Best of Enemies

Best of Enemies

1968 - United Kingdom

Television's first attempt to poke fun at the world of politics from within the Houses of Parliament in a situation comedy came from the pens of Vince Powell and Harry Driver. 

The series revolved around two M.Ps,-Labour and Conservative. Tim Barrett played a young Labour newcomer, Geoffrey Broom MP for Burnstone, Yorkshire, and Robert Coates the wily old Tory, William Sylvester Gordon representing the safe seat of Ryefield in Surrey. Because of accommodation problems they are forced to share an office. "We thought a comedy series about politics would be an excellent subject," said Vince. "It never does any harm for people to laugh at something they sometimes tend to take too seriously." However, the series was beset with problems. Following the transmission of the first episode (in Thames Television's second week of broadcasting) an ITV technicians dispute kept it off the screen until almost a year later when the next four of the seven episodes written were shown. The last two episodes were never seen. 

Television returned to the subject matter far more successfully in the 1980s with Yes, Minister.

Published on November 29th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Thora Hird as The First Lady

A female official takes her seat on a local council. But the no-nonsense councillor has to face up to the bureaucracy of both local and central government.

Also released in 1968

Adventure Weekly

Five budding young reports get involved in a series of adventures.

Also released in 1968

According to Dora

According to Dora, subtitled A Bryan's Eye View on the World, was a starring vehicle for Southport born actress/comedienne Dora Bryan who had made her showbiz debut as a child in pantomime in Manchester.

Also released in 1968

Becker

Ted Danson starred as John Becker, an extremely dedicated and very talented doctor, who tends to a medical practice in New York's Bronx. And while a brilliant doctor, he tends to fare rather less well in the traditional bedside manner stakes.

Also tagged Sitcom

Beggar My Neighbour

A 'keeping up with the Joneses sitcom starring Reg Varney and Pat Combs

Also tagged Sitcom

All In The Family

British critics have called 'All In The Family' "a reworked, far less provocative version" of the show it was based on, BBC's 'Till Death Us Do Part'...

Also tagged Sitcom

Barney Miller

American sitcom set in a New York City Police Department police station on East 6th St in Greenwich Village.

Also tagged Sitcom

Crime Buster

Ray Saxon has a nose for sports racketeers. Working for the Sunday Globe he investigates corruption and murder.

Also released in 1968

Fantastic Voyage

Animated series based on the 1966 live action movie of the same name.

Also released in 1968