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Decades Later, 80s Campus Comedy Still Shocking
8 Jun
Summary
- A surreal campus black comedy, it's one of TV's most subversive shows.
- The series depicted a fictional university's medical practice in southern England.
- It captured the spirit of the 1980s with political and social commentary.
Written 40 years ago by Andrew Davies, 'A Very Peculiar Practice' stands as a uniquely sophisticated and subversive black comedy that aired on BBC Two. The series, set in the medical practice of a fictional southern English university, is celebrated for capturing the spirit of the 1980s.
Directed by David Tucker, the show featured characters like the alcoholic head Jock McCannon and the feminist Rose Marie, whose rivalry with Bob Buzzard, an advocate for private healthcare, formed a central conflict. Newcomer Stephen Daker, a GP, found himself amidst these eccentric personalities.
The show's creation stemmed from Davies' need to repay a BBC fee, resulting in an original series that delighted the network's drama head. Early iterations were altered, notably replacing a dope-smoking GP with a Thatcherite character.
Peter Davison, who played Stephen Daker, praised the scripts for requiring no changes. The series also drew inspiration from Davies' past, including academic colleagues and formative medical encounters, embedding idealism into its narrative.
The first series, which included early appearances by actors like Hugh Grant, garnered critical acclaim. Davies faced writer's block while developing the second series, with director David Tucker providing crucial support and suggesting radical changes.
The second series introduced new characters and transformed the university into a military-research establishment, reflecting the prevailing gloom and anxieties of the Thatcher era. A subsequent TV movie explored the characters' futures.
Praised for its political bite and commentary on Thatcherism, 'A Very Peculiar Practice' has been recognized as a significant work in British television. The series continues to resonate for its humor, prescience, and exploration of human relationships.
