Just Good Friends - Series 1 And 2 (Box Set) (DVD)

...on DVD that I realised just how funny it was. Let me tell you a bit about it...


~ The Story ~
Broadcast from 1983 to 1986, 'Just Good Friends' was the story of Penelope Warrender and Vincent Pinner, a young couple who were to be married - until Vince jilted her at the altar. Obviously, Penny was devastated but managed to get on with her life - even though Vince was the only thing she ever thought about. Five years later, ...
...it, and vow to become just good friends to avoid anything like that happening again. But throughout the series, they develop an on-again-off-again relationship and end up becoming far from 'just good friends'! Sounds like the same old story, I know, but you really have to watch it - it's such a funny sitcom!

So what's so good about the same old boy-meets-girl story? Well, the script is hilarious, to put it bluntly. It's quite an intelligent ... more

This is the best sitcom I have EVER seen. I'll always remember my mum watching this and laughing really hard at it when I was a child. It was not until last Christmas when I bought it for her on DVD that I realised just how funny it was. Let me tell you a bit about it...

~ The Story ~
Broadcast from 1983 to 1986, 'Just Good Friends' was the story of Penelope Warrender and Vincent Pinner, a young couple who were to be married - until Vince jilted her at the altar. Obviously, Penny was devastated but managed to get on with her life - even though Vince was the only thing she ever thought about. Five years later, they meet by chance, fall for each other without realising it, and vow to become just good friends to avoid anything like that happening again. But throughout the series, they develop an on-again-off-again relationship and end up becoming far from 'just good friends'! Sounds like the same old story, I know, but you really have to watch it - it's such a funny sitcom!

So what's so good about the same old boy-meets-girl story? Well, the script is hilarious, to put it bluntly. It's quite an intelligent comedy which I think makes a refreshing change from the fast-growing childish humour on sitcoms these days. The sitcom was written by the great John Sullivan (who also wrote the long-running comedy, 'Only Fools and Horses'), and the theme tune written by Ronnie Hazelhurst and sung by Paul Nicholas (who also plays Vince). The series was directed by Sue Bysh, and directed/produced by Ray Butt. In my opinion, they couldn't have picked better actors and actresses for the roles if they tried. Every character is just brilliant, and each has fabulous lines! Another key advantage that this series has over other sitcoms, is that at the end of each episode something happens which leaves the situation up-in-the-air - if you know what I mean. But then, once the credits have rolled, a great twist happens!

For example, take series 2, episode 1. They're in a park, and yet again, they've argued. Vince had driven them both there, so childishly, he says that he's not taking her home. (Credits start rolling) Penny sulkily dawdles along behind him as he walks to the car park. Just as the credits stop, Penny runs to a car and gets inside. Vince asks what she's playing at and tells her to get out, but she stubbornly says no. OK, he says and walks off. Feeling very pleased with herself, she picks up some Polaroid photos and looks through them, only to find pictures of a family - who happen to be playing frisbee up on the hill in front of her. A horn sounds, she looks round, only to find Vince pulling up in his car! They smile at each other... and the penny drops - she looks around to find the family notice her in their car. She hurriedly dashes out of the car mumbling apologies and runs to Vince, smiling to himself he starts the car - Penny chuckles at her stupidity!

~ The Characters ~
Here's a little bit about the main characters in the series -

Penelope (Penny) Warrender (Jan Francis):
A bit of a snob, Penny lives with mummy and daddy (Daphne and Norman) in suburbia and works at an advertising agency. She doesn't really know what she wants from Vince half the time, and that's why most of their arguments develop! Quite often known to shout at Vince, "I hate you and I never want to see you again!"... until she realises how silly she's been. Sounds a lot like me!

Vincent (Vince) Pinner (Paul Nicholas):
A "laddish wide-boy" (as described on the DVD box). He's a ladies man, and he knows it. Assistant manager of 'Eddies Turf Accountants', and attempting to give up smoking with the aid of a plastic cigarette. He consistently puts his foot in it with Penny without knowing it. But, he normally manages to worm his way out of it with that cheeky grin.

