Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

[OceanBlue]

Thought there was an existing thread in the UK TV Shows sub-forum about the comedy drama series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, which originally ran for two series on ITV in the 80s, before being revived by the BBC in the noughties.

Personally, this is up there as one of my all time favourite series. The first two series were the best for me. Whilst it was glad to see the show back in the noughties, it just wasn't the same (as Gary Holton, who played carpenter Wayne, died during the filming of the second series). They introduced a new character in the third series, the son of Wayne (played by Noel Clarke).

I think there were a couple of series on the BBC, followed by a two-part Christmas special which was also the series finale. Pat Roach sadly passed away around the time of the series finale.

[HotRats]

A brilliant series. Last watched it a couple of years ago and wondered if it could be issued as a blu ray box. I think the ITV series were shot on video but the BBC series were better looking and had surround sound. I'd buy a blu ray set even if they were upscales

[OceanBlue]

Steedeel, thought you'd be interested in this thread, as you've said elsewhere here you're a fan of the first two series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

[cicada88]

Just watched this (first 2 series) and Boys from the Blackstuff for the first time on DVD. Really enjoyed both.

I’m watching The Young Ones next.

[OceanBlue]

A few days ago, while checking the BBFC's website for new listings, spotted a new one for something I hadn't heard about, a live event recorded earlier this year that celebrated Auf Wiedersehen, Pet's fortieth anniversary, called Auf Wiedersehen, Pet at 40:

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/auf-w...pwwc0xmdi1mdqz

It states on the BBFC listing page that the director was Chris Cowey. Is this the same Chris Cowey who was the executive producer/showrunner on Top of the Pops in the late-nineties?

Have done a web search and a DVD is shipping next month.

[drush9999]

Love the first two series from the 80s and the first revival series. The one set in Cuba and the special not so much.
Have fond memories of watching it in the 80s on a Friday night with my family as a kid.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Steedeel, thought you'd be interested in this thread, as you've said elsewhere here you're a fan of the first two series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

I watch them almost yearly, cracking show with so many iconic moments. Didn’t care for the newer stuff, it lost the magic.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Love the first two series from the 80s and the first revival series. The one set in Cuba and the special not so much.
Have fond memories of watching it in the 80s on a Friday night with my family as a kid.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I watch them almost yearly, cracking show with so many iconic moments. Didn’t care for the newer stuff, it lost the magic.

I can't remember if I watched that two-part special that concluded the series, but I watched the majority of the BBC revival, and while I liked it at first, in hindsight I didn't like it half as much as the first two series (Mark Knopfler's theme tune wasn't a patch on Joe Fagin's main titles and end credits songs, and while the

[Show spoiler]'bag of money Dennis put in a safe place'

storyline was brought up briefly in the BBC revival early on, I was disappointed that they didn't resolve the anti-climatic ending of Series 2

[Show spoiler](when they were on the boat being chased by the police, and what happened to Ally Fraser and Kenny (played by Bill Paterson and James Booth respectively),

unless I missed the explanation(s).

There was something about those first two series that couldn't be repeated (the chemistry of the cast, the comedy drama, the witty and funny dialogue (some of it couldn't be done today though). Some of my favourite episodes were the ones when the lads were working at Thornley Manor.

I have been thinking recently about re-watching the first two series during the remainder of this autumn and into the winter.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

I can't remember if I watched that two-part special that concluded the series, but I watched the majority of the BBC revival, and while I liked it at first, in hindsight I didn't like it half as much as the first two series (Mark Knopfler's theme tune wasn't a patch on Joe Fagin's main titles and end credits songs, and while the

[Show spoiler]'bag of money Dennis put in a safe place'

storyline was brought up briefly in the BBC revival early on, I was disappointed that they didn't resolve the anti-climatic ending of Series 2

[Show spoiler](when they were on the boat being chased by the police, and what happened to Ally Fraser and Kenny (played by Bill Paterson and James Booth respectively),

unless I missed the explanation(s).

There was something about those first two series that couldn't be repeated (the chemistry of the cast, the comedy drama, the witty and funny dialogue (some of it couldn't be done today though). Some of my favourite episodes were the ones when the lads were working at Thornley Manor.

I have been thinking recently about re-watching the first two series during the remainder of this autumn and into the winter.

Yes, and Arthur Pringle! What a great character.

What has become apparent as I have got older is just how brilliant Timothy Spall is.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yes, and Arthur Pringle! What a great character.

What has become apparent as I have got older is just how brilliant Timothy Spall is.

It was definitely after seeing the Central series in full (I saw bits of the first two series on their original ITV airing) from the repeats (I'm sure Channel 4 might have repeated the show or it could have been a satellite channel), but I didn't realise until seeing the episode again, that the actress who played Arthur Pringle's daughter Carol (Catherine Rabett) played one of Felix Leiter's two assistants (Liz) in The Living Daylights (filmed after the second series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet had finished filming).

I didn't see it myself, but did you see a drama series on the BBC called The Sixth Commandment that Timothy Spall starred in?

They were all good characters, but one of my favourite characters was Moxey (played by Christopher Fairbank).

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

It was definitely after seeing the Central series in full (I saw bits of the first two series on their original ITV airing) from the repeats (I'm sure Channel 4 might have repeated the show or it could have been a satellite channel), but I didn't realise until seeing the episode again, that the actress who played Arthur Pringle's daughter Carol (Catherine Rabett) played one of Felix Leiter's two assistants (Liz) in The Living Daylights (filmed after the second series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet had finished filming).

I didn't see it myself, but did you see a drama series on the BBC called The Sixth Commandment that Timothy Spall starred in?

They were all good characters, but one of my favourite characters was Moxey (played by Christopher Fairbank).

I didn’t see that other series, but I have seen Timothy Spall in many Mike Leigh productions. He is always brilliant.

I didn’t know that about the actress, good spot.

I was saddened to see that the actress who played bomber’s daughter in the first series had passed away.

[drush9999]

I still have two 7" singles with the Joe Fagin theme music, and a CD with all the songs and other incidental music from the series.