The 1980s produced some of the most beloved sitcom characters in British television history. Shows like Just Good Friends, A Fine Romance, and Yes Minister captivated millions of viewers. A new book by author and film historian Robert Sellers, Still Laughing: How the Sitcom Kept Britain Smiling in the 80s, explores this golden era when sitcoms averaged 12–13 million viewers, sometimes approaching 20 million.
The Rise of Iconic Sitcoms
Guy Siner, who played Lieutenant Gruber in 'Allo 'Allo!, remarked: "That is a hallmark of being British, that we could have a good laugh and laugh at ourselves." Yes Minister, which first aired in 1980, ran for three series and became a global hit. Paul Eddington, who played Jim Hacker, noted that wherever he went, he was treated like a high-ranking government official and asked to make speeches.
Legendary comedy duo David Croft and Jimmy Perry continued their success with It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Are You Being Served? as the 1970s ended. Their new show, Hi-De-Hi!, set in a holiday camp, initially lacked enthusiasm but drew millions with inspired casting, including Paul Shane as Ted Bovis, Ruth Madoc as Gladys, and Jeffrey Holland as Spike. The show ran for 58 episodes over eight series from 1981.
Blackadder's Near Cancellation
Blackadder seemed destined for cancellation after its first series. Then Ben Elton joined the team and transformed everything. Elton suggested: "Let's set it in Elizabethan England, where it's derring-do, it's sword play, it's handsome devils and beautiful girls." This creative pivot resulted in comedy dynamite, with stellar performances from Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson as Baldrick, and regulars like Hugh Laurie and Miranda Richardson. Incredible cameos from Tom Baker, Brian Blessed, and Rik Mayall as Lord Flashheart added to the show's brilliance. Director Mandie Fletcher recalled: "I literally couldn't speak, I was laughing so much. He just did his own thing. He came in with such power that he blew his moustache off."
Other 1980s Comedy Gems
After the success of The Two Ronnies, Ronnie Barker starred in Open All Hours and Porridge, while Ronnie Corbett landed the role of Timothy in Sorry! in 1981. The Prime Minister of Bahrain, a big fan, summoned Corbett for an audience and recited most of the plots from memory.
Only Fools and Horses, arguably the most iconic UK sitcom, emerged in September 1981. John Sullivan based it on a Cockney wheeler dealer after the BBC rejected a football club idea. David Jason's Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst's Rodney were supported by memorable characters like Trigger, Denzil, and Mickey Pearce.
Critics hated Never The Twain (1981) with Windsor Davies and Donald Sinden, but audiences loved it, and it ran for a decade. Bob Larbey's A Fine Romance (1981) starred real-life couple Michael Williams and Judi Dench, running for four series before Larbey decided to quit while ahead.
The first series of The Young Ones brought alternative comedy to the mainstream, achieving great ratings for BBC2, though only two series were planned. Paul Jackson, who championed the series, said: "They were adamant that if 12 episodes was good enough for John Cleese and Fawlty Towers, it was good enough for them."
Just Good Friends (1983) starred Paul Nicholas and Jan Francis, following the 'will they won't they' storyline of Penny and Vince. John Sullivan wrote the series after criticism of his lack of female characters, inspired by a letter about a jilted bride.
'Allo 'Allo! became one of the most successful BBC comedies, selling to over 80 countries. Despite early concerns about its portrayal of the French Resistance and Gestapo officers, it was a hit in France and worldwide.
Brush Strokes (1986) featured Karl Howman as painter Jacko, a cheeky chappie. After five series, Karl felt the show had run its course, and BBC Controller Jonathan Powell agreed: "That character was going to find it difficult to age gracefully."
Desmond's (1989) began with a bus journey through Peckham, inspired by writer Trix Worrell's observation of a West Indian barber's shop. Red Dwarf (1988) came to producer Paul Jackson almost by accident; he likened it to The Odd Couple in space, with Rimmer as the prissy one and Lister as the slob.
Birds of a Feather (1989) originated from a Christmas lunch where writers spotted two overdressed women, imagining them as gangsters' molls. Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke played sisters whose husbands were sent to prison, attracting 15 million viewers.
Blackadder's Iconic Finale
The decade closed with the last episode of Blackadder. A problem in the edit required a change to the closing shot, resulting in one of the most iconic TV moments: Captain Blackadder and his men go 'over the top,' and the scene fades to a field of poppies. Producer John Lloyd said: "It looks like they fade into history, like ghosts, and out of the mud grow miraculously poppies. It was the cheapest shot you can possibly imagine, literally one still colour frame, and suddenly you've got one of the great moments in television."
Still Laughing: How the Sitcom Kept Britain Smiling in the 80s, by Robert Sellers, is published on July 23 by The History Press.
