In these politically correct times, it is highly unlikely that we will ever see repeat screenings of Johnny Speight's 'Till Death Us Do Part' in the near future, a fact I find sad. What the 'PC Brigade' seemed to neglect to notice about the show ( as was the case with 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Curry & Chips' ) was that the intention was to ridicule the racist opinions of the character, however many foolishly saw it as promoting them. True, Alf Garnett is a bigot but if those who blast the show would take the time to watch an episode they will see that it is indeed Alf who ends up with the egg on his face. If anyone was stupid enough to laugh with the racist rather than at him then that is hardly the show's fault, is it? West Ham supporting, Tory voting, heavy drinking, pipe-smoking Alf Garnett lives in the East End of London with his long-suffering wife Else, his sexy daughter Rita and her good-for-nothing Socialist husband Mike. Alf and Mike's political disagreements also became a focal part of the comedy as much as Alf's farcical racist views.
20 million viewers tuned in each week over a period of ten years totalling up seven series and two movie spin-offs - 'Till Death Us Do Part' and 'The Alf Garnett Saga' as well as two television sequels - the unsuccessful 'Till Death...' and the hugely popular 'In Sickness & In Health'. That should give you an idea of how big the show was at the time.
Warren Mitchell is excellent as Alf and Dandy Nicholls as Else proved the perfect foil often getting big laughs by either speaking at the wrong time or even just sitting saying nothing. Una Stubbs and Tony Booth ( father of Cherie Blair ) also were impressive, often putting Alf in his place and matching him insult for insult.
Several of the biggest comedy stars of that era made appearances from time to time including Rita Webb, Arthur Mullard, John Junkin, Eric Sykes and Pat Coombs. Joan Sims was hilarious as the toothless, gin supping gran as was Spike Milligan, who appeared here as Paki Paddy, the same character he played in 'Curry & Chips' which was also written by Johnny Speight. Patrica Hayes also appeared here as Alf and Else's neighbour Min.
23 of the 54 episodes are sadly no longer known to be in existence. Many of the original black and white episodes ( including the pilot ) have been scrapped. All of the colour editions exist complete however. Good fun.
20 million viewers tuned in each week over a period of ten years totalling up seven series and two movie spin-offs - 'Till Death Us Do Part' and 'The Alf Garnett Saga' as well as two television sequels - the unsuccessful 'Till Death...' and the hugely popular 'In Sickness & In Health'. That should give you an idea of how big the show was at the time.
Warren Mitchell is excellent as Alf and Dandy Nicholls as Else proved the perfect foil often getting big laughs by either speaking at the wrong time or even just sitting saying nothing. Una Stubbs and Tony Booth ( father of Cherie Blair ) also were impressive, often putting Alf in his place and matching him insult for insult.
Several of the biggest comedy stars of that era made appearances from time to time including Rita Webb, Arthur Mullard, John Junkin, Eric Sykes and Pat Coombs. Joan Sims was hilarious as the toothless, gin supping gran as was Spike Milligan, who appeared here as Paki Paddy, the same character he played in 'Curry & Chips' which was also written by Johnny Speight. Patrica Hayes also appeared here as Alf and Else's neighbour Min.
23 of the 54 episodes are sadly no longer known to be in existence. Many of the original black and white episodes ( including the pilot ) have been scrapped. All of the colour editions exist complete however. Good fun.
