"As Time Goes By" (1992) TV series 1992-2005

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Release Date:

12 January 1992 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Lionel and Jean were lovers many years ago at the time of the Korean War. They are separated by a misunderstanding...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Secretary | Housekeeper | Writer | Paint

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Judi Dench	...	Jean / ... (67 episodes, 1992-2005)
Geoffrey Palmer	...	Lionel / ... (67 episodes, 1992-2005)
Moira Brooker	...	Judith / ... (62 episodes, 1992-2005)
Philip Bretherton	...	Alistair / ... (59 episodes, 1992-2005)
Jenny Funnell	...	Sandy (58 episodes, 1992-2005)

Runtime:

30 min (64 episodes) | UK:60 min (1 episode) | UK:45 min (1 episode) | UK:50 min (1 episode)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG | Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | USA:TV-PG

Company:

D.L. Taffner

Trivia:

The title of Lionel's often mentioned memoir was "My Life in Kenya". Jenny Funnell, who portrayed Sandy on the show, was actually born in Kenya.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In Season 3 Episode 2, Lionel is telling Rocky a joke about a parrot with no feet. ("So the parrot said, 'No, I didn't see a thing. I got so excited I fell off my perch.'") Rocky replies, "I understand the joke, I just don't think it's funny. In Season 9 Episode 3, Rocky tells the same joke to Mrs. Bale, laughs, and admits, "It's a very good joke, that!" (Note: "Season 5 Episode 6 has Lionel telling the joke to Steven, who doesn't get it.)

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Rocky Hardcastle: Rock on!

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Funny Ladies of British Comedy (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

As Time Goes By

Why we Americans like this so much

I've just watched the "reunion" show, the newest episode of the series, made in early 2005. Judi Dench in an interview said that it was the enthusiasm of the American audience that convinced the cast and creators to continue the series.

And why? Why do we like, even love, this show so much? First, the deft, brilliant writing, the believable situations and character interactions. It's just that the laughs come from situations that all of us can recognize. He never will answer a ringing telephone, which drives her crazy; she just can't fill the dishwasher properly, in his opinion,and that drives him bananas. We recognize this in our own situations, our own relationships. And don't count out the romance, the idea that two people lose track of each other (it turns out, due to a misunderstanding!) and, after 38 years apart, fall in love all over again.

Don't misunderstand: this is a sex comedy, a sexy show! But it's not in your face, it's just presented as a delicious part of life.

Then of course it's the way British actors play comedy, always with style and panache, never going for cheap laughs, never overstated or self-indulgent. No smutty asides and improvisations, either, as "Method" trained American actors tend to do, on television, stage and film, when they try to play comedy. There's a wonderful sense of generosity in the playing, too: "We're doing this for YOU, the audience, not just for ourselves. Isn't it fun?"

The newest episodes introduced a new character and left the door open for further developments. I look forward to more!