Goodnight Sweetheart (TV series)

Last updated

Goodnight Sweetheart
Goodnight Sweetheart title card (with credits).jpg
Title card (1993–1999)
Genre
  • Sitcom
  • Science fiction
Created by
Developed byAlomo Productions
Directed by
  • Terry Kinane
  • Robin Nash
  • Nic Phillips
  • Martin Dennis
Starring
Theme music composer
  • Ray Noble
  • Jimmy Campbell
  • Reg Connelly
Opening theme"Goodnight Sweetheart"
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6
No. of episodes59 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Claire Hinson
  • Allan McKeown
  • Jon Rolph
Producers
  • John Bartlett
  • Nic Phillips
  • Humphrey Barclay
Production locations
Running time30–45 mins
Production companyAlomo Productions
Original release
Network BBC1
Release18 November 1993 (1993-11-18) 
2 September 2016 (2016-09-02)

Goodnight Sweetheart is a British science fiction time travel sitcom, starring Nicholas Lyndhurst, created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, and produced by the BBC. The sitcom is about the life of Gary Sparrow, an accidental time traveller who leads a double life through the use of a time portal, which allows him to travel between the London of the 1990s and the London of the 1940s during the Second World War. [2] The sitcom's creators, who also created Birds of a Feather and The New Statesman , wrote most of the plots for the episodes. [3]

Contents

The sitcom premiered on BBC1 on 18 November 1993 and ran for six series until its conclusion on 28 June 1999, with repeats after this date being aired on ITV3, Gold, Drama, Yesterday and Forces TV on Sky Digital. Lyndhurst's involvement in the sitcom allowed him to win the Most Popular Comedy Performer at the National Television Awards in 1998 and 1999. [4] On 2 September 2016, the sitcom received a one-off special entitled Many Happy Returns, following events after the final episode. [5] The sitcom itself later received a musical adaptation in 2017.

Premise

Goodnight Sweetheart is about the life of Gary Sparrow (Nicholas Lyndhurst). In 1993, Gary works as a TV repairman, who struggles with his life and the marriage to his ambitious wife Yvonne. He is best friends with Ron Wheatcroft, a printer whose marriage is on the brink of collapse. On attending a TV repair call-out in London's East End, Gary accidentally discovers a time portal at Duckett's Passage, which leads to wartime London, where he meets Phoebe Bamford, a pretty barmaid who works in the "Royal Oak" pub; her father Eric who runs the pub and Reg Deadman, a dim-witted but friendly policeman. Gary strikes up a relationship with Phoebe. He finds he can use the time portal to travel between the 1990s and the 1940s and he uses it to continue seeing Phoebe. To ensure his visits do not interfere with history, Gary brings in assistance from Ron as a confidant, to aid him with problems and to supply him with 1940s five-pound notes and identity documents.

Gary soon finds himself leading a double life. When visiting Phoebe, he explains his absences through working as a secret agent, using his knowledge of future wartime events to his advantage in the deception, also claiming to be a singer-songwriter, passing off modern pop songs as his and supplying many items from the present that were rationed in wartime Britain. When with Yvonne, Gary initially claims his absences to be major call-outs for his work but after losing his job in 1995 to buy and run a shop called "Blitz 'n' Pieces" – selling goods he acquires in the 1940s as rare memorabilia, to maintain access to the time portal in the present – he uses it to lie that he has to be absent to conduct buying trips for stock.

Over the next five years, Gary's life is further complicated by his relationships with the two women. Phoebe eventually takes over the running of the Royal Oak after the death of her father Eric, later marrying Gary, despite him committing bigamy. (Gary rationalises this with the technicality that — because of his travels between eras — he isn't married to two women at the same time.) His marriage with Phoebe results in a son, Michael. Gary moves into a luxury flat in Mayfair, with Reg becoming a doorman in their building after retiring from the police. Yvonne becomes pregnant, only to suffer a miscarriage but she later becomes successful with her organic beauty products, opening a company and transforming into a millionaire, allowing her and Gary to own a luxury apartment. Ron later faces a divorce, losing his home and control of his printing company, adding to Gary's problems, who[ clarification needed ] eventually allows him to have the lease for his Mayfair flat in the present. During his time in the past, Gary has encounters with several historical figures, including Winston Churchill, George Formby and Noël Coward, dealing with some of the peculiar effects of time travel during various trips.

