The Good Life(or as it was called in the US good neighbours)

[Andy Hamilton]

I thinking about the classic comedy the good life (I believe it was called the good neighbours in USA).

I thought it would be good to get enough people together to pester the BBC and see if a new series could be made. Then I thought, it might be rubbish, along the same lines as Are you being served remake Grace and favour. Could it be done without being bad? Who would play the main characters. could it be a sort of Good life 2005 special and we see how the same people (felicity Kendal, Richard Briers) are getting on.

What do you think, could it be done?

[Oscar]

I think The Good Life was great in its time, and I for one, never missed an episode. I've got the whole thingy on DVD's now and still watch it.

Having said that I don't think it would work again, not after all the 'real life' stuff like River Cottage, and also the recent series 'Down to Earth', that was good too, showed 'self sufficiency - warts and all'

But who knows ??

[Oscar]

just read that again, I don't mean to infer that 'Down to Earth', was the real thing

[Oscar]

Down to Earth was a dramatised story of a London family who uprooted and went to live in Devon, I loved it, there were three full series (I think) I only have the first one on video, well worn now, will get the others when I can afford them ! it showed how they left City life and set up in smallholding/selfsufficiency etc., and although it was a drama, it gave a very good overall view I felt, showing all the things that could (and did) go wrong, in other words, it wasn't presented with rose-coloured glasses.

River Cottage is more sophisticated, and it does help if you are a qualified chef I suppose, but that also was a very interesting series, the latest is now being shown on Channel 4 on Thursdays, I think it's 8 p.m. The big difference here though, is that it is factual.

I think anything that covers self sufficiency be it dramatised or factual is interesting, I don't think there are enough programmes of this nature being produced. :)

[Simon]

I did like the good life and don't think that it could be remade. It was a classic. I hate all the remade stuff, just seen alfie and it was bloody awfull. Not a big fan of down to earth either, just can't stand that actor in it. cannot remember his name. Just an opinion.

[angelbabe]

yeah definately!!
it was one of my fav shows as a kid and on a camp last summer someone commented that my partner reminded them of Tom (Richard Briers) as he was sat at a treddle sewing machine in the middle of a field making himself some shorts out of some old curtains!!! looks like i attracted myself a Mr Goodlife!!
maybe we could star as Mr and Mrs Good???

[Wombat]

I loved it when it first came out and still do (maybe I also have a "thing" for Felicity Kendall). From what I have seen, remakes seem to suffer from the re-telling so I would have to vote No

My main problem is that the video's /DVDs of the series are not available here in Australia, I've been trying to get hold of them for years!

I like the idea of the "where are they now" type special though!

[spyhunter]

It could be remade. It would need a good script writer though and good actors.

Maybe if you had Helena Bonham Carter or Jenny whats her name from castaway as Margo,Griff Rhys Jones as Tom. Daniela Denby-Ashe as Barbara and not sure who could play Jerry.

[Tracey Smith]

"The Good Life" is just about the only re-run that holds my attention, and let's face it, there are enough repeats on all the channels...

I think there is definately room for an inspirational sitcom in a similar line.

A friend of mine has been consulting for a 'fly-on-the-wall' programme due out in the new year called, "The Real Good Life".

I can't say much about it because I only have sketchy details, but I hope it gives the viewers some good direction.

We shall see...

[Emma]

I read somewhere that Paul Eddington aka Jerry, died of skin cancer. God rest his soul.

If they were to do a where are they know then it could be dedicated to Paul as a mark of respect.

[Andy Hamilton]

I am afraid to say that you are right Emma, Paul did die of skin cancer at the age of 68.

I think it would be just to dedicate a come back to him. However, if it was as bad as it could be then surely that would end up being a mark of disrespect? I don't know, but I do think that he was a rather underated actor. I also enjoyed him in yes minister and the subsequent yes prime minister.

[Emma]

I lurved yes prime minister too it was repeated recently as well I think .

[The Nitty Professor]

A brilliant programme, and when they did the re run a year or aso ago I introduced my hubby to it. He is 10 yrs younger than me and at first thought I was a nutter to be putting such a programme on, let alone enjoying it lol. However, my plan to turn him into a Good life fan was successful...a year or so later we now are on the waiting list for an allotment. Soon I shall take over the world :evil: muah ha ha haaaaaa! LOL

Nope, dont remake it, they'd bodge it up and it would spoil the original. And anyway, there can only be one Tom, margo etc. (Dear Margo) You couldnt replace any of the original team and paul isnt about anymore and he was brilliant, brilliant in Yes Minister too

Deb

[Andy Hamilton]

So are you still waiting for an allotment Nitty?

[Guest]

It stands to reason, it's perfect commonsense because there is a new message to get out there to the people about energy saving and alternatives to current energy sources. Such a programme would be timely and important in explaining to people how to convert their houses and lifestyles.

Perhaps it could be their son/daughter (born after the last series ended)and mummy Barbara and could live next door still be played by Felicity Kendall?

I'm all for it!