Sink or Swim
1980 · 3 seasons · 19 eps · ★ 7.0 · Comedy
Ended
Sink or Swim is a BBC TV sitcom starring Peter Davison as Brian Webber, who lives in a flat above a London petrol station, and trying to make his way in the world, thus far with limited success. His girlfriend, Sonia, is a very practical young woman who is passionate only about things like vegetarianism and ecology. When Brian's younger brother, Steve, arrives seeking a place to stay, his lazy, cynical, noisy "Northern lout" attitude disrupts Brian's already messy life. Like Only Fools and Horses, Sink or Swim was filmed in Bristol doubling for London. It ran for three series between 4 December 1980 and 14 October 1982, and was written by Alex Shearer, who later wrote the Nicholas Lyndhurst sitcom 'The Two of Us' (1986-90, LWT). The first two years of production overlapped as Davison was also starring as the Fifth Doctor in Doctor Who, which imposed constraints on recording schedules.
Created by Alex Shearer
Network: BBC One
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Cast
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Peter Davison Brian Webber -
Robert Glenister Steve Webber - S Sara Corper Sonia
More from Alex ShearerSee all →
Chocolate Underground · 2008Chocolate Underground
★ 10.02008
SeriesAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
Chocolate is now illegal. The story takes place in present day, the Good for You Party has won the election and announced the amazing Chocolate Prohibition law. They prohibit all sweet things, including chocolates, because they are harmful to ones health. Two boys, Huntley and Smudger, stand up to fight against the law. With help from Louise and other friends, they begin to bootleg chocolate.
Bootleg · 2002Bootleg
★ 7.42002
SeriesFamilyDrama
Based on the book of the same name by Alex Shearer; a new political party called the "Good for You" (abbreviated as GFY) which comes into power and bans chocolate. Two kids named Smudger Moore and Huntley Hunter want to get their chocolate back. They begin by selling bootleg chocolate, and go on to join an underground resistance organization.
The Climber · 1983The Climber
★ 7.01983
SeriesComedy
When Harry Lumsden, a humble bakery worker, adds up the results wrong of an IQ test, he mistakenly thinks he is a genius. Filled with a new sense of self worth Harry decides to set about improving all aspects of his life and especially his "career".
No Job for a Lady · 1990No Job for a Lady
★ 6.31990
SeriesComedy
Jean Price is the newly elected, somewhat rebellious Labour MP for an inner-city constituency, and her life in the House of Commons. She's married to Geoff Price, a public defender and carer of many household chores so that Jean can pursue her new career. Jean balances her personal life with parliamentary duties, including 'women's issues', which Jean alternately fights for and is frustrated by, as other MPs think she cares about nothing else due to her gender. She often is surprised by others' duplicity and hypocrisy, holding them to a significantly higher standard.
The Two of Us · 1986The Two of Us
★ 6.21986
SeriesComedy
The Two of Us is an ITV comedy series produced by London Weekend Television, and starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Janet Dibley as Ashley Phillips and Elaine Walker, an unmarried couple living together, at a time when this was becoming increasingly common in Britain, but still considered slightly controversial in some circles.
While Ashley was keen for the pair to get married and would regularly propose, Elaine saw no reason to get married and was happy to keep her independence. Ashley's roguish grandfather Perce (played by Patrick Troughton, but later by Tenniel Evans after Troughton's death) was supportive of the couple, but Ashley's domineering mother (Jennifer Piercey) disapproved and constantly urged the pair to marry. Ashley's suppressed father (Paul McDowell) seemed less upset, but generally backed up his wife in the hope of a quiet life and the odd sherry.
Slinger's Day · 1986Slinger's Day
★ 5.81986
SeriesComedy
Slinger's Day is a British sitcom created by Brian Cooke and produced by Thames Television for ITV. A continuation of Tripper's Day, which had come to a natural end due to a combination of star Leonard Rossiter's death and an overwhelmingly negative response, Bruce Forsyth plays a different character to Norman Tripper but fulfilling the same role, that of the manager of a Supafare supermarket with a team of incompetent eccentrics.
Several cast members from Tripper's Day reprised their roles in the first series but departed in the second, allowing for new characters. Broadcast for two six-episode runs from 1986–87, Slinger's Day represented Forsyth's sole situation comedy acting role, and he remained more associated with stand-up and game shows.
The Greatest Store in the World · 1999The Greatest Store in the World
★ 5.61999
MovieDramaFamily
Geraldine and her two daughters, Livvie and Angeline, are living rough on the streets on London. When their van blows up, they must find an alternative place to stay. At first, they live in temporary housing, but the conditions are unbearable. Geraldine reacts quickly and the family decides to take up residence in Scottley's, the best department store in London. They must keep it a secret from doorman Brian (whom the girls call Mr. Whiskers), and a couple of bumbling thieves who want to rob the store safe of its jewels.
The Front Line · 1984The Front Line
1984
SeriesComedy
The Front Line was a BBC sitcom about two half-brothers of West Indian descent who shared a house, one brother, Malcolm, is a policeman, the other, Sheldon, is a dreadlocked Rastafarian. It was created by Alex Shearer, filmed in Bristol and Cardiff, and transmitted between 6 December 1984 and 17 January 1985. A pilot, On the Frontline, was broadcast in the 1970s.
The theme tune was written and performed by Black Roots, and the opening credits features the band performing the song.
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