Goodnight Sweetheart eventually concludes in 1945 during VE Day. In 1999, Yvonne becomes suspicious of Gary's frequent absences and follows him to the shop, where she witnesses his disappearance through the time portal. Gary later becomes trapped in the past when the portal closes after he saves Clement Attlee from an assassination attempt by poisoning. He later deduces that it was his destiny to travel back in time with the purpose of saving Attlee's life and the portal closed because he had fulfilled this purpose. Gary is resigned to being forced to stay with Phoebe and their son, though he writes a message behind a strip of wallpaper of his Mayfair flat, knowing that Ron is redecorating it in 1999. Gary's writing appears before Ron and Yvonne, advising him to tell Yvonne everything. The final episode of the original series cuts to Yvonne standing at the gates of Blitz 'n' Pieces, wondering whether or not they would meet again, before being joined by Ron. In 1945, Gary is standing in Duckett's Passage, wondering the same, before being joined by Phoebe and Michael.

Many Happy Returns

In the one-off 2016 special, Gary is still married to Phoebe as they live through the 1960s with their son Michael, who is a teenager. Gary, missing the modern world, decides to visit the hospital where his younger self is being born but inadvertently encounters his father who faints, leaving him to hold his younger self. The incident causes Gary to be thrown into the future in the 2010s, arriving in the men's toilets of a trendy burger joint in east London, where his former shop was. During his visit, Gary meets Yvonne, now a multimillionaire investor, with Ron as her tenant in the basement. To his shock, Gary learns that Yvonne got pregnant before the closure of the time portal in 1999 and that he now has a 16-year-old daughter named Ellie. After meeting her, Gary contemplates living a double life again, upon finding a new time portal has opened, hoping to get to know his daughter, whilst still maintaining his life in the 1960s.

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 618 November 1993 (1993-11-18)23 December 1993 (1993-12-23)
2 1020 February 1995 (1995-02-20)1 May 1995 (1995-05-01)
Special 26 December 1995 (1995-12-26)
3 101 January 1996 (1996-01-01)4 March 1996 (1996-03-04)
4 113 March 1997 (1997-03-03)20 May 1997 (1997-05-20)
5 1023 February 1998 (1998-02-23)27 April 1998 (1998-04-27)
6 1018 April 1999 (1999-04-18)28 June 1999 (1999-06-28)
Special 2 September 2016 (2016-09-02)

A total of 59 episodes were made, including a Christmas special in 1995 and a special in 2016. Marks and Gran, the creators, wrote the first series; many later episodes were written by other writers. As in Marks and Gran's sitcom Get Back, most episodes of Goodnight Sweetheart — and the programme — were named after popular song titles, others being derived from film titles. The show is named after the song "Goodnight, Sweetheart", a popular song of the 1930s and 1940s, popularised by Al Bowlly in 1931; it was later sung by Nick Curtis as the series signature tune. During one episode Gary and Phoebe refer to Bowlly's death during the Second World War. Because of a script-editing error, two episodes (series one, episode six and series four, episode two) were both titled "In the Mood". There is no special connection between these two episodes.

Cast

ActorRoleEpisodesSeriesYears
Nicholas Lyndhurst Gary Sparrow 591–6 and 2 specials1993–99, 2016
Victor McGuire Ron Wheatcroft
Christopher Ettridge P.C. Reg Deadman / P.C. Deadman (Grandson)561–6 and 2 specials (Not in 1x02, 1x04, 2x04)
Elizabeth Carling Phoebe Bamford / Sparrow324–6 and 1 special1997–99, 2016
Dervla Kirwan 271–3 and 1 special1993–96
Emma Amos Yvonne Sparrow 314–6 and 1 special (Not in 4x04)1997–99, 2016
Michelle Holmes 271–3 and 1 special1993–96
David Ryall Eric Elward611993
Roger Sloman George Sparrow141997
Liam Jeavons11 special2016
David Benson Noël Coward 65–61998–99
Eve BlandMajorie Hook / Deadman71996-1999
Ian Lavender Michael Sparrow151998
Tim Preston11 special2016
Nimmy March Stella Wheatcroft41995-1996
Esme CoyEllie Sparrow11 special2016

DVD releases

All six series and the 1995 Christmas Special have been released on DVD in the UK (Region 2) with music edits made to certain episodes, the Christmas special was released on the third series DVD. The first five series have been released in Australia (Region 4).

