I remember watching this with my future wife. We were 19 and 17 at the time, I’m 64 now and the song makes me long for the past. One of my all time favourites. So sad but so great.
“The Likely Lads” was, without a doubt, one of the best and most memorable television comedies of the 1960’s. Sequels are rarely as good as the originals but “Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads” was an exception. Most of the episodes were at least as good as the original series and quite a number were even better. The scriptwriters, James Bolam, Rodney Bewes and the rest of the cast should be very proud because it was one of the greatest comedies of the 1970’s.
I've seen this series many times, since the day it was First on. It means a hell of a lot to me. I had a friend and it seemed as though I was Bob and he was Terry. Somewhere along the line our roles switched. TV shows back then (I was 15 at the time) were not just a comedy vehicle for some media personality, they were about life and about the times we lived in.
Wonderful comedy from the Golden Era of British comedy, the 1960s and 70s produced some classic shows, Steptoe & Son, On the Buses, Rising Damp, Open all Hours Dads Army , Till death as to part to name but a few,.....wonderful writing, great character acting and humor delivered with a warmth and realism that is sadly lacking in modern day comedies........miss those vintage times of comedy, great times.
The 70s is often looked at as the hangover of the 60s, at least the early half was, but what a golden time for comedy, there was so much going on in britain at that time both socially and economically.
I watched this episode for the first time in 25 years, probably more, and laughed until it hurt. They certainly don't make them like this anymore. Classic
Watching in the USA. I love British Comedy. The classic shows from Britain top everything we have in the USA, even classic American shows. British comedy is King!
Definitely Lee Vanessa a great show on like to do what they put on all nothing but misery and doom and gloom I also like the show Keeping Up Appearances Dame Patricia Routledge who is now 90
It's full of smut. Why do people look back with rose tinted glasses. It was excellent, yes, but there's loads of great comedy today. How about Mum, Him and Her, Detectorists etc etc...
Pure joy to watch this, it reflects back from 72'73 on a recent past that was vastly different. Seen now, 35 years + later it encapsulates those changes and then some.....quality writing, great acting.....and politically incorrect in just the right way.
A prime example of crisp writing, superb acting and the true maxim of less is more. Subtle,beautiful and forever watchable. Clement and La Frenais are wonderful writers in the same quality vein as the masters of the genre Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
I agree wholeheartedly, good script writing works in an empty garden with two actors drinking tea, millions spent on sets never makes up for a shit script.
Did you know the theme song was co-written by Mike Hugg - he was the former drummer with Manfred Mann... What a great band they were in their many incarnations.
I used to play my Dad's 7 inch of the single of the theme tune repeatedly as a youngster long before i got the chance to appreciate what a uniquely brilliant comedy this was.
Just heard that Rodney Bewes has passed away. What a fantastic piece of work the likely lads was. Remember growing up watching it as a kid and strangely enough seeing life unfold in similar ways ha. As others have said great writing and I think wonderful observational work, including very entertaining and enjoyable performances from James Bolam and of course Rodney Bewes. Thanks Rodney for being Bob Ferris, simply brilliant RIP
Brilliant series. Still very very watchable. Makes me both happy and sad to see it. A blast from the past and my childhood. Uk as it used to be. One of my old man's favourite shows. Only surpassed by auf wiedersehen pet ....
've always loved the intro and outro song of this series. The strings make the song sound so tragic. Like recalling a time in which one can never return. Longing to be back there but knowing you can never return. It makes your heart race but then tears it down.
So true. This series is part of my adolescence that became part of my life. It truly represents those times and memories that you cherish but know are gone and buried, and can never to be returned to. I love it.
A classic from the golden age of British comedy. WHTTLL, Fawlty Towers, The Good Life, Rising Damp, The Two Ronnies, Porridge, Dad's Army, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Open All Hours... The 80's saw a decline but there were still a number of classics such as Only Fools & Horses, Red Dwarf, Yes Prime Minister, and Black Adder. We then had a brief resurgence in the early 90's with One Foot in the Grave, The Vicar of Dibley, Father Ted, Men Behaving Badly, and Keeping Up Appearances. But it's been mostly downhill since then and even the 80's and 90's couldn't touch the amazing TV of the 70's.
What killed TV sitcoms and also Variety was the rise of 'alternative' Comedy, the dreadful politically correct bollox, who chief proponent was Ben Elton. It literally killed people, Benny Hill for example, who died of broken heart after his series was cacelled because of poltical correctness. That wa sthe start of the downhill slide. Since then the number of decent comedy series and scriptwriters has dwindled to barely noticeable trickle - exceptions being Rowan Atkinson, French and Saunder, Peter Kay. Victoria Woods. I havent had a good belly laugh since about 2002.
Stephanie Sadie how about the young ones, that was funny. that was ben elton, black adder, ben again. i do nt see how ben elton really was the catalyst. though i agree, things are nt what they were.
Elton was the forefront of the 'Alternative' comedy wave in the 80s, but soon threw his student socialist principles into the bin when people started waving wodges of cash at him. Too late, the ghastly lefty PC brigade had done the damage by then and TV comedy had been strangled to death
@@stephaniesadie832 disagree , this show was about working class people , they problem is no working class people are represented like this anymore, the Likely lads are not politically incorrect as such, I don't see as they are, just good writing and it's not the pc brigade it's the middle class writers straight out of university with no knowledge of how people like Bob and Terry live, that is what has wrecked comedy ". the ghastly lefty " wrote this show by the way and in Rodney's case act in it, the Tories are horrible bastards , only good at bullying the handicapped and giving themselves big pay rise while cutting the wages of nurses , f**k the Tories ruining the UK for over a hundred years.
