ANDY CAPP (1988) – Okay. I’ve put this off long enough. Time to just review Andy Capp and be done with it.
Am I referring to the original Andy Capp comic strip, which premiered in the 1950s? No.
Am I referring to the line of Andy Capp snacks, like Hot Fries, Cheddar Fries, etc.? No.
Am I referring to the 1982 stage comedy starring Tom Courtenay as Andy Capp? No.
I’m referring to the 6-episode British Television live-action sitcom Andy Capp. Each episode filled a half-hour timeslot and featured all the layabout, boozing, betting, philandering fun (?) that the comic strip did. For newbies, the comic strip character Andy Capp wallowed in never looking for a job, in sleeping all day, boozing and babe-chasing all night and losing any money he had to his bookie.
Meanwhile, his wife Flo put the bread on the table and clashed with Andy on a regular basis.
I was actually kind of chuffed (as our British cousins say) about watching this obscure television series. The Brits are usually geniuses when it comes to making what sound like thoroughly disgusting characters into oddly charming figures who endear themselves to audiences despite themselves. Think of the brilliant Absolutely Fabulous for just one example. Continue reading
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