If you view this as purely a nostalgic comedy series set in early 1970's London then it works supremely well, there's lots of fun to be had with a slew of larger than life characters getting into many mishaps and misdemeanor's to enjoy. It recreates the period with aplomb and the soundtrack is to die for. However if taken as an interpretation of Danny Baker's memoirs then suspension of disbelief is required. So many ridiculous situations arise that you're led to believe Baker grew up in a Willy Russell play. It's also slightly let down by a story line played for laughs involving schoolboy Baker being sexually teased and seduced by his alluring French teacher, which felt awkward in the current post Jimmy Savile Operation Yewtree climate we live in. Some of the jokes are stolen from other shows or movies too, the most blatant being the football match episode which knicks it's entire storyline from the film Kes.Peter Kaye is an exceptional comedic talent and he is stellar here as Danny's ducking and diving father Spud. Lucy Speed is also exceptional as Baker's frustrated but strong and loyal mother Bet. Laurie Kynaston is fine as a young Baker but I must admit I didn't find the character entirely convincing. Danny Baker is known as one of the most loquacious people in the media, yet here he's portrayed as quite sullen and laid back. His appearance seems to have been re-imagined too, as Baker I'm sure is nobody's idea of leading man material yet here we're meant to believe he's a David Essex lookalike with the uncanny ability to enchant both the nubile and the mature, hot French teachers no less.That said the series is well written, the acting is largely great and the music is wonderful. There's plenty of laughs to be found and a few heartfelt moments, although I wouldn't recommend binge watching as the "cor blimey guvnor" cockney ambiance can become grating.8/10

It's greatly disappointing to see that British critics are slamming the "Cradle to Grave" so quickly and so harshly with negative comments. Ease off, kids. This show is fantastic. Not everything needs to be a bloody, break-neck, speed-of-light drama edited to within an inch of your life. This is good family fun without the pretense of pleasing all of the people all of the time. The characters are interesting, hilarious and realistic. The music is the BEST and I can't say enough great things about the writing, the directing, the acting, and most especially the costuming and set work. If this show is ended before its due time, it will be like someone taking your giant box of chocolates away and kicking you in the, um, stomach. Blood would be shed for such insanity and injustice. No. This show must continue. Great work one and all. Keep on Truckin, and Keep on Keepin' on. (Just a few 70s phrases for you from the States.) :)

This series has been something of a surprise hit with me. I gave a miss initially, but then watched episode 1 on the BBC Player and was hooked. It moves at a good pace, interweaving the various threads throughout the episodes and across several episodes. The casting and acting is top notch all around. They've recreated the 70s superbly, too, and it really rolls back the years for those of us who are almost the same age as Danny Baker (I'm a couple of years younger). In addition, the music from Squeeze really fits the bill, along with a superb 70s soundtrack.And ignore all that nonsense about Peter Kay's cockney accent. It doesn't matter. He does a great job with the role of Danny's father.All in all, a great watch. I hope they push ahead with series 2. I read that Baker and Pope are already working on the second series.

As a long time fan of Danny Baker and a reader of his two brilliant autobiographies I was really looking forward to seeing Cradle To Grave. The first episode was spot on. It introduced us to his family (including his dad 'Spud' and his mum Bet) and his mates in a logical but amusing way and was choc full of funny, charming incidents. My favourite being the story of the rare green tonic trousers who were begrudgingly lent to a friend who dies and was laid to rest in said strides. Others included a visit to the West End to see the hippy musical Hair only for the young Danny to be slapped in the face by a too-close dancing male member. The tone was right, the costumes were right, the music was perfect (of course it was, this is Danny Baker), the scenes were not too long and the focus was always on Danny (nicely played by Laurie Kynaston) who was more-or-less in every scene.But I have to say that by contrast the second episode was a little disappointing (sorry Dan). Out went the episodic nature which copied the book so well and in came some long-winded scenes focusing on Danny's mum and dad taking a cut-price caravan holiday (Spud's idea of giving Bet a good time) and going to a civic dinner. The former was like an outtake from an early episode of Only Fools and Horses with Spud and Co turning into stock BBC cockney caricatures and I happen to know that the latter story was not taken from Danny's life but from a caller who rang into his successful BBC Radio London show. She was invited to a works "do" and unintentionally ended up dancing with her husband's boss causing much embarrassment. Her version of it was very funny, sadly Danny's version, via Jeff pope, via Peter Kay somehow lost something in the translation. And therein lies the problem, stick to the truth and it's works. Start to tinker with it and it is in danger of failing.So please, please let the remaining episodes go back to the superb style of the first one and focus on the young Danny and his mates. The real Danny, the one we know and love, with just occasional references to Spud's antics otherwise Cradle To Grave could be in danger of morphing into The New Peter Kay Show (although I suspect Peter had a hand in the writing).Looking forward to see the young Danny meeting Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Marc Bolan in One Stop Records, the "David Essex" incident and of course Blackie the dog!