I love this programme but it fills me with such sadness I had just got married to the love of my life in 1970 and can remember watching this together in our first little home ...just starting out on our life together oh how I wish you could turn back time ....miss those days so much
At the age of 56 that end theme sends chills down my spine. It meant bedtime for me at 12 years old back in '73 and I had double maths the next morning at school with a teacher I was terrified of.
What a brilliant series this was! The perfect blend of writing, performance and direction. The scene where the lads meet on the train and Bob belatedly recognises Terry is one of the funniest moments in sitcom history. "You bastard! You rotten bastard!" Look carefully at James Bolam and you can catch him trying not to laugh and failing. The great irony, of course, is that Bob, with everything going for him is trapped by the responsibilities and pressures of maintaining his new status quo, whereas Terry, who has nothing, is actually free and can enjoy life. Wonderful stuff, many thanks.
I found this by accident it played after another comedy I was watching, I wasn’t born until the 80s so this was before my time by hats off to the people who made this, Ive been watching as many as I can, it’s brilliant I’m gutted I wasn’t around when British tv was at its best, my generation sucks they get offended by everything so comedy isn’t really that sort of comedy anymore :(
The reading of the bands , the look on Bobs face so nervous , then the announcement and Terry's face is priceless , one of the funniest moments in comedy history ,
A timeless classic. One of the very best television programmes ever made. I never get tired of watching it. Clement and La Frenais were decades ahead of their time. The kind of comedy they were routinely writing in the UK in the late 60's/early 70's was considered groundbreaking in the USA in the 90's when Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David began doing it. Much as I have always loved The Likely Lads there was one thing I never understood. For a programme set in Newcastle, not one character had a Geordie accent. I recently got my answer to that one. Apparently it was originally going to be set in Leeds and that's where the casting was done. Supposedly the BBC then decided they needed more regional programming and they switched the setting to Newcastle.
Classic comedy which really was light drama such was the top quality of script and acting that you could never see the join. The fashion and standards of the day have dated now but not the relationships and friendships which were so deftly delivered that they still ring true today. No Hiding Place remains my favourite episode (1 hour 27 min) that stayed in my memory for years and now I enjoy again first viewing since the 70s. The Likely Lads (76) film was actually very good considering that TV comedy rarely made the transition to the big screen and well worth a another viewing when it comes up on TH-cam. Thanks for this wonderful upload and a big thank you still to the writers and actors😎👌
i love this and Steptoe and son love thy neighbour til death us do part man about the house George and mildred on the buses bless this house the carry on films confessions of a window cleaner so much great stuff shame everything is crap now
Stewart Mcrae I knew you'd say that about Father Ted, that's why I threw it in. The Likely Lads was superb, but don't lump it in with all that terrible shite. Mum was on BBC2, Detectorists on BBC4. Him and Her was on BBC3. Why not try other channels, you know, live a little, have an open mind. Let's face On The Buses was utter garbage unless you like childish jokes about women's knockers, or how ugly and useless they are. I liked on the Buses when I was about 6, but c'mon is it great humour? How about Rising Damp, at least.it was well written. It takes all sorts in this world, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I doubt anyone would think of On ThE Buses or Love Thy neighbour as great examples of the art form. Many on hear say that there wasn't bad language in these sitcoms, but they we're ll of smut and innuendo. I'd go as far as to say that's all they were.
R.I.P. Rodney Bewes... What a terrible shame that James Bolam wouldn't consent to the television re-runs of these wonderful shows... Rodney could have used the money but was thwarted by a greedy gesture from Bolam.
EnosEverthing ,I am of the same opinion as your self. I am 73 now, the Two guys Bolom and Bewes were fantastic entertainment for nearly 3 generations. Bolam on his own, never made a bad series. BUT as a person who was a hero of mine. I found out about the vendetta between the two. Bolam and his wife are quite rich, but when it comes to HATRED, Bolam is a master. Actor, peerless. Person, utter Twat, and I presume with an attitude like that NO friends, one horrible old bastard. I am so disappointed that he never had the integrity to say sorry. I would like to see how he would react if someone really did a bad thing against him. HAS he NEVER made a mistake, The capacity to NEVER forgive, I will never understand to my dying day.
As Jimmy Bolam, said, once in one of episodes of “ Of when the boat comes in “ Never meet your heroes “ As an Actor, he is very talented, as a person, I wouldn’t give him a push of the pavement. He is a well entrenched member of the establishment, not a trace of his Geordie Accent. I bet he has never set foot up north, for years. That suits me fine.
James Unsworth Agreed, I bet he plays the “northern Socialist “ when he’s in company with other luvvies. But it’s all 2 faced, hypocritical bollox. Ask him to lend you a tenner, see where his brotherhood of man principles are then!!
It's amazing that I forgot about the Likely Lads. This vid reminded me of how brilliant British comedy could be. I have vague memories of the original series in black and white. Not laughed so hard in years - thanks very much for posting.
