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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend to any Britcom fan!, October 19, 2003
Only When I laugh follows the hilarious adventures of three men looking for happiness in the National Health Service. Archie Glover (played by Peter Bowles) is an upper-middle class hypochondriac who tries to use the hospital as a resort and general hideout from the world (he was in prime shape *before* he got there). He shares a ward with Roy Figgis (James Bolam), a working-class activist who fears the treatment he's gotten, but is equally afraid to leave, and young Norman Binns (Christopher Strauli) who tries to keep the peace of the ward.And through it all, Dr. Gordon Thorpe (Richard Wilson) and nurse Ram Gupte (Derrick Branche) try to keep their uncooperative patients in line and on the road to recovery (or somewhere anyway). This boxed-set contains two DVDs, each with three of the half-hour episodes. As opposed to some of the other BBC projects, these episodes are all in order, representing the first six episodes (of seven, grrrr) of the second series. The odd thing is that the set with the first series also didn't have the seventh episode either, and I do wonder why the two #7 episodes are missing. But, that said, this is a great show, with witty dialogue and lots of that great British humor. I highly recommend these DVDs to any fan of British comedy. The following episodes are included: Whatever Happened to Gloria Robbins? - Series 2, episode 1 (April 29, 1980) - When a famous actress comes to the hospital, Glover sets out to win her affection. Norman and the rest would also like to move into Miss Robbins' affections, but how can they do it? Where There's A Will - Series 2, episode 2 (May 6, 1980) - A new addition to the ward has Glover and Norman up in arms; he smells bad and is obviously more than a little deranged. However, his claims to have a fortune in gold and land may be more than ravings, and he is writing his will... It Can Damage Your Health - Series 2, episode 3 (May 13, 1980) - The men of the ward have been smoking cigarettes like there's no tomorrow, but when they decide to quit, it proves to be no little adventure. The Cosmic Influence - Series 2, episode 4 (May 20, 1980) - Figgis has convinced Glover and Norman that astrology can tell them their whole future, but the belief in the occult soon brings the ward to grief. The Visitors - Series 2, episode 5 (May 27, 1980) - It's visitor's day, but the visitors have brought along a suitcase full of trouble. Norman's mother soon becomes locked in a struggle with his girlfriend Nurse Jenny, and Figgis gets a visit from his lovely Peg...wait a minute, isn't his wife named Edie?!? The Lost Sheep - Series 2, episode 6 (June 3, 1980) - Figgis has found religion, and decides bring the rest of ward along with him, whether they want to go or not...but he was not christened as a baby, and he is looking to change that.
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