The Green Green Grass
The Green Green Grass is a British sitcom created and initially written by John Sullivan, and a spin-off of Only Fools and Horses. First broadcast in September 2005, a fourth series is currently in production to be broadcast in 2008 which will consist of seven episodes and a Christmas special.
[edit] Background
The series is a spin-off from the long-running sitcom Only Fools And Horses and focuses upon two of the supporting characters from that series, Boycie and Marlene, and their son,Tyler, as they move from London to the countryside. The series notably expands on the characters, giving them greater depth and - particularly in the case of Boycie - more warmth and humanity than they displayed in Only Fools and Horses. Sullivan had considered a spin-off about Boycie and Marlene as far back as the mid-late 1980s, but it was almost two decades before it was decided to go ahead with the project. The confirmation that the 2003 Only Fools And Horses Christmas special would be the last was much of the reason for Sullivan moving on to the new project.
The series was the first programme to be made by Sullivan's company Shazam Productions, and it is shot in High-Definition format (the first multi-camera British TV show to be made this way), and as a result is simulcast on BBC HD.
Boycie and Marlene have always been a warring couple, and every time they appeared together in Only Fools and Horses they were engaged in a game of snide one-upmanship. This was toned down considerably for The Green Green Grass, so the characters were more like an "ordinary" couple who sparred occasionally, but obviously felt deep affection for one another.
The only regular cast member of Only Fools and Horses to make a guest appearance was Denzil, who appeared in the first episode. Boycie has made veiled references to Del Boy and Uncle Albert on several occasions without actually using their names.
The writer, John Sullivan made it clear from the beginning that no other Only Fools and Horses characters would appear in the show; as he put it, if one character appears, viewers would expect the rest to follow, damaging the new show's ability to stand alone. However, Roy Heather appeared in a brief cameo in the 2005 Christmas Special reprising his irregular Only Fools character Sid, as have Roy Marsden and Christopher Ryan as the Driscoll Brothers in a number of episodes. John Sullivan indicated in February 2007, to the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society, that "some old faces may be seen over the next couple of series".
Unlike Only Fools and Horses, which was written exclusively by John Sullivan, the second and third series of The Green Green Grass had episodes written by Sullivan himself, along with Derren Litten, James Windett, Paul Alexander and John Sullivan's son, Jim Sullivan. Through his production company, Shazam Productions, Sullivan also intends to extend this assistance in later series to include additional actors, directors and technicians alongside co-writers.
Green Green Grass is filmed at Teddington Studios, Middlesex.
[edit] Guest appearances
In the series, Boycie is initially on the run from infamous London villains the Driscoll Brothers, and his only hope of living to old age is to escape before they catch up with him. So overnight he moves with his reluctant wife Marlene and dim-witted teenage son Tyler to a secluded farm in Shropshire, where he hopes they'll be safe.
Most of the storylines revolve around Boycie's attempts to make it as a successful gentleman farmer. His household staff of "country bumpkins" are secretly trying to avail themselves of Boycie's fortune. Elgin is the farm manager, Bryan is the herdsman, Jed is the ploughman, Mrs Cakeworthy is the lazy housekeeper, and fiercly Welsh Llewellyn is the neighbouring farmer. For instance, they persuaded him to pay wildly over the odds for a prize bull, which turned out to be gay - a joke which ran through several episodes.
The second series saw the development of the relationships between the Boyces and the Shropshire locals. Tyler was working hard at school, but not hard enough, so he enlisted another student to help him. This student tutor ended up fancying Marlene, until Boycie gave him the kiss of life and then the tutor realised it was Boycie that he fancied. Meanwhile, Tyler proposed to Beth with an old ring that Marlene got from a man in the 60s (presumably Del Boy), but Beth found out the ring was worthless and cancelled the engagement, although the two resumed dating.
