The BEIDERBECKE TRILOGY (Obscure Observations)

The Beiderbecke Affair/Tapes/Connection (1985-88)
/ dupondtdalton
Starring: James Bolam (Trevor Chaplin) & Barbara Flynn (Jill Swinburne)
with
Dudley Sutton (Mr Carter) Keith Smith (Mr Wheeler) Dominic Jephcott (Detective Hobson) Terence Rigby (Big Al) Danny Schiller (Little Norm) Robert Longden (Mr Pitt)
Written by Alan Plater
Music by Frank Ricotti & Kenny Baker
VIDEO INDEX
04:08 Get Lost (1981)
09:46 The Beiderbecke Affair (1985) "What I don't understand is this... (episode 1) "Can anybody join in?" (episode 2) "We call it the White Economy" (episode 3) "I know what you're thinking" (episode 4) "That was a very funny evening" (episode 5) "We are on the brink of a new era, if only..." (episode 6)
15:44 The Beiderbecke Tapes (1987)
22:10 The Beiderbecke Connection (1988) "Oh Look, It's Average-Sized Trevor Chaplin" (episode 1) "Hello Sir, Hello Miss" (episode 2) "Is He the Lodger?" (episode 3) "What Do We Have on Hockey Sticks?" (episode 4)

[@seanablett2931]

The Beiderbecke Affair is my favourite TV series ever. I'm always on the lookout for any Beiderbecke content, so thanks!

[@ashraf2661]

Excellent review....the Affair was the only one I watched 3 decades back....lovely memories....I've just finished all 3. Brilliant series...many thanks to all !!!

[@jollypike]

Big Al: “Well, technically speaking, as a greenhouse, it's knackered” Love it!

[@cutthr0atjake]

Barbara Flynn was also excellant in A Very Peculuar Practice As for favourite part, that would be the Connection. The more amorphous plot allowed the characters to breathe in a similar way to Twin Peaks.

[@themightiestpierre]

I came here to say just this. Such a great show.

[@GahMehGrrrr]

Still my fave comedy show. You sound like you're in a tin box. ;)

[@paullawrence6926]

I had never heard of the Beiderbecke series till now, and it does look quite interesting. I shall have to have a watch when I have the time

[@thevioletskull8158]

Same

[@clackmannan]

Been one of my favourites since it first aired on TV, and there's a much dog-eared copy of the books around here somewhere as well. I find the relationship of Hobson, Big Al & Little Norm works especially well.

[@northof-62]

Great presentation! I didn't know about 'Get Lost' James Bolam also played the hero in 'The Missing Postman' from 1997 Enjoyed that show recently here on YT Cheers from Norway - we are very anglophile here when it comes to TV series. . . Now we have BritBox and I just watched Barbara Flynn play the mother of the detective's grilfriend in 'Beyond Paradise' .

[@2charliep]

I loved these, with a special mention to the lovely Dudley Sutton.

[@permvw]

Even though Ive yet to see this series, I found the video most informative especially about the Deleted Character Scenes in Chapter 2 and the change of filming location. You really should make a show reel Jeffrey, you could quite easily go on to TV, your a natural at this. Another great video 👍

[@Jon-zj2nj]

Thank you for that summary 👍 I did watch “the affair” first time around and have only just watched “tapes”. I can now appreciate why “tapes” seemed truncated, I’d much prefer to have seen it as first imagined.

[@BernardSamson-hf6fc]

One of my favourite Series. Shame there were not more. Alan Plater could really write.

[@alanwitton5039]

Fantastic series

[@karinavogan9082]

What a brilliant review! Thank you!

[@tanyaandelvis2698]

I love all three but particularly the affair, excellent video.

[@lordcommandercampbell3167]

My favourite bit is when sergeant Hobson it talking to his superior in connection about Ivan's robbery, they're more bothered about the fact he doesn't seem to care about the money - money is our bread and butter! if people stop believing in it what will we do?

[@kellyshaw7271]

Beiderbecke was brilliant. Shame they cut the second series short though. Cheers

[@QHarefield]

Mr Chaplin and, presumably, therefore, Alan Plater, got it wrong. Bix Beiderbecke's playing sounded like bullets shot *at* (not from) a bell - which makes much more sense!

[@johnmorgan5495]

Strange how Bolam has wore the same clothes throughout his career

[@williamwaldrip9987]

Nice video of the day Jeffrey. By the way nice cap throughout the video

[@TheKipperRunsAgain]

An intriguing and informative profile of this series. Definitely made me interested to check it out. One minor point: In the Filthy Rich and Catflap video, I liked how you discussed your first impressions and how your feelings on the show changed over time etc. However, both this review and the Telegoons one seemed rather more fact-based and less opinionated/personal. I can appreciate perhaps you are trying to find the right balance (or just going for a different style with this series), but would be nice to hear more of your own thoughts in future Obscure Observations. :)

[@JeffreyKitsch]

I realized after I finished the video that I had forgotten to give the backstory of how and why this programme became one of my favourites. As you say it's not overly important but it would make the video feel more personal. My parents had watched the show when it was first on and over a decade later (when I was around 10 years old) dad bought the video collection for my mum as a present. We watched the Connection first by mistake. I quickly fell in love with the series and would eventually get the DVD I show at the very end of this video. I also have it's jazz soundtrack on CD which I often listen to when driving my car.

[@themightiestpierre]

I enjoyed the first series the best where everything was Fresh.

[@tonykehoe123]

Classic TV . Would love to track down A very peculiar practice.

[@timomalley1027]

Nice video - one issue though: at 12:00 you describe Mr McAlister as "Trevors ex-father-in-law" - except Trevor didnt marry "Helen of Tadcaster" so Trevor couldn't be an ex-son in law to the businessman.

[@miguelangelherrera7532]

no mention of Barbara Flynn in A Very Peculiar Practice seems amiss....

[@jenneacoleman-cubero2365]

Speaking of a jazz fan hooking up with a stuck up, have you heard of a show called "Just Good Friends"?

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

Finally, I am cult member.

[@OddBallThe4th8382]

yay!

[@virgilcurtin2664]

Are you speaking into an empty baked bean tin ?

[@bazbanter9329]

Mange tout, Jeffrey! Only Fools and Horses is the best show ever! 😭😭😭😭 Never heard of this series before, but I know loads of the cast, James Bowlam from New Tricks and Only When I Laugh, Likely Lads. Dudley Sutton from Lovejoy and obviously Barbara Flynn from Open all Hours. She also does the female voices on Joshua Jones. When was this series last repeated on TV? anyone know? Update: I commented before watching the video and you already mentioned what I said about the actors lol 😂

[@sid9074]

Baz Banter93 find the series and watch it, you will not regret it

[@bazbanter9329]

@@sid9074 Thanks. I watched it not long after this video was uploaded