So Haunt Me (1992-1994)

In this early 90s BBC sitcom, a suburban family find their new house is haunted by its previous resident, a middle-aged Jewish woman.

Created by Paul Mendelson, who also was responsible for "May to December" and "My Hero," it stretched to three series of six episodes and a Christmas special and is regarded as one of the better BBC 90s sitcoms.

Starring Miriam Karlin who was best known for her starring role in "the Rag Trade", George Costigan ("Rita, Sue and Bob Too"), Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel in "Only Fools and Horses," "Grantchester" and features a young Laura Howard (credited in series one as Laura Simmons), who became Cully in the earlier episodes of "Midsomer Murders."

One recurring cast member was the next-door neighbour Mr Bloom, played by actor David Graham. 

He is famous for voicing the characters of Gordon Tracy, Brains and Parker in the original animated series of "Thunderbirds." He was also Grandpa Pig in "Peppa Pig," and voiced the Daleks in "Doctor Who."

Many of the episodes (if not all) are available to watch on YouTube. Below is a link to series one, episode one.

The Tea Ladies (1978)

A BBC sitcom pilot, "The Tea Ladies," produced in 1978, boasted an all-star British cast including Patricia Hayes, Dandy Nichols, and Mollie Sugden, but was never developed further after its initial airing.

Ray Galton and Johnny Speight, creators between them of "Hancock's Half Hour," "Steptoe and Son," "'Til Death Us Do Part," and "In Sickness and in Health," developed this show initially as an Australian sitcom that lasted for eight episodes there. The pilot was intended to be the first collaboration of the writing duo in the UK.

Ray Galton had recently split up from his long-term writing partner, Alan Simpson, who had retired to concentrate on his business interests. Galton found future success alongside Johnny Speight, especially with the ITV Police station comedy "Spooner's Patch."

Dandy Nichols

"The Tea Ladies" has a distinct feel of Johnny Speight's previous work, especially with the wonderful Dandy Nichols who played Alf Garnett's long-suffering wife in "'Till Death Us Do Part." It would have to be said that some of the dialogue is very much over the mark in terms of race and would never be produced or tolerated in this modern age.

Patricia Hayes

The ladies in the Houses of Parliament's buffet are played by Ms Nichols and Patricia Hayes, potentially predating Victoria Wood's "Dinnerladies." 

I have always enjoyed Ms. Hayes' performances, whether they were comedic or dramatic, and watching Dandy Nichols is a joy to behold.

Mollie Sugden

Mollie Sugden portrays a char-lady who has just been awarded an MBE for her extensive and long service. A solo scene featuring her interacting with a rather unstable statue of Sir Winston Churchill is very funny. Witness her repeatedly climbing up and down a step-ladder in high heels; that must have been something of a challenge! 

Unfortunately, this pilot did not develop any further, and a series was never commissioned. I have to say I actually found it very amusing and well worth a watch (click below).

It would be quite interesting to watch the Australian version, if only to enjoy Galton and Speight's superb writing.

Kathy Staff in "No Frills."

Kathy Staff is best remembered as the  battleaxe Nora Batty from "Last of the Summer Wine" and Doris Luke in ATV soap opera "Crossroads." 

However she went on to appear in her own 1988 BBC sitcom "No Frills."

She starred as Molly Bickerstaff, a recently widowed woman who moved from Oldham to live in London with her divorced daughter and goth granddaughter.

Co-starring Belinda Sinclair (best remembered from "Shelley," with Hywel Bennett) as her daughter Kate, and Katherine Schlesinger (niece of film director John Schlesinger) as granddaughter Suzy.

Lasting just one series of seven 30-minute episodes, there are one or two quite funny moments, but on the whole it is no real surprise that the series was quickly cancelled.

No Frills - episode 1