Nightingales (1990– ) User Reviews

Hidden In The Night.

[bml84 · 8/10 · 21 June 2009]

Ironic, for the concept of forgotten men left deserted in an anonymous tower block, that Channel 4 should should post them to a graveyard slot with no fanfare and precious little advertising. A Pity- since this was one of the most innovative, imaginative and downright surreal comedies ever to grace the screen.

A simple concept- three men forced by time and circumstance to create their own fantasy world to alleviate the endless tedium and pointlessness of their lives- is twisted into surreal shapes and situations until it screams with laughter.

The actors are obviously enjoying themselves hugely and ground the characters so fully in the situation that wild flights of fantasy can soar while never dissolving into stupidity or falling off into pointlessness (the Curse Of Python).

Excellent ideas- King Lear, Hypnotism, Mutiny on the Bounty, Doppelgangers and a sensitive Werewolf are milked for all their comic potential- and what rich milk it is.

Maybe it is an acquired taste-the reason I only give 8- but if it hooks you, you will never find its equal.

Perhaps THE forgotten comedy gem of the 1990s.

''Anybody there? There's nobody here but us chickens!''

[Rabical-91 · 9/10 · 17 June 2015]

'Nightingales' was a hilarious Channel 4 sitcom from 1990 which despite starring Robert Lindsay, David Threlfall and James Ellis, strangely seems to be under the radar. It is about three night-watchmen - the intellectual Carter, the well meaning Sarge and dim-witted ( and extremely violent ) Bell ( nicknamed Ding-Dong ) - who patrol a deserted office block somewhere in London. During their shifts the three seem to encounter all manner of surreal events. In the first episode, the three are training a young student named Eric Swan ( Ian Sears ), who is marred with a terrible curse - at the stroke of midnight whenever a full moon rises he is transformed into a werewolf. In another episode, the three win a night in the company of a glamorous model as a prize in a competition and desperately try to win her affections and, in what I think was one of the show's funniest moments, a new fellow was sent to work with them and it turned out, to everyone's horror, he was a mountain gorilla!

A fourth security guard was also present - Mr. Smith - who in actual fact was dead, however this was never reported to head office by the other three as he earned a higher wage packet ( which they divided between them ).

'Nightingales' was to my mind one of the best sitcoms of the 1990's and why it is forgotten is an absolute puzzler. Paul Makin's scripts did vary in quality but when they were good they were excellent. Robert Lindsay was superb as Carter ( ''I wonder what Leonardo Di Caprio is doing tonight!'' ) and his brawls with Bell were quite often the best part of the show. James Ellis likewise was hilarious as Sarge. Some episodes would conclude with him addressing the audience with a salute before signing off with an ''Evening all!''. The show's excellent theme tune was Robert Lindsay's rendition of 'A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square'. Edward Burnham appeared in the first two episodes as the dithering cleaner Piper who was often the subject of Bell's verbal, and sometimes even physical, abuse!

Channel 4 didn't seem to know what to do with the show and put it out in a late night slot where it went out unnoticed. After only two series, it was gone. Shame. If it were scheduled better, it could well have been a contender.

In conclusion, 'Nightingales' will always have a special place in my heart and to my mind it is far more amusing than Lindsay's more recent, and vastly overrated, 'My Family'.

Underrated and sadly unrepeated

[grahamwarley · 9/10 · 4 January 2008]

At the time this series went out, there was a dearth of good sitcom on Uk TV. The fact that this was transmitted late at night showed a sad lack of bravery on the part of the programme controllers.

Its surreal nature was exploited to the full by the three main protagonists and it was not until many years later that comedies of this nature, which did not rely on predictable plots and telegraphed punch lines, became more prevalent.

It seemed that Threlfall, Lindsay and Ellis were having a ball and just went with the flow !

If you like black books or the green room, you will like nightingales.

Brilliantly written!

[beauvallet · 31 December 1999]

Nightingales is the single most innovative, surreal, high farce, low brow, amazing sitcom of my experience. This series, about the bizarre on-the-job occurrences in the lives of 3 night security guards, is highlighted by Makin's extremely funny dialogue and impeccable comic timing by three very fine actors. From pratfalls to parody, from allegories to metaphors, this is one show that makes its point without beating the viewer over the head with moralistic axioms, leaving the viewer free to choose whether in fact there is a point at all or just some really good laughs to be had. Only 13 episodes were made, a real shame since the writing was hitting unbelievable highs in the last two episodes, King Lear II and Someone to Watch Over Me. While Nightingales may not be considered mainstream fare, those viewers who've had quite enough of Seinfeld and Friends may want to investigate it for a true revival of the sense of the ridiculous.

