The Good Life. Image shows from L to R: Margo Leadbetter (Penelope Keith), Tom Good (Richard Briers), Jerry Leadbetter (Paul Eddington), Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal). Copyright: BBC
The Good Life

The Good Life

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1975 - 1978
  • 30 episodes (4 series)

After Tom Good becomes disillusioned with his life, he packs in his job and he and his wife attempt to live a completely self-sufficient life in suburbia. Stars Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington.

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The Good Life. Image shows from L to R: Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal), Tom Good (Richard Briers), Margo Leadbetter (Penelope Keith), Jerry Leadbetter (Paul Eddington). Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1975 - 1978
Channel
BBC One
Episodes
30 (4 series)
Stars
Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington
Writers
John Esmonde and Bob Larbey
Director
John Howard Davies
Producer
John Howard Davies
Company

Sitcom following two happily married couples living in London's suburbs.

As his 40th birthday approaches, Tom Good decides to throw in the daily grind of the commute, office life and the career rat-race and attempt a self-sufficiency lifestyle with wife Barbara: they'll grow their own fruit and vegetables, keep a few animals, and make their own way in the world.

Their best friends and next-door neighbours, Margo and Jerry Leadbetter, are shocked by the notion of their genteel neighbourhood being overrun by pigs, mud and other such unsophisticated muck. Jerry simply thinks Tom's gone mad, but Margo is outraged by the imposition.

Can Tom and Barbara survive? Perhaps with a little of the neighbours' help...

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Additional details

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 4th April 1975 at 8:30pm on BBC One
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • BBC Television Centre - Studio
  • Kewferry Road (Northwood) - The Good and Leadbetter houses (Link)

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