"Jam & Jerusalem" (2006) TV series 2006-????

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

24 November 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The comical misadventures of friends involved with a women's club. Based on the BBC series "Jam and Jerusalem".

Plot Keywords:

Womens Club | Family Relationships | Community | Englishwoman | Tea

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Sue Johnston	...	Sal Vine (16 episodes, 2006-2009)
Maggie Steed	...	Eileen Pike (16 episodes, 2006-2009)
Jennifer Saunders	...	Caroline Martin / ... (16 episodes, 2006-2009)
Dawn French	...	Rosie Bales / ... (16 episodes, 2006-2009)
Pauline McLynn	...	Tippi Haddem / ... (15 episodes, 2006-2009)
Suzy Aitchison	...	Susie (15 episodes, 2006-2009)
Sally Phillips	...	Tash Vine / ... (15 episodes, 2006-2009)
Salima Saxton	...	Yasmeen Vine / ... (14 episodes, 2006-2009)
Patrick Barlow	...	Vicar / ... (13 episodes, 2006-2009)
Rosie Cavaliero	...	Kate Bales (12 episodes, 2006-2009)
Doreen Mantle	...	Queenie (12 episodes, 2006-2008)
Hazel John	...	Pauline (11 episodes, 2006-2009)
Simon Farnaby	...	Spike (10 episodes, 2006-2009)
Elanor Grimes	...	Spar Girl / ... (9 episodes, 2006-2009)
Robbie Richardson	...	Colin Pennow (9 episodes, 2006-2008)
David Mitchell	...	Dr. James Vine / ... (9 episodes, 2006-2009)
Thomas Assafuah	...	Raif / ... (9 episodes, 2006-2009)
Menna Trussler	...	Megan (8 episodes, 2006-2009)
Nigel Lindsay	...	Marcus (8 episodes, 2006-2008)
Freya Edmondson	...	Freya Martin (7 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Directed by
Mandie Fletcher		(10 episodes, 2006-2009)

Series Writing credits
Jennifer Saunders		(13 episodes, 2006-2009)
Abigail Wilson		(9 episodes, 2006-2009)

Series Produced by
Nerys Evans	....	associate producer / assistant producer (12 episodes, 2006-2008)
Jon Plowman	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 2006-2008)
Jo Sargent	....	executive producer / producer (6 episodes, 2006-2008)
Peter Thornton	....	producer (5 episodes, 2008)
Francis Gilson	....	producer (3 episodes, 2009)

Series Original Music by
John McCusker		(4 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kate Rusby		(4 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Cinematography by
Chris Goodger		(6 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Film Editing by
Jake Bernard		(15 episodes, 2006-2009)

Series Casting by
Jo Buckingham		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Harry Banks		(6 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Art Direction by
Nikki Startup		(4 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Costume Design by
Lucia Santa Maria		(6 episodes, 2006-2008)

Series Makeup Department
Christine Cant	....	makeup designer / makeup artist (6 episodes, 2006-2008)
Candice Banks	....	makeup department / makeup artist (4 episodes, 2006-2008)
Agnes Leger	....	makeup artist / makeup department (3 episodes, 2008)
Claire Pawsey	....	makeup artist / makeup department (3 episodes, 2008)
Jane Walker	....	makeup department (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Production Management
Francis Gilson	....	production manager (6 episodes, 2006-2008)
Ali Bryer Carron	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mel Nortcliffe	....	first assistant director (13 episodes, 2006-2008)
Andy Pearson	....	second assistant director (6 episodes, 2008)

