Kurt at 04:38, 4 February 2023

2023-02-04T04:38:05Z

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	~~{{Short description\|British TV sitcom (BBC1, 1985–92)}}~~
	~~{{More citations needed\|date=May 2011}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=October 2020}}~~
	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	\| image = In Sickness and in Health.jpg		\| image = In Sickness and in Health.jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| runtime = 30 minutes		\| runtime = 30 minutes
	\| creator = [[Johnny Speight]]		\| creator = [[Johnny Speight]]
	\| starring = {{plainlist\|		\| starring = {{plainlist\|
	* [[Warren Mitchell]]		* [[Warren Mitchell]]
	* [[Dandy Nichols]]		* [[Dandy Nichols]]
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	* [[James Ellis (actor)\|James Ellis]]		* [[James Ellis (actor)\|James Ellis]]
	}}		}}
	\| country = United Kingdom		\| country = United Kingdom
	\| language = English		\| language = English
	\| distributor = {{plainlist\|		\| distributor = {{plainlist\|
	* [[BBC Worldwide]]		* [[BBC Worldwide]]
	* [[2entertain]]		* [[2entertain]]
	}}		}}
	\| network = [[BBC One\|BBC1]]		\| network = [[BBC One\|BBC1]]
	\| first_aired = {{start date\|1985\|9\|1\|df=yes}}		\| first_aired = {{start date\|1985\|9\|1\|df=yes}}
	\| last_aired = {{end date\|1992\|4\|3\|df=yes}}		\| last_aired = {{end date\|1992\|4\|3\|df=yes}}
	\| num_series = 6		\| num_series = 6
	\| num_episodes = 47		\| num_episodes = 47
	\| preceded_by = ''[[Till Death...]]''		\| preceded_by = ''[[Till Death...]]''
	}}		}}

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	*{{IMDb title\|id=0088541\|title=In Sickness and in Health}}		*{{IMDb title\|id=0088541\|title=In Sickness and in Health}}
	*[http://www.sitcom.co.uk/sitcoms/in_sickness.shtml British Sitcom Guide]		*[http://www.sitcom.co.uk/sitcoms/in_sickness.shtml British Sitcom Guide]
	*~~[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/~~465520~~/index.html Creator of series~~, Johnny Speight]		*{{Screenonline name\|465520\|Show creator, Johnny Speight}}

	{{Johnny Speight}}		{{Johnny Speight}}

Kurt at 18:22, 19 August 2022

2022-08-19T18:22:28Z

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	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	\| image =		\| image = In Sickness and in Health.jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| runtime = 30 minutes		\| runtime = 30 minutes

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-08-05T14:34:56Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:34, 5 August 2022
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en>Annoyed-Briefs-in-Jenkins: external links added

2022-07-31T17:01:32Z

external links added

New page

{{Short description|British TV sitcom (BBC1, 1985–92)}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| runtime = 30 minutes
| creator = [[Johnny Speight]]
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Warren Mitchell]]
* [[Dandy Nichols]]
* [[Carmel McSharry]]
* [[Eamonn Walker]]
* [[Arthur English]]
* [[Una Stubbs]]
* [[Ken Campbell]]
* Eileen Kennally
* Tricia Kelly
* [[Harry Fowler]]
* [[Hugh Lloyd]]
* [[Pat Coombs]]
* [[James Ellis (actor)|James Ellis]]
}}
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| distributor = {{plainlist|
* [[BBC Worldwide]]
* [[2entertain]]
}}
| network = [[BBC One|BBC1]]
| first_aired = {{start date|1985|9|1|df=yes}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1992|4|3|df=yes}}
| num_series = 6
| num_episodes = 47
| preceded_by = ''[[Till Death...]]''
}}

'''''In Sickness and in Health''''' is a [[BBC]] [[British sitcom|television sitcom]] that ran between 1 September 1985 and 3 April 1992. It is a sequel to the successful ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'', which ran between 1966 and 1975, and ''[[Till Death...]]'', which ran for one series of six episodes in 1981. The series includes 47 episodes, and, unlike its predecessor, all the episodes have survived and are available on [[DVD]].

The show's theme tune was performed by [[Chas and Dave]] and two versions of the lyrics were used - the original version in Series 1 and then revised from Series 2 onward to reflect the Else Garnett character's death.

==History==

===After the cancellation===
Warren Mitchell would continue to perform as Alf Garnett on special occasions; this meant on stage in front of a live audience, and similarly to an invited audience consisting largely of celebrities and public figures.

In 1997, a number of special shows were arranged for [[Granada Television]], in which Alf would be in his front room in the company of Mrs Hollingbery or in the pub with a drinking partner. The material was written by [[Johnny Speight]] and Alf now grumbles about the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] being returned to power under [[Tony Blair]].

