Customer Reviews

Waiting for God: Season Five

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let the antics of aging continue! The Bayview Retirement Home for the Almost Dead is once more the setting for the on-going activities of Tom Ballard and Diana Trent.

As I have stated in the other reviews of this series, "WAITING FOR GOD" was done on an overall story arc. We've had the beginning, the middle, and now here comes the end! But what a build-up to the most hilarious climax a series ever had! Those who thought they had seen 'everything' with the way the Newhart series ended have not seen ANYTHING yet. The first time I saw the last episode (after almost killing my ribcage laughing) I was a bit saddened to realize that there were no more. However they ended on what can only be called a 'high point.' The series finale is priceless!

Thankfully, the missing Christmas special included at the end of Season Four solved the continuity problem of how we lost Basil Makepeace (played by the late Michael Bilton) and acquired Jane's grandfather Jamie. Mr. Bilton passed away and they brought in the new character to keep the balance. That episode (Diana directing a Christmas pagent?) was never shown in the US to my knowledge.

In this, the completion of the story line, the action continues. Highlights (I give no details - why spoil the fun?)include: health problems, breakups, breakdowns, fights with city hall, Jane decides to become a nun (again), Harvey becomes a clergyman, and Tom decides that he and Diana should marry. The series finale has to be the funniest 25 minutes of television, even surpassing "Scandal" (the infamous 'bedroom episode in the third season of this series). It's could be called 'two weddigs and a funeral' but someone else had that title first. No matter. It's great fun, and worth the LONG wait.

NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T 'VISITED' BAYVIEW, START AT THE BEGINNING WITH SEASON ONE. PLEASE DON'T START WITH SEASON FIVE! The story won't make as much sense if you jump in at the middle, and if you see the end before the beginning, you are cheating yourself out of the joy of watching the characters get to know one another!

I have my set on pre-order. When I saw it was available, I heaved a sigh of relief that we will own the whole series. They will be put in a place of honour. We wore out the video tapes a long time ago. These are the shows you can watch over & over. We certainly do - and we STILL laugh out loud!

The title of this show means that the characters are old and very close to the end of their lives. However, they are having one last laugh as the get there. Everyone in this show is hilarious and you do not need to be older to enjoy it. The two main characters definitely hold it together with the woman being the acidic of the two and the man being the soothing balm. These are two terrific comedy partners and the supporting characters are all well picked, in all generations. Nothing like this exists in American tv so it is especially a treat for American viewers like myself. Watch every season of it. You can't go wrong.

You will never tire of watching this awesome series. I cannot get enough of this. I have watched it over and over many times these past 10 or so years. I was lucky enough to obtain all five seasons from the UK. Each time you watch; it is if for the first time. Hearing Diana Trent's sardonic quotes are delightful. I cannot say enough about this show. I just wish it didn't end. I only hope one day they would come back and do a reunion. That would be a television treat of a lifetime!

My husband and I, who were 51 when we first saw this series on our PBS station, thoroughly enjoyed it, even though we then saw retirement as far in our futures. We've probably watched the entire series at least three more times, relating to it slightly differently each time. Now we are 72, discovering, as do slightly addled Tom Ballard (Graham Crowden) and bossy Diana Trent (Stephanie Cole), that getting old isn't for sissies. Though we are now retired, we laugh out loud at many of the characters' behaviors and adventures. The entire cast seems perfect; we cannot imagine any other actors in any of the roles. Tom's son and daughter-in-law make a dysfunctional marriage into a laughing matter, and even Jane's unrequited love for Harvey Bains is cause for sympathetic merriment. This is a wonderful and accurate series, probably totally unique in its focus on the elderly when it was made. Important sociological issues are explored in a humorous way, even though no one who sees this show will volunteer to live in a "retirement village."

Tom and Diana, you've done it again. Season Five ends the series with a real winner. Intelligent writing. Meticulous acting. All that and more that is missing from American television is here. Thanks, BBC for not airing reality shows that bite but airing substance and integrity. Take a lesson U.S. television execs! Learn from the best.

Unlike the crap that they call comedy on U.S. television, this show is FUNNY! In my opinion in the last thirty years, American television comedy has gotten so bad it is a good thing that they add a laugh track so that people know when to laugh, otherwise they would be lost
Chris K.

The most literate comedy which is worth watching over and over and even the music is appropiate and well chosen.

I have been a fan of Waiting for God since mother and I spent hours watching it years ago! The story lines are sometimes unique and the acting great. I think more than anything else they are just plain funny!

Love this DVD. We purchased all the DVD's from this series. We even have season five on order.

although i have seen all the different seasons of this sitcom, the fact that this season is finally being released is like a shot of adrenaline for me --- it's a great series, and especially for the baby boomers the writing hits home --- a wonderful and funny, often bittersweet experience.