Also in this series, Boycie ran for Mayor with the help of Elgin's dyslexic reporter and Jed's ugly kids. Llewellyn lost a pub quiz to Boycie when Tyler answered all of the questions correctly - much to the surprise of his parents. Mrs Cakeworthy started her on psychic sessions in the Manor House, and the Driscoll brothers found Boycie, with the help of Marlene's sister who had been dating them both. The Driscolls did not harm Boycie but stated that he and his family will be left untouched if they can use Boycie's land to hide something on. What they buried is still unknown.
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Series One (2005)
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director/s | Original Airdate
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep1">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Keep On Running" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>9 September 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie receives word that the Driscoll brothers have found it was him that got them put in prison. So Boycie sells his business and the house whilst his wife is at a health spa and his son is in France. The family arrive at their new home in Shropshire to find the locals slightly worrying and the history of Winterdown Farm slightly disturbing. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep2">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"A Rocky Start" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>16 September 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie decides he needs to show the people of Shropshire that he is not just an ordinary farmer, but a Gentleman farmer. So he buys a prize winning Bull called Rocky. It is later revealed that Rocky is a gay bull and he won prizes via artificial insemination. Meanwhile, Tyler can't seem to find a place to use his skateboard as there is nothing but grass everywhere... I hate the country... </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep3">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"The Country Wife" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>23 September 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Marlene tries her hand at country cooking, despite the warnings from her husband and her son. She demands Boycie goes and picks some berries of the many bushes in their fields. Whilst Boycie is picking berries he meets their next door neighbour - the mad Welsh man, Llewellyn, who later - after Rocky the bull goes onto his land - holds Rocky for ransom. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep4">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Hay Fever" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>30 September 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
As Boycie and Marlene are only just dealing with the fact they have a gay bull and a miserable next door neighbour, they can't be doing with Tyler around the house all day and all night either, so they think it's time he started at his new school. Meanwhile, Elgin orders a herd of cows as 'Farmer Boyce' instructed. But Marlene insists they buy only 6 cows and she is extremely annoyed when she arrives home and finds 300 cows on the farm. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep5">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Pillow Talk" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>7 October 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Marlene is having sleeping problems, ...I don't like it round here, it's too quiet. Not even that bloody Owl outside is helping her sleeping pattern, but one thing might - and only Boycie can provide that. That is until Boycie believes that Jed could do something different to help Mrs Boyce. Also in this episode, Tyler falls in love with his English teacher. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep6">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Sex And The Country" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>14 October 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Tyler approaches his English teacher and asks for a date. She declines, saying your education comes first! But this doesn't stop Tyler buying her a box of make up, which leads to his parents thinking he likes to dress up as a woman. In the end, Tyler makes it clear that it was a present for his teacher, which then heats things up as Marlene wants to give the English teacher what for. But Boycie goes to see her instead, and she makes it clear that she is not interested in Tyler, she only likes older men - so she is about to seduce Boycie when her father Llewellyn stumbles in on the two of them. Meanwhile, Elgin, Bryan, Jed and Mrs Cakeworthy concoct a potion for Rocky the bull, to make him more attracted to the female sex. Marlene then assumes it would make Boycie more sexually driven if he was to take a sip, so without him knowing she slips some in his coffee - But, what she doesn't know is that she gave him a different potion, and that Boycie has been drinking the same potion that the cows use to increase the size of their udders. </td></tr>
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[edit] Christmas Special (2005)
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director/s | Original airdate
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep7">7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"One Flew Over The Cuckoo Clock" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>25 December 2005</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie is invited to a country club ball for Christmas, along with royalty and other high up persons. Boycie meets two men who run a polo club, and tell Boycie that for a few million he could be a joint partner and within a year he would become a millionaire and be knighted as 'Sir Aubrey'. So they agree to spend Christmas together in Switzerland, but on Christmas Eve Boycie and Marlene can't make it to the airport as they are snowed in. So, they are forced to spend Christmas with Mrs Cakeworthy, Bryan, Jed and Llewellyn - as he is filling in for Elgin as farm manager because Elgin has gone into hospital. The TV shows a crime show revealing that the two men that were inviting Boycie to join their polo club were con men and the Driscoll brothers had followed them to Switzerland looking for Boycie because they saw his picture in a country magazine which mentioned where they would be that Christmas. So, Boycie insists that God looked after him and made it snow on purpose. So the Boyces are safe and sound, for now, and continue to celebrate Christmas Driscoll-brothers free... (50 Minutes) </td></tr>