James Bolam, is one of our most Talented Actors in the UK. EVERYTHING he was in, was a successful series. As I think he said, good fellow actors, great scripts, I was up in the North East, when the Falkland War broke out. He had just finished making the series “ When the Boat Comes in”. That for me was a series, on the second time of Watching, I realised that it was not only well acted) the actors were all from the North East) It was a Social Commentary on the First World War. The whole nation was traumatised. I used to have a “ thing “ Thelma,”Briget Forsyth how life flashes by , I am now 72. . He seemed to be a “ Private Guy” ( Never saw him on “ chat shows “ ) Audrey was a great looking woman, as well!!!!!
RIP BOB (Rodney Bewes) such a shame you and Terry couldn't resolve your differences and team up one last time, sadly the chance of that has now gone. But whatever the differences you were great together.
I love both of them but I have to say if the story is true then James is somewhat petty. Time is a great healer and even though Rod crossed a line sometimes it’s the right thing to let bygones be bygones. Even more petty allowing Rodney to die a poor man by not allowing repeats. Hope he’s not an arse in real life
Love Britcoms. Never saw this one.. Imagine guys relating like that today (June 2019)? Thanks for posting. I'm going to look for another one. Love from across the pond.🙋
I've watched 'No Hiding Place' (episode 4) too many times. Just noticed that the hairdressers is called Zeus on the inside but Michelle on the outside. Still, this is one of the best episodes of any British comedy series. Faultless. And it's got Brian Glover!
I love this program, I actually have the whole lot on dvd boxset. But still laying in bed watching it on here 😂 I love all these older programmes, considering I'm a 90's baby, I still pick all this older stuff over the modern rubbish they put on telly nowadays
certainly a all time classic , the proof of the pudding was that two actors who didn't get on convinced audiences that they were best pals ,now that's acting. and the song is so cool, as well ,means more now we are older, 'oh what ever happened to me what ever happened to you, what became of the people we used to be. " says it all doesn't it. I think the film was great to .
Shiela Fearn, Bobs Wife Bridget Forsyth, were my ideal women, real sexy ladies. There was a girl who looked very like Bridget , at my local, who gave me the “ Knock Back” story of my life really.
Brilliant comedy, remember watching it on the portable tv. Bloody Thelma spoiling the mate's friendship. Real blokes, true to life, down to earth.....not like the shite on tv now. :-)
It's great to find a comedy as old as this which is still laugh-out-loud funny. That skit with the train at the end of the first episode was pure genius!
It certainly reminds me of me and my friend when we were that age and some of the scrapes we got into !!I think his mum dreaded opening their door and me saying"is Alan there"!!!Then of to the beer and whatever followed!!Great series!!
Those strings, that play during the theme song, are almost sorrowful.. Especially when he sings "what became of the people we used to be.." How they go higher as if recalling a cherished memory of ones past yet crashing back into the present when they go lower again. How the strings start to play their their own melody as the song fades during the first scene, when he stops singing. It sounds like such a sorrowful melody but it's also so beautiful.
I have fond memories of this brilliant series. Used to watch it with my dad (mam only liked soaps and Dallas). Looked forward to it all week. I wish someone would upload the movie, I used to have it on VHS and never tired of it. At the time almost every tv comedy series had a big screen spin-off, but the Likely Lads movie was actually watchable.
Absolutely brilliant movie! Hilarious and very poignantly bittersweet in places. Of course, as a young lad at the time, I'd no idea HOW bittersweet it'd turn out to be. Now, as a 52 Yr old... I sure as bloody hell realise!!!
James Bolam's comic timing is amazing. I wish he had been cast as Stan Laurel in a much-needed British biography of our greatest ever actor. James and Stan were so alike and from the same area.
Loved this series..I had a friend back in high school..was like a brother to me..we were only at high school for 3 years together..86-88..we more or less went our separate ways after high school..saw him last in 1991..been trying to catch up with him ever since..hes moved on and doesnt want anything to do with me..still..great memories;(
@Ru22eLL lol the worlds biggest fallacy! a 'cheap labour' agenda disguised as compassion pfffttt! ! the game is rigged mate - the UK is a corrupt shithole
I remember watching this with my future wife. We were 19 and 17 at the time, I’m 64 now and the song makes me long for the past. One of my all time favourites. So sad but so great.
She wasn't called Thelma by chance?
She has dONE ✔✔✔ #OtherSitCOMS !💁
What became of the people we used to be?
@ianinkster2261 In a word 'money', it's ruined and corrupted everything
Your 69 now mate
Rodney Bewes was an underrated comedy acting talent. RIP.
Lol he really wasn't
by whom.
By the people who didn't want to hire him.@@clintdavies491
He has left a wonderful legacy of brilliant talent !🕴❤🎩
A wonderful series, but I always felt Rodney Bewes was a little awkward and wooden. However, both made the show the success it was.
Finding myself revisiting a lot of old comedy during this lockdown. Whatever happened to brilliant sitcoms like this? Brilliant acting and scripts.
lack of anyone decent as head of light entertainment (or whatever the beeb call them now)
Timeless humour that should stay with us for ever wholly unaltered by whatever becomes politically incorrect for those who cannot leave well alone
@@WillJ5112 I agree.
the BBC decide to take our tv licence money and waste it on reality tv instead!
I'm watching all episodes of minder👍
a superb comedy, loved it back then in the 70s, and loving it now.
