Last of The Baskets, The

1 9 7 1 – 1 9 7 2 (UK)
13 x 30 minute episodes

When the 12th Earl of Clogborough decided to abdicate after 93 years of holding the title, an heir to the earldom had to be found. It turned out to be Clifford Basket (Ken Jones), a boiler tender in a northern factory and as unlikely a peer as there ever was.

Sadly, what the uncouth Clifford inherited was a run-down mansion and an ever-increasing amount of unpaid bills.

At least Bodkin (Arthur Lowe), the Earl’s last remaining servant, was still around to guide the unfortunate Basket and his mother (Patricia Hayes) through their new, demanding lifestyle.

Clifford enjoyed the high life, much to the disdain of the snooty Bodkin, who had to bring him bottles of brown ale on a silver platter.

But soon enough, they had to concern themselves with much weightier matters, such as paying the bills and stopping the mansion from collapsing into the Pennines.

The setting was the fictitious Little Clogborough-in-the-Marsh, and two series were produced for Granada TV.

Redvers Bodkin
Arthur Lowe
Clifford Basket
Ken Jones
Mrs Alfreda Basket
Patricia Hayes

Episodes

End Of The Peer | Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant | I Gotta Horse | For I’m To Be Queen Of The May | For Richer, For Poorer | Do Unto Others | It’s A Living | Since Then I Have Used No Other | Good Queen Bess Slept Here | A Chip Off The Old Block | The Hound Of The Baskets | Nice Work If You Can Keep It | A Tisket, A Tasket