Monday Monday (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Monday Monday is an ITV
comedy drama. It stars Fay Ripley
, Jenny Agutter
, Neil Stuke
, Holly Aird, Morven Christie
, Tom Ellis and Miranda Hart
.
It is set in the head office of a supermarket
that has fallen on hard times and had to re-locate its staff from London
to Leeds
. The show was initially announced as part of ITV's Winter 2007 press pack, but was "iced" until 2009 due to falling advertising in the wake of the economic downturn.
song with the same name
, though does not feature the song as a theme tune.
The show was commissioned by ITV's director of drama, Laura Mackie. Mackie said that the show aimed to "entertain, engage and strike a chord with the audience”. Although the show was initially announced as part of ITV's Winter 2007 press pack, it was put on hold until 2009 due to falling advertising rates in the wake of the economic downturn. According to Broadcast, the show aimed to "shed light on a world of alcoholic HR bosses, power-crazed managers and sexually unfettered PAs".
Towards the end of the first episode, Christine is shown to be an alcoholic, which she eventually admits. As the series progresses the failing life of Christine becomes more central to the plot.
chain Butterworths. As a result of down sizing, the workers are forced to move cities, relocating from London
to Leeds
.
Human Resources
Marketing
Finance
Building Services & Facilities Management
Shop Floor
The departments named above are the main departments focused on but other departments are mentioned or featured on presentations. They include:
The Head Office is arranged into a North Wing and a South Wing on all Floors above the Lower Ground Floor.
Other Services than Retail are Insurance Sales. Each department is managed by a Department Head and Each Department Head has a Personal Assistant
stated that the shows rival in the same timeslot, BBC One
show The Street
was "a darn sight more interesting than watching Fay Ripley walk into doors". Walker said that the show was filled with shots of Leeds
, saying that the show was purely "advertising it as an attractive nightlife destination" or "to prove beyond doubt that ITV was fulfilling its obligations to the regions." (something that may have been fitting with ITV mothballing many parts of its Leeds Studios the same year). Sam Wollaston of The Guardian
also criticised the show saying that it was "lame and laboured, tired and predictable".
The poor reception was reflected in the shows ratings, the show bringing in 3.7 million, a 16% viewing share, six percent and 1.3 million viewers lower than The Street. The show, however, was second in its timeslot, beating the other three terrestrial
channels in the slot. Despite being second in the timeslot, the show was down on the 5.6 million for ITV1's channel slot average so far in 2009.
Not helping matters in terms of viewing figures was the fact that STV continued its recent trend of declining high-ticket ITV productions, thereby avoiding having to contribute to the production cost on a pro rata basis, and so Scottish viewers of terrestrial broadcasts were unable to view the series. The series average, based on overnight ratings was 2.90m, equating to a 13.2% viewing share.
, this programme aired each Friday at 8:30pm on ABC2
from 28 January 2011.
In Serbia
, this programme aired on Fox Life. In the United States the show is on Hulu.com and currently available via NetFlix.
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
comedy drama. It stars Fay Ripley
Fay Ripley
Fay Ripley is an English actress and recipe author. Born in Wimbledon, London, Ripley is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama . Her first professional role was in the chorus of a pantomime version of Around the World in 80 Days...
, Jenny Agutter
Jenny Agutter
Jennifer Ann "Jenny" Agutter is an English film and television actress. She began her career as a child actress in the mid 1960s, starring in the BBC television series The Railway Children and the film adaptation of the same book, before moving on to adult roles and relocating to Hollywood.She...
, Neil Stuke
Neil Stuke
Neil Stuke , is an English actor notable for playing Matthew in the second and third series of Game On after taking over the role from Ben Chaplin,and for his role as Billy Lamb, Head Clerk in the 2011 BBC television series "Silk"...
, Holly Aird, Morven Christie
Morven Christie
-Life and career:Morven Christie grew up in Glasgow and Aviemore. She studied acting at the Drama Centre London, under Reuven Adiv, an associate of Lee Strasberg. She graduated in 2003. Christie has worked on stage, film and television drama since...