“The Likely Lads” was, without a doubt, one of the best and most memorable television comedies of the 1960’s. Sequels are rarely as good as the originals but “Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads” was an exception. Most of the episodes were at least as good as the original series and quite a number were even better. The scriptwriters, James Bolam, Rodney Bewes and the rest of the cast should be very proud because it was one of the greatest comedies of the 1970’s.
actually bbc comedys from the 60's that had sequels in the 70's were just as good Steptoe & Son, Till death us do part, sykes
I've seen this series many times, since the day it was First on. It means a hell of a lot to me. I had a friend and it seemed as though I was Bob and he was Terry. Somewhere along the line our roles switched. TV shows back then (I was 15 at the time) were not just a comedy vehicle for some media personality, they were about life and about the times we lived in.
Bob and Hop and Terry and June !💁Hahaha Hahahahaha Hahahahaha ✋
I was only 10 in 1969 !💁
We need more comedies like this. The English comedies of the 70s and 80s were fantastic. There are no programmes like this in the 21st century.
they represent working class people, they don't want to admit we exist anymore , it's all unfunny middle class bland crap now.
@@heighwaysonthewing So true mate. You've nailed it.
Two doors down, still game, rab c desbitt
Wonderful comedy from the Golden Era of British comedy, the 1960s and 70s produced some classic shows, Steptoe & Son, On the Buses, Rising Damp, Open all Hours Dads Army , Till death as to part to name but a few,.....wonderful writing, great character acting and humor delivered with a warmth and realism that is sadly lacking in modern day comedies........miss those vintage times of comedy, great times.
At least we are the #Reviewers of the #GOLDEN #ERA 💛💛💛
RIP Rodney Bewes. Another part of my childhood gone. Didn't the 70s seem so modern and colourful at the time?
Yes they did wallpaper a bit gaudy though!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shitty cars coal strikes no WiFi come on please mind u Peter was still in genesis mmm
@@paulmchugh8695 people smiled and talked to eachother more unlike know , its wifi😂 that's stopped face to face interaction
The 70s is often looked at as the hangover of the 60s, at least the early half was, but what a golden time for comedy, there was so much going on in britain at that time both socially and economically.
@@paulmchugh8695 Genesis were very popular in Newcastle back then.
I watched this episode for the first time in 25 years, probably more, and laughed until it hurt. They certainly don't make them like this anymore. Classic
Watching in the USA. I love British Comedy. The classic shows from Britain top everything we have in the USA, even classic American shows. British comedy is King!
Glad we can entertainment you #SIR !💃
From 1973 to 2019 and still brilliant !!! So funny with no swearing or smut, these episodes are a real treat
😁👍🏼💕⭐️🌀
Definitely Lee Vanessa a great show on like to do what they put on all nothing but misery and doom and gloom I also like the show Keeping Up Appearances Dame Patricia Routledge who is now 90
the girl with nipple tassels and 5 ft python was a bit smutty....!!
It's full of smut. Why do people look back with rose tinted glasses. It was excellent, yes, but there's loads of great comedy today. How about Mum, Him and Her, Detectorists etc etc...
There’s some swearing and smut in this. Language is mild and sparse, and the stripper with the snake is almost NSFW.
Pure joy to watch this, it reflects back from 72'73 on a recent past that was vastly different. Seen now, 35 years + later it encapsulates those changes and then some.....quality writing, great acting.....and politically incorrect in just the right way.
RIP Rodney Bewes FANTASIC SERIES THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS
Brilliant writing, brilliant acting. Excellent comedy.
Well said, fantastic wok all round
Different class to today's dross.
I used to love watching this as a kid in the 70's RIP Rodney Bewes.
A prime example of crisp writing, superb acting and the true maxim of less is more. Subtle,beautiful and forever watchable. Clement and La Frenais are wonderful writers in the same quality vein as the masters of the genre Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
You can add Auf Wiedersehen Pet to the classics they produced.
I agree wholeheartedly, good script writing works in an empty garden with two actors drinking tea, millions spent on sets never makes up for a shit script.
Kevin Baird 👍 witness large amounts of French and Saunders output. Lavish parodies but hardly any jokes.
i would say galton & simpson do write depressing script good but depressing
A true classic comedy, great script and two wonderful actors. Remember watching it as a kid in the seventies, oh! and that theme tune, loved it.
I remember watching this ages ago. Love the theme tune, makes you think of the good days.
Did you know the theme song was co-written by Mike Hugg - he was the former drummer with Manfred Mann... What a great band they were in their many incarnations.
I hate getting older sometimes, so many people from my childhood passing, RIP Rodney.
