THE THIN BLUE LINE is a generally likeable sitcom set in a small police station and written by the ubiquitous Ben Elton. It lasted for two series and a total of fourteen episodes, not long enough to outstay its welcome, and despite being low budget I remember finding it very funny when I first saw it at the time as a teenager. In retrospect, it holds up well today, despite some obviously dated aspects of the production.
Rowan Atkinson's portrayal of the fussy Fowler is a neat counterpoint to Mr Bean, the usual kind of repressed loser character that the British love. I think this thunder is stolen by the excellent David Haig, whose soliloquies are the funniest part of each episode. The other comic interplay generally works well thanks to the talents of the cast, including a youthful James Dreyfus at his most amusing. The plots are nothing special, but there's the occasional strong theme and bit of controversy that you feel the BBC wouldn't risk today. The jokes tend to be funny, particularly with the endless CARRY ON style innuendo, and generally this is likeable, amiable viewing.
Rowan Atkinson's portrayal of the fussy Fowler is a neat counterpoint to Mr Bean, the usual kind of repressed loser character that the British love. I think this thunder is stolen by the excellent David Haig, whose soliloquies are the funniest part of each episode. The other comic interplay generally works well thanks to the talents of the cast, including a youthful James Dreyfus at his most amusing. The plots are nothing special, but there's the occasional strong theme and bit of controversy that you feel the BBC wouldn't risk today. The jokes tend to be funny, particularly with the endless CARRY ON style innuendo, and generally this is likeable, amiable viewing.