Double First (BBC-1 1988, Michael Williams, Ann Bell)

In sitcom Double First, once promising writer ‘N.V.’ Standish is now selling hamburgers for a living. He is taken in by two old friends who were at Oxford with him, the pair Mary Webster (Ann Bell) and her sister Louise Hobson (Jennifer Hilary) try to persuade him to repick up his pen but he would rather live in rent free comfort and do nothing.

The series, another John Esmonde and Bob Larbey show, was pretty much written especially for star Michael Williams, it was also all shot on film and dispensed with the traditional sitcom laughter track.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×60 minute episodes 6×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 6 September – 18 October 1988 Tuesdays 8.30pm

Writers: John Esmonde, Bob Larbey / Producer and Director: Gareth Gwenlan

cast
Michael Williams as N V (Norman Vernon) Standish
Ann Bell as Mary Webster
Jennifer Hilary as Louise Hobson
Holly Aird as Ellen Hobson
Clive Merrison as Derek
Peter Tuddenham as William

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