Theirs wasn't a romance for the ages. But it was one of the most honest love stories on 70s TV.
With Valentine's Day just behind us, I've been thinking about the unforgettable marriage of George and Mildred Roper. They started as landlords in 'Man About the House', but their bickering, aspirational, and deeply familiar dynamic stole the show. Their own spinoff, 'George and Mildred', cemented their place as a television institution.
In this episode, I explore why their relationship—funny, awkward, and wonderfully real—resonated with so many families in the seventies. We look at the incredible actors who brought them to life, Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce, and why their on-screen chemistry felt so authentic.
What to Expect:
🎭 Brian Murphy's Early Life: From entertaining troops during the war to training at RADA.
🎪 The Theatre Workshop: How Joan Littlewood's famous theatre group shaped his career.
🏠 Man About the House: The controversial sitcom that introduced the world to the Ropers.
📺 The George & Mildred Spinoff: How the nation's love for the couple led to their own hit show.
❤️ A Love Story for the Ages?: We discuss why their marriage struck such a chord with viewers.
I'd love to know what you think! Were you more of a 'Man about the House' fan, or did 'George and Mildred' win you over? Did their relationship remind you of anybody in your own life? Let me know!
And if you love chatting about this stuff with people who remember it just like you do, come and join our My 70s TV Childhood Facebook community.
Take care,
Oliver
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