ianmedium
Yes so true and it's a lot of the best ever comedians
@pammens miss mmbvv m3m 252m35mb53mvvmbm53mmy3u355t3n3bbbmn1551bb5mvvmvmmbbemr5n536453mbrbfbmbbtub45ybbb54vbb3tb2mbbt5mbm5555n45b 5m534n5uemm3bnn 4m22222e22 43544u3iiim33566655e336yu26m32e362mm3e2m22222i2mii3i3m3e3232m623222223m4332m2e3ee22e233mi222uuuu3u3em3b5m55m266m3663333323ue435e5n4mm6635536353muuui3mmunbb3b32me322n3m3mmme3bn55 55b3mbb3imiue55n3n535u363u63e343y6534533333ù6644634ù53en34y2e3ŕ33è53u333646è3344343335333eè334333543466653e4333446434333è6e6353è333334èù53333è33363333b333333è4è33n63èí3433è423eee63ñù35533n4nn6e4463è44u34u4è 3463333444343633e4432nnn3nb4566nn6544666n46636u3534uuunn6nnm3r6336633343364363366455e34653e63ee2eeeee334363u3u4546665533333eu4uuu33663e35543334333n323ee335353653uenn4e33553e655366355363y34663e36334e4666266332336535b53435e3ee43655656e4443e34ee45eeeeù33e5e43533666e46352e33443uu3563332333e35e44636u45uuu6365ènbnnnu3333556ye3456633er3r4636y353335e353v3333n454343n64u5553n33nn3m4mm4m33u3r35nnm5nmme45553u5ee44mmnnn2ueuu3nu3535553n3633e5664t6544r45e62rr33b3433463r635ee353333b3n434343e35636564454633u3y365653uuu454u3y53433553u34433u553t535u4uuuu3655re5644365353454uuuu3uu36r345u4233345553t2523u5353546y33u3n3b4r656533ŕ24ty33633333y52552534y33u33346nn3335663533333435343333635346uu4433566334456334433343rc99bvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvcvvvvvvvvvvvvbvvvvvvvvvvvvbbbvvvvvbvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvbvvvvvvvbbvbbvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvccvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvbvvvvv 0004336235633665
pammens miss I was born 20 years after you, but feel EXACTLY the same.
ianmedium I was 8 in 1973 so was probably in bed before this was on TV!
@@epower8898 e 1 2 21 11 11 11 111132333313331113331
As a child I liked the theme tune & now it is painfully poignant & relevant to myself & anyone of my age (49) who thinks........
I used to play my Dad's 7 inch of the single of the theme tune repeatedly as a youngster long before i got the chance to appreciate what a uniquely brilliant comedy this was.
How nicely spoken , 👍 beautiful!y put !
Just heard that Rodney Bewes has passed away. What a fantastic piece of work the likely lads was.
Remember growing up watching it as a kid and strangely enough seeing life unfold in similar ways ha.
As others have said great writing and I think wonderful observational work, including very entertaining and enjoyable performances from James Bolam and of course Rodney Bewes. Thanks Rodney for being Bob Ferris, simply brilliant RIP
Proper grim.
'I' just heard.... please, good grammar is essential.
Brilliant series. Still very very watchable. Makes me both happy and sad to see it. A blast from the past and my childhood. Uk as it used to be. One of my old man's favourite shows. Only surpassed by auf wiedersehen pet ....
Days when you looked forward to what was on telly unlike the cheap crap on TV today!
One reason why my TV is only used for DVDs and video games
@@SamuelBlack84 Each night I look at the listings and end up watching Netflix. TV now is full of cheap rubbish.
Makes you weep !💁💦
Tears of joy when it's time🌃🕘
To #turnITOff !💁!
#CheapCRAP !💃 hahaha hahaha hahaha !
RIP, Rodney Bewes. I haven't watched this for God knows how long... and it's absolutely brilliant.
RIP Rodney Bewes and thanks for the memories...
💖👏🙏 rip Rodney bewes xX
What kind of tosser gives this a down tick? Twisted bastard. God Bless Rodney
The chemistry was so good between these two.. True British comedy at its best...
It was acting, not chemistry.
've always loved the intro and outro song of this series. The strings make the song sound so tragic. Like recalling a time in which one can never return. Longing to be back there but knowing you can never return. It makes your heart race but then tears it down.
+Chris Barnett Tell me about it...
Chris Barnett so true !it’s funny and painful at the same time those times we long to revisit if only for a brief moment but know we never can
I remember buying it as a single.
So true. This series is part of my adolescence that became part of my life. It truly represents those times and memories that you cherish but know are gone and buried, and can never to be returned to. I love it.
Chris Barnett I agree....
A classic from the golden age of British comedy. WHTTLL, Fawlty Towers, The Good Life, Rising Damp, The Two Ronnies, Porridge, Dad's Army, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Open All Hours... The 80's saw a decline but there were still a number of classics such as Only Fools & Horses, Red Dwarf, Yes Prime Minister, and Black Adder. We then had a brief resurgence in the early 90's with One Foot in the Grave, The Vicar of Dibley, Father Ted, Men Behaving Badly, and Keeping Up Appearances. But it's been mostly downhill since then and even the 80's and 90's couldn't touch the amazing TV of the 70's.
What killed TV sitcoms and also Variety was the rise of 'alternative' Comedy, the dreadful politically correct bollox, who chief proponent was Ben Elton. It literally killed people, Benny Hill for example, who died of broken heart after his series was cacelled because of poltical correctness. That wa sthe start of the downhill slide. Since then the number of decent comedy series and scriptwriters has dwindled to barely noticeable trickle - exceptions being Rowan Atkinson, French and Saunder, Peter Kay. Victoria Woods. I havent had a good belly laugh since about 2002.
Stephanie Sadie
how about the young ones, that was funny. that was ben elton, black adder, ben again. i do nt see how ben elton really was the catalyst. though i agree, things are nt what they were.
Elton was the forefront of the 'Alternative' comedy wave in the 80s, but soon threw his student socialist principles into the bin when people started waving wodges of cash at him. Too late, the ghastly lefty PC brigade had done the damage by then and TV comedy had been strangled to death
Well, let's not forget The Office and the Royll Family. I liked them very much.
