The television these days is full of quiz shows, reality shows, entrepreneurs trying to get cash from business tycoons, and gladiatorial battles – with plenty of padding.
Dramas, of which there are precious few, have a new series each year lasting about six to eight episodes, and then it’ll be at least 12 months before you see them again.î8
Over the past few months our life has involved a lot of visits to hospitals which can be very tiring and we have been going through box sets of dramas from the 80s and 90s.
It is amazing how many people you recognise in these old shows who have since become stars in their own right. At the same time there are stars who can be seen in their swansong.
Just lately we have been watching Dalziel and Pascoe with the excellent Warren Clarke (Clockwork Orange).
The cast included Tony Booth (Alf Garnett’s scouse git of a son-in-law) who was initially a suspect in the death of his sister, but was later murdered.
Also in this episode we saw Norman Wisdom, a true king of comedy, but in this show there was no comedy but pathos aplenty.
Even when he is playing the frenetic Norman Pitkin we still love him but when his character slows down we see the pathos behind the clown’s face.
He is recognised by his peers as an actor of merit and there was a moment when Warren Clarke was talking to Norman who allowed his mask of pathos to slip and show the caring man beneath.
As they walked away Warren put his arm across Norman’s shoulders and you suddenly realise that many well-established actors still recognised the virtues of the little man behind the clown’s mask.
Robin's Nest 