Customer Reviews

Birds of a Feather

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THIS IS THE FIRST SERIES [APPROX. 180 MINUTES] OF THE LONG RUNNING BBC HIT COMEDY FROM THE 90'S. TWO SISTERS ARE LIVING TOGETHER IN THE SAME MANSION-LIKE HOME TRYING TO COPE WITH LIFE AFTER THEIR HUSBANDS ARE SENT TO JAIL. THEY DEAL WITH EVERYDAY PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE SEXUAL EXCESSES OF THEIR MAN-HUNGRY NEIGHBOR. A CLASSIC COMEDY

Network have come up trumps yet again by delivering us this much-welcome DVD of the very first series of the much-loved (and sorely missed) Birds Of A Feather. This collects all of the first six episodes and the 1989 Christmas special. Watching this nicely presented DVD will be sure to remind you all exactly why Birds Of A Feather was one of the highest-rated British sitcoms of the 1990s.

Spanning nine successful seasons and over an impressive 100 episodes during its lengthy run between 1989-1998, its status as a comedy classic is firmly cemented. Yet time seems to have somewhat eclipsed its creditable achievements as one of the biggest TV comedy hits of its time. Seldom has it been re-run on terrestrial television in recent years and on occasions its been considerably over-looked and dismissed by some of the more snobbish television critics who seemingly didn't take to the three brash, bold and out-going female characters. However it's the audience that has the final say and Birds Of A Feather was a winner from the off, instantly attracting enormous viewing figures (as it did consistently throughout its entire run). If anyone was to ask why this series was so successful i'd easily answer that it was the strikingly stark contrast of the three lead characters: Sharon, Tracey and their nosy neighbour Dorian. The trio made for a dynamic
blend that seamlessly bounce off one another and thus making for some highly amusing and entertaining viewing.

Whereas the two sisters Sharon (Pauline Quirke) and Tracey (Linda Robson)are two working-class, street-wise, down-to-earth Essex girls, their rather snobbish, often selfish, occasionally pretentious and ever-interfering, man-mad neighbour Dorian Green (skilfully played by the always impeccably-timed Lesley Joseph) is the total opposite. Dorian tends to see herself as a cut above Sharon and Tracey but it becomes clear that her vivacious personality is merley a front. Underneath it all she's very vulnreable and lonely and constantly seeks solace and comfort in Sharon and Tracey. Touchingly as the series progresses, a genuine bond between the three emerges and though they often clash due to Dorians patronising and condescending attitude towards them, they genuinely love and support each other.

The scripts in this season are sharp and punchy, perfectly complemented by the earthy performances of Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke and the sparkling presence of Lesley Joseph. As funny as the first series is, it never once quite loses its grim on reality and there's often an edge of gritty realism and undertones of soap opear-like drama bubbling away due to the continuity of the central storyline that bound these three women together. Created and written by the genius duo Laurence Marks and Maurice Green (famous for other such gems as Shine On Harvey Moon in which both Robson and Quirke appeared, The New Statesman and Goodnight Sweetheart), Birds Of A Feather was, in its early years, aptly described as the female equivalent of Only Fools And Horses while another critic commented that the character of Sharon was Britains answer to Roseanne Barr. I certainly have to agree with both quotes as both were intended as complimentary.

The DVD kicks off with the very first episode, which premiered on BBC.1 in late 1989 (and swiftly receiving a number of complaints from some bemused viewers who said the language was too course for a pre-watershed time slot, though it's fair to say its very mild by todays standards - and even then there really was very little to quibble about!!!!). Episode one opens by shrewdly depicting the vastly different lifestyles the two sisters have been leading. Sharon is living in a run-down, high-rise council block in Edmonton with her no-hoper Greek husband Chris (David Cardy). Sharons almost given up on life with the years of poverty and struggling and a painfully unhappy and frustating marriage having weighed her down. Meanwhile Tracey has been living in wedded bliss with her husband Darryl (Alun Lewis) in a large swanky house that has its own swimming pool in upmarket Chigwell.

However things are abruptly ended upside down when an armed robbery carried out by Darryl and Chris ends in their arrest. Subsequently the two husbands are sentenced to twelve years inprisonment with no chance of parole for at least eight years. Previously oblivious to their spouses criminal activities, Sharon moves into Tracey's luxury home for companionship . While Tracey is totally distraught at being parted from her beloved husband, Sharon on the contrary couldn't be happier and sees this as a new beginning to a better life for herself.

In the second episode 'Just Visiting' Traceys faced with another emotional dilemma when her teenage son Garth returns home from boarding school, and is still unaware of his fathers inprisonment. However it's Sharon who ends up breaking the news to Garth which leaves him enraged.

Then in episode 3, entitled 'Shift', Tracey accuses Sharon of not paying her way so Sharon returns to her job at the supermarket, only to be paid off to leave as neither the staff or customers believe that Sharon knew nothing of her husbands criminal activities. So with all the money she's given Sharon goes and buys a whole new wardrobe and brimming with confidence and looking and feeling good for a change heads down to the local wine bar where she soon meets the eye of a telecom engineer by the name of Dave. Back at Traceys things are looking bleak as the police raid her home.

With series one now in full swing , the fourth episode 'Women's Troubles' sees a startling revelation for Sharon. Believing that she was unable to have children due to her dubious husbands lies and manipulations to cover up his own infertility, Sharon is shocked to discover she is pregnant by her new boyfriend Dave.

The next episode 'Cheat' is my personal favourite of series one. Relying on anti-depressants to get her through the day, Tracey is urged to reactivate her social life and goes to a social dinner with Dorian and Marcus, only Dorian sneaks off mid way through the evening for a spot of extra marital activity (nothing new there then!) whilst Marcus later makes a pass at Tracey which she then uses to her advantage.

Series One draws to a close with 'Substitute' where Sharon is considering divorcing Chris and Tracey embarks upon an affair with a celebrity footballer, introduced to her by her man-hungry neighbour Dorian. The disc then finishes with the fun Christmas special 'Sailing'. Tracey recieves a couple of tickets for a luxury cruise over the festive season which had been planned as a romantic surprise by Darryl before he was sent to prison. Determined not to go, feeling it would be wrong without Darryl, Sharon and Dorian relentlessly try to change her mind.

A deserved international success, this first series DVD was a taste of what was to follow over the next nine years. Any fan of classic British comedy will love it! At long, long last the full series will be on DVD - and not before time!!!

Ian Phillips