Prospects (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Prospects is a British television comedy drama series that was written by Alan Janes and originally shown on Channel 4
in 1986. Created by Euston Films
who had a pedigree of producing successful, gritty drama such as The Sweeney
and Minder
, it followed the exploits of two East End 'geezer' characters - Jimmy 'Pincey' Pince played by Gary Olsen
and Billy played by Brian Bovell
and their trials and tribulations of making a living in London
's Isle of Dogs
.
Comprising 12 episodes Prospects - with a comic slant, dealt with many of the major issues affecting British society at the height of the "Thatcherite
" '80's including unemployment, crime, poverty, regeneration, social change and racism.
Prospects gained a cult following and ratings wise it performed well above expectation for Channel 4. At that time Channel Four received a large subsidy from the rival commercial network ITV
in exchange for the right to sell airtime
; this gave ITV a significant input into the management of the station. The success of Prospects and the fact that it was produced by a subsidiary of the ITV network's largest station Thames Television
meant it was moved to a 9pm prime-time repeat slot on ITV in the Spring/Summer of 1987. This fuelled rumours that the network wanted to develop Prospects into a long-running comedy drama series. However despite seeing potential ITV declined the opportunity to develop it beyond the original first series.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in 1986. Created by Euston Films
Euston Films
Euston Films was a British film and television production company. It was a subsidiary company of Thames Television, and operated from the 1970s to the 1990s, producing various series for Thames, which were screened nationally on the ITV network...
who had a pedigree of producing successful, gritty drama such as The Sweeney
The Sweeney
The Sweeney is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London...
and Minder
Minder (TV series)
Minder is a British comedy-drama about the London criminal underworld. Initially produced by Verity Lambert, it was made by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television and shown on ITV...
, it followed the exploits of two East End 'geezer' characters - Jimmy 'Pincey' Pince played by Gary Olsen
Gary Olsen
Gary Olsen was an English actor.Olsen was born in London and lived with an aunt and uncle, after losing both his parents at an early age. He attended the Archbishop Tenison's Church of England School in Kennington...
and Billy played by Brian Bovell
Brian Bovell
Brian Bovell is an English actor.He has appeared regularly on television since 1980, as well as featuring in the cult film Babylon released the same year. He has also appeared in the play Where There Is Darkness in 1981, winning the 1982 London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Supporting...
and their trials and tribulations of making a living in 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...
's Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs is a former island in the East End of London that is bounded on three sides by one of the largest meanders in the River Thames.-Etymology:...
.
Comprising 12 episodes Prospects - with a comic slant, dealt with many of the major issues affecting British society at the height of the "Thatcherite
Thatcherism
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990...
" '80's including unemployment, crime, poverty, regeneration, social change and racism.
Prospects gained a cult following and ratings wise it performed well above expectation for Channel 4. At that time Channel Four received a large subsidy from the rival commercial network ITV
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...
in exchange for the right to sell airtime
Airtime
Airtime is a free and open source radio management application for remote broadcast automation , and program exchange between radio stations.-History:...
; this gave ITV a significant input into the management of the station. The success of Prospects and the fact that it was produced by a subsidiary of the ITV network's largest station Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
meant it was moved to a 9pm prime-time repeat slot on ITV in the Spring/Summer of 1987. This fuelled rumours that the network wanted to develop Prospects into a long-running comedy drama series. However despite seeing potential ITV declined the opportunity to develop it beyond the original first series.
Episodes
The 12 episodes of Prospects followed Billy and Pincey's exploits as follows:- Episode 1 The P to S Day - Billy and Pincey set up a dating agency and burglar alarm company but as ever seem to spend their time getting out of scrapes.
- Episode 2 Partners in Brine - Pincey has big dreams of setting up a marina and theme park in the Isle of Dogs - not bad when your only collateral is your weekly 'dole' cheque.
- Episode 3 Uncle Harry's System - Pincey despite Billy's cynicism believes he's discovered a guaranteed greyhound betting system. However they end up in very hot water both with 'Uncle Harry's' system and losing £500 they were minding for local villain 'Stretch'.
- Episode 4 Dirty Weekend - Billy, Pincey and their girlfriends embark on an ill-fated camping holiday which makes Billy question his mobility in society and tests his friendship with Pincey.
- Episode 5 Rodent Engineers - Billy and Pincey set up a pest control business with the ability they claim to eliminate an epidemic of 'hyper mice' that have infected the Isle of Dogs.
- Episode 6 Standing on Your Own One Foot - Billy and Pincey move to a new flat. However it proves an unhappy move after they have a run-in with the area's racist local councillor and his cronies.
- Episode 7 Subterranean Pig Sick Blues - Pincey think's he can to pull off the 'perfect' bank robbery, whilst also launching a scam involving dirty magazines. However things don't quite go to plan.
- Episode 8 Frying Tonight - Billy and Pincey get a job at their local chip shop. However things spiral out of control when they give marriage guidance advice to the owner George.
- Episode 9 Four Men in a Boat - Billy and Pincey get casual work as waiters on a wedding boat.
- Episode 10 Follow the Yellow Brick Lane - Billy falls in love with Bev a headstrong singer dreaming of pop stardom. Episode features Hazel O'ConnorHazel O'ConnorHazel O'Connor is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of a soldier from Galway who settled in England after World War II to work in a car plant...
. - Episode 11 Running all the Way Part One - A police 'fit up' sees Billy and Pincey get sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit.
- Episode 12 Running all the Way Part Two - Billy and Pincey escape from prison. However doing their time in prison may have been a better idea than choosing a life on the run.