In my opinion one of the greatest sitcoms of all time

[p_jones92 · 10/10 · 2 October 2007]

I was only in my teens when this originally aired on Channel 4, so knew nothing about Robert Lindsays previous comedy exploits, or David Threfalls standing as a very well respected actor, but what I do know is that for 30 mins once a week, I was watching one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life, and the 7 days in between seemed an absolute bore.

Like th other commenter on here, I can't understand why more people aren't aware of this diamond amongst the sitcom rough, everyone I've told to see this who has seen this loves it, and can't believe they didn't know about it either.

Like the great Seinfeld, this series has fantastic premises, great dialog, superb acting, and takes twists and turns you don't expect, that are so bizarre, but are hilariously funny it's insane.

The sad thing is anyone reading this is probably also a fan, so knows these things already, but if you haven't seen it yet, trust me, you'll be watching the episodes over and over again for life once you've seen it.

Available on DVD

[stevenw-9 · 10/10 · 8 June 2006]

I just been on play.com and found both series on 2 DVDs. Should be able to buy it from Amazon as well. No other comedy series has me wanting to watch again. I remember sitting in bed late at night watching this amazing comedy. The acting was superb and the plots though mainly surreal were brilliant. I'll never forget the episode with the hypnotist as long as i live.

If you never watched the series just buy it as it is worth the money. The only problem you may have afterwards is that listening to Lady in Red by Chris De Burgh may have you quoting the immortal line "There is nobody here but us chickens" at the relevant space.

Is there anybody there?

[thehappybunny1 · 10/10 · 21 August 2005]

A, sadly, under-appreciated and little known show - probably due to the time slot it was given and lack of advertising by its host channel (you know who you are!) Not helped by the fact that it was never repeated. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of people who watched it way back in the early nineties.

But this is a great show - off the wall humour, bizarre situations (a werewolf who performs open heart surgery?) and lapses into Shakespeare now and again all provided by three superb actors.

A personal favourite was the episode that featured a visit by a psychiatrist - courtesy of Bell's 'liaison' with a horse. It's not long before this visitor is sucked into the guards' warped world and the eventual outcome is... Well I won't say anymore.

If you like your comedy to have that slightly surreal edge then this is the show for you.

I'm first in line for the DVD release, just make it sooner rather than later please.

Surreal, flawlessly acted comedy

[smellthecult-com-1 · 10/10 · 27 December 2009]

Criminally under-rated sitcom from the early 90's that was - to my knowledge - broadcast once on Channel Four well out of prime-time, with no promotion whatsoever, then quietly forgotten.

And that is a great shame.

Word of mouth has turned this show into the stuff of legend, as can be seen by various posts on YouTube and the like, and it is well worthy of such high acclaim.

The setup is thus: three security guards working the night-shift in a city centre office block do all in their power to prevent themselves going utterly insane. And they are only partially successful; filling their time with inane and mind-boggling tasks and activities until the sun rises and they are free to go home to their equally mundane lives.

One of those shows that is difficult to relate, as it is potentially about nothing at all, this is surreal and off the wall, without ever falling into the trap of being 'wacky' (shudder).

There are moments of comic gold, as well as some genuine oddness - the episodes where the cast suddenly launch into Shakespearean style acting and speech, the one where it seems the office is drifting at sea - but never seems forced or contrived. The cast is first rate too and the acting excellent.

Overall, if you missed it, get hold of it by hook or by crook. It's well worth the effort.

Too good to miss

[marloncameron · 10/10 · 20 August 2019]

There is no way I know of for me to congratulate my fellow contributors, but I have read their words and I agree. I'm just sat watching an episode of Dad's Army being repeated for the umpteenth time, on a channel well known for same, and Captain Mainwearing's manner when entering the room and saying "Anybody therrrre?" is EXACTLY as Robert Lindsay's was in this. How I miss such things as Sarge channeling Dixon of Dock Green. Alas, while this deserves to be up there with Father Ted it continues to rest.

Brilliant

[riggo-73503 · 9/10 · 14 July 2019]

If you ever watch comedy then apart from blackadder beer episode for strongest satire and wit... try Nightingales the hypnotist episode... by far the funniest thing I've ever watched

Nightingales

[jimwolfy52 · 8/10 · 22 November 2019]

I remember watching this show in the 90s and always screaming with laughter. It's a crime their were 2 sieres and no more. 🤗👍😁😜

Brilliantly surreal

[amoore-2 · 18 April 2001]

This is true British comedy following in the footsteps of the Goons or Monty Python. You wouldn't think that a sitcom about 3 security guards and an empty building would yield much in the way of laughs but this comedy did using a combination of off-the-wall plots and fantastic characterisation by Lyndsey, Thewlis and Allison.