After Johnny Speight's death in 1998, Warren Mitchell decided that he no longer wanted to play Alf.

===International versions===
In 1991 a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] version of the series, ''In voor en tegenspoed'' ("In good times and in bad"), debuted on Dutch TV. According to the end credits only the first 12 episodes are based on Speight's original scripts. Two more series of episodes were written by [[Paul-Jan Nelissen]] and [[Marc Nelissen]]. The Dutch Alf Garnett is called Fred Schuit (played by [[Rijk de Gooyer]]).<ref>''Dutch version'' [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101125/ IMDB.com]</ref> He lives in Amsterdam, supports [[AFC Ajax]], drinks [[jenever]] for medicinal reasons, and doesn't trust a TV-set unless it's made in [[Philips|Eindhoven]]. The series was awarded two [[Awards of the Dutch Academy]].<ref>''Awards'' [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101125/awards IMDB.com]</ref>

The American counterpart to this series is ''[[Archie Bunker's Place]]'', which preceded ''In Sickness and in Health'' by six years.

==Cast==
* [[Warren Mitchell]] as [[Alf Garnett|Alfred 'Alf' Garnett]]
* [[Dandy Nichols]] as Else Garnett (Series 1)
* [[Una Stubbs]] as Rita Rawlins (Series 1–2)
* [[Arthur English]] as Arthur (Series 1–5)
* [[Eamonn Walker]] as Winston ('Marigold') (Series 1–3)
* [[Ken Campbell]] as Fred Johnson
* Eileen Kenally as Mrs Johnson (Series 1–3)
* [[Gareth Forwood]] as The Doctor (Series 3)
* Tricia Kelly as Mrs Johnson (Series 4–5)
* Yvonne D'Alpra as Mrs Johnson (Series 6)
* [[Harry Fowler]] as Harry the milkman
* [[Arnold Diamond]] as Mr Rabinsky (Series 1–4)
* [[Carmel McSharry]] as Camille Hollingbery (Series 1–6)
* [[Patricia Hayes]] as Min Reed (Series 2–5)
* [[Irene Handl]] as Gwenneth (Series 2–3)
* [[Renu Setna]] as Mr Kittel (Series 2–3)
* [[Fanny Carby]] as The Barmaid (Series 3–5)
* [[Vas Blackwood]] as Pele (Series 4)
* [[Hugh Lloyd]] as Harry Carey (Series 4–6)
* [[Pat Coombs]] as Mrs Carey (Series 4–6)
* [[James Ellis (actor)|James Ellis]] as Michael (Series 6)

==Episode guide ==
===Series 1 ===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | Episode
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
! style="background:#ffdead" | Description
|-
|1
|1 September 1985
| The Garnetts are back in London. Else is severely arthritic and can barely walk and Alf extols the joys of the [[wheelchair]] he has got her, that is until he has to push her around in it. However Alf does find that the chair does come in handy for getting him on the front row at football matches of his beloved [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] although his response to a home win reveals that he is using it fraudulently.
|-
|2
|8 September 1985
| Alf complaining about his failing eye sight he takes his wife out in her wheelchair and buys her an [[ice cream]] cornet whilst avoiding giving money to the local vicar. However his poor sight proves his undoing when he accidentally goes into a ladies' toilet and is arrested as a sex pest.
|-
|3
|15 September 1985
| Having scrubbed the hall floor and disapproved of Else's using the milkman to place her bets, Alf feels that they are entitled to a home help but manages to antagonise three women home helps in succession. Returning from the pub he finds that the 4th home help is Winston, an extremely flamboyant gay black man who will clearly take no nonsense from him.
|-
|4
|29 September 1985
| Alf tries the patience of his neighbours Fred Johnson by using their phone to make a very long-winded long-distance call to his daughter Rita. After expounding upon funerals in the pub Alf repays Fred by buying him so many drinks he falls over but Alf's homeward progress pushing Else in her wheelchair also ends in drunken calamity.
|-
|5
|6 October 1985
| Alf's daughter Rita comes to visit and no sooner is she home Alf argues with her about her mother Else. Alf criticises [[Margaret Thatcher]], claiming that no woman should be [[prime minister]] so Else and Rita gang up against him with Winston, who brings an equally camp friend home to throw a party for Rita. Alf is given extremely strong drink so which causes Alf to pass out while the others continue to party.
|-
|6
|13 October 1985
| Alf is tired of pushing Else around in her chair and he feels she should have an electric [[Electric kick scooter|scooter]] instead but they cost £2500 and the lady at the Social Security office tells Alf that as long as he is around to push his wife, Else cannot have one. Using an idea from some kids with a go-kart Alf adds [[jet propulsion]] to Else's chair, which goes out of control foiling a bank robbery and landing him in hospital. Alf is declared a hero but following Winston's view that the robbers' accomplices may be out to get him Alf ultimately decides it is best to remain anonymous.
|}

This comedy series debuted in 1985 and took the former ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' characters Alf Garnett ([[Warren Mitchell]]) and his wife Else ([[Dandy Nichols]]) from their [[Wapping]] house to a lower-class one-level flat in [[West Ham]]. Else now uses a [[wheelchair]] due to Nichols' real-life ill health.

