DC Bulsover……………………………… PETER CLEALL
PC Killick………………………………… JOHN LYONS
PC Goatman (Season 1)……………… NORMAN ROSSINGTON

SPRING AND AUTUMN

Thames / 26×30 minute episodes / 1973-77 1 Pilot (1972) and Four seasons
Writers: Vince Powell, Harry Driver / Producers: Ronnie Baxter, Mike Vardy, Anthony Parker
Sitcom. Young teenager Charlie Harris befriends cantankerous old age pensioner Tommy Butler. A pilot edition was broadcast in 1972 with a slightly different cast.
Tommy Butler…………………………… JIMMY JEWEL
Charlie Harris……………………………. CHARLIE HAWKINS
Vera Reid………………………………… JUNE BARRY
Betty Harris……………………………… JO WARNE
Brian Reid……………………………….. LARRY MARTYN

THE SQUIRRELS

ATV / 28×30 minute episodes / 1975-77
Creator: Eric Chappell / Producer: Shaun O’Riordan
Sitcom. Misadventures amongst the staff of a TV Rental company, especially the accounts department. There was a pilot broadcast 1974, the actor Kenneth Cope wrote two episodes.
Mr Fletcher………………………………… BERNARD HEPTON
Rex………………………………………….. KEN JONES
Harry………………………………………… ALAN DAVIDS
Susan………………………………………. PATSY ROWLANDS
Burke……………………………………….. ELLIS JONES
Carol………………………………………… KARIN MacCARTHY

STARTING OUT

BBC1-Alamo / 8×30 minute episodes / 1999 21 September – 9 November Tuesdays 8.30pm
Creators: Laurence Marks, Maurice Gran / Theme Music: Ian Dury / Producer: Michael Jacob / Director: Nic Phillips
Sitcom. Twenty something and very engaged Samantha falls for non league footballer Dean and the pair begin an on off relationship.
Samantha…………………………………… SIOBHAN HAYES
Dean…………………………………………. RICCI HARNETT
Carly…………………………………………. SAMANTHA LAVELLE
Monty……………………………………….. SIMON SHERLOCK
Steve………………………………………… DANNY SWANSON
Louie………………………………………… CHRIS JURY
Marji…………………………………………. JULIE LEGRAND

THE STRANGERERS

Sky One-Taken For Granted-Absolutley / 1×60 minute episodes 9×30 minute episodes / 2000
Creator/Executive Producer: Rob Grant / Music: Peter Brewis / Design: Graeme Story / Costume: Louise Page / Titles: Moving Picture Company
Scifi sitcom. A pair of extremely inept aliens arrive on planet Earth with a top secret mission, attempting to blend in to their new surroundings the duo are tracked by a beautiful female alien hunter.
With:- MARK WILLIAMS as Cadet Flynn / JACK DOCHERTY as Cadet Niven / SARAH ALEXANDER as Rina / MARK HEAP as Harry

STRESSED ERIC

BBC2 / 13×30 minute episodes / 1998-200
Writer/Producer: Carl Gorham / Director: Steve Loter
Animated sitcom. Episodes in the hectic life of single father of two kids, Eric Feeble. Eric juggles the demands of his kids with the problems of his boring office job and non existent social life.
Voices:- MARK HEAP as Eric / ALISON STEADMAN as Mrs Perfect / ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG as Ray Perfect / MORWENNA BANKS as Claire / CARL GORHAM as Brian / PAUL SHEARER as Doc / DOON MACKICHAN as Maria and Alison

STRUGGLE

Channel 4-LWT / 6×35 minute episodes / 1983-84 27 Nov 83 – 1 Jan 84 Sundays 8.45pm
Writer: Peter Jenkins / Script Editor: Bernard McKenna / Producer/Director: Graham Evans
Sitcom. The rivalries of two opposing councillors in the London borough of Southam.
Steve Marsh………………………………….. TIM PIGGOTT-SMITH
Sir Bert………………………………………… RAY SMITH
Reg…………………………………………….. PAUL ROGERS
Robin………………………………………….. PETER MACHIN
Hil………………………………………………. MARY MADDOX
Charlie………………………………………… TREVOR LAIRD
Alan…………………………………………… TERENCE BUDD
Caroline………………………………………. CLARE CLIFFORD
Stanley……………………………………….. KEN JONES
Mrs Buggins…………………………………. JEANNE DOREE
Mayor………………………………………… MALCOLM RUSSELL

SUBURBAN SHOOTOUT

UK / Channel 5-Paramount / 8x30m / started 27 April 2006
Writers: Gary Martin, Roger Beckett / Director: Vito Rosso / Producer: Greg Boardman
Sitcom about two rival families in an idyllic village who will go to extreme measures to win victories over the other.
With:- ANNA CHANCELLOR as Camilla Diamond / FELICITY MONTAGU as Barbara Du Prez / AMELIA BULLMORE as Joyce Hazeldine / RALPH INESON as Jeremy Hazeldine

SUNNYSIDE FARM

BBC2 / 6×30 minute episodes / 1997 18 April – 23 May
Writers: Richard Preddy, Gary Howe / Music: Damon Alburn / Producer: Spencer Campbell / Executive Producer: Justin Judd / Director: Andy De Emmony
Sitcom. Two slightly mad brothers, Ray and Ken Sunnyside, run a ramshackle farm.
Ray Sunnyside…………………………….. PHIL DANIELS
Ken Sunnyside…………………………….. MARK DANIELS
Letchworth………………………………….. MICHAEL KITCHEN
Mr Mills……………………………………… MATT LUCAS
Wendy………………………………………. BETH GODDARD
Titania……………………………………….. JENNIFER LEVISTON
Justin……………………………………….. TONY GARDNER