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[edit] Series Two (2006)
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director/s | Original Airdate
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep8">8</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Testing Times" </td><td>Jim Sullivan</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>15 September 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie uses artificial fertilizer to increase the amount of crops he produces a year, but unfortunately for him his mad next door neighbour Llewellyn spots him hiding the artificial fertiliser and calls the European Union who come to inspect Boycie's farm. Boycie panics and believes he will be sent to prison, and Elgin, Byran and Jed add to his worries when they give him a sleeping potion that results in an abnormal amount of hair loss. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep9">9</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Here’s To You, Mrs Boyce" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>22 September 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Tyler needs another load of help on his school work, so a student-tutor comes to the house to try and help Tyler revise, although it's Marlene the student tutor puts his attention on. When this tutor makes a pass at Marlene, Boycie enters and mistakes the kiss for an epileptic fit, so Boycie - who is running for Mayor - attempts to revive the tutor with mouth to mouth - which leads to the tutor fancying Boycie instead. Meanwhile, Tyler tries to impress Beth by joining the school's rugby team. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep10">10</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Bothered And Bewildered" </td><td>Derren Litten</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>29 September 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
In this classic episode of series two of the much loved spin off, Boycie decides that it's time to sack one of his staff members as they are not doing enough work. So, it's Mrs Cakeworthy that is for the chop. As soon as Mrs Cakeworthy leaves, strange things start to happen around Winterdown Farm - and Elgin, Byran and Jed seem to believe that these strange goings-on have something to do with the curse that Mrs Cakeworthy put on Farmer Boyce, as she is apparently a witch. In the end it is Marlene who has been scaring Boycie - in an attempt to get Mrs Cakeworthy her job back. A classic quote in this episode from Boycie: Yes, but you seem to be forgetting that I haven't got a cock. In fact I haven't got any poultry whatsoever... </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep11">11</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Mother Earth" </td><td>Jim Sullivan</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>6 October 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Marlene tries to set up a massage and beauty parlour in the house, using Boycie as her guinea pig. During his therapy Marlene manages to semi-paralyse her husband whilst giving him a massage. Tyler and Beth are getting closer, but when Beth has been coming to the farm lately she has been seeing some strange goings-on involving Boycie and Marlene. It doesn't help matters when she sees Boycie totally naked in the living room of the house either! </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep12">12</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Schoolboy French" </td><td>James Windett</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>13 October 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Tyler has a French exchange student, Lawrence, coming to stay at the farm for a week, and all the ladies of the manor are excited as Lawrence is said to be a good looking young man, but when the student arrives its a girl called Lawrence and it is now the men of the farm that start to get excited. Especially Tyler and Boycie - who are both being seduced by this young French girl (much to the disgust of Beth and Marlene). When Marlene sends the French girl packing, Tyler says sorry to Beth, and asks her to marry him - she accepts. That is until she finds out the ring he gave her was a tacky fake that Marlene got off a bloke back in the sixties - Could that man have been Del Boy? </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep13">13</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"More Questions Than Answers" </td><td>Paul Alexander</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>20 October 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Llewellyn returns in this episode, challenging Boycie to a pub quiz whereby the loser will have to pay the winner a large sum of money, thanks to Elgin's constant bargaining on behalf of Boycie. The Boyces look set for a huge money loss when their team is nothing but Elgin, Byran and Jed. But when young Tyler turns up and answers all the 2nd round questions right, Winterdown Farm looks like it is set to have a bright, rich and rewarding future... </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep14">14</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Brothers And Sisters" </td><td>Derren Litten</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>27 October 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
