Who Played The Neighbours In “The Good Life”?

This 1970s sitcom starred Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall as the Goods, but many viewers were even more attached to their next-door neighbours Jerry and Margot (Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith) who provided perfect foils to the down-to-earth (often literally) Goods. While Tom and Barbara struggle to survive on home-grown vegetables and goat's milk, Jerry slaves away for the corporate machine and Margot arranges flowers and dinner parties. The four remain friends; Jerry lusts harmlessly after Barbara, while all three enjoy teasing the prim, humourless Margo. Margo and Jerry's life often forms a subplot in its own right, mainly based on Margo's interminable war with the local Musical Society, and henpecked Jerry's feeble attempts at rebellion (such as drinking instant coffee.) In one much-repeated episode the four get drunk on home-made wine, and while Jerry vaguely attempts to seduce Barbara, a weepy Margo confides to Tom that she has never been able to find anything funny. However, viewers generally found her funny.

Add Comment

Report