You have to remember that these shows are of their time and should be viewed as such. I really enjoyed Minder, great acting and storyline’s. I also loved Till Death Do Us Part, but it wouldn’t fly today.
Auf Wiedersehen Pet was a close second at the time. I have the box set of Love Thy Neighbour, Minder comes a close second to this. I don't know why UK Gold never showed it for the adoring millions.
If you watch series 1-5 back you will see a Who’s Who of British post war screen talent guesting in Minder. Just from memory - Roy Kinnear Max Wall Beryl Reid Diana Dors Rula Lenkska Ray Winstone Maurice Denham Charles Dance Art Malik There are dozens more. A stellar ensemble cast, Dave from the Winchester, Charlie Chisholm, Ronnie Rycott etc . The humour was a little off colour at times in today’s paltry terms, but none the worse for it.
First up; Most iconic shows - as @Dick Plumb1 has said - are of their time. And they have their time. Dr Who was at it's best A) during the early 1970's - the homages to Quatermass with Jon Pertwee & plucky UNIT soldiers fighting alien invaders B) during the mid & late 1970's - the Gothic Horror tales featuring Tom Baker. After 1980 it went into serious decline. Only Fools & Horses ran for far, far too long in my view. Everything after Grandad passed on was over the hill as far as I was concerned. Essentially shallow characters explored in far too much sentimental depth, which they never had in the first place. The Sweeney & Minder - both of their eras. Both have aged reasonably well, but are obviously dated now. The former so anachronistic now it was the blueprint for Life on Mars - which I did enjoy. The Professionals on the other hand, has aged very badly in my view. As a kid I enjoyed watching it, but I find most episodes unwatchable now. Two shows which have lasted the test - as in not really aged at all (for me) are Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army. The former was only 17 episodes I think? Which makes it even more iconic. The latter was what I regard as the perfect British comedy. Perfect casting. A collection of wonderful actors. Great characters - caricatures yes, but with subtlety and depth as well. A perfect mixture of amusement at their bumbling, huge affection for their old fashioned ways, and admiration for their bravery and bulldog spirit. I could watch Dad's Army episodes forever, and never get tired of them. As with The Sweeney, I enjoy remembering how much I liked Minder when I watched it 40 years ago, more than I enjoy actually watching it now. And none of these shows should ever be re-made
She guested in Minder a record three times. Left DW after he knocked her about. Without wishing to name drop (ok, I will) , she’s a neighbour of mine. Must be about 80 now but still in reasonable shape.
There’s was a social media site that did a “then & now” on three landmarks from Minder - Arthur’s car lot Fulham police station The Winchester All have now gone. A reminder of how reckless we have been throwing away our heritage. I was thinking of my fav 4 episodes - 3. Arthur gets a greyhound in lieu of non payment, and trains it in the local park by putting sausage on a string & getting Terry to run with it. The greyhound turns out to be useless. 2. Max Wall plays an old lag who Arthur meets at the prison gates on his release. He strings Arthur along that he’s got buried treasure, getting Arthur to pay for the best hotels & finest clothes while he remembers where is is buried. 4. Arthur fakes his own death to dodge the tax man. Stays in a B&B in disguise, where the randy land lady (his real life wife) dislodges his disguise 1 - my fave. “The Syrup” (a bald Winchester regular with a terrible wig) pinches Arthur’s fake £20 notes, and treats himself to a “Roger Moore deluxe” wig
You can still visit the exteriors of two Winchesters. And Terry's first flat is well worth the trip. You can stand where the coffin slid down the steps and 'My name is Albert' Chisholm arrives. Brilliant.
Of course the Terry years are perfect, but don't discount some of the Ray episodes. They are worth watching just for Arthur's escapades. The Cruel Canal is sublime.