DVD TitleNo. of discsYearNo. of episodesDVD releaseDVD Interview
Region 2 Region 4
Complete Series 1 1199364 February 20053 June 2009 Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran (Creators)
Complete Series 2 219951026 September 20053 June 2009 Christopher Ettridge (Reg Deadman)
Complete Series 3 21995 & 19961123 January 200617 September 2009 Dervla Kirwan (old Phoebe)
Complete Series 4 219971122 May 20062 June 2011 Emma Amos (new Yvonne)
Complete Series 5 219981024 July 20062 August 2011 David Benson (Noël Coward)
Complete Series 6 219991018 September 2006 Elizabeth Carling (new Phoebe)
Complete Series 16 111993–995823 October 2006All of the above

Future

The show's writers and producers have stated they have received thousands of emails and letters regarding the show wishing for its return to the small screen. Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran have both stated that while there are no plans to bring the series back, it might possibly come back if the musical is made and is a success. On 5 July 2016 it was announced that the show would be returning to BBC One for a one-off special, as part of the BBC's "landmark sitcom season". Unlike the original series, which was filmed in London, it was filmed and produced at dock10 studios, in Salford Quays. Marks and Gran wrote the script and Lyndhurst returned to the role of Gary Sparrow. [7] The special episode aired on 2 September 2016 on BBC One. It received a positive response. [8]

Musical

Since 2014 there was talk of Goodnight Sweetheart being turned into a musical and in December 2017, dates for a stage musical were announced. [9] This jukebox style musical would feature songs from the 1940s and 1980s with the world premiere taking place at the Brookside Theatre, Romford in September 2018. [10]

Related Research Articles

Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst is an English actor. He began his career as a child actor and became best known for his role as Rodney Trotter in the sitcom Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003). He also had major roles in other sitcoms including Goodnight Sweetheart, Going Straight (1978), Butterflies (1978–1983), The Two of Us (1986–1990), The Piglet Files (1990–1992) and After You've Gone (2007–2008). He starred in the comedy-drama series Rock & Chips (2010–2011) and co-starred in the procedural crime drama series New Tricks (2013–2015). In 2023, he was cast as Professor Alan Cornwall in the revival of the American sitcom Frasier.

<i>Men Behaving Badly</i> British TV sitcom (1992–1998)

Men Behaving Badly is a British sitcom that was created and written by Simon Nye. It follows the lives of Gary Strang and his flatmates Dermot Povey and Tony Smart. It was first broadcast on ITV in 1992. A total of six series were made, along with a Christmas special and a trilogy of episodes that make up the feature-length "last orders".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrence Hardiman</span> English actor (1937–2023)

Terrence Edward Hardiman was an English actor. He often portrayed authority figures such as Nazi-era personnel and a British officer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor McGuire</span> English actor (born 1964)

Victor McGuire is an English actor best known for playing Jack Boswell in series 1–3, 5-7 of Carla Lane's Bread, Ron Wheatcroft in every series of Goodnight Sweetheart and its 2016 one-off episode, and Sean Hughes' neighbour Tony in Sean's Show.

Michelle Holmes is an English actress who has appeared in several television serials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Stevens (actor)</span> English revue artist, character actor and voice artist (1925–2006)

Ronald George Stevens was an English revue artist, character actor and voice artist credited professionally as Ronnie Stevens.

Elizabeth Carling is an English actress and singer best known for her performances in Boon, Goodnight Sweetheart, Barbara, and Casualty. In 1991 Carling was briefly engaged to Neil Morrissey, whom she met while working on the ITV drama Boon and with whom she also appeared in an episode of BBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly.

Emma Amos is an English actress. She played Yvonne Sparrow in the last three series and 2016 special of time travel sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart alongside Nicholas Lyndhurst, replacing original actress Michelle Holmes who held the role from 1993-96. In 1992, she played Sherbet Gravel in Philip Ridley's controversial stage play The Fastest Clock in the Universe.