The council sends a black, [[Homosexual|gay]] man named Winston ([[Eamonn Walker]]), to do the housework and help care for Else. Despite Alf's dual prejudices against Winston, eventually the two become used to one another, and Winston takes Alf to watch his beloved [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]. Nevertheless, Alf gives Winston the [[nickname]] "Marigold".

Alf and Else's daughter Rita ([[Una Stubbs]]) now lives with her husband Mike in his hometown of [[Liverpool]] and often visits her parents, although Mike does not appear (as [[Antony Booth]] had no interest in reprising the role). Usually, Alf is seen drinking with his friend Arthur ([[Arthur English]]) in the local pub.

Although his beloved [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] has returned to power, Alf is not happy with [[Margaret Thatcher]] being [[Prime Minister]] because, according to him, "a woman's place is in the home". He's also unhappy about Else needing to use a wheelchair and the fact he has to push her around everywhere and that, after a lifetime of hard work and paying contributions to the [[Welfare State]], he has to fight the [[social security]] system for a decent living allowance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://checklist.dvrchannelreviews.com|title=Motorized Scooters And Wheelchairs|access-date= 13 February 2016}}</ref>

Across the road lives Fred Johnson ([[Ken Campbell (actor)|Ken Campbell]]), a man stubborn like Alf, with whom he rarely gets along. When angry, Johnson bumps his head on the wall. His wife (first played by Eileen Kennally, from Series 1 to 3, then by Tricia Kelly in Series 4 and 5, and Yvonne D'Alpra in Series 6) is an odd woman who suffers from nerves. Much of the comedy surrounding the Johnsons is based on Mrs. Johnson's sympathy towards Alf, often letting him walk all over them and much to the anger of Mr. Johnson.

===1985 Christmas special===

{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|26 December 1985
|}

===Series 2 ===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | Episode
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
! style="background:#ffdead" | Description
|-
|1
|4 September 1986
|
|-
|2
|11 September 1986.
|
|-
|3
|18 September 1986
|
|-
|4
|25 September 1986
|
|-
|5
|2 October 1986
| Rita buys Alf a second-hand jacket which he soon notices is covered in medals seeing an opportunity he uses it to try to gain all sorts of special favours. Alf is also visited by canvassing politicians.
|-
|6
|9 October 1986
|
|}

The first series ended on 13 October 1985 and was very popular in the ratings. On [[Boxing Day]] a Christmas special was aired, which was also successful. On 6 February 1986 Dandy Nichols died, aged 78.

When Dandy Nichols died, the decision was taken to continue the series, as the ratings and audience appreciation had been excellent. By the first episode of series two, her character has died of natural causes. Left alone after all the other mourners have gone home, Alf, the belligerent old curmudgeon who always treated his wife appallingly, gently touches the handle of her (now empty) wheelchair and sobs "Silly old moo!". However, Alf quickly discovers his state pension has been cut (along with entitlement to other social security benefits) as a result of Else's death. The lyrics of the theme tune (performed by Chas and Dave) were changed to reflect this:

''Oh my 'ol darlin'' 
''They laid her down to rest'' 
''And now I'm missing 'er with all me heart'' 
''But they don't give a monkeys down the [[Department of Health and Social Security|DHSS]]'' 
''They've taken half me pension for a start'' 

''So it won't be very long until I'm by her side'' 
''Cos I'll probably starve to death that's what I'll do'' 
''For richer or for poorer I'm bloody poorer that's a fact'' 
''In sickness and in health I said I'd do'' 

In series two, [[Carmel McSharry]] became a permanent member of the cast playing Mrs Hollingbery, a gossipy, [[Catholic]] pensioner who lives in the flat upstairs. She did make an appearance in the first series but this was very low-key, and she had not been named as Mrs Hollingbery either yet. Alf and Mrs Hollingbery don't get on at first but later become close. The roles of the Johnsons increased, and several recurring characters were added including Mr Rabinsky (a tightfisted [[Jews|Jew]]), Mr Kittel ([[Renu Setna]]) a Muslim shopkeeper, Winston's cousin, and the milkman.

