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    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1980s Television
    1980s Television Comedy Drama Shows I 2 Mins Read

    Imaginary Friends

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    1 9 8 7 (UK)
    3 x 60 minute episodes

    This Thames Television miniseries presented a star-studded cast in a tongue-in-cheek satirical drama based on a best-selling novel by Alison Lurie.

    Bullying sociologist and charismatic TV guru Professor Tom McMann (John Stride) infiltrates a bizarre spiritualist sect – The Truth Seekers – with the assistance of his MGB-driving academic sidekick Dr Roger Zimmern (John Duttine).

    Based in the sleepy Norfolk resort of ‘Seacliff’ (in reality, Cromer), the Seekers are led by the psychically gifted and flame-haired Verena Roberts (Patricia Kerrigan) and her aunt Elsie Novar (Billie Whitelaw).

    The group believes Verena can communicate with the Varnians – beings from the planet Varna, who are led by Ro – who will come to Earth to redeem human beings.

    Verena goes into trances, gasps in ecstasy and writes psychically on a notepad, wailing “Ro! Ro! Ro!” like the Eton Boating Song. The action becomes almost farcical when Ro – through Verena – orders the spiritualists to strip off and dispose of any organic clothing.

    The two academics find that their would-be scientific detachment dissolves under the pressures of sex until finally, cynical sociology professor Tom is (predictably) declared to be the incarnation of Ro and the new Messiah.

    He goes round the twist and is arrested and dragged away, Christlike, to a mental hospital.

    At the end of the miniseries, Roger concludes; “What’s the difference between a delusion and a religion? It’s only that more people believe in it.”

    Imaginary Friends aired on consecutive evenings of Monday 22 June, Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June at 9.00 pm.

    Elsie Novar
    Billie Whitelaw
    Professor Tom McMann
    John Stride
    Dr Roger Zimmern
    John Duttine
    Verena Roberts
    Patricia Kerrigan
    Miss Bunting
    Fabia Drake
    Felicity Coppard
    Patsy Rowlands
    Milly Munger
    Liz Smith
    Ed Novar
    Ken Jones
    Joanna Onland
    Julie Peasgood
    Daniel Onland
    Remy Beard
    Bob Onland
    Struan Rodger
    Ralph Bell
    Robert Burbage
    Bill Freemantle
    Roger Frost
    Sissry Freemantle
    Kathryn Pogson
    Secretary
    Claire Hirsch
    Peggy Vale
    Kate Lock
    Professor Steve Mayonne
    Richard O’Callaghan
    Receptionist
    Caron Paxoe

    Video

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