Robin's Nest
Encyclopedia
Robin's Nest is a British sitcom starring Richard O'Sullivan as Robin Tripp, one of the lead characters in the sitcom Man About the House
, which had ended in 1976. Robin's Nest aired for six series from 1977 to 1981, and co-starred Tessa Wyatt
as Robin's girlfriend and later wife and Tony Britton
as her father. It was made by Thames Television
and aired on ITV.
), to ask him to be his business partner. Although Nicholls disapproves of Robin (believing him to be beneath his daughter) he knoww a sensible business deal when it is offered to him - despite his failings, Robin is a brilliant chef - and he agrees. Lots of tension and misunderstandings are to arise from their mis-matched relationship.
Creators Cooke and Mortimer had to get special permission from the IBA (the then governing body of Independent TV in Britain) to be able to portray an unmarried couple living together; special concern arose at scenes in which Robin and Vicky were seen in an obvious state of undress in bed. In 1978, Robin and Vicky were married and later had a set of twins.
The show was remade in the United States as Three's a Crowd
, a spinoff to Three's Company
—originally based on Man About the House—but was unsuccessful. In 2004
a Polish version was screened, named Dziupla Cezara.
Star of the show Richard O'Sullivan wrote the theme music for the programme, which was arranged and performed by Brian Bennett.
Series 1 was set to be released in Australia during July 2008, but has changed until 16 August 2008. Series 2 was released in October 2008. Series 3 was set to be released on 1 October 2009, but the release date has been cancelled and is unknown whether it will be released.
Man About the House
Man About the House is a British sitcom starring Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett that was broadcast for six seasons on ITV from 1973 to 1976. It was created and written by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke. The series was considered daring at the time due to its subject matter of...
, which had ended in 1976. Robin's Nest aired for six series from 1977 to 1981, and co-starred Tessa Wyatt
Tessa Wyatt
Tessa Wyatt is an English actress who first came to the public spotlight through her marriage to Tony Blackburn. She later starred in the sitcom Robin's Nest.-Early life:...
as Robin's girlfriend and later wife and Tony Britton
Tony Britton
Anthony Edward Lowry "Tony" Britton is an English actor. He is the father of presenter Fern Britton, scriptwriter Cherry Britton and actor Jasper Britton.-Life and career:...
as her father. It was made by Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
and aired on ITV.
Format
In the first episode Robin and Vicki, who share a flat over a Chinese take-away, discover that their landlords, unable to pay the rent, have disappeared and that the building is in danger of re-possession. It is the practical Vicky who comes up with the perfect solution: Robin should take over the take-away and convert it into a bistro (The "Robin's Nest" of the title). Robin can not afford to go it alone so he has to go cap-in-hand to Vicky's father, James Nicholls (Tony BrittonTony Britton
Anthony Edward Lowry "Tony" Britton is an English actor. He is the father of presenter Fern Britton, scriptwriter Cherry Britton and actor Jasper Britton.-Life and career:...
), to ask him to be his business partner. Although Nicholls disapproves of Robin (believing him to be beneath his daughter) he knoww a sensible business deal when it is offered to him - despite his failings, Robin is a brilliant chef - and he agrees. Lots of tension and misunderstandings are to arise from their mis-matched relationship.
Creators Cooke and Mortimer had to get special permission from the IBA (the then governing body of Independent TV in Britain) to be able to portray an unmarried couple living together; special concern arose at scenes in which Robin and Vicky were seen in an obvious state of undress in bed. In 1978, Robin and Vicky were married and later had a set of twins.
Other characters
Other characters included:- the one-armed Irish kitchen hand Albert Riddle (David KellyDavid Kelly (actor)David Kelly is an Irish actor, who has been in regular film and television work since the 1950s.-Acting career:Playing everything from Beckett to Shakespeare, he has appeared in Theatre, TV and film constantly since 1959...
), who always broke more crockery than he cleaned, and who once asked Robin's culinary advice; unable to cook egg on toast, he asked Robin "How do you stop the egg dribbling into the bottom of the toaster, Mr Tripp?". - Vicky's mother (divorced from her father), would occasionally appear, played first by Honor BlackmanHonor BlackmanHonor Blackman is an English actress, known for the roles of Cathy Gale in The Avengers and Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger .-Early life:...
, later by Barbara MurrayBarbara MurrayBarbara Ann Murray is an English actress. She was married to the actor John Justin and had three daughters, but they divorced in 1964....
. - Gertrude, Albert's girlfriend, played by ex-Crossroads actress Peggy Aitchaison. The late Peggy often said that it was a shame that Albert and Gertrude never married "There was so much comic potential there."
The show was remade in the United States as Three's a Crowd
Three's a Crowd
Three's a Crowd is an American television sitcom spinoff of Three's Company...
, a spinoff to Three's Company
Three's Company
Three's Company is an American sitcom that aired from March 15, 1977, to September 18, 1984, on ABC. It is based on the British sitcom, Man About the House....
—originally based on Man About the House—but was unsuccessful. In 2004
2004 in television
The year 2004 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2004.For the American TV schedule, see: 2004–05 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
a Polish version was screened, named Dziupla Cezara.
Star of the show Richard O'Sullivan wrote the theme music for the programme, which was arranged and performed by Brian Bennett.
DVDs releases
All six series of Robin's Nest have been released on DVD in the UK (Region 2).| DVD | Release date |
|---|---|
| The Complete Series 1 | 24 September 2007 |
| The Complete Series 2 | 19 November 2007 |
| The Complete Series 3 | 26 May 2008 |
| The Complete Series 4 | 21 July 2008 |
| The Complete Series 5 | 1 September 2008 |
| The Complete Series 6 | 3 November 2008 |
| The Complete Series 1 to 6 Box Set | 3 November 2008 |
Series 1 was set to be released in Australia during July 2008, but has changed until 16 August 2008. Series 2 was released in October 2008. Series 3 was set to be released on 1 October 2009, but the release date has been cancelled and is unknown whether it will be released.
List of episodes
| Series 1 | Series 2 | Series 3 | Series 4 |
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| Special | Series 5 | Special | Series 6 |
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External links
- Robin's Nest at BBC Online