Two shows, originally intended as pilot programmes for a sitcom starring Cannon and Ball. It was intended to record six shows, but ITV decided to make a series of Plaza Patrol (the pilot show for Plaza Patrol became the second in the series). The other three shows were never made.
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Free Every Friday |
Aired 10th September 1991
Bobby played Norman Tubby, the reporter for the ‘Althorp Claxton and Advertiser’, a local free paper. Tommy was Ken Osborne, the manager, who had been bought the newspaper by his rich wife Annette. Annette is not impressed by how well the paper is doing and wants Norman (who was hired by Ken because they knew each other at school) sacked. The ‘Claxton’ also has a bigger, better, rival, the ‘Post’.
The main storyline for the episode is the fact that none of the local restaurants advertise in the Claxton. They decide to run an advertising feature, so Norman goes to visit each restaurant to sample their wares. The food is generally terrible, but the paper cannot give them a bad write up as they need the advertising. The day the issue is printed they are admiring the double page spread when Annette comes in brandishing a copy of the ‘Post’. It carried the news that two local restaurants (both of which got a 5* rating in the Claxton) had been closed in a late night swoop over hygiene standards.
Writers
Richard Lewis and Louis Robinson
Cast
| Tommy Cannon | Ken Osbourne |
| Bobby Ball | Norman Tubbs |
| Emma Davies | Julia Parker-Smith |
| Kim Hartman | Annete Osbourne |
| Ellis Jones | Francoise |
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Growing Concern |
Aired 27th August 1991
Bobby is Barnes, a slighty incapable maintenance man with a catchphrase of “I ‘ave’nt got the right tools with me”. Tommy plays Tommy Davenport, the personnel manager. At the start of the show Barnes is sacked by Davenport, who is later sacked himself. Times are hard, and Barnes is forced to go knocking on doors to ask if people have jobs they need doing. Davenport initially doesn’t tell his wife he’s lost his job, then says he resigned. He takes a job in Jimmys Burger Bar. Eventually they meet when Barnes knocks on Davenports door. Over a cup of tea Tommys wife suggests that between them they have the management and practical skills to set up in business together. They do this, and win a contract from the council.
Writers
Paul Minett and Brian Leveson
Cast
| Tommy Cannon | Tommy Davenport | Bobby Ball | Bobby Barnes | |
| Sherrie Hewson | Beryl Davenport | Keith Marsh | Alf | |
| Janet Rawson | Julia | Paula-Ann Bland | Heather | |
| Siobhan Finneran | Carol |
Series Credits
| Music | Alan Hawkshaw | Casting Director | Angela Caird | |
| Production Assistant | Lesley Kirk | Floor Manager | David Nightingale | |
| Stage Manager | Terry Knowles | Production Buyer | Bob Bayne | |
| Graphics | Karen Webber | Studio Supervisor | Graham Baines | |
| Vision Mixer | Karen Hall Carter | Vision Control | Brian Abrams | |
| Video Tape Editor | John Allen | Make-Up | Pam Raysen | |
| Costume | Brian Castle | Senior Cameraman (Free Every Friday) | Norman Chadderton | |
| Senior Cameraman (Growing Concern) | Colin Philpott | Sound | Keith Hargreaves | |
| Lighting | Peter Hardman | Designer (Free Every Friday) | Robert Scott | |
| Designer (Growing Concern) | Tony Jones | Executive Producer (Free Every Friday only) | Baz Taylor | |
| Producer and Director | Graham Wetherell |