| Sitcom about the two most socially awkward people in Britain, and how they painfully hobble toward becoming a couple. Peter Davalle, writing in the Times, 4 November 1983, says, "they keep reminding me of a bungled tortise and tenon joint." |
Regular Cast
Laura Dalton
Mike Selway
Helen Dalton Barker
Phil Barker
Judi Dench
Michael Williams
Susan Penhaligon
Richard Warwick
Frequently Recurring Cast
Series 1 & 2
Harry
Charlie Paynter
Geoffrey Rose
George ToveySeries 3 & 4
Tom Dalton
Alice Dalton
Terry Bullivant
Wilfred Robinson
Richard Pearson
Lally Bowers
Karl Howman
Michael LeesThe complete supporting cast for each episode will be found, enclosed in brackets following the episode description. Each actor's name is followed by the character name, enclosed in parentheses, except for the recurring cast member listed above.
Series One (1981) Produced and directed by James Cellan Jones.
- Helen and Phil, a model married couple, throw a party, at which they hope to introduce Phil's bumbling friend Mike to Helen's wallflower sister Laura. Mike owns a failing gardening business, and Laura is a professional translator (fluent in at least German, French and Greek). But they must have something in common, mustn't they? [Geoffrey Rose, Angela Curran (Jean), Pola Churchill (Girl at Party)]
- The matchmakers separately ask both the newly-mets how they are getting on, and receive different answers. [only regular cast members]
- Tears over a party invitation. [Geoffrey Rose, Angela Curran (Jean), Neville Barber (Frenchman), Fernand Monast (Maitre D'Hotel), Charles Hodgson (Charles), Delia Lindsay (Norma)]
- Laura is drowning her sorrows after she has been stood up, when Mike appears at the door after an unsuccessful romantic encounter with a customer. [Monica Grey (Saleslady), George Tovey, Glynis Barber (Linda), Michael Culver (Ben)]
- Mike thinks of a clever way to avoid bankruptcy. [George Tooey]
- The relationship between the awkward lovers has stopped short of physical contact. It is a fact that is beginning to worry both of them. [Geoffrey Rose, Louisa Rix (Ann), Robert Swales (David)]
- Having finally gotten it together, Mike and Laura find some thorns among the roses. [George Tovey, Geoffrey Rose]
Series Two (1982) Produced and directed by James Cellan Jones.
- Mike reluctantly agrees to let Laura help him out part-time at the gardening business, and soon it's just as he feared: she's taken over completely, and has triple booked him on some very heavy jobs. [Sarah-Jane Varley (Cherry, Phil's secretary), John Baddeley (Customers Voice)]
- There is a surprising outcome of Laura and Mike's visit to the dentist. [Paola Dionisotti (Dental Nurse), Corbet Woodall (TV Announcer)]
- Laura mistakes Mike's flat-purchasing enthusiasm for a proposal of marriage [Leon Lissek (Waiter), Hugh Walters (Mr. Bell)]
- Laura's dinner engagement upsets Mike, who has a new temporary secretary. [Julian Curry (Charles Payne), George Tovey, Suzie Cerys (Miss Morris)]
- Helen and Phil plan a lunch in Boulogne. Laura asks if she and Mike can join in. [Ken Wynne (Common Keeper), Geoffrey Rose]
- Something happens that Helen and Phil have good cause to celebrate. But for Laura and Mike, this is no time for rejoicing. [Job Stewart (Salesman), Derek Deadman (Traffic Warden), Harry Littlewood (Porter)]
Series Three (1983) Produced and directed by Don Leaver.
- Why there is an empty place at the family lunch table. [Lally Bowers, Richard Pearson]
- Laura and Mike make a "Mr. And Mrs." Booking at a Worthing hotel. [Charles Pemberton (Hotel Doorman), Geoffrey Larder (Hotel Receptionist), John Owens (Waiter), David Ashfield (David), Ian Collier (Chris), Olivier Pierre (Frenchman)]
- Laura plans a dinner party that she hopes will provide a perfect evening's entertainment. But, as usual, the only perfect thing Mike and Laura seem able to achieve is a perfect disaster. [Roy Heater (Taxi Driver), Walter Sparrow (Elderly Patient), Cherith Mellor (Jill), Michael Howarth (Frank), Janet Palmer (Nurse)]
- Laura's pleas fall on deaf ears when customers start withdrawing their orders from hard-pressed Mike. [Eve Pearce (Jessie Harris, Charlie's sister)]
- Faced with Mike's opposition to fatherhood, Laura grows increasingly broody and is even more determined not to abandon the idea of having a baby. [Karl Howman, Michael Lees]
- Unable to persuade Mike to become a family man, Laura decides on desperate measures. [only regular cast]
Series Four (1984) Executive Producer: Humphrey Barclay. Produced and directed by Don Leaver.
- The telephone call from Laura that shatters Mike's piece of mind. [James Grout (Georges), Michael Lees, Karl Howman]
- Mike receives a call from Laura. He thinks it comes from Brussels, but Laura has in fact returned home to England and is hiding in her sister's broom cupboard. [Karl Howman, Susan Field (Concierge at Laura's flat in Brussels)]
- A shock for Laura when she calls on Mike on a financial mission. There is a girl in the flat, clad only in a bath towel. [Mary Maddox (Elaine)]
- Laura is still trying to get over Mike's trendy new girlfriend, but a weekend with her parents doesn't help. [Richard Pearson, Lally Bowers, Mary Maddox (Elaine), Francesca Brill (Waitress)]
- Laura, unsettled, is looking for somewhere else to live. Mike has several other problems. [Karl Howman, Michael Lees, Malcolm Rogers (Mr. Wiggins)]
- Mike decides to clarify his on-off relationship with Laura once and for all, takes her out for a romantic meal at an Italian restaurant, where he means to propose to her. [Gertan Klauber (Maitre D), John Aron (Paolo Morello), Paul Du'Marquis (Mandolin Player)]
- Final Installment: Will Mike succeed in his bid for the perfect property for his dread garden centre? Will Laura and Mike live happily ever after? [Michael Lees, Lally Bowers, Richard Pearson]
Thank you to Debbie Bush for contributing this guide.