===1986 Christmas special===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
! style="background:#ffdead" | Description
|-
|23 December 1986
| When Rita wins a vacation trip, Alf tries to make Rita feel sorry for him by complaining that he will be alone at Christmas.
|}

===Series 3 ===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead"|Episode
! style="background:#ffdead"|First broadcast
|-
|1
|22 October 1987
|-
|2
|29 October 1987
|-
|3
|5 November 1987
|-
|4
|12 November 1987
|-
|5
|19 November 1987
|-
|6
|26 November 1987
|}

During the third series, Rita divorces Mike and moves back to [[London]] to marry a doctor (although Una Stubbs did not appear in the show after series two). Eamonn Walker also left at the end of series three. Three characters from the 1970s ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' also made a comeback - Mrs. Carey and her henpecked husband Wally ([[Pat Coombs]] and [[Hugh Lloyd]], although Wally was now named Harry) and Alf's crazy former neighbour Min Reed ([[Patricia Hayes]]).

===1987 Christmas special===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|25 December 1987
|}

===Series 4 ===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | Episode
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|1
|7 September 1989
|-
|2
|14 September 1989
|-
|3
|21 September 1989
|-
|4
|28 September 1989
|-
|5
|5 October 1989
|-
|6
|12 October 1989
|-
|7
|19 October 1989
|}
Alf got a new lodger, Pele, and Mrs Hollingbery starts to get closer to Alf. Eventually, Alf begins courting her, and in the fourth series, they travel to the [[Outback]] to meet her long-lost brother and to get married; however, Alf gets jilted and moves back to London.

===1989 Christmas special===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|25 December 1989
|}

===Series 5 ===

{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | Episode
! style="background:#ffdead" | Title
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|1
|"Power Cut"
|1 September 1990
|-
|2
|"Suicide"
|8 September 1990
|-
|3
|"X-rays"
|15 September 1990
|-
|4
|"Window Cleaning"
|22 September 1990
|-
|5
|"Dogs"
|29 September 1990
|-
|6
|"Jury"
|6 October 1990
|-
|7
|"Courtroom"
|13 October 1990
|-
|8
|"Bus"
|20 October 1990
|-
|9
|"Storm"
|27 October 1990
|-
|10
|"Wedding"
|3 November 1990
|}

Series five was broadcast in 1990. These episodes focused on the build-up to Alf and Mrs. Hollingbery's big day which would end in disaster when the pair fall out at the altar over the ''revised terms and conditions'' of the ceremony. Alf objecting to the removal of the "I obey" clause by the wife. Just as she rejects and abandons him in the church, Alf is reminded by Fred that he has had a "lucky escape", to which Alf angrily replies, "What do you mean? I could have watched the bloody football!!".

===1990 Christmas special===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|30 December 1990
|}

===Series 6 ===
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 94%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" | Episode
! style="background:#ffdead" | First broadcast
|-
|1
|21 February 1992
|-
|2
|28 February 1992
|-
|3
|6 March 1992
|-
|4
|13 March 1992
|-
|5
|20 March 1992
|-
|6
|27 March 1992
|-
|7
|3 April 1992
|}

In 1992, after 18 months off the air, the sitcom returned for the sixth and final series of seven episodes in which Alf discovers a ton of banknotes and becomes very rich. During the final series, Arthur did not appear due to [[Arthur English]] suffering from ill health, and so Alf gained a new friend, the Irishman Michael (played by [[James Ellis (actor)|James Ellis]]). Tricia Kelly departed, so Mrs. Johnson runs off with another woman. The character did briefly appear in this series, but was portrayed by Yvonne D'Alpra (the third person to play the role). The last episode aired on 3 April 1992.

==Theme tune==
The [[theme tune]] to the programme was written and performed by [[Chas & Dave]], although they changed the lyrics when the character of Else died and Alf was left alone. The lyrics were changed again for the episodes set in Australia during the Fourth series.

== DVD releases ==
*Series 1: 9 June 2008
*Series 2: 22 September 2008
*Christmas Specials: 3 November 2008
*Series 3: 23 March 2009
*Series 4: 13 July 2009
*Series 5: 12 July 2010
*Series 6: 13 September 2010
*The Complete Collection: 13 September 2010

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{BBC programme}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0088541|title=In Sickness and in Health}}
*[http://www.sitcom.co.uk/sitcoms/in_sickness.shtml British Sitcom Guide]
*[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/465520/index.html Creator of series, Johnny Speight]

{{Johnny Speight}}
{{Till Death Us Do Part}}

[[Category:1980s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:1985 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:1992 British television series endings]]
[[Category:BBC television sitcoms]]
[[Category:British television spin-offs]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Till Death Us Do Part]]

In Sickness and in Health - Revision history

Kurt at 04:38, 4 February 2023

Kurt at 18:22, 19 August 2022

Kurt: 1 revision imported

en>Annoyed-Briefs-in-Jenkins: external links added