'Andy Capp' was the creation of Reg Smythe, a talented cartoonist who came up with the idea of the drunken, flat-capped Northerner in 1954. Appearing regularly in 'The Daily Mirror' with his trademark cap atop his head, his checked scarf around his neck and fag end hanging from his mouth, Capp became a much loved cartoon strip character, as did the other characters from the stories including Andy's rolling pin wielding wife Flo ( always sporting curlers and slippers ), their put upon neighbours Chalkie and Ruby White, Percy the rent collector and Jackie the barman. Flo's mum, though never physically seen, would often appear as a speech bubble protruding from offstage in which she would be seen having a slagging match with Andy.In 1981, a stage musical based on 'Andy Capp', starring Tom Courtneay and Val McLane in the leading roles, was made but did not do well at all and sustained only a short run at London's Aldwych Theatre. Seven years later, a computer game entitled 'Andy Capp - The Game' was released ( for the Commodore 64, the Amstrad CPC and the ZX Spectrum ) and the year after that a third adaption was made, this time as a television sitcom. Keith Waterhouse provided the scripts. James Bolam donned the cloth cap for the role of the mischievous Andy while Paula Tilbrook took on the role of Florrie. The roles of Chalkie and Ruby went to Keith Smith and Susan Brown and Shirley Dixon provided the voice for Flo's faceless mother.With all the right ingredients in the mix, 'Andy Capp' looked to be a born hit. Unfortunately, it was quite the opposite. Critics panned it and only six episodes got made before it got the chop. Many felt the casting of Andy and Flo was rather awry. In the comic strips, Andy was a short, weedy man whereas Flo was twice his size ( hence where the comedy came from with her looming over him with the rolling pin ), yet here Andy was much taller whilst his wife was short and dumpy.The first episode began with Andy becoming a reformed character after sustaining a blow to the head courtesy of falling in a canal. As one would expect, he went back to old ways by the end of the episode. He would had to have or there would have been no show. The rest of the series sees Flo try to give Andy a taste of his own medicine by trying to live the same way he does, Andy flogging Flo's new expensive frock to the local pawnbroker and so on. The series ends with Flo and Andy 'celebrating' their wedding anniversary.Well first thing is to be said that it is no classic but it is certainly nowhere near as bad as the history books would have you believe. Bolam and Tilbrook did both did manage to turn in respectable performances ( despite the height issue ), as did Smith and Brown as their neighbours Chalkie and Ruby. Also impressive from the supporting cast were Keith Marsh and Andy Mulligan as debt collectors Percy and Meredith, John Arthur as Jack the barman, Jeremy Gittins as local bobby Keith and the late Kevin Lloyd as Walter, who was even more of a lush than Andy. Keith Waterhouse's scripts may not have been brilliant but there was not a moment that went by in each episode where I didn't smile and there was no canned laughter to drown out the best gags.The poor reception that 'Andy Capp' met with ensured that no second series was made. Afterwards, Capp returned back to his comfort zone in 'The Daily Mirror'. If you are new to Capp I would recommend the books containing the comic strips to you however I would also suggest that you give this a look as well.

Andy Capp the famous Daily Mirror cartoon strip was adapted for television.James Bolam played the flat capped layabout from Hartlepool who certainly loves a drink in the pub but here like everyone seems to to come from West Yorkshire.The series was written by Keith Waterhouse but something went seriously wrong in the adaptation. It did not feel like a cartoon strip come to life. In fact Bolam never felt like Andy Capp to me at all.Despite the hype at the time the series misfired badly. It was not funny, it was not good at all and the viewing figures quickly dwindled.

I don't know why the negative reviews.I found this series enjoyable. Certainly there are things that could be improved, but it's good, rollicking fun, all the same.It's quite true to the original cartoons. The characters are good and the whole thing is very cartoon-like. The pub/house and back garden scenes are superb. Flo, with her curlers and rolling pin is excellent. I'm an ex- pat living in Japan, and this really made a lovely change from all the American sit com crap!This series is well worth a watch.

I've just managed to pick up a copy of this series, and was not very hopeful as everyone who I have spoken to who remembers it told me how bad it was.Well it's not sitcom gold, I give you that. There are a lot of 'piece to camera' moments, which I hate in any show, however this reflects the style of the cartoon strip. A lot of the jokes were lifted from previous cartoon strips, and did bring a smile to my face. In fact the series brought a lot of smiles, however no real laughs.As a smiling show, it works, and to me it's quite watchable and enjoyable if you are looking for some low brow humor. A classic it ain't but if you get the chance, give it a try all the same. 7/10