@@stephaniesadie832 disagree , this show was about working class people , they problem is no working class people are represented like this anymore, the Likely lads are not politically incorrect as such, I don't see as they are, just good writing and it's not the pc brigade it's the middle class writers straight out of university with no knowledge of how people like Bob and Terry live, that is what has wrecked comedy ". the ghastly lefty " wrote this show by the way and in Rodney's case act in it, the Tories are horrible bastards , only good at bullying the handicapped and giving themselves big pay rise while cutting the wages of nurses , f**k the Tories ruining the UK for over a hundred years.
RIP Rodney, he was pure gold.
Fantastic comedy. and brilliantly acted The best ever from the comedic writers team of Frenais and Cements, 👍😃
I love this programme but it fills me with such sadness I had just got married to the love of my life in 1970 and can remember watching this together in our first little home ...just starting out on our life together oh how I wish you could turn back time ....miss those days so much
Magnificent comedy series, in my all time top ten, with the likes of Rising Damp and Porridge.
A lover of 70's comedy, best decade ever.
Fine taste ian :)
Brilliant ! We will never get any comedy as well written and funny as this ..pity they didnt make lots more ..
by far the best 70s sitcom ever.brilliantly written and acted.not like todays rubbish.
yeah,i know what you mean .but it was 47 year ago.ive lived in newcastle all my life and it's just as it was.
There is a sort of huge difference between some of them and #AllTheOTHERS !💁
Bob and Tells and Terry ! Genius !💁Hahaha Hahahahaha Hahahahaha ✋
At the age of 56 that end theme sends chills down my spine. It meant bedtime for me at 12 years old back in '73 and I had double maths the next morning at school with a teacher I was terrified of.
Time travel :)
Bring back the 70s
What grade did you earn in the class?
Me too only waiting for my folks to get home from night school. Around 81 or 1982 when good shows where repeated.
Me too. Only I was 8 and it was PE next day, with a sadistic teacher.
What a brilliant series this was! The perfect blend of writing, performance and direction. The scene where the lads meet on the train and Bob belatedly recognises Terry is one of the funniest moments in sitcom history. "You bastard! You rotten bastard!" Look carefully at James Bolam and you can catch him trying not to laugh and failing. The great irony, of course, is that Bob, with everything going for him is trapped by the responsibilities and pressures of maintaining his new status quo, whereas Terry, who has nothing, is actually free and can enjoy life. Wonderful stuff, many thanks.
RIP Rodney....you take apart of my childhood with you
Goodnight Bob. Thanks for the laughs.
I found this by accident it played after another comedy I was watching, I wasn’t born until the 80s so this was before my time by hats off to the people who made this, Ive been watching as many as I can, it’s brilliant I’m gutted I wasn’t around when British tv was at its best, my generation sucks they get offended by everything so comedy isn’t really that sort of comedy anymore :(
ha, i feel the same, i was born in 2005 though
Same I was born about 15 years after this was made and only discovered it thanks to my grandad as he watched this when my mom was about seven
Thanks very much for posting this brilliant series.
The reading of the bands , the look on Bobs face so nervous , then the announcement and Terry's face is priceless , one of the funniest moments in comedy history ,
Fyi, matey. The term is 'BANS' not bands. Dear me! Some people.
Yes dear me some people getting all high and mighty over a typo so SOD off @@Janus-fn2uz
@@Janus-fn2uz It's actually 'banns'. Dear me! Some people.
Thanks for posting this, Stephen. It brings back so many happy memories of my childhood.
RIP Bob you was a favourite of mine.
It is noticeable how well written and acted this programme was. No wonder it has stayed in people's memory.
Great classic series. They couldn't make this now and they wouldn't make this now.
A timeless classic. One of the very best television programmes ever made. I never get tired of watching it. Clement and La Frenais were decades ahead of their time. The kind of comedy they were routinely writing in the UK in the late 60's/early 70's was considered groundbreaking in the USA in the 90's when Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David began doing it.
Much as I have always loved The Likely Lads there was one thing I never understood. For a programme set in Newcastle, not one character had a Geordie accent. I recently got my answer to that one. Apparently it was originally going to be set in Leeds and that's where the casting was done. Supposedly the BBC then decided they needed more regional programming and they switched the setting to Newcastle.
R I P Rodney Bowes Great Actor
Classic comedy which really was light drama such was the top quality of script and acting that you could never see the join. The fashion and standards of the day have dated now but not the relationships and friendships which were so deftly delivered that they still ring true today.
No Hiding Place remains my favourite episode (1 hour 27 min) that stayed in my memory for years and now I enjoy again first viewing since the 70s.
The Likely Lads (76) film was actually very good considering that TV comedy rarely made the transition to the big screen and well worth a another viewing when it comes up on TH-cam.
Thanks for this wonderful upload and a big thank you still to the writers and actors😎👌
RIP Rodney Bewes, you will be sadly missed. :-(
Jagamp You ARE sadly missed...!!😊😊
She's not in many episodes, but Sheila Fearn is a much underrated actress and very attractive too.
Women are not here to look attractive, they have personality and intelligence
@@jr7845 Get over yourself.
i love this and Steptoe and son love thy neighbour til death us do part man about the house George and mildred on the buses bless this house the carry on films confessions of a window cleaner so much great stuff shame everything is crap now
Stewart Mcrae I think most on your list was considered crap back then and crap now. Some great comedy's around today.
@@philjones45 really good comedy around today what would that be exactly
Stewart Mcrae Mum, Him and Her, The Inbetweeners, Father Ted, Detectorists, and so much more.
