If ever there was a success story for the '70's, it surely was the career of actor John Alderton. After quitting the role of teacher Bernard Hedges in 'Please Sir!' in 1971 ( though he popped up in three early episodes of the spin-off 'The Fenn Street Gang' ), he went on to appear in a string of hit shows, including 'Upstairs, Downstairs', 'My Wife Next Door', 'Wodehouse Playhouse', 'Thomas & Sarah', and of course this.
'The Upchat Line' was a witty seven-part Thames sitcom written by Keith Waterhouse, author of 'Billy Liar'. The lead character, Mike Upchat, shares similarities with young Fisher, namely in that he has a weakness for girls, and for telling the truth. Upchat said he was a writer, but had had nothing published ( "My publishers are unreasonable. They won't publish a title unless there's a book to go with it.". ). He was homeless, and kept his few possessions in a luggage locker in Marylebone Station. Being blessed with 'the gift of the gab', getting accommodation for the night was a breeze for him. All he had to do was find a pretty girl, use his chat-up technique, and bingo, he'd be in her bed. In the opening scene of the first episode, he is seen leaving Buckingham Palace of all places. He goes to a party and after spending the night with Wanda Ventham, discovers that her husband - a Black Belt in karate - has come home unexpectedly early. In another, Upchat has the staff of a city department store believing he has worked there for years, whereas in reality he only started the job that morning. In yet another, he goes to hospital and everyone takes him for a doctor.
The show depended for much of its appeal on Alderton's charm. Upchat could smooth talk his way out of any difficult situation, using lies to impress attractive women and, when in danger of being found out, using lies to get himself out of trouble. His lack of social responsibilities made his lifestyle one to be envied. Alderton played a similar character in 'Sprout', a comedy pilot from 1974 by future 'Shelley' creator Peter Tilbury.
Upchat's on-screen conquests included Gabrielle Drake, Sue Lloyd, Susan Jameson and Liza Goddard. Sexist? Absolutely. But undeniably amusing. The catchy ragtime signature tune was by 'Wombles' composer/performer Mike Batt.
The humour was unusually sophisticated by I.T.V. standards ( hailing from the era of 'Oh No Its Selwyn Froggitt' and 'The Rag Trade' ), and felt more like a B.B.C.-2 series. Nevertheless, it was a ratings hit, and, by rights, should have run and run. But there were behind the scenes problems.
Being a perfectionist, Alderton had a habit of refusing to do scripts he did not approve of, and would return for rewrites those he was unhappy with. When he did this on 'The Upchat Line', Waterhouse was livid. The author made his anger public: "He ( Alderton ) changed so much in one episode that I considered taking my name off it.". His next words came as a bitter blow to fans: "I won't write for him again. I never realised how bloody awkward he can be.".
With Alderton out of the show, the search was on for a new 'Mike Upchat'. Whoever took on the role needed to be funny, sexy and charming. They eventually settled on Robin Nedwell, then fresh from a long stint on L.W.T.'s 'Doctor' series in which he played 'Dr.Duncan Waring'.
As if in acknowledgment of the change in lead actor, the show was retitled 'The Upchat Connection'.
'The Upchat Line' was a witty seven-part Thames sitcom written by Keith Waterhouse, author of 'Billy Liar'. The lead character, Mike Upchat, shares similarities with young Fisher, namely in that he has a weakness for girls, and for telling the truth. Upchat said he was a writer, but had had nothing published ( "My publishers are unreasonable. They won't publish a title unless there's a book to go with it.". ). He was homeless, and kept his few possessions in a luggage locker in Marylebone Station. Being blessed with 'the gift of the gab', getting accommodation for the night was a breeze for him. All he had to do was find a pretty girl, use his chat-up technique, and bingo, he'd be in her bed. In the opening scene of the first episode, he is seen leaving Buckingham Palace of all places. He goes to a party and after spending the night with Wanda Ventham, discovers that her husband - a Black Belt in karate - has come home unexpectedly early. In another, Upchat has the staff of a city department store believing he has worked there for years, whereas in reality he only started the job that morning. In yet another, he goes to hospital and everyone takes him for a doctor.
The show depended for much of its appeal on Alderton's charm. Upchat could smooth talk his way out of any difficult situation, using lies to impress attractive women and, when in danger of being found out, using lies to get himself out of trouble. His lack of social responsibilities made his lifestyle one to be envied. Alderton played a similar character in 'Sprout', a comedy pilot from 1974 by future 'Shelley' creator Peter Tilbury.
Upchat's on-screen conquests included Gabrielle Drake, Sue Lloyd, Susan Jameson and Liza Goddard. Sexist? Absolutely. But undeniably amusing. The catchy ragtime signature tune was by 'Wombles' composer/performer Mike Batt.
The humour was unusually sophisticated by I.T.V. standards ( hailing from the era of 'Oh No Its Selwyn Froggitt' and 'The Rag Trade' ), and felt more like a B.B.C.-2 series. Nevertheless, it was a ratings hit, and, by rights, should have run and run. But there were behind the scenes problems.
Being a perfectionist, Alderton had a habit of refusing to do scripts he did not approve of, and would return for rewrites those he was unhappy with. When he did this on 'The Upchat Line', Waterhouse was livid. The author made his anger public: "He ( Alderton ) changed so much in one episode that I considered taking my name off it.". His next words came as a bitter blow to fans: "I won't write for him again. I never realised how bloody awkward he can be.".
With Alderton out of the show, the search was on for a new 'Mike Upchat'. Whoever took on the role needed to be funny, sexy and charming. They eventually settled on Robin Nedwell, then fresh from a long stint on L.W.T.'s 'Doctor' series in which he played 'Dr.Duncan Waring'.
As if in acknowledgment of the change in lead actor, the show was retitled 'The Upchat Connection'.