Proud Brit I may be, but I'm ready to admit that, if you believe the main purpose of comedy sitcoms is to raise a laugh (with not too many strings attached), then the Americans do it better. Though certainly not devoid of British input, "Frasier" has had me laughing hysterically more times than I can remember, and it (still) works because it limits the smut, raises the intelligence, involves acting as much as joking and does not rest on the laurels of "whimsy" when real funniness is in reach. Very occasionally the Brits also manage such a winning combination in a sitcom and - a few years before "Frasier" - we managed to come out with "Dear John" - one of that select list of products good enough to give rise to a version across the Atlantic. The British success is that of John Sullivan, whose "Only Fools and Horses" delighted the entire United Kingdom, but left this reviewer entirely cold. However, he was also involved with "Citizen Smith", an entirely different matter, also worthy of recommendation. "Dear John" is a success because, first, it is actually funny (the same really cannot always be said of British sitcoms). It raises a laugh and not just the occasional smile or chuckle. But it is also kind and warm and nice and sympathetic, while still furnishing various kinds of "edge", most especially an edge of failure and pathos and the need - sometimes overwhelming and desperate - to look for support in life. There are no unpleasant characters, though fantasist "Kirk St. Moritz" (played by Peter Blake) comes closest with his occasionally more-hurtful barbs against fellow Singles Club participant Kate (adorably rendered by Belinda Lang). Both attend the club as failures in life (whether they realise it or not), as does (in very aware fashion) the titular star - "John" - played by the tragically-shortlived Ralph Bates, who resembles all of his fellow players in the programme in being a high-calibre actor. Those taking an interest now will not appreciate, unless informed, that most Brits had known Bates previously in an entirely non-comical context as the evil rotter George Warleggan in the 1975 version of "Poldark", hence the particular surprise and delight at seeing the same face appearing in a light comedy. As a contrast it really, really worked! The far-from-lively or cool 1-2-1 Club has (a few) other participants and needless to say they are failures and misfits too, with quirks and foibles that are funny, but also mostly endearing and touching. The group leader, and hence the person who in theory at least has her act together more than the others, is Louise, as played with seductive magnificence by Rachel Bell. A fine feature of this comedy is its democratic shareout of the laughs and importances of the roles. All participants get their chance here, and we the audience are the richer for it.Sadly, there are just 14 half-hour episodes, so in this case nobody can accuse the makers of wringing the story dry. But it is touching, high-quality stuff that has several serious-enough messages to put across, but does indeed raise the necessary quota of laughs.

A fantastic show from the late, great writer John Sullivan. Somewhat darker than "Only Fools and Horses", it still had the knack of popping up with the well scripted comedy situation.By many standards, the show is far more basic then OFAH but I feel that it was also far better. I love OFAH and DJ has that sympathetic, endearing quality that is only touched upon in OFAH.John is a recent divorcée who decides to meet new friends in the 1-2-1 club. Run by Louise whose interests seem more to do with digging up the dirt than allowing people to open up and share experiences.Regulars include Kirk who tells tall stories and is full of swagger, dressed like a 1978 disco diva and brimming with confidence. The main question being, "Why is he at a singles club?" with such obvious confidence? Pretty Kate, who is self confessed frigid and gets mercilessly abused about it by Kirk (who secretly has the hots for her). Ralph who is the victim of a marriage for repatriation scam, which is obvious for all to see but himself, who he still holds a torch for. Also, Louise who is your typical middle class housewife type who wants to run the club for people to get their love lives on track but is far more interested in the juicy gossip their stories bring.Although the show was a little slow in getting going, it warms up after a couple of episodes and we follow the life of John, whose wife has shacked up with John's best friend, has the house, car and custody of Toby while John lives in a one room flat.In summary, 14 episodes of enjoyable sitcom. It doesn't feel like enough but, upon review, is just about right.

When John Lacey (the wonderful Ralph Bates) finds a letter from his wife announcing she's leaving him, he signs up to a singles club to try to find the next 'someone special'.John's adventures and the hilarious supporting characters (sex-mad Louise, played by Rachel Bell; medallion man Kirk, played by Peter Blake; weedy Ralph ('Rafe'), played by Peter Denyer; and flighty Kate, played by Belinda Lang), made this short series a must-watch, although it has only been given one re-run on the BBC since.Ralph Bates played John as an vulnerable, accident-prone, bumbler who gets very little right in his life. His landlady Mrs Lemenski (Irene Prador) is a thorn in his side, and his son (played by Bates's real-life son) is at that difficult age where he's asking questions and up to all sorts. Watching all this is great fun and I prefer this comedy to others of John Sullivan's such as 'Only Fools and Horses'.

Ralph Bates (Letters to an Unknown Lover) played John Lacey a divorcee who finds a support group for people who are also divorced. There is myriad of people with all kinds of emotional problems. They are so problematic and neurotic that sad things become funny in this comedy. I watched the show on occasion and found it funny on a silly side. They all came to this room and spilled out their problems and their responses and solutions to conflicts presented to others was the really funny part of the show.