John Esmonde (Writing)

Down to Earth

Down to Earth is a British television situation comedy, aired in 1995 on BBC One. It was devised by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey and starred Richard Briers, who also featured in Esmonde and Larbey's earlier series The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles. One series consisting of seven episodes was produced.

Release Date:1995-01-05

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:1

Mulberry

Mulberry was a fantasy situation comedy airing on BBC One in the early 1990s. The creative team behind the programme included writers John Esmonde and Bob Larbey. Mulberry ran for two series: the first series of six episodes ran from 24 February to 30 March 1992 and the second series of seven episodes ran from 8 April to 25 May 1993. A third series was planned, but was cancelled before production began. As a result, Mulberry never arrived at its logical conclusion.

Release Date:1992-02-24

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:13

Vote Count:5

Hope It Rains

After the deaths of her parents, Jace moves in with her godfather Harry, who runs a waxwork museum in a seaside town. He hopes the weather will change for the worse to attract custom.

Release Date:1991-06-03

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:13

Vote Count:1

On the Up

On the Up is a British sitcom written by Bob Larbey about a self-made millionaire and his staff of domestic helpers who he treats like family, much to the annoyance of his upper class wife. The show ran for three series, from 1990 to 1992.

Release Date:1990-09-04

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:4

Brush Strokes

Jacko (Karl Howman) is a painter and decorator with an eye for the ladies. He works with Eric (Mike Walling), who's married to his sister Jean (Nicky Croydon). The painting and decorating firm they work for is owned by Lionel Bainbridge (Gary Waldhorn). Other characters include Lionel's wife, Veronica (Elizabeth Counsell), his daughter Lelsey (Kim Thomson, later Erika Hoffman) and wine bar owner Elmo Putney (Howard Lew Lewis).

Release Date:1986-09-01

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:40

Vote Count:12

Ever Decreasing Circles

Martin Bryce lives in a quiet suburban close with his wife Anne. He does his best to "organise" the leisure time of all of the other inhabitants of the close, running umpteen societies and doing "good works". He's is quite happy with his lot until Paul Ryman moves in next door.

Release Date:1984-01-29

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:13

A Fine Romance

A Fine Romance is a British situation comedy starring husband-and-wife team Judi Dench and Michael Williams. Dench's sister was played by Susan Penhaligon. It was produced by London Weekend Television and written by Bob Larbey. It was first broadcast on 8 November 1981. It lasted for 26 episodes over four series; the final episode being broadcast on 17 February 1984. The series takes its name from a song in the 1936 film Swing Time, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, which Dench recorded as the theme music. The series was nominated for nine BAFTA British Academy Television Awards and a winner of two, both for Dench's performance in 1982 and 1985.

Release Date:1981-11-01

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:6

A Touch of the Tiny Hacketts

Three a.m. A crash of breaking glass ... the slow creak of a door opening ... is it a burglar? Raymond Collis finds out the hard way.

Release Date:1978-10-31

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

The Other One

Two passengers meet in reception at Gatwick airport. Although unknown to each other, they find they are on the same flight and staying in the same hotel. Two characters as different as chalk and cheese have a series of misadventures on holiday in Spain.

Release Date:1977-11-11

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:1

Get Some In!

Get Some In! is a British comedy series set in the 1950's that focused on the Royal Air Force National Service. The show was broadcast between 1975 and 1978 by Thames Television. Scripts were by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, the team behind the BBC TV sitcom The Good Life. The programme drew its inspiration from late 1950s/early 1960s National Service situation-comedy The Army Game, and from nostalgic BBC TV sitcom Dad's Army, but the RAF setting gave it enough originality not to seem formulaic. Thirty-four half-hour episodes were made. The series has never been repeated in full on terrestrial TV, although the UKTV Gold cable channel has aired the episodes uncut.

Release Date:1975-10-16

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:4

The Good Life

Tom and Barbara Good escape the rat race and pursue a self-sufficient lifestyle in Surbiton, much to the concern, frustration and sometimes envy of their neighbours Margo and Jerry Leadbetter. Entitled ‘Good Neighbors’ when shown in the USA.

Release Date:1975-04-04

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:28

Vote Count:39

Bowler

Released from prison after serving a prison sentence, Stanley Bowler sets about trying to 'better' himself. The basic premise of the series revolves around Bowler's attempts to develop a more cultured personality, as he tries to understand the fine arts, and to move into higher social circles.

Release Date:1973-07-29

Department:Crew

Job:Creator

Episode Count:13

Vote Count:1

The Fenn Street Gang

The Fenn Street Gang is a British television sitcom which ran for three seasons between 1971 and 1973. The series was created by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, it was spun-off from their Please Sir! series.

Release Date:1971-09-17

Department:Creator

Job:Creator

Vote Count:3

Please Sir!

Mr. Hedges, the somewhat naive and idealistc teacher of the rebellious Class 5C, lobbies to have them allowed on the school camping trip despite much precedent to the contrary. Once on the camping trip Mr. Hedges pursues the local barmaid and the class indulge in their usual activities. A small feud with some stereotypical upper class children in red blazers is resolved with a false rape allegation. A case of some stolen money is resolved through Mr. Hedges trusting the class. At the final dance Mr. Hedges is ensnared in the romantic clutches of Miss Cutforth, contrary to his wishes.

Release Date:1971-05-01

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:21

Please Sir!

Please Sir! is a London Weekend Television produced situation comedy, created by writers John Esmonde and Bob Larbey and featured the actors John Alderton, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Noel Howlett, Erik Chitty and Richard Davies. The series ran for 55 episodes between 1968 and 1972.

Release Date:1968-11-08

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Episode Count:38

Vote Count:9