re: Its only when

Its only when you just capture one episode of this then you begin to want to see whole series of this again.

Only When I Laugh" was set in an NHS hospital where the main patients on that particular ward were it seemed were forever playing the art of one-upmanship on each other, and getting each other into scrapes. This wasn't all
Causing grief to the wonderfully played Surgeon called Thorpe ("One Foot in the Grave"'s Richard Wilson) and the Indian ward orderly Gupte (Derrick Branche).

James Bolam played Figgis, who's his limited medical knowledge and broad-ranging working-class opinions to wind up the other patients. In particular, he enjoyed teasing middle-class Binns (Christopher Strauli), and Archie Glover (Peter Bowles), a upper-class hypochondriac. Most episodes were by necessity set in the hospital ward, with just a succession of visitors and young nurses providing the opportunity for guest stars.

The main characters were Figgis (James Bolan),Thorpe(Richard Wilson) and Glover(Peter Bowles). I don't care what anyone says. And it shows! All 3 of them went onto become National stars in their own rights after this. Their comic acting timing was spot on. I wish all three of them could come back again in another made for t.v series as they were excellant.

I just loved it when Figgs and Glover argued. Brilliant! As for Thorpe the surgeon. I thought that the character that Richard Wilson was playing was homing in for the part of Victor Meldrew, years down the line. Very much like VICTOR, but in a mild way. However, as irritable as hell, but in a good comic way!

I am trying to get comic series like this and "the bounder" - which starred Peter Bowles. As winter is approaching fast. I want to stay in and be happy watching comic programes that were well made. And I mean well made. Its a shame that people don't admit to this and say that they really liked it. Instead not wanting to sound different and state the obvious made for tv comic shows like Fools and Horse, and Fawtly Towers. Made not as instant as the 2 that have mentioned, but they are funny - with that British angle to them.

Any one knows where they can get the Dvd's for the series of this???

Please have you say though. Don't be shy