Daphne Warrender (Sylvia Kay):
Aspiring upper-class, Daphne is Penny's mum. She absolutely despises Vince (or "Thing" as she calls him), and was secretly relieved the day that he jilted her daughter. She only wants the best for her daughter and she clearly believes that Vince is not good enough!

Norman Warrender (John Ringham):
A happy-go-lucky kind of bloke, Norman is Penny's dad. He works for a wine company and is frequently bossed around by Daphne his wife (or so she likes to think). Always there to comfort Penny when she's upset - which is often when Daphne or Vince are around - he will always be loyal to his family.

Les Pinner (Shaun Curry):
A rock and roll teddy boy, Les is Vince's dad, and you wouldn't think it to look at him! The Pinner's are "common" to put it nicely, but you can't help but love them! Owns a scrap metal yard, which keeps him in pocket - he owns a villa in The Algarve, much to Daphne's dislike!

Rita Pinner (Ann Lynn):
Loud is not the word. Rita is Vince's mum, and she says what she likes, when she likes, to who she likes. Often wears "bold" clothes, and can be heard to defend Cliffy, "Aww bless 'im. It weren't 'is fault, Les."

Clifford (Cliffy) Pinner (Adam French):
A walking catastrophe! Cliffy is Vince's kid-brother who breaks EVERYTHING he touches. He usually says the wrong thing at the wrong time, but his most common line is, "It weren't my fault!".

~ The Series ~
Sullivan wrote three series, all in all (twenty-two 30 minute episodes), as well as two specials - one 90 minutes long and another 35 minutes long! This DVD only has series 1 & 2 - unfortunately series 3 and the specials are not available on DVD. I really wish they would release them as they are hilarious. I tried to contact Playback (the company who released this DVD) but to no avail.

Anyway, enough of me whinging. Here are the episodes on this 3 DVD set:

Series 1 -
1. After All This Time (22nd September 1983):
Both on dates they don't really want to be on, Penny and Vince meet by chance after 5 years

2. Hello Again (29th September 1983):
Vince pops round to the Warrander's to meet Penny, but Daphne is not too pleased to see him

3. Let's Spend The Night Together (6th October 1983):
Vince invites Penny round to his flat for a meal - prepared by the local takeaway - and tries to coax her into staying the night...

4. Fatherly Advice (13th October 1983):
Vince gets some advice on relationships from his dad (as if you hadn't guessed from the title) and asks Penny to meet him, but she is adamant on staying "friends"

5. I Don't Want To See You Again (20th October 1983):
After spending all morning thinking about Vince at work, Penny decides to casually pay him a visit at the betting shop, while she "does a bet". Vince invites her to go out with him for a meal. Meanwhile Penny finds the name "Ann" written in his diary... how will he get out of this one?

6. Happy Birthday, Penny (27th October 1983):
Vince asks Penny to move in with him - of course, Daphne is not too keen.

7. Moving In... And Out Again (3rd November 1983):
Penny and Vince buy a new flat together, only to have it raided and trashed by kids when Penny forgets to lock the door...

Series 2 -
8. Guilt (7th October 1984):
Penny is anxious about her impending divorce, and Vince makes it worse by selling their flat. Vince gets very drunk and goes round to Penny's to apologise...

9. Another Man (14th October 1984):
Penny tries to make Vince jealous by creating "another man", he goes by the name of Steve...

10. Meeting Penny's Husband (21st October 1984):
Penny's husband calls a meeting with her and Vince in order to blackmail her into divorcing him...

11. Caught On A Shoulder Strap (28th October 1984):
It's Penny's boss' daughters wedding party. No points for guessing how Vince messes up his chances from the title!

