Channel 5 celebrate The Good Life

Channel 5 celebrate the Beeb classic comedy…

The Good Life was the smash hit sitcom of the 1970s. For four series, including an iconic Christmas special and even a royal command performance, millions of viewers tuned in to enjoy the antics of Tom and Barbara Good, played by Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall, as they tackled self-sufficiency in the unlikely setting of suburbia. Add to that, their friends and neighbours – the long-suffering Jerry, played by Paul Eddington and the snobbish Margot, played by Dame Penelope Keith – and the BBC had all the ingredients for a hilarious and iconic comedy.

Over 90 minutes this weekend a documentary explores The Good Life phenomenon. With contributions from Margot herself, Dame Penelope Keith, along with the families of Richard Briers and Paul Eddington, we hear how the series came to life, on-set stories and secrets. We learn how Richard Briers, unlike Tom Good, couldn’t stand mud, hated chickens and couldn’t grow a vegetable. Dame Penelope shares her many memories of the show, including: how the cast, rehearsed pea pod burgundy drunk scenes by indulging in several bottles of fine wine, and what happened when Her late Majesty, The Queen, dropped in to watch a very special recording of the show.

Featuring all the classic and laugh out loud moments from the show, along with rare personal archive from the cast and never before seen backstage moments and bloopers, this is the ultimate celebration of one of the UK’s most enduring sitcoms.

The Good Life: 50 Years of Laughter airs Saturday on Channel 5