"One Foot in the Grave" (1990) TV series 1990-2000

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

4 January 1990 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Victor Meldrew is a retiree with an attitude who seems to attract bad luck. If he's not driving his...

Plot Keywords:

Grouch | Pessimist | Senior Citizen | Old Man | Married Couple

Awards:

9 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Richard Wilson	...	Victor Meldrew (42 episodes, 1990-2000)
Annette Crosbie	...	Margaret Meldrew (41 episodes, 1990-2000)
Doreen Mantle	...	Mrs Warboys / ... (18 episodes, 1990-2000)
Owen Brenman	...	Nick Swainey / ... (15 episodes, 1990-2000)
Angus Deayton	...	Patrick (14 episodes, 1990-2000)
Janine Duvitski	...	Pippa (14 episodes, 1990-2000)

Runtime:

30 min (34 episodes) | 70 min (1 Episode) | 60 min (3 episodes) | 40 min (2 episodes) | 50 min (1 Episode) | 90 min (1 Episode)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

New Zealand:PG (season 1) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Algarve, Portugal

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The 1995 Christmas Special was initially intended as the series' finale, and would have seen Victor being killed while saving Margaret from being attacked by a madman. The 1997 special was then intended to end the series with Margaret dying from a heart attack bought on from the strain of Victor's misadventures, but on both occasion the production crew got cold feet. It wasn't until the final series in 2000 that the team, in David Renwick's words, "plucked up the courage to kill Victor."

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Victor Meldrew: What in the name of bloody hell?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Angus Deayton: One Foot in the Groin (1996)

Favourite scene in top comedy

After reading the generally favourable reviews here of this top sit.com I would add nothing to merely repeat the valid points I wholeheartedly agree with about the brilliant portrayals by the actors and superb writing achievement. I could draw attention to an outstanding episode IMO, that in which Victor takes the job of doorman (grandly entitled "Commisionaire") at a swanky hotel. To say he finds this job demeaning to himself is putting it mildly with the ridiculous uniform and mauve top hat; apparent pain radiates from every pore I think from the off and things soon come to boiling point. Victor is a bit distracted as a taxi pulls up as he is observing the struggle of a disabled person to negotiate their way out of a car and complete the transfer to a fold-up wheelchair.Accordingly he does not immediately notice the couple of customers arriving at the hotel, an apparent smart gentleman and lady the male barking at him as a result for having to wait his attendance at the vehicle. Victor is duly dressed down for his not holding the taxi door open and getting the case of the gent's companion. Our hero, and I warmed to him almost cheered at this juncture, having not toadied sufficiently in the required manner is threatened with being reported to the management of the hotel. Victor has meanwhile looked again across the road at the single handed efforts of the disabled driver receiving no help from anyone. Gasket blowing time: in a terrific beautifully delivered (of course) by Richard Wilson) magnificently composed speech (Mr Renwick at his socialist best) suffice to say the up themselves pair are put in their place the top hat has been thrown down and Victor Meldrew has resigned. He did not need a job that much, he still had some pride. Bravos all round for this great work I say. LOL to the power of 10.