Watching

1987
7.5| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

A British television sitcom set on Merseyside that revolves around the relationship between Malcolm, a polite and friendly but dull man from middle-class Meols, and Brenda, a sharp-tongued, rough-around-the-edges working-class girl from Liverpool. Instead of the typical 'will they, won't they get together?', after getting together in the first episode, the show is more 'will they, won't they break up?' Watching refers to both the acerbic people watching that Brenda does and the bird watching that Malcolm enjoys, much to the disappointment of Brenda.

Director

Producted By

Granada Television

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Reviews

Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!
Pluskylang Great Film overall
WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
Staci Frederick Blistering performances.
RaspberryLucozade This witty series from the '80's concerned the antics of a young Merseyside couple who to say the least are chalk and cheese. Brenda Wilson is a 'people watcher' from Liverpool who fills her days by watching people from all walks of life go about their daily business whilst assessing them and guessing what their name is and what they do for a living. Whilst in her local pub with her sister, the older and certainly more wiser Pam ( the gorgeous Liza Tarbuck ), she meets quiet young birdwatcher Malcolm Stoneway who is from Meols on the Wirral and rides a clapped-out motorbike ( complete with sidecar ) and still lives at home with his dragon of a mother ( played wonderfully by the late Patsy Byrne, who will no doubt be locked in viewers' minds as Nursie from 'Blackadder II' ).Somewhat improbably, the feisty Brenda seems to find herself somewhat attracted to Malcolm who, let's face it, is something of a wimp. Over the course of the seven series, there was an air of 'will they, won't they?' ( like in John Sullivan's earlier 'Just Good Friends' which starred Jan Francis and Paul Nicholas ). Things looked bleak for Malcolm and Brenda at one point when Malcolm married Lucinda ( Elizabeth Morton ), however the marriage soon dissolved and on 4th April 1993, fans got the happy ending they had long been waiting for in the final episode, 'Knotting', in which Malcolm and Brenda finally made it to the altar.Jim Hitchmough's scripts, whilst sometimes lacking in depth and subtlety were nevertheless consistently funny and gentle. Paul Bown and sexy Emma Wray were fine as the romantic leads. Wray also sang the show's theme tune 'What Does He See In Me?'. However, it was Tarbuck and Byrne who stole the show. Their involvement in Brenda and Malcolm's affairs were often the best part of the show. Perry Fenwick was also of good value in those episodes he appeared in as Malcolm's friend Terry Milton.In later episodes, Brenda seemed to mature and stopped regarding bird-watching as a chore. In fact, she later came to enjoy it. Pam later got married to David ( John Bowler ) with whom she gave birth to his two daughters, Sarah and Zelda.Throughout the '90's ( and the early noughties ), 'Watching' was repeated on Granada Plus but since its closure in 2004, it has been pretty much shelved, though it was released by Network DVD in 2006. Give it a bash. Like bird-watching, it may be hard to get into at first but the end results are ultimately worth it.
Lee Osborne This is a sitcom I fondly remember from my teenage years, which I haven't seen for ages. Apparently Series 1 is released on DVD this month, and I'm itching to get a copy of it. I've no idea if it will still look any good, but it was full of great characters and wit, and it will be good to see it again.Brenda and Malcolm's rocky relationship caught my imagination, mainly because I identified with Malcolm due to my geeky hobbies. :) Emma Wray was brash and loud but ultimately very likable, and Liza Tarbuck was great as Pamela. The whole thing was about relationships, and was positive, witty and ultimately charming without being overly twee or soppy.One of those things I'm very sentimental about.
John Laurie Great series but when is it going to be available on DVD? We watched this when it first screened in New Zealand, recorded it and have watched it several times since. Unfortunately our younger son is deaf and we also have a deaf boarder and thus they are not getting the full benefits of being able to read the subtitles on a DVD. I've searched high and low for this but without success. As I've already said great series, well written and well acted by all. Even down to the café (for want of a better word) owner where Brenda worked. We have subsequently seen Malcolm's boss from the department store in "Game On' which was another great series. Also Malcolm's mother as Queeny's nurse maid in Blackadder. What can I say, yet another great British series. There is no substitute or equivalent for British comedy and still they are being produced, such as 'Green Wing'. Risqué but very funny and extremely well produced. Long may they continue.
HuggyBear1 Fantastic comedy set in Liverpool. Great performances from everyone, including Liza Tarbuck.It was hilarious tale, about a couple who fell in and out of love. He wasn't her dream bloke as far as her imagination was concerned, but as far as being the perfect match was concerned, he was ideal!ITV, please re-run it!