THE SUN TRAP

BBC1 / 6×30 minute episodes / 1980 25 April – 30 May Fridays 8.20pm
Writer: David Nobbs / Producer: Gareth Gwenlan
Sitcom. The exploits of a group of ex-pat Brits living on a Mediterranean Island.
Peter Halliday………………………………. DONALD CHURCHILL
Helen Halliday……………………………… ZENA WALKER
Fiona…………………………………………. JOAN BENHAM
Horace………………………………………. GRAHAM CROWDEN
Harold……………………………………….. DAVID GARTH
Gloria………………………………………… JO ROWBOTTOM
Ken…………………………………………… PETER SCHOFIELD

SUPERNOVA

BBC2 / 6x30m / started 11 October 2005
Writer: Harry Cripps / Director: Matt Lipsey / Executive Producers: David Maher, David Taylor, Beryl Vertue, Sue Vertue

Paul Hamilton is a British astronomer who specialises in gaseous suns and he takes a job at a remote research observatory in the Australian Outback as a complete change to his humdrum life.

With:- ROB BRYDON as Dr Paul Hamilton / KAT STEWART as Dr Rachel Mann / KRIS McQUADE as Professor Pip Cartwright / PETER KOWITZ as Max / HOLLIE ANDREW as Jude

SURGICAL SPIRIT

Granada / 50×30 minute episodes / 1989-95 Seven seasons
Creator: Peter Learmouth / Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Medical sitcom. Episodes in the working life of acid tongued female surgeon Sheila Sabatini.
Sheila Sabatini………………………….. NICOLA McAULIFFE
Johnathon Haslam……………………… DUNCAN PRESTON
George Hope-Wynne…………………… DAVID CONVILLE
Joyce Watson…………………………… MARJI CAMPI
Neil Copeland……………………………. EMLYN PRICE

SWEET CHARITY

ITV1 / 1x30m / 7 May 2002 / 8:30pm
Writer: Donald McCleary / Director: Michael Hines / Producer: Colin Gilbert

Jan and Agnes run a charity shop. A one-off comedy (Probably intended to be the pilot for a possible series).
With:- THELMA BARLOW as Jan / ANNE REID as Agnes / GAVIN MITCHELL as Handbag Thief / JAMES WEIR as Policeman / MARK MCDONNELL as Sergeant / JAMES RYLAND as Dan / Jay Manley as Props buyer

SWEET SIXTEEN

BBC1 / 6×30 minute episodes / 1983 16 October – 20 November Sundays 7.15pm
Writer: Douglas Watkinson / Producer/Director: Gareth Gwenlan
Sitcom. Middle aged businesswoman Helen Walker begins an affair with Peter Morgan who just happens to be sixteen years her junior.
Helen Walker……………………………. PENELOPE KEITH
Peter Morgan……………………………. CHRISTOPHER VILLIERS
Jane………………………………………. JOAN BLACKHAM
Dr Ballantine……………………………. MIKE GRADY
James Walker………………………….. MATTHEW SOLON
Ken Green………………………………. VICTOR SPINETTI

SWISS TONI

BBC3 / x30m / started 10 February 2003
Writers: Rhys Thomas, Charlie Higson / Director: Ben Kellett / Producers: Charlie Higson, Geoffrey Perkins

Comedy set in a car showroom run by the smooth-talking but fairly inept Swiss Toni. The character started life in The Fast Show in which his catchphrase was the way he compared everything to making love to a beautiful woman. Episodes received a repeat showing on late night BBC1 the following week.
With:- CHARLIE HIGSON as Swiss Toni / SIMON DAY / RHYS THOMAS / MATILDA ZIEGLER / EMMA RYDAL / ELIZABETH SPRIGGS

SYKES AND A…

BBC1 / 59×30 minute episodes / 1960-65 Nine seasons
Creator: Eric Sykes / Writers: Eric Sykes, Johnny Speight, John Antrobus, Spike Milligan
Sitcom. The often bizarre home life of bachelor Eric and his spinster sister Hattie at 24 Sebastapol Terrace. Each episode was called Sykes And (whatever the subject was). See also below for Sykes.
Eric……………………………………………. ERIC SYKES
Hattie…………………………………………. HATTIE JACQUES
Corky…………………………………………. DERYK GUYLER
Mr Brown…………………………………….. RICHARD WATTIS

SYKES

BBC1 / 68×30 minute episodes / 1972-79 Seven seasons
Writer: Eric Sykes / Producer/Director: Roger Race
Sitcom. A continuation (following a seven year gap) of the series Sykes And A …(see above entry) and again featuring episodes in the life of Eric and his sister Hattie. In this series the pair had moved two doors down the street to 28 Sebastapol Terrace.
Eric………………………………………… ERIC SYKES
Hattie……………………………………… HATTIE JACQUES
PC Wilfred ‘Corky’ Turnbull…………… DERYK GUYLER
Charles Brown (Seasons 1-3)……….. RICHARD WATTIS
Melanie Rumbelow (Seasons 5-7)…. JOY HARRINGTON

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