PDA

View Full Version : mrs merton & malcolm


WackoJacko
19th November 2003, 10:35 PM
just wondered if anyone remembered this incredibly funny series that was on bbc a while back?

they stopped it after 1series becuz the royle family wiped it out. but it was absolutely brilliant in my opinion

it was shown from 22 Feb - 29 Mar 1999 on BBC1 on a Monday at 8.30pm

heres the bbc's description of the show incase it jogs any memories....

Cast
Caroline Aherne - Dorothy Merton
Craig Cash - Malcolm Merton
Brian Murphy - Arthur Capstick

Mrs Merton & Malcolm observed the home life of the pair. Although 37, Malcolm acts - and is treated by his mother - like a seven-year-old. It is difficult to say whether he has been kept unnaturally childlike by her treatment or whether, to use the parlance of the programme, he is 'backward'. Malcolm's father is bedridden and remains permanently upstairs, referred to but only seen as a bulky shape beneath the blankets. Neighbour Arthur Capstick pops in to pass the time of day. Ostensibly set in the present day, in the north England town of Heaton Norris, the show reeked of the 1950s in several respects, including the clothes.


This was an intriguing creation, intentionally low-key and permeated with melancholy. The colourful photography and uncommonly lush incidental music helped lighten the mood, but it was still too downbeat for some and there was criticism that Malcolm's character was in dubious taste for comedy. No matter - six months earlier, the same writers had launched The Royle Family the success of which was so immense that Mrs Merton & Malcolm was soon (if unfairly) forgotten.

i recently emailed the bbc asking if it was available on video or dvd for me to buy because i loved it. but they wrote back saying it wasnt commercially available :( i want it! lol. if anyone knows anywhere you can buy it aswell id be eternally gr8ful?! its a shame it was forgotten becuz it was a stroke of brilliance and incredibly funny

Chrissy
23rd November 2003, 05:20 PM
Yeeeeah I remember that show, thought it waaaay better than the Royle Family! but soz, havent heard of anything about them since the show stopped so dont know where you'd get anything about them.

EmuMan
23rd November 2003, 11:11 PM
Yeh i remember it i used to watch it, it was great..

MikeT
9th December 2003, 04:46 PM
yeah, I remember that show...vaguly...wen I was 8...gosh! I can't believe it only ran for a couple of months, seemed so much longer than that...

anywhoo, I've located a video of the "Best of Mrs Merton"

u can order it off Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004CSXB/ref=sr_aps_vhs_1_1/026-5686399-2007600

Hope I've helped.

[EDIT]
I've just relised, was this a different show to Mrs Merton and Malcom? I think it was...hmm...

WackoJacko
9th December 2003, 04:48 PM
ah no u havent. lol. i tracked that down ages ago but its a completely different show. nothing to do with mrs merton and malcolm (except the main characters the same)

MikeT
9th December 2003, 04:57 PM
yah, i realised that after i posted it...thats prob why I remember it bein on for so long. Mrs Merton was like a chat show wasn't it...or summut...

Flūmplź
9th December 2003, 07:29 PM
Caroline Aherne
Craig Cash

are great in the royal family!!!! Does anyone know if it will be on telly anymore or any more seres made?

MikeT
10th December 2003, 04:45 PM
What? Tghe Royle Family? There is no plans to make new episodes cuz C Aherne pulled out of it...

It's usually on TV on UK Gold...

Vicas
10th December 2003, 11:58 PM
i used to love the mertons...