@@philjones45 Father Ted is more than 2 decades old not exactly today the inbetweeners is a lot of shit and I have never even heard of the others
Stewart Mcrae I knew you'd say that about Father Ted, that's why I threw it in. The Likely Lads was superb, but don't lump it in with all that terrible shite. Mum was on BBC2, Detectorists on BBC4. Him and Her was on BBC3. Why not try other channels, you know, live a little, have an open mind. Let's face On The Buses was utter garbage unless you like childish jokes about women's knockers, or how ugly and useless they are. I liked on the Buses when I was about 6, but c'mon is it great humour? How about Rising Damp, at least.it was well written.
It takes all sorts in this world, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I doubt anyone would think of On ThE Buses or Love Thy neighbour as great examples of the art form.
Many on hear say that there wasn't bad language in these sitcoms, but they we're ll of smut and innuendo. I'd go as far as to say that's all they were.
One of my favourite comedies, great writing and great acting. Also shows how important friends are.
Rodney Bewes such a classic wonderful series
The intro and outro are very emotive. RIP Rodney Bewes
R.I.P. Rodney Bewes... What a terrible shame that James Bolam wouldn't consent to the television re-runs of these wonderful shows... Rodney could have used the money but was thwarted by a greedy gesture from Bolam.
EnosEverything Bolam is a miserable old bastard.
Hope he kicks the bucket soon.
It was the original series from the 60's that James objected too, NOT these ones made in the 70's.., they have been repeated many times..
EnosEverthing ,I am of the same opinion as your self. I am 73 now, the Two guys Bolom and Bewes were fantastic entertainment for nearly 3 generations. Bolam on his own, never made a bad series. BUT as a person who was a hero of mine. I found out about the vendetta between the two. Bolam and his wife are quite rich, but when it comes to HATRED, Bolam is a master.
Actor, peerless. Person, utter Twat, and I presume with an attitude like that NO friends, one horrible old bastard. I am so disappointed that he never had the integrity to say sorry. I would like to see how he would react if someone really did a bad thing against him. HAS he NEVER made a mistake,
The capacity to NEVER forgive, I will never understand to my dying day.
Fantastic iconic comedy classic
As Jimmy Bolam, said, once in one of episodes of “ Of when the boat comes in “ Never meet your heroes “
As an Actor, he is very talented, as a person, I wouldn’t give him a push of the pavement.
He is a well entrenched member of the establishment, not a trace of his Geordie Accent.
I bet he has never set foot up north, for years. That suits me fine.
James Unsworth Agreed, I bet he plays the “northern Socialist “ when he’s in company with other luvvies. But it’s all 2 faced, hypocritical bollox. Ask him to lend you a tenner, see where his brotherhood of man principles are then!!
This was made over 45 years ago, a lot has changed just cos someone was born in the north doesn't mean they have to live there forever
jrgboy I think the point is that’s Bolan is an arsehole
James Bolam was born in Sunderland, that makes him a Macem not a Geordie, different accent although not totally dissimilar.
James Bolam - fabulous actor and made this programme for me.
Absolutely timeless. Thanks for the upload.
It's amazing that I forgot about the Likely Lads. This vid reminded me of how brilliant British comedy could be. I have vague memories of the original series in black and white. Not laughed so hard in years - thanks very much for posting.
James Bolam, is one of our most Talented Actors in the UK. EVERYTHING he was in, was a successful series.
As I think he said, good fellow actors, great scripts, I was up in the North East, when the Falkland War broke out. He had just finished making the series “ When the Boat Comes in”. That for me was a series, on the second time of Watching, I realised that it was not only well acted) the actors were all from the North East) It was a Social Commentary on the First World War. The whole nation was traumatised.
I used to have a “ thing “ Thelma,”Briget Forsyth how life flashes by , I am now 72. .
He seemed to be a “ Private Guy” ( Never saw him on “ chat shows “ )
Audrey was a great looking woman, as well!!!!!
RIP BOB (Rodney Bewes) such a shame you and Terry couldn't resolve your differences and team up one last time, sadly the chance of that has now gone. But whatever the differences you were great together.
I don't think they spoke to each other ever again, very sad.
ALL BECAUSE HE MENTIONED HIM IN HIS BOOK, PETTY AT BEST
I haven't had a drink in 18 years. But I'll drink a pint when old Bolam croaks. In celebration.
@pammens miss love when the boat comes in so sad about Rodney
I love both of them but I have to say if the story is true then James is somewhat petty. Time is a great healer and even though Rod crossed a line sometimes it’s the right thing to let bygones be bygones. Even more petty allowing Rodney to die a poor man by not allowing repeats. Hope he’s not an arse in real life
Absolutely brilliant.... 👀😄x
RIP Scarborough Ferris.Great actor.
Love Britcoms. Never saw this one.. Imagine guys relating like that today (June 2019)? Thanks for posting. I'm going to look for another one. Love from across the pond.🙋
No such thing as britcom. Yanks. Learn the language, please. You know nothing.
@@CARLIN4737You are a total loser.
ANACOTT STEEL and that’s when someone leaves a compliment....god knows your response had this yank been critical
A British friend of mine introduced me this old tv show. This is a very good way to learn about British humour.
Bewes and Bolam.
A great combination!!
R.I.P. Rodney.
I've watched 'No Hiding Place' (episode 4) too many times. Just noticed that the hairdressers is called Zeus on the inside but Michelle on the outside. Still, this is one of the best episodes of any British comedy series. Faultless. And it's got Brian Glover!
