Geoffrey Lancashire

Now that the 'Likely Lads' are off air The Cuckoo Waltz (Granada) is probably the best of the genre currently available. The Hawthornes are ordinary, struggling young marrieds, but they look the picture of health and wouldn't know a class-conflict if they saw it. The plots usually turn on whether it is better to be married, like Chris, or free, like his friend, Gavin. Since Chris's wife, Fliss, iss - sorry - is played by the adorable Diane Keen, it's an academic question.