The Liver Birds and the Mysterious Oppression of Women...

Nerys Hughes and Elizabeth Estensen as Sandra Hutchinson and Carol Boswell in the 'Liver Birds'. Carla Lane was one of the writers (later THE writer) of this comedy series, set in Liverpool. A revival in the 1990s made little sense - the plot was heavily retconned so that Carol blipped out of existence and her brother, Lucian, and mother became the family of Sandra's former flatmate, Beryl (Polly James).

Rod writes:

I rather liked the BBC sitcom 'The Liver Birds', but I've been reading about it recently and the articles often rant on about women enjoying new freedoms at that time after centuries of oppression. Apart from the pill (from 1960 onwards) I can't see what new freedoms there were. After all, 'Coronation Street' had Sheila Birtles and Doreen Lostock sharing the Corner Shop flat in the early 1960s - and Doreen left to join the Army!

Yes... when you examine all the hoopla of 'Women's Lib' it often doesn't make sense. It doesn't have to, of course. It relies on good, old fashioned chivalry - we don't contradict the ladies, do we - no matter how misandrist and downright potty their rantings are?

Germaine Greer found that out with the Female Eunuch, which was published in 1970.

The complicated and highly nuanced relationship between the sexes was transformed into a Marxist style oppressed/oppressor model from the onset of First Wave Feminism, way back in the nineteenth century.

We're thoroughly red pilled here.

We too remember Sandra, Carol, Beryl and rabbit-loving Lucian fondly. And what about Molly Sugden as Sandra's mother, Mrs Hutchinson? 

We seem to recall the show got a little 'navel gazing' and not terribly funny in the last series or so. And please don't talk to us about Butterflies...

The Great Sykes Revival...

Eric has a moment of misery, but Hattie sees the funny side.

The original Sykes series began in 1960 and ended in 1965.

In 1972, the series was revived with Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques reprising their roles as twins sharing a house in Sebastopol Terrace, East Acton, and Richard Wattis as their prissy neighbour, Charles Fulbright Brown.

Mr Brown had actually left in the 60's series, as had Richard Wattis, but the new run brought him back to where he belonged - next door to Eric and Hat, and a constant pain in the neck.

After the death of Richard Wattis in 1975, local magistrate Miss Rumbelow (Joy Harington) took over Mr Brown's role as next door neighbour. Sensibly, Eric Sykes didn't write her as a female Mr Brown. She was far more sensible than him and not as funny, but the character worked very well, and provided difficulties for Eric and Hat which led to some very funny situations.

Deryck Guyler, who had also appeared in the 60s series, was highly popular as Corky the policeman (hear his voice in a famous 1980s ad series here), and Joan Sims, as Madge from the local bread shop, made occasional appearances. Madge dreamt of getting Eric ("Ricky") to the altar!

This is a series I remember very fondly indeed from my kiddie/early teen years, and I loved Eric, Hattie, Mr Brown, Corky and Madge. Even waspish Mr Brown, who was a pain in the neck, was somehow lovable. His doomed to failure efforts to impress were very sad. And Miss Rumbelow, who could never have replaced Mr Brown, was nevertheless a great addition to the neighbourhood.

Dear Mr Brown from next door.

The 2000 book Sykes of Sebastopol Terrace, tells us:

A revival of "Sykes" was set up by the BBC during the Spring of 1972, and it was quickly agreed that the series would be both colour and far longer than any past seasons. With 16 episodes to fill, it was agreed that Sykes would basically rework old plots to fill the new quota....

They're the same stories retold for a different audience.

Mr Brown has Sykes dancing attendance after injuring his ankle in 1961...

... and again in the 1970s!

Sykes was a very welcome revival, which ran until 1979. Hattie's death in 1980 put paid to hopes for further episodes.

Other 1970's revivals of 1960s series included: The Rag Trade, Till Death Us Do Part, The Saint, Oh Boy, Juke Box Jury, The Avengers and Steptoe and Son.

More about the original 60s Sykes here.