Dearest Enemy

1 9 8 9 (Australia)
7 x 30 minute episodes
1 9 9 2 (Australia)
7 x 30 minute episodes

Australians always had a hard time making good sitcoms, and although this comedy series from ABC-TV made a brave stab at sophisticated, political comedy, Dearest Enemy was yet another misfire.

The show’s premise had Anderson Morley (Grigor Taylor in the first series, replaced by John Wood in the second series) as a rabid socialist and Labor voter who ghosted as a writer of trashy romance novels under the nom de plume Carla de Whit.

His new wife, successful barrister Alex (Linden Wilkinson), was a Liberal who was running for preselection.

Alex had a staunchly right-wing father, Walter (played sternly by Frank Wilson), a Senator. Anderson had a staunchly left-wing gutter-press reporter mate, Lenny (played by the lanky Bruce Spence). Alex’s ex-husband, Simon Clifford (Vic Hawkins) wanted her back now she was married to someone else. The scene was set for conflict and laughs aplenty.

Unfortunately, the scripts – verbose, highbrow and not terribly funny – fell flat. The series was like a poor man’s Yes, Minister without the complex dialogue or sharply observed political cynicism.

Dearest Enemy was produced by Geoff Portman and John O’Grady, who had previously worked together as co-producers of the fabulous Mother and Son.

Alex Tyler
Linden Wilkinson
Lenny
Bruce Spence
Anderson Morley
Grigor Taylor (1)
John Wood (2)
Walter Tyler
Frank Wilson
Simon Clifford
Vic Hawkins