When Marlene secretly invites her sister down to come and stay for the week, Boycie is angry and he reminds his wife that they are on the run from the Driscoll brothers who do want to shoot Boycie in the head. When Marlene's sister arrives, Bryan instantly falls in love with her. But Marlene's sister isn't the only one to be visiting the Boyces, as the Driscoll brothers have followed her and are prepared to let Boycie live if he lets them hide something on his open fields. So the Driscolls leave, to see Boycie's dog, Earl, digging up the ground where the Driscoll brothers' 'thing' is buried. </td></tr>
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[edit] Christmas Special (2006)
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director/s | Original airdate
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep15">15</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"From Here To Paternity" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Dewi Humphreys</td><td>25 December 2006</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
When Llewellyn arrives accusing the Boyce’s dog, Earl, of seducing his pedigree collie, Blodwyn, who is now pregnant, trouble starts to brew in the village. Boycie doesn't want his reputation to be scarred by having a sexually orientated pet. Things get a whole lot worse, when Mrs Cakeworthy overhears the Boyces talking about it and she assumes they’re talking about Tyler getting Beth pregnant. Then when Tyler overhears something being said he thinks that Mrs Cakeworthy is pregnant. Spiralling out of control, the rumours get more and more wild. Meanwhile, Mrs Cakeworthy is named Tai Chi Student of the Month, Tyler has a real Christmas surprise for Beth - a horse! Meanwhile Jed, Elgin and Bryan are convinced that the strange, terrible creature Old Bones has come back to stalk the land, consuming everything in its path. (45 Minutes) </td></tr>
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[edit] Series Three (2007)
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director/s | Original Airdate
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep16">16</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"But Is It Art?" </td><td>Jim Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>2 November 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie and Marlene take a trip to a local country mansion, where Boycie admires the portraits that adorn the walls. Later, in the pub, he recounts his admiration of this long established tradition of respect for the gentry. Meanwhile, thrown out by his wife, Elgin has moved into Bryan’s caravan and speculation about their change in relationship is fuelled by Mrs Cakeworthy’s relentless gossiping. Later the caravan burns down, and Boycie is horrified to find that Marlene has offered Bryan and Elgin a place to stay until it is fit to inhabit again. Still at the Grange a month later, Boycie despairs of ever getting rid of them, but they have a surprise in store - as a mark of their gratitude, they have commissioned a renowned local artist, Genevieve Klunge, to paint his portrait. Sadly for Boycie, Mrs Klunge is mainly renowned for her paintings of cows. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep17">17</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"The Lonely Herdsman" </td><td></td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>9 November 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
When Marlene drags Boycie and Tyler to visit her mother Dora, the battle lines are drawn. Spending the day away from the farm gives the staff freedom – well, more than they usually have to sit around doing almost nothing. The only exceptions being Bryan trying his hand at poetry to stop him feeling lonely and Mrs Cakeworthy surfing the net to help him find a solution. Guest starring June Whitfield. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep18">18</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"If You Go Down To The Woods" </td><td></td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>23 November 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Marlene is distraught when Earl the dog and Tyler both go missing. Boycie, Bryan and Jed form a search party, but entering the haunted woods with night drawing in soon confounds the rescuers causing them a wet, cold and miserable nights sleep on the woodland floor. Meanwhile, Tyler and Beth progress with their relationship. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep19">19</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Sweet Sorrow" </td><td></td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>30 November 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie and Marlene are flushed with pride as they dream of their son's golden future, but when Tyler's exam results let him down, it is the staff who provide the key to his career and get him motivated. Meanwhile, Boycie calls in a favour that will help Tyler get into University. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep20">20</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Fifteen Minutes" </td><td></td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>7 December 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie can't believe that his staff are auditioning for a reality TV show, but the lure of fame proves too much for him resist. Meanwhile, Marlene has some plans of her own for when he's away resulting in confusion when Boycie returns home in a hurry. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep21">21</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"The Final Curtain" </td><td></td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>14 December 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Boycie uncovers shocking information about his family tree and, with Tyler unexpectedly returning home from university, he is convinced something serious is afoot which could result in an early death. When Dora arrives he is reassured but is even more startled about what he is told. </td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep22">22</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"Lust In Translation" </td><td></td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>21 December 