12. Farewell Holiday (4th November 1984):
Vince tells Penny he's getting married in order to trick her into a "farewell holiday" in The Algarve

13. Pregnant? (11th November 1984):
Penny thinks she might be pregnant and has mixed feelings

14. Goodbye Again (18th November 1984):
After her divorce goes through, Penny decides enough is enough, she needs to lead her own life for once

~ The DVD ~
OK, enough about the series, let's talk about the DVD. The front cover is a shot of Vince and Penny, with the title "BBC Just Good Friends Series 1 & 2" in big letters above their heads. Underneath is a purple bar with the words "Starring Paul Nicholas & Jan Francis" written on it. The DVD is rated PG and is distributed by Universal. On the back is the usual; bit about the series, ratings and extras, and bits about the writers and producers.

One interesting note on the back is "For contractual reasons certain edits have been made." It would be interesting to see what exactly has been left out! Why do they do this?! Nevermind...

As this is a three-disc set, the box has to be slightly bigger. There is an outer sleeve (which has all the above information on it) which slides off to reveal a black inner box with only the words "Playback Classic and Cult TV" on it in dark grey. On the back is the URL for Universal-Playback, and the Universal logo. Inside you'll find the three discs in purple, clearly marked as to which DVD is which i.e. Series 1 & 2 - DVD 1. The only thing I don't like about the DVD sleeves is that sometimes they catch on the corners and damage the box. Maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist, I don't know.

The box is not especially eyecatching, but if you're a fan, you won't mind.

When you insert a DVD, you'll get the usual piracy warnings, Universal and Playback logos, then the main menu. The menu has the backdrop and the theme from the title scenes of the series playing in the background. The disc number is displayed in the top right hand corner, and there are little scenes from the series running along the centre of the screen. Along the bottom there are three options: Play All, Subtitles On/Off, and Episode Selection. If you open Episode Selection, you'll have each episode in turn on the screen, and if you select one of those, you'll see all the names of each chapter which you can select.

Nothing too fancy, but sometimes I find that too much content puts me off anyway.

~ Some Quotes From The Series ~
After me banging on about how funny the script is, I thought it only fair to give you some tasters:

Vince: They say if you want to see your wife in 30-years time just look at her mother. God, it was horrifying.

Penny: Do you mind not smoking when I am eating?!
Vince: I am not smoking and you are not eating! This is a plastic cigarette.
Penny: Matches your heart!

Vince: You always thought you were pregnant - you had more false alarms than the London fire brigade!

Penny: Don't you find it odd that something like that could happen between "friends"?
Vince: No!
Penny: Do you go to bed with all your friends?!
Vince: No... I just fancy you more than other blokes.

Rita: Cliffy! Put that down before mummy kicks your teeth in!

Vince: I'm not asking you to commit yourself, I'm asking you to come to bed with me.

Les: How many times do I have to tell you Clifford, travelling the world broadens the horizons!
Cliffy: But I don't want to go travelling around the world!
Les: Why not?!
Cliffy: It's boring.
Les: Have you ever travelled the world Clifford?
Cliffy: Course not - it's boring.
Les: Oh yeah, I forgot. It's boring.

Penny: Don't you ever get lonely living here on your own?
Vince: Will you come and live here?
Penny: What about my parents?
Vince: I'd prefer it to be just you and me.

Norman: I wish you wouldn't call me names in front of Penny!
Daphne: Well in future, I'll save them up until we're alone then.

Penny: You said it was your flat - you said you had it on a long-term lease!
Vince: I lied.
Penny: Why?!
Vince: I'm a liar.

~ Other Information ~
Here's some more information I couldn't fit in anywhere else.

Rating: PG
Distributor: BBC Worldwide Ltd, Universal-Playback - http://www.universal-playback.com
Running time: 6 hours 54 minutes approximately
Released: 2004
Region: 2
Typical prices: £9.99 at play.com

~ Conclusion ~
This is definitely the best sitcom I have ever seen. The twists at the end are great, the actors couldn't be better, the writing is fantastic, it's set in the 80's, and you always wish they'd just get together! I think the reason most people like it is that they can see a little bit of Vince or Pen in themselves - I know I'm really stubborn, but not to the same extent as Penny! Excellent writing - I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh!

Thanks for reading! 

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