Harlech Television produced this Saturday night comedy series as a spin-off from the 1973 movie Don’t Just Lie There, Say Something, adapted in turn from a hit comedy play.
Brian Rix starred as Barry Ovis, the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister for European Affairs – Sir William Mainwaring-Brown (Warren Mitchell playing the role Leslie Phillips had in the movie).
Each week, the perpetually randy Sir William – with Mitchell in monocle and toupee – got up to naughty business, got the hapless Ovis to cover for him (usually very badly) and misunderstandings piled on top of misunderstandings.
In classic 70’s style, scantily-clad dolly birds galavanted around bedrooms, hiding in wardrobes and suchlike.
Joan Sims popped up from time to time as Sir William’s harridan wife.
Guest stars included Bernard Bresslaw, Mollie Sugden, Kate O’Mara, Geoffrey Bayldon, Alfie Bass, Alexandra Bastedo, Margaret Nolan, Victor Maddern, Jacki Piper, Moira Foot and Sam Kydd.
Sir William Mainwaring-Brown MP
Warren Mitchell Barry Ovis
Brian Rix Lady Mainwaring-Brown
Joan Sims Fred
Derek Royle Carter
Tim Barrett Miss Minchin
Myra Frances
Episodes
May We Have Our Ball Back? | Brick Dropping | Passes That Ship | Half a Dozen of the Other | Well I’m Burgled | Horseface | Near Miss | To Russia With… | Dash My Wig | Desirable Residence | …As a New Born Babe | Dinner for One | It’s a Bug! | Flagrant Memories | Arabian Knights | Silver Threads | A Fair Cop
