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Oh joy Butterflies is back

(104 Posts)
Floradora9 Fri 01-Apr-22 21:48:32

From Monday at 6 pm on Drama ( 20 ) they are showing "Butterflies "for the first time in years. I loved this programme , probably because we had teenagers ourselves at the time , and every time I hear Barber's Adagio for Strings I think of the sad bits when Rhea met with her male friend and had to walk away . I hope we still enjoy it as much as the reruns of "Yes Minister " which we are watching for the umteenth time .

Kate1949 Fri 01-Apr-22 21:50:22

Thank you. I loved it.

LadyGracie Fri 01-Apr-22 23:24:42

Thanks, I love it too.
I was always told I was Wendy Craig's double.

Zoejory Fri 01-Apr-22 23:28:21

Oh I did enjoy this programme!

There was a line in it where Wendy Craig was going on about the news and mentioned some idiot crossing the Atlantic on a bread board.

Laughed my head off at the time and even now I remember it occasionally and it still makes me laugh.

I was quite young when it aired, or naive probably and never really understood the relationship she had with the nice man at the park.

Pepper59 Sat 02-Apr-22 00:10:55

It was a great programme, they don't make them like that anymore unfortunately.

nadateturbe Sat 02-Apr-22 00:22:16

You will enjoy it Floradora9. I have the boxset and have watched it a few times.

Calendargirl Sat 02-Apr-22 07:14:21

Her husband, the dentist, always seemed such a misery.
She seemed a rather hopeless, middle class mum, with nothing much to do but drift around doing bits of shopping, clandestine meetings with Leonard, and cooking awful meals.

I watched it every week though.

Ladyleftfieldlover Sat 02-Apr-22 07:27:31

I’m afraid I got rather cross with it. Why did she need a cleaner? Why couldn’t she do a cookery course? Voluntary work, anything? She was a dreadful role model. Yes I know it was supposed to be a comedy! Then of course there was Leonard.

Juliet27 Sat 02-Apr-22 07:33:57

Oh yes, I loved Butterflies. They certainly show old programmes on Drama. I’ve been watching some of the Last of the Summer Wine. The few around Compo’s death were so moving but still funny.

BigBertha1 Sat 02-Apr-22 07:45:44

I liked not loved Butterflies but DH hated it....identified with the husband I think.

Ro60 Sat 02-Apr-22 07:48:16

Best news! Thank you Floradora
My late MIL Always quite often said she'd done a Wendy Craig on the custard.
So many memories of this programme.

Allsorts Sat 02-Apr-22 07:49:25

I was often compared to Wendy Craig in Butterflies, not looks wise, do not think I will be watching.?

tickingbird Sat 02-Apr-22 07:50:30

I was young and living at home when I used to watch this. Her cooking was atrocious. It was a very funny, gentle comedy. I’ll definitely watch again.

argymargy Sat 02-Apr-22 07:53:06

Thank you Floradora! Can we name check Carla Lane, the writer? As a child I loved Butterflies and her other series, The Liver Birds and Bread. She was a brilliant writer for women.

Kim19 Sat 02-Apr-22 07:57:01

How I wish I had access to the Drama channel. I do have a smart tv but, unfortunately, it doesn't have an equally smart owner. I loved Butterflies. Their constant slick and sharply witty lines were a joy. Oh yesss.........

eazybee Sat 02-Apr-22 08:14:18

Butterflies irritated me intensely.
I have a great deal of respect for Wendy Craig as an actress but her character Ria, wafting about in her modern house, lovely kitchen, new Mini and beautiful clothes whilst moaning all the time about her problems, deserved a good slap. Why not focus her extremely comfortable but aimless existence on taking a cookery course, doing voluntary work or even, perish the thought, getting a job? I had a great deal of sympathy for the long-suffering Geoffrey Palmer.
I don't think this series showed Carla Lane as a brilliant writer for women at all, just mocked perceived middle-class angst.

TillyTrotter Sat 02-Apr-22 08:23:15

I loved it. Carla Lane’s irony and wit; all the characters had quirky traits.
The traumatised neighbour who was exasperated by never being able to leave his drive while the sons reorganised their cars at speed to let someone go out never failed to make me laugh.
The cleaner was a gem of a part too.
My DH bought me the box set of video’s years ago but I am happy to see it back on TV.
Like Dinner Ladies - it was classic of it’s time.

argymargy Sat 02-Apr-22 08:31:52

I loved the sons and the cars too, Tilly!

henetha Sat 02-Apr-22 10:53:43

I'm glad you mentioned this Floradora9. This was a real favourite of mine, I sort of identified with her! I will definitely watch it again.
Another series I could happily watch again is "Ever Decreasing Circles".

Kate1949 Sat 02-Apr-22 11:09:37

henetha Ever Decreasing Circles is on at the moment. We've been watching. It's brilliant.

henetha Sat 02-Apr-22 11:13:14

Oh! How great! Thank you Kate1949. I will look for it.
smile

Kate1949 Sat 02-Apr-22 11:13:16

henetha It's on Gold 8.30 on Fridays (I think!). It's also being shown on the Drama channel.

henetha Sat 02-Apr-22 11:15:36

I'm sure I've got the Drama channel, Not sure if I have Gold, but I will search both.
You're a star! Thank you !

crazyH Sat 02-Apr-22 11:16:45

Thankyou Floradora - loved it. Nicholas Lindhurst went on to become a big star . What did happen to the other lad?

Kate1949 Sat 02-Apr-22 11:17:43

We watched it last night henetha but I think I've given you the wrong info. I'll check it out and report back.