Dad (TV series)

This article is about the 1997 UK TV series. For the 1986 US TV series, see Dads (1986 TV series). For the 2013 US TV series, see dads (2013 TV series). For other uses, see dad (disambiguation).
Dad
Genre Comedy
Written by Andrew Marshall
Directed by Angela De Chastelai Smith
Marcus Mortimer
Nick Wood
Starring George Cole
Kevin McNally
Julia Hills
Toby Ross-Bryant
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 2
No. of episodes 13
Production
Producer(s) Marcus Mortimer
Rosemary McGowan
Running time 30 minutes
Release
Original network BBC1
Picture format 4:3
Original release 25 September 1997 (1997-09-25) – 21 December 1999 (1999-12-21)

Dad is a BBC1 sitcom that ran for 13 episodes (each 30 minutes long) over two series and a Christmas special. Described by the BBC as a 'generation-gap comedy', it centered on the trials and tribulations of Alan Hook (Kevin McNally) and his father Brian (George Cole). Alan would often find himself getting increasingly frustrated with the endeavours of his father, whilst the world seemed to be forever against him.

Toby Ross-Bryant played Alan's son Vincent, and Julia Hills played Alan's wife Beryl. It was written by Andrew Marshall, who was best known for his popular sitcom 2point4 Children. The title of each episode was a pun on the word 'Dad'.

The theme tune for the first series was the 1965 hit 'Tijuana Taxi' performed by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. For the second series this was replaced with the song 'Go Daddy-O' by Californian swing revival band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Cast

Initially, due to Julia Hills being in 2point4 Children, which was still running come the transmission of 'Dad', the BBC didn't want her to be in it. However after her audition, any fears and doubts were quickly quashed.

Alan Hook - Kevin McNally

Brian Hook - George Cole

Vincent Hook - Toby Ross-Bryant

Beryl Hook - Julia Hills

Plot

Alan Hook is a highly-strung and often unfortunate individual, constantly getting frustrated with the endeavours of his father Brian, and forever venting his anger at the world around him. His long-suffering wife Beryl tries her best to keep her husband calm, though this proves difficult due to Brian, who, without meaning to, is always getting on his son's nerves with his over engineered ideas, and old fashioned ways.

Then there is Alan's own son Vincent, a typical moody teenager who Alan seems to be forever embarrassing.

Episodes

See List of 'Dad' Episodes for further details.

13 episodes were made; two series of six episodes, and a final Christmas special. All were written by Andrew Marshall and directed by Nick Wood, with the exception of the final episode that was directed by Angela De Chastelai Smith. Wood also directed episodes for Marshall's other sitcom 2point4 Children.

Reception

The show received less critical acclaim than the similar BBC family sitcom 2point4 Children, also written by Andrew Marshall.

Cancellation

During the second series, writer Andrew Marshall was convinced the show would go to a third series. Kevin McNally also believed they'd be doing the show for quite a while. However after 13 episodes, and despite going from strength to strength, 'Dad' ended with a 1999 Christmas special. McNally commented that the show got 'somehow lost', and its cancellation was to do with a regime change at the BBC. George Cole believed the shows cancellation was down to focus groups that began to decide what TV shows should be axed.

DVD release

Both series one and two are available on DVD in Australia; they were released by 'Madman'. Both DVDs come with special features, one of which is an audio commentary from George Cole and Kevin McNally who discuss the show; it hasn't been released in the United States or UK, and it also isn't repeated on TV in these two countries.

Trivia

The estate agent named on the 'for sale' signs in the first episode of series 2 are called 'Renwick'; a nod to Andrew Marshall's ex-writing partner, David Renwick.

External links

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