If you like Nightingales, check out The High Life and Joking Apart.

"Anyone here?" "There's nobody here but us chickens"

Great fun

[Dicky_Hart · 9/10 · 6 April 2010]

One of the best written and surreal sitcoms ever broadcast. it was consistently funny. and never boring, The setup is about a team of security guards on night shift, bored out of their minds in a typical office block. The cast are superb, and each suited actor was suited to their character, (even the gorilla and the dead guy!!) very few people watched it on its broadcast on channel 4. I think it has a bit of a cult following. Keep an eye out for the DVDs, they are getting harder and harder to find. Even if you haven't seen it before, take a risk buying it, you won't regret it. Robert Lindsay career was on a bit of a downward spiral, he chose well in this sitcom, certainly beats that pile of trash sitcom "My Family" he stars in now.

Just wonderful!

[dalescotbates · 9/10 · 27 February 2024]

I used to love this back in the 90s and, with a select group of mates, still shout the odd phrase from the show (tek his trousers down! - is there anybody there? Etc.). The set pieces and surreal comedy are brilliantly crafted and references to high art juxtaposed with popular culture works in such a marvellous way that it really cannot be beat. It is such a shame that they only did the 2 series but, given it was on quite late at night, and the humopur was so off-the-wall, also understandable. It already has a quiet, cult status among a small, but loyal group of people, I am pretty sure it will be remembered for years to come and will continue to acquire new fans long after I am dead and gone.

Gleefully daft series about three night security guards in an office building.

[jezburg · 26 July 2005]

Probably the most underrated of channel 4's sit-coms. Superbly acted by the principles (especially David Threlfall). The reason it is not particularly well known is the stupid scheduling it received (after 11pm midweek), consequently not many people saw it. The surreal humour is not to everyones tastes so it's a case of love it or hate it. People who do love it really do love it. Somehow it manages to capture the slightly demented state of mind that night-workers tend to develop, the in-jokey humour and the flights of fantasy in their enclosed little world. Particularly recommended are the two werewolf episodes and the one with a gorilla called Trevor Oblong.

I wonder what Samuel Beckett is doing now?

and absolute gem, hidden by Channel 4's usual c**p timetabling

[mairhi · 22 May 2004]

I can only agree with the other contribution. THis was a surreal programme.

THe characters were superbly performed, especially Threfell - where did he get that outfit (too small) and that wig! I have always liked James Ellis - even in Z Cars and Robert Lindsay was his usual excellent self. Perhaps it appealed to me because I too have done my share of night shifts and remember the deranged conversations that we would have to remain awake and sane when there was absolutely nothing going on. If there is anyone anywhere reading this who has the power to put this back on or release it on DVD/Video then please do so. You will be doing the world a favour and making a deranged mind addled by years of nights very happy!

Little Known Gem.

[iancollings · 1 November 2000]

One of those programmes no-one else seems to have heard about. Every carefully scripted episode justifies the expense of buying a television. The fact that this hasn't been rerun since its first transmission is a crime against sitcom.

UK TV comedy is woeful and a re-showing of this to all potential writers is a must. All production companies seem afraid of taking on anything that doesn't scream "Mainstream". Whoever agreed to green-light this series deserves a special "Services To The Comedy Industry".

Totally Surreal

[bilko1 · 3 May 2001]

This show is a hidden classic. Most people you mentioned this show to have never heard of it. It was hidden away on Channel 4 in the U.K. for two series (1990-1993). The situations are original, from a replacement guard turning into a werewolf to murder and mayhem. All cast members are excellent, occasionally slipping into Shakespeare with ease. If you can get hold of copies or it is ever repeated watch it. I highly recommend it.

Was Steven Moffat a fan?

[baynham_ian · 9 June 2013]

Loved the programme Nightingales. Takes me back a few years. Off the wall. Surreal. Fantastic. Late night jewel. Ideal for insomniacs.

Well know for the phrase "there is nobody here but us chickens".

Maybe other fans were Steven Moffat famed for writing Doctor Who amongst other things. In Doctor who wrote the episode "The empty child". An episode of Doctor who from the first series...with Christopher Eccleston.

An hysterical four year old child at the door asks "Are you my mommy?". The doctor replies "No mommies here. Nobody here but us chickens". "Well this chicken".