Dinnerladies

[andy-hughes]

I am watching the re-runs of Dinnerladies on Yesterday.

It reminded me again just what a fantastic ear for dialogue Victoria Wood had, and how generous she was in sharing the amazing lines around her fabulous cast.

So many classic exchanges - Jean looking for a job as a 'light housekeeper' and misreading the newspaper ad looking for a 'lighthouse keeper' - comedy genius.

How sad we shall never have any more of that talent.

[Cloverjo]

I thought VW was amazing, but in dinnerladies you could see the jokes coming a mile off. Including and especially 'the light house keeper' gag.

There is so much else I love about her though.

[Cloverjo]

'Two soups' anyone? Amazing. My sister and I still try to make each other wee with laughter over that one :)))

[Jackdaw33]

I particularly liked the exchanges between Anne Reid and Thelma Barlow, both of whom found fame in Coronation Street.

[mazie]

Love Victoria. I watched a lot of Dinnerladies on Gold recently and Dinnerladies Diaries. Well worth a watch Andy.

https://gold.uktv.co.uk/dinnerladies-diaries/article/about-dinnerladies-diaries/

[Mamyalynne]

I never watched Dinnerladies but that apart Victoria was exceptional at observation comedy, able to take snatches of what see saw and heard and weave her work around them.

Most of us love to people watch and relate the odd anecdote but she made it a joy.

So much so that if anyone says 'Woman's Weekly' I crack up on the spot.

[Mamyalynne]

^she saw - oops

[237SJ]

She never did it for me - I just never found her funny.

[Cloverjo]

Yes, mamya. I was trying to thing of the title of that song. It's brilliant! Fred and somebody? Must google it.

[shaneystar2]

Very talented and much missed .I think I know the Ballad of Barry and Freda off by heart.She was a good serious actress too.Great in Housewife 49 which she wrote and Pat and Margaret.

[Cloverjo]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/steve-jones/9034807/Why-life-begins-and-ends-on-Earth.html

Love this. Sorry I can't post it directly in.

[Cloverjo]

No!! Wrong link, sorry. I'm sure someone can do a better job.

[mazie]

Loved Housewife 49 shaney. It was one of those series I didn't want to end.

[Mamyalynne]

Housewife, 49 was superb and well deserved the award it received.

[shaneystar2]

It was totally brilliant and led me to buy the book which was really interesting.Based on Nella Last a housewife who lived in Barrow in Furness and wrote for the mass observation during the war.

[Jackdaw33]

[Cloverjo]

Brilliant! Thanks, Jackdaw.

'Bend me over backwards on my hostess trolley.' :))

[emmie]

sad indeed, Dinnerladies was one of my all time favourite comedies. She was as you said a comedic genius and so generous with other actors.

[Arrods]

Loved the line she gave to Julie Walters in the cafeteria queue sketch. As two rotund ladies overtook them, saying "Excuse us we're not having dessert", Julie replied "I'm not surprised with those hips". Priceless.

[horselady]

The funniest ever for me was Julie Walters in the leotard that was about three sizes too big. Victoria hadn't warned Duncan Preston and Celia Imrie what a sight she would look and the expressions on their faces as they fought not to go into hysterics cracks me up.

[hereIam]

Loved her, brilliant talent and sadly missed.