Series Art Department
Tom Rea	....	buyer (4 episodes, 2006-2008)
Jamie Cappie	....	property master (3 episodes, 2008)
Mark Godbolt	....	art department (3 episodes, 2008)
Andrew Ivey	....	art department (3 episodes, 2008)
Stuart Lambert	....	art department (3 episodes, 2008)
Joe Nealon	....	art department (3 episodes, 2008)
Fred Oakham	....	property master (3 episodes, 2008)
Richard Statham	....	art department (3 episodes, 2008)
Carolyn Wilson	....	art department (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Sound Department
Amber Howorth	....	boom operator (13 episodes, 2006-2008)
Alastair Widgery	....	sound recordist (11 episodes, 2006-2008)
Glenn Calder	....	dubbing mixer (6 episodes, 2008)
Robin Day	....	boom operator (3 episodes, 2008)
Matt Stronge	....	dialogue editor / sound effects editor / ... (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Stunts
Rod Woodruff	....	stunt coordinator (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Joe McLean	....	lighting gaffer (4 episodes, 2006-2008)
David Scott	....	camera department / grip (4 episodes, 2006-2008)
Tony Ephgrave	....	electrician (3 episodes, 2008)
Phil Green	....	electrician (3 episodes, 2008)
Will Jarman	....	camera department (3 episodes, 2008)
Sarah McCulloch	....	camera department (3 episodes, 2008)
David Wall	....	best boy (3 episodes, 2009)
Stuart Hurley	....	electrician (2 episodes, 2008)
Ciaran Kavanagh	....	camera operator: "a" camera (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Sarah Hughes	....	additional casting (4 episodes, 2008)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Debbie O'Brien	....	costume department (3 episodes, 2008)
Jacqueline White	....	costume department (3 episodes, 2008)
Natalie Willis	....	costume department (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Editorial Department
Ray King	....	colorist (4 episodes, 2008)

Series Music Department
Alex Eckford	....	composer: additional music (1 episode, 2006)

Series Other crew
Bowfie Baird	....	location fixer (7 episodes, 2006)
Caroline Elliston	....	script supervisor (7 episodes, 2006)
Jez Nightingale	....	production executive (6 episodes, 2006-2008)
Wendy Poon	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 2008)
Ben Mangham	....	location manager (5 episodes, 2008)
Charlotte Lamb	....	production team (4 episodes, 2006-2008)
Alex Pudney	....	production team (4 episodes, 2006-2008)
Joseba Arruabarrena	....	production team (3 episodes, 2008)
Daragh Coghlan	....	location assistant (3 episodes, 2008)
Mike Hall	....	production team (3 episodes, 2008)
Caroline McManus	....	production team (3 episodes, 2008)
Andy Pearson	....	production team (3 episodes, 2008)
Iain Thomas	....	production team (3 episodes, 2008)
Tracey Warren	....	production team (3 episodes, 2008)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• Saunders & French Productions

Distributors

• BBC America (2007) (worldwide) (TV)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2006) (UK) (TV)

Other Companies

• Shepperton Studios  studio

Also Known As:

Catterfield (USA) (working title)
Clatterford (USA)
Untitled Jennifer Saunders/Joanna Lumley Project (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (2009) | 30 min (2006-2008)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

North Tawton, Devon, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The title, "Jam and Jerusalem," specifically refers to the hymn "Jerusalem", which is a hallmark of women's clubs in the UK and is traditionally sung during each meeting. The title also refers to the idea that these women's groups have discussions about domestic topics, such jam-making. As these references are largely unknown in the U.S., the title was changed to "Clatterford" to make the series more relevant to American audiences.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Loose Women: (#13.214)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Village Green Preservation Society

A Wonderful, Wonderful Show

So, yeah, it's not abfab and it's true: at first, it feels like one of those inside-joke french and Saunders sketches that go on too long. HOWEVER, this show isn't meant to be the laugh-fest that abfab was. It's a much more balanced and calm series, one that finds humor in very human situations and subtleties. This may sound far-fetched, but there definitely is a sort of Chekhovian feel to Saunders' writing. Nothing much happens, but it is fascinating to watch the characters interact. The show touches on the awkwardness of living with such truth -- and therein lies the comedy (as with Chekhov, some viewers will only read tragedy... it's really a matter of perspective). The reason it may not catch on at first is because of the time necessary to establish the characters (there are perhaps too many) and adjust to the numerous subplots (it is an extremely ambitious show, spanning many tele-genres). Because of the character development and greater humanity of the writing, the show feels more like a full TV series than Jennifer Saunders' other work, and I think it's a sign of a certain maturity on her part. The classic Saunders quirks and humor are all still there, but it's toned down to approach something more like reality (unlike abfab, it is sans a laugh track, if that says anything). So, yeah, you have to realize Jam is a different animal.

Also, you've got to give Saunders credit for assembling a fine ensemble of older woman -- a demographic that is widely ignored by contemporary TV.