Like with 'Rising Damp', I was not always keen of 'The Fall & Rise Of Reginald Perrin', mainly due to the fact that when I first saw it I was too young to understand the humour. Now as an adult, I can appreciate the humour a great deal more
Based on a series of novels written by David Nobbs, 'The Fall & Rise Of Reginald Perrin' chartered the life of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin ( played by Leonard Rossiter, in a role that was originally written for Ronnie Barker ), an executive at Sunshine Desserts, who is in the throes of a mid life crisis. His boss is the fear inspiring C.J, whom Reggie longs to stand up to. C.J is in possession of a sadistic sense of humour. For instance, his office contains chairs which make farting noises whenever one sits in them. Reggie also fantasises endlessly about making love to his secretary Joan Greengross, despite being married to Elizabeth. In the first episode, Reggie offends Elizabeth by referring to his mother-in-law as a hippopotamus. This was the first signs of Reggie losing his mind. At the end of the first series, Reggie fakes his own death by removing all of his clothes on a beach and jumping into the water. He then starts up a new life as bearded Martin Welbourne.
In the second series, he became Reggie again and after being fired from Sunshine Desserts, starts up his own business called 'Grot', which sells unusable products such as round dice, square hula hoops and ashtrays with no bottoms etc. Grot is a huge success and makes him and Elizabeth multi-millionaires, however he soon becomes bored with this and, along with Elizabeth, abandons his clothes on the beach yet again.
The third and final series saw Reggie and Elizabeth set up the short lived 'Perrins Peace Keeping Force' before joining 'Amalgamated Aerosols', which was headed by C.J's twin brother F.J. This series is regarded as the least funniest by fans, as Reggie had nothing to rebel against anymore and as a result the show lost some of its twinkle.
Leonard Rossiter turns in his usual fine performance, and his chemistry with not only Pauline Yates as his wife Elizabeth, but also with future 'Coronation Street' star Sue Nichols as his secretary Joan and John Barron as his boss C.J is sparkling to say the least. The rest of the cast, Geoffrey Palmer as Reggie's mad brother in law Jimmy, Sally Jane Spencer as Reggie's daughter Linda, Tim Preece ( who was replaced in series three by Leslie Schofield ) as her gormless husband Tom, Bruce Bould as nervous David Harris Jones and John Horsley as the befuddled Doc Morrisey are all superb.
A special sketch was made in 1982 for the BBC special 'The Funny Side Of Christmas', which was the last edition to feature Rossiter as he died in 1984 from a heart attack. In 1996, David Nobbs penned a sequel entitled 'The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin', which saw his friends and family each having to do something ludicrous ( a condition made by Reggie's lawyer, played by Patricia Hodge ) to inherit a share of his will following his death. Without Rossiter, the sequel bombed with viewers. In 2009, Martin Clunes took on the leading role for a remake entitled simply 'Reggie Perrin'. It was only a modest success. Not a classic show in my opinion but still good fun for Rossiter fans.
Before I stop writing, I must throw in a word of praise for Ronnie Hazelhurst's marvellous theme tune. I didn't get where I am today without throwing in a word of praise for Ronnie Hazelhurst's marvellous theme tune.
Based on a series of novels written by David Nobbs, 'The Fall & Rise Of Reginald Perrin' chartered the life of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin ( played by Leonard Rossiter, in a role that was originally written for Ronnie Barker ), an executive at Sunshine Desserts, who is in the throes of a mid life crisis. His boss is the fear inspiring C.J, whom Reggie longs to stand up to. C.J is in possession of a sadistic sense of humour. For instance, his office contains chairs which make farting noises whenever one sits in them. Reggie also fantasises endlessly about making love to his secretary Joan Greengross, despite being married to Elizabeth. In the first episode, Reggie offends Elizabeth by referring to his mother-in-law as a hippopotamus. This was the first signs of Reggie losing his mind. At the end of the first series, Reggie fakes his own death by removing all of his clothes on a beach and jumping into the water. He then starts up a new life as bearded Martin Welbourne.
In the second series, he became Reggie again and after being fired from Sunshine Desserts, starts up his own business called 'Grot', which sells unusable products such as round dice, square hula hoops and ashtrays with no bottoms etc. Grot is a huge success and makes him and Elizabeth multi-millionaires, however he soon becomes bored with this and, along with Elizabeth, abandons his clothes on the beach yet again.
The third and final series saw Reggie and Elizabeth set up the short lived 'Perrins Peace Keeping Force' before joining 'Amalgamated Aerosols', which was headed by C.J's twin brother F.J. This series is regarded as the least funniest by fans, as Reggie had nothing to rebel against anymore and as a result the show lost some of its twinkle.
Leonard Rossiter turns in his usual fine performance, and his chemistry with not only Pauline Yates as his wife Elizabeth, but also with future 'Coronation Street' star Sue Nichols as his secretary Joan and John Barron as his boss C.J is sparkling to say the least. The rest of the cast, Geoffrey Palmer as Reggie's mad brother in law Jimmy, Sally Jane Spencer as Reggie's daughter Linda, Tim Preece ( who was replaced in series three by Leslie Schofield ) as her gormless husband Tom, Bruce Bould as nervous David Harris Jones and John Horsley as the befuddled Doc Morrisey are all superb.
A special sketch was made in 1982 for the BBC special 'The Funny Side Of Christmas', which was the last edition to feature Rossiter as he died in 1984 from a heart attack. In 1996, David Nobbs penned a sequel entitled 'The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin', which saw his friends and family each having to do something ludicrous ( a condition made by Reggie's lawyer, played by Patricia Hodge ) to inherit a share of his will following his death. Without Rossiter, the sequel bombed with viewers. In 2009, Martin Clunes took on the leading role for a remake entitled simply 'Reggie Perrin'. It was only a modest success. Not a classic show in my opinion but still good fun for Rossiter fans.
Before I stop writing, I must throw in a word of praise for Ronnie Hazelhurst's marvellous theme tune. I didn't get where I am today without throwing in a word of praise for Ronnie Hazelhurst's marvellous theme tune.