This show typifies the lackluster writing style of the early 80's in GB. While his acting was marvelous in To The manor Born, made just a few years before this one, his packed schedule of shows and his ego-driven compulsion to 'STAR' in his own show no doubt affected the production of this one.....with all too predictable results. George Cole manages to provide us with most of the genuine laughs in the episodes but nearly all the humour is of the mail-in or off-the-shelf variety. Predictably Bowles manages to get the best of Cole at every turn despite George's knowledge of what is going on and after a few episodes it all becomes far too predictable. Perhaps 35 years ago comedy audiences were less demanding about what they would accept...in the interest of a good laugh but I think really....any year...any audience......good writing like that of The Good Life or Fawlty Towers HAS to be enjoyable....this is comedy of a far different and less creative variety. If simple comedy like Sid James' Bless This House or Butterflies is all you need then this will do but I prefer the BEST that G.B. has to offer.....and this is DEFINITELY not it.
Review of The Bounder
