The Optimist Series 1 episode guide

TV sitcom
Channel 4
1983 - 1985
13 episodes (2 series)

Dialogue-free comedy series following one of life's error-prone eternal optimists. Stars Enn Reitel.

Series 1

3. Man's Worst Friend

Thursday 28^th April 1983

As odd-job man extraordinaire The Optimist manages to be a tennis pro, a waiter, a golfing coach and a dog minder - all in one day! One morning he is out walking a St Bernard and a toy poodle for a walk in the opulent surroundings of Beverley Hills and manages to lose the poodle while helping out a beautiful Lady Golfer. He also meets the gorgeous Daughter of his employer and she persuades him not only to play tennis but act as a waiter at the evening's poolside party. Naturally chaos ensues as The Optimist finds himself pursued by both women.

4. Healthy Body, Unhealthy Mind

Thursday 5^th May 1983

Out jogging, The Optimist realises that is totally unfit and decides to enrol himself at a health farm, but soon discovers the place is more like a prison run by the scary Matron - half-starved, tortured in the gymnasium and physically battered in an all ladies aerobic session. Despite this he of course manages to fall in love with the Dancer as well as devises a way to eat and a plan to escape. Helped by the Dancer, a multitude of disguises and the local fire brigade, he heads for freedom, jogging into the sunset with the girl of his dreams.

5. Kid's Stuff

Thursday 12^th May 1983

Employed by a mother to babysit her 'perfect' son, The Optimist instead finds the overweight boy is a particularly unpleasant 10-year-old. Keeping him amused is no easy task, although when they visit the local circus The Optimist immediately falls in love with acrobatic Circus Girl and faces an adversary in strongman The Bull. Forced into performing with the acrobats, the clowns and on the high trapeze, he ends up being fired from a cannon by the cunning boy.

6. Burning Rubber

Thursday 19^th May 1983

Roller-skating through Venice Beach, The Optimist runs into a lady racing driver. After helping mend her bust tyre, he follows the Girl to the racing circuit where he becomes a mechanic and soon afterwards finds himself one of the drivers. Suddenly it's Grand Prix time and the race is on - his prize, the Girl of course - in competition with a bad-tempered Cabbie! Miraculously he wins, but fame and fortune is brief - he needs to make a quick getaway before anyone finds out his true identity.

Related merchandise

The Optimist DVD

Meet the Optimist! A guy who has big dreams in life, yet creates problems and confusion wherever he goes. He means well, but in this dialogue-free comedy series he manages to leave a trail of chaos across Hollywood and London.

If you like Mr. Bean, you will love The Optimist....

The Optimist

Series menu

Series 1

1. Sea Dreams

2. The Good, The Bad And The Nasty

3. Man's Worst Friend

4. Healthy Body, Unhealthy Mind

5. Kid's Stuff

6. Burning Rubber

7. A Challenge

Related merchandise

The Optimist DVD

Series menu

Series 1

Related merchandise

The Optimist DVD

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