Not a bad sitcom as such but it's not a laugh out loud show either. Led by Kenneth Connor, this construction site comedy by Yorkshire TV is more about the workers giving the site foreman played by John Junkin a hard time more than anything else. The best character is John Normington's 'Old' Fred Spooner. Several cast members were replaced for the 2nd series and in came Derek Griffiths (of Play School fame) and Robin Askwith. Overall - this isn't a memorable comedy at all but it is still rather entertaining and it will make you smile.
2 Reviews
Gussie's gang
ShadeGrenade17 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The now-defunct Network Distributing released hundreds of films and television series on D. V. D., including some obscure offerings like 'The Corridor People' and 'Alcock And Gander'. But a series that eluded them was this short-lived Yorkshire Television sitcom, about a gang of builders working on a construction site who never seem to do much by way of work. Not unless you call playing cards and 'spending a penny' work. Their leader, 'Gussie Sissons', is played by Kenneth Connor. The boys' arch-enemy, site foreman 'Charlie Cattermole', is portrayed by John Junkin. Looking at this now, its hard not to be reminded of 'On The Buses'. Working-class lads at war with an authority figure with a moustache. It is as if Sid Colin, the show's writer, had seen Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney's show ( it begun the year before ) and thought he could do better. He did not. In addition to those actors I've just mentioned, the show also has Gordon Rollings, John Normington ( whose 'Old Ned Spooner' character looks a lot like 'Uncle Mort' from 'I Didn't Know You Cared' ) and, later on, Derek Griffiths and future 'Confessions' star Robin Askwith. Tommy Godfrey was a busy man in the 70's; his other shows include 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Mind Your Language' ( both written by Vince Powell ).
Guest-stars include Milo O'Shea, Patrick Troughton ( as a Germanic scientist ) and Hermione Baddeley. So there was a good cast but the weak scripts sadly let them down. Connor was seen to much better comic effect in the 'Carry On' pictures, 'Hi-De-Hi!', and 'Allo, Allo!'.
Rubbish builders also featured in the much funnier 'Cowboys' made by Thames Television over a decade later.
Guest-stars include Milo O'Shea, Patrick Troughton ( as a Germanic scientist ) and Hermione Baddeley. So there was a good cast but the weak scripts sadly let them down. Connor was seen to much better comic effect in the 'Carry On' pictures, 'Hi-De-Hi!', and 'Allo, Allo!'.
Rubbish builders also featured in the much funnier 'Cowboys' made by Thames Television over a decade later.
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