Prospects
GenreComedy drama
Created byAlan Janes
StarringGary Olsen
Brian Bovell
Theme music composerRay Dorset
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes12
Production
ProducerGteg Smith
Running time50 minutes
Production companyEuston Films
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release19 February (1986-02-19) 
7 May 1986 (1986-05-07)

Prospects is a British television comedy-drama series written by Alan Janes and originally released on Channel 4 in 1986. The show was created by Euston Films, who were known for producing gritty dramas such as The Sweeney and Minder. Prospects followed the comic exploits of two East End 'geezer' characters, Jimmy 'Pincy' Pince and Billy 'Bill' Pearson, played by Gary Olsen and Brian Bovell respectively, Prospects showcases the pair's trials and tribulations of making a living in London's Isle of Dogs.

Comprising 12 episodes, Prospects was delivered with a comic slant and dealt with many of the major issues affecting British society at the height of the "Thatcherite" '80s. Such issues included unemployment, crime, poverty, regeneration, social change, and racism.[1]

The theme tune was written and composed by Ray Dorset. Although the vocals were meant to be sung by Roger Daltrey, the producers liked Dorset's demo enough that they asked him to do the vocals.[2]

The show featured actors such as Ken Jones (Porridge) and Billy Hartman (Emmerdale).

Prospects gained a cult following and, rating-wise, it performed well above expectations for Channel 4. In 1986, Channel 4 received a large subsidy from the rival commercial network ITV in exchange for the right to sell airtime; this gave ITV 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 9 pm prime-time repeat slot on ITV in the Spring/Summer of 1987.[3] This fueled rumours that the network wanted to develop Prospects into a long-running comedy-drama series, but ITV declined the opportunity to develop it beyond the original first 12-episode series.

Cast

Episodes

No. in
series
TitleDirectorOriginal air date
1"The P to S Day"John Crome19 February 1986 (1986-02-19)
Billy and Pincy set up a dating agency and burglar alarm company but as always, they seem to spend their time getting out of scrapes.
2"Partners in Brine"John Crome26 February 1986 (1986-02-26)
Pincy has big dreams of setting up a marina and theme park in the Isle of Dogs, but has a problems with money.
3"Uncle Harry's System"Ian Tonyton5 March 1986 (1986-03-05)
Pincy, 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'.
4"Dirty Weekend"Ian Tonyton12 March 1986 (1986-03-12)
Billy, Pincy and their girlfriends embark on an ill-fated camping holiday.
5"Rodent Engineers"Peter Ellis19 March 1986 (1986-03-19)
Billy and Pincy set up a pest control business and claim to eliminate an epidemic of 'hyper mice' that have infested the Isle of Dogs.
6"Standing On Your Own One Foot"Peter Ellis19 March 1986 (1986-03-19)
Billy and Pincy 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.
7"Subterranean Pig Sick Blues"John Crome2 April 1986 (1986-04-02)
Pincy thinks he can pull off the 'perfect' bank robbery, whilst also launching a scam involving dirty magazines, but things don't quite go as planned.
8"Frying Tonight"John Crome9 April 1986 (1986-04-09)
Billy and Pincy get a job at their local chip shop. However, things spiral out of control when they give marriage guidance advice to the owner George.
9"Four Men in a Boat"Bernard Rose16 April 1986 (1986-04-16)
Billy and Pincy get hired to work as waiters on a wedding boat.
10"Follow the Yellow Brick Lane"Bernard Rose23 April 1986 (1986-04-23)
Billy falls in love with Bev (Hazel O'Connor) a headstrong singer dreaming of becoming a pop star.
11"Running all the Way - Part 1"James Hill20 April 1986 (1986-04-20)
A police 'fit up' sees Billy and Pincy get sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit, disliking the prison life, they escape.
12"Running all the Way - Part 2"James Hill7 May 1986 (1986-05-07)
Billy and Pincy find life hard on the run and start work for 'Tubby' a local gangster who has a feud with 'Stretch' another gangster who was last seen in episode 7. They realize that serving time in prison may have been more ideal than a choosing a life on the run.

DVD release

All 12 episodes were given an official Region 2 DVD release by Network on 25 March 2013.[4]

References

  1. "Prospects (TV Series)". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  2. Marcus, Laurence (21 January 2019). "Prospects". Television Heaven.
  3. "TV". Reading Evening Post. 11 May 1987. p. 2.
  4. "Prospects: The Complete Series". Network. 25 March 2013.
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