+Maseru King Brian Glover was always great and he sadly left us way too young.
King o' Barnsley ;)
Weird to think that he actually taught English and French for 16 years!
Brilliant show
I forgot how great the Likely Lads was. Absolutely fantastic.
Great acting and writing - far better than today's offerings
We are old as we have to be, time is coming on for us all, Enjoy life.
I love this program, I actually have the whole lot on dvd boxset. But still laying in bed watching it on here 😂
I love all these older programmes, considering I'm a 90's baby, I still pick all this older stuff over the modern rubbish they put on telly nowadays
Terry's sister (Sheila Fearn) in her fluffy slippers did it for me,and Brigit Forsyth in those short skirts.This was a canny programme.
certainly a all time classic , the proof of the pudding was that two actors who didn't get on convinced audiences that they were best pals ,now that's acting.
and the song is so cool, as well ,means more now we are older, 'oh what ever happened to me what ever happened to you, what became of the people we used to be. " says it all doesn't it. I think the film was great to .
@@beetrootbertha agreed the film was excellent
Thelmas sister I always thought was a babe. Those short skirts, long legs and black leather boots🤪
Shiela Fearn, Bobs Wife Bridget Forsyth, were my ideal women, real sexy ladies. There was a girl who looked very like Bridget , at my local, who gave me the “ Knock Back” story of my life really.
@@jamesunsworth6865 Tell me about it
Oh, that voice of Rodney’s makes me feel like a kid again . So soothing .R.I.P.
thanks pal for uploading these little gems, hats off
Just heard the sad news today about Rodney Bewes, R.I.P. legend
Not a single dirty word in the series!
What about the 'bastards' in episode one ??
"Scarborough?!"
Classic.
Sat in Canada it's 0300 on lockdown born and raised in Northumberland and I'm 10 back in the 70s with a grin on my face
Bob and Hope and Terry and JUNE ?💅
That is absolutely Venus and fabulous and Best !💁🎠
great tribute to rodney bewes rip
I remember the one avoiding the football result like yesterday.Fantastic.
Absolutely classic I will never forget the scene of bob and terry in the hair salon place
What a treat - lots of episodes !! Genius.
I really enjoyed this series!
Thank you for sharing 💖
What a treat, many thanks for sharing ☺️👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Love this programme.Should have made more episodes.Somebody please upload the film.
Hi Paul the film is on you tube and have watched it quite a few times : )
At 1.49 "The Magic Roundabout" was mentioned - shame nobody seems to remember this juwel of children's programme: Long live Zebedee!!
The Magic Roundabout was bollocks
Brilliant comedy, remember watching it on the portable tv. Bloody Thelma spoiling the mate's friendship. Real blokes, true to life, down to earth.....not like the shite on tv now. :-)
Sorry but the strings in the intro and outro music are so beautiful and tender and they really portray the meaning of the song....
Whatever Happened to the Likly Lads.
9th January 1973 - 24th December 1974
Series 1: 13 Episodes. Aired 1973.
Series 2: 14 Episodes. Aired 1974.
Total Episodes: 27.
1974 Christmas Special. 45 minutes.
1976 Feature Flim.
It's great to find a comedy as old as this which is still laugh-out-loud funny. That skit with the train at the end of the first episode was pure genius!
We were easily pleased in the 70's.😲😲😲😲😲😲
It certainly reminds me of me and my friend when we were that age and some of the scrapes we got into !!I think his mum dreaded opening their door and me saying"is Alan there"!!!Then of to the beer and whatever followed!!Great series!!
Everyone has a book in them!
certainly was one of the best
Your friend was lucky - i had an over protective mother and always wished i had a mate like Terry back then
Those strings, that play during the theme song, are almost sorrowful.. Especially when he sings "what became of the people we used to be.." How they go higher as if recalling a cherished memory of ones past yet crashing back into the present when they go lower again. How the strings start to play their their own melody as the song fades during the first scene, when he stops singing. It sounds like such a sorrowful melody but it's also so beautiful.
I have fond memories of this brilliant series. Used to watch it with my dad (mam only liked soaps and Dallas). Looked forward to it all week. I wish someone would upload the movie, I used to have it on VHS and never tired of it. At the time almost every tv comedy series had a big screen spin-off, but the Likely Lads movie was actually watchable.
Absolutely brilliant movie! Hilarious and very poignantly bittersweet in places. Of course, as a young lad at the time, I'd no idea HOW bittersweet it'd turn out to be. Now, as a 52 Yr old... I sure as bloody hell realise!!!
James Bolam's comic timing is amazing. I wish he had been cast as Stan Laurel in a much-needed British biography of our greatest ever actor. James and Stan were so alike and from the same area.
Loved this series..I had a friend back in high school..was like a brother to me..we were only at high school for 3 years together..86-88..we more or less went our separate ways after high school..saw him last in 1991..been trying to catch up with him ever since..hes moved on and doesnt want anything to do with me..still..great memories;(
Yes that happens. We grow up.. glad to have those memories.
High school? You me the comp
Looks grim there but would have been a lot nicer place to live than in modern Britain.
Life seemed better back Then
safer too i bet.
@@davidnoelfranks1124 it probably was better back then
@Ru22eLL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@Ru22eLL lol the worlds biggest fallacy! a 'cheap labour' agenda disguised as compassion pfffttt! !
the game is rigged mate - the UK is a corrupt shithole