The Bounder (TV Series) Howard at the Majestic (1982) User Reviews

Howard at the Majestic

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 2 May 2022]

The first episode did not make me sympathetic towards the main characters.

Eric Chappell must have sensed that weakness. After all not many in the audience are going to feel sorry for an estate agent like Trevor Mountjoy being duped by his brother in law.

The second episode highlights why the comedy was a showcase for Peter Bowles. He shifts through several extra gears here.

It is Trevor and Mary's 15th wedding anniversary. Of course Howard has forgotten but he tells them that he has booked a romantic dinner for them at the plush Majestic.

Only the Majestic is fully booked and they are also holding a private party for the local rugby club.

Howard manages to bamboozle a table but he is soon caught out. He then has to steal the food and drink from the rugby party by pretending to be an old boy.

It is not immensely funny, this kind of con man humour is well worn but you cannot fault the energy on display.

Majestic Mayhem!

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 17 January 2009]

Eric Chappell said that he gave up writing sitcoms when the men in suits at I.T.V. began asking whenever he submitted new ideas for shows 'how is this relevant to the modern world?' rather than 'is it funny?'.

This second episode of 'The Bounder' is very funny indeed. It is Trevor and Mary's 15th wedding anniversary, and Howard - eager to disguise the fact he has not remembered it - claims to have booked a table for two at The Majestic.

The thing is, he has not, and the trio inadvertently gate-crash a private function, a reunion of old Etonians. Howard tries to bluff his way out of trouble by pretending to be a rugby-playing student called 'Bodger Booth'. He then begins complaining about the quality of the food ( giving him an excuse to taste the stuff ) to the head waiter, Wilson ( Ronnie Stevens ).

He is quickly rumbled however when Wilson calls Head Office, and Trevor and Mary suspect something is wrong when prawn cocktails vanish from their table...

Some very good actors in this - Glyn Owen, Alan Curtis, Ronnie Stevens, and Dennis Ramsden ( 'Reggie Perrin' fans may remember the latter as 'Dr. 'Baldy' Hump' from the first season ), but as ever it is Bowles who shines. He is wonderful throughout.

As Howard's lies spiral out of control, it is poor Trevor who gets debagged by the old Etonians, his trousers flung onto the floor as Howard and Mary dance.

Funniest moment - Howard attempting to make off with a large platter of salmon, only to be unexpectedly called upon to give a speech to the gathering.