Rarely, if ever when a celebrity dies, do they become the lead news story across all TV channels. Infact I can’t remember the last time this happened. But yesterday the death of actor Richard Briers was headline news across terrestrial and satellite news programmes. This is in no small part to the great affection with which he was held by the general public in the UK.

Although an esteemed classical Shakespearian actor on the stage, Richard Briers will be best remembered for his role as Tom Good in the 1970s sitcom “The Good Life” ( 1975 – 1978 ). The Good Life depicted the life of a disillusioned corporate man Tom Good, who with the support and backing of his wife Barbara ( played by Felicity Kendal ), gives up the rat race for a life of self sufficiency amongst the manicured lawns of suburbia in Surbiton, South London. The humour is derived through the interplay with snobbish next door neighbour, Margo Leadbetter (  Penelope Keith ) and her long suffering husband Jerry ( Paul Eddington ).

In conjunction with a good script, the key to the success and enduring appeal of “The Good Life” was the fantastic chemistry between the four actors and the fact that a life of self sufficiency away from the rat race strikes a chord and has a resonance with most of us at one time or another!! The “Good Life” ran for four years between 1975 and 1978 and 30 episodes. The 1970s was the Golden Era of the British Sitcom and if there is any doubting that statement, here’s a Top 10 Best 1970s UK Sitcoms –

Top 10 Best 1970s UK Sitcoms

1)      Fawlty Towers

2)      Rising Damp

3)      Yes Minister

4)      The Good Life

5)      Porridge

6)      Butterflies

7)      Open All Hours

8)      Dad’s Army

9)      Steptoe & Son

10)    Whatever Happened To The likely Lads?

What is your favourite 1970s TV sitcom? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

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