, Tom Ellis and Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart
Miranda Katharine Hart Dyke , known professionally as Miranda Hart, is an English actress, writer and stand-up comedienne. She writes and stars in the BBC sitcom Miranda...
.
It is set in the head office of a supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
that has fallen on hard times and had to re-locate its staff from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
. The show was initially announced as part of ITV's Winter 2007 press pack, but was "iced" until 2009 due to falling advertising in the wake of the economic downturn.
Background
The show is named after The Mamas & the PapasThe Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
song with the same name
Monday, Monday
"Monday, Monday" is a 1966 song written by John Phillips and recorded by The Mamas & the Papas for their 1966 album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. It was the group's only number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100....
, though does not feature the song as a theme tune.
The show was commissioned by ITV's director of drama, Laura Mackie. Mackie said that the show aimed to "entertain, engage and strike a chord with the audience”. Although the show was initially announced as part of ITV's Winter 2007 press pack, it was put on hold until 2009 due to falling advertising rates in the wake of the economic downturn. According to Broadcast, the show aimed to "shed light on a world of alcoholic HR bosses, power-crazed managers and sexually unfettered PAs".
Towards the end of the first episode, Christine is shown to be an alcoholic, which she eventually admits. As the series progresses the failing life of Christine becomes more central to the plot.
Plot
The show features a group of head office workers for struggling supermarketSupermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
chain Butterworths. As a result of down sizing, the workers are forced to move cities, relocating from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
.
Cast
Management- Clive MerrisonClive MerrisonClive Merrison is a Welsh actor of film, television, stage and radio. He trained at Rose Bruford College.- Television :...
- Gavin, Chairman, Butterworths Group - Peter Wight - Roger Sorsby, Chief Executive of Butterworth’s Stores
- Jenny AgutterJenny AgutterJennifer Ann "Jenny" Agutter is an English film and television actress. She began her career as a child actress in the mid 1960s, starring in the BBC television series The Railway Children and the film adaptation of the same book, before moving on to adult roles and relocating to Hollywood.She...
- Jenny Mountfield, PA to Roger Sorsby - Holly Aird - Alyson Cartmell, Chief Operating Officer
- Tom EllisTom Ellis (actor)Tom Ellis is a Welsh actor best known for playing Dr. Oliver Cousins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and Detective Sergeant Sam Speed in a Life on Mars parody on the The Catherine Tate Show...
- Steven McColl, PA to Alyson Cartmell
Human Resources
- Fay RipleyFay RipleyFay Ripley is an English actress and recipe author. Born in Wimbledon, London, Ripley is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama . Her first professional role was in the chorus of a pantomime version of Around the World in 80 Days...
- Christine Frances, Head of Human Resources - Morven ChristieMorven Christie-Life and career:Morven Christie grew up in Glasgow and Aviemore. She studied acting at the Drama Centre London, under Reuven Adiv, an associate of Lee Strasberg. She graduated in 2003. Christie has worked on stage, film and television drama since...
- Sally Newman, PA to Christine - Miranda HartMiranda HartMiranda Katharine Hart Dyke , known professionally as Miranda Hart, is an English actress, writer and stand-up comedienne. She writes and stars in the BBC sitcom Miranda...
- Tall Karen, Office Assistant - Jodie Taibi - Small Karen, Office Assistant
Marketing
- Neil StukeNeil StukeNeil Stuke , is an English actor notable for playing Matthew in the second and third series of Game On after taking over the role from Ben Chaplin,and for his role as Billy Lamb, Head Clerk in the 2011 BBC television series "Silk"...
- Max Chambers, Acting Head of Marketing - Laura HaddockLaura HaddockLaura Jane Haddock is an English actress, known for portraying Kacie Carter in Honest, Bethan in The Colour of Magic, Natasha in Monday Monday, Sam in How Not To Live Your Life and Alison in The Inbetweeners Movie.-Background:...
