Rent Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1979)

I didn't get where I am today by not knowing a TV classic when I see it - Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin review by RP

I remember seeing the first series way back in 1976 - laughing out loud, and using CJ's catchphrase. Now here I am, over 35 years later doing exactly the same!

This is classic British TV about which you can truly say 'they don't make them like that any more.' Superb.

For those who don't know, the series follows the life of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin, a 46 year old executive with Sunshine Desserts who begins to question the rationale for his boring suburban life, boring marriage, boring relatives, boring commute to work, his boring work colleagues. He begins to fancy his secretary, starts to act bizarrely, throws a wobbler and does a John Stonehouse. (Google for the name). Wandering the land in a series of unlikely disguises he attends his own memorial service, leading to a strange family reconciliation. Told cold, this might seem straightforward stuff for a TV drama - but it is laced with so much humour from the lead character played by the late lamented Leonard Rossiter and great dialogue from writer David Nobbs, who developed the script from his own books. It really does have to be seen to believed - and it's far better than the 2009 remake with Martin Clunes.

As CJ might have said 'I didn't get where I am today by not knowing a TV classic when I see it'. Superb stuff. 5/5 stars - highly recommended.

Is Clunes' better - Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin review by JD

I imagine the Martin Clunes' version will prompt comparison. They are both a product of their times but the Reggie version is focussed more on infidelity whereas the contemporary version more on management stupidity. I prefer Reggie's partly for the nostalgia and partly for his better acting and unique timing.