<i>After Youve Gone</i> (TV series) Television series

After You've Gone is a British comedy that aired on BBC One from 12 January 2007 to 21 December 2008. Starring Nicholas Lyndhurst, Celia Imrie, Dani Harmer and Ryan Sampson, After You've Gone was created by Fred Barron, who also created My Family. The writers include Barron, Ian Brown, Katie Douglas, James Hendie, Danny Robins, Andrea Solomons and Dan Tetsell. Three series and two Christmas specials aired, and work on scripts for a fourth series had already begun when the BBC withdrew the commission in November 2008 and cancelled the series.

Many happy returns is a greeting, often for birthdays.

Nick Stringer is an English actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comic Relief special</span> Episode of Only Fools and Horses

The "Comic Relief special" was a sketch of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, recorded as part of the 1997 Comic Relief appeal. It was first screened on 14 March 1997. It was chronologically set before the 1996 Christmas trilogy. This special sketch was Buster Merryfield's final appearance as Uncle Albert as he died not long after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ryall</span> English actor (1935-2014)

David John Ryall was an English stage, film and television character actor. He had leading roles in Lytton's Diary and Goodnight Sweetheart, as well as memorable roles in Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective and Andrew Davies's adaptation of To Play the King. He also portrayed Billy Buzzle in the ITV sitcom Bless Me, Father and Frank in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered.

Paul Alexander is a British comedy writer. He has written or contributed to My Hero, Red Dwarf, The 10%ers, My Spy Family, Babes in the Wood, Lovejoy, Horrid Henry, Bedsitcom, Goodnight Sweetheart, The Green Green Grass, My Parents Are Aliens, 2point4 Children, Neighbors from Hell, Summer in Transylvania and Emmerdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodnight Sweetheart (Ray Noble, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly song)</span>

"Goodnight, Sweetheart" is a British popular song written in 1931. It has been performed by Al Bowlly, Kate Smith, Connie Francis, Dick Haymes, Gordon MacRae, Sarah Vaughan and Dean Martin, among others, and was the theme song for the 1990s BBC time-travel sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart starring Nicholas Lyndhurst, which was named after it.

<i>Still Open All Hours</i> BBC television sitcom

Still Open All Hours is a British sitcom (2013–2019) created for the BBC by Roy Clarke, and starring David Jason and James Baxter. It is the sequel to the sitcom Open All Hours (1976–1985), which both Clarke and Jason were involved in. The new series was launched following a 40th Anniversary Special in December 2013 commemorating the original series. The sitcom's premise focuses on the life of a much older Granville, who now runs his late uncle's grocery shop with the assistance of his son, continuing to sell products at higher prices alongside seeking to be with his love interest.

<i>The Furchester Hotel</i> 2014 multi-national TV series or program

The Furchester Hotel is a puppet series that aired on CBeebies. It was the second British-American spin-off of Sesame Street that the BBC had made after Sesame Tree 6 years before. The show ran on CBeebies on 26 September 2014. The show aired in 2016 on Sprout until March 2, 2019.

<i>Porridge</i> (2016 TV series) 2016 British TV series or programme

Porridge is a British television sitcom, starring Kevin Bishop, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and broadcast on BBC One. The show is a sequel to the original 1974 series of the same name, which both Clement and La Frenais wrote. The sitcom focuses on prison inmate Nigel Norman Fletcher, the grandson of Norman Stanley Fletcher, who is sent to Wakeley Prison to serve a five-year sentence for cyber crimes.

References

  1. "Goodnight Sweetheart". Dock10 . Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. Masters, Tim (17 November 2013). "BBC News – Goodnight Sweetheart: Musical future for time travel show?". BBC News. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  3. "BBC – Comedy Guide – Goodnight Sweetheart". Archived from the original on 5 December 2004. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  4. "Winners – The National Television Awards". Nationaltvawards.com. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  5. "Goodnight Sweetheart (an Episode Guide)". epguides.com.
  6. "Goodnight Sweetheart". BBC Store . Retrieved 21 February 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Goodnight Sweetheart is coming back with Nicholas Lyndhurst returning to star" . Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. Kitchener, Shaun (2 September 2016). "BBC 'would be CRAZY' not to make full series of Goodnight Sweetheart after reboot special" . Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  9. Masters, Tim (17 November 2013). "BBC News – Goodnight Sweetheart: Musical future for time travel show?". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  10. "Brookside Theatre". thelittleboxoffice.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.