- Natasha Wright, Marketing Assistant (prev. PA to Vivienne Wyatt. With Vivienne off sick recovering from cancer, Natasha is seconded to Max Chambers) - Saikat Ahamed - Vince, PA to Max Chambers & Natasha Wright (prev. PA to Max Chambers)
Finance
- Nick Sampson - Keith Saunders, Head of Finance
Building Services & Facilities Management
- Joan Oliver - Susan, Facilities Manager
- Susan Earl - Janet, Facilities Assistant
Shop Floor
- Sue Vincent - Helen, Bakery Manager
- Bruce McGregorBruce McGregorHarry Bruce McGregor was an Australian rules footballer who played with West Adelaide and South Adelaide in the SANFL. His son Ken also played for West Adelaide and was a successful tennis player....
- Greg, Fish Manager - Richard FleeshmanRichard FleeshmanRichard Jonathan Fleeshman is an English actor and singer-songwriter. His television career began as a twelve year old, playing Craig Harris for four years in Coronation Street and most recently "All The Small Things"...
- Gillon, Bakery Customer Service Assistant
The departments named above are the main departments focused on but other departments are mentioned or featured on presentations. They include:
- Contracts
- Sourcing
- IT
- Design
- Property
- International Sales
- National Sales
Butterworths Group PLC
Butterworths Head OfficeThe Head Office is arranged into a North Wing and a South Wing on all Floors above the Lower Ground Floor.
- Lower Ground: Canteen, Building Services/Property/Facilities Management & Sourcing
- Ground Floor: Marketing (South) Meeting Area (North) & Reception/Security in Centre
- First Floor: Human Resources (South) Contracts (North)
- Second Floor: International Sales (South) Finance & Chief Executive's Office (North)
- Third Floor: National Sales (South) Design (North)
Other Services than Retail are Insurance Sales. Each department is managed by a Department Head and Each Department Head has a Personal Assistant
Broadcast and reception
The show did not receive good reviews. Tim Walker of The IndependentThe Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
stated that the shows rival in the same timeslot, BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
show The Street
The Street (TV series)
The Street is a British television drama series created by Jimmy McGovern and produced by Granada Television for the BBC. The series follows the lives of various residents of an unnamed street in Manchester and features an all-star cast including Timothy Spall, Jim Broadbent, Jane Horrocks, Bob...
was "a darn sight more interesting than watching Fay Ripley walk into doors". Walker said that the show was filled with shots of Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, saying that the show was purely "advertising it as an attractive nightlife destination" or "to prove beyond doubt that ITV was fulfilling its obligations to the regions." (something that may have been fitting with ITV mothballing many parts of its Leeds Studios the same year). Sam Wollaston of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
also criticised the show saying that it was "lame and laboured, tired and predictable".
The poor reception was reflected in the shows ratings, the show bringing in 3.7 million, a 16% viewing share, six percent and 1.3 million viewers lower than The Street. The show, however, was second in its timeslot, beating the other three terrestrial
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
channels in the slot. Despite being second in the timeslot, the show was down on the 5.6 million for ITV1's channel slot average so far in 2009.
Not helping matters in terms of viewing figures was the fact that STV continued its recent trend of declining high-ticket ITV productions, thereby avoiding having to contribute to the production cost on a pro rata basis, and so Scottish viewers of terrestrial broadcasts were unable to view the series. The series average, based on overnight ratings was 2.90m, equating to a 13.2% viewing share.
| Date | Overnight rating (millions) |
Share | Official rating (millions) |
Weekly rank | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 3.65 | 16.2% | 3.81 | 19 | ||
| Episode 2 | 3.40 | 15.0% | 3.20 | 24 | ||
| Episode 3 | 2.62 | 12.1% | n/a | 30+ | ||
| Episode 4 | 2.63 | 12.2% | n/a | 30+ | ||
| Episode 5 | 2.68 | 12.3% | 2.69 | 28 | ||
| Episode 6 | 2.47 | 11.3% | 2.54 | 29 | ||
| Episode 7 | 2.84 | 13.2% | 2.86 | 24 |
International broadcast
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, this programme aired each Friday at 8:30pm on ABC2
ABC2
ABC2 is a national public television channel in Australia. Launched on 7 March 2005, it is the responsibility of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's television division, and is available nationally to digital television viewers in Australia...
from 28 January 2011.
In Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, this programme aired on Fox Life. In the United States the show is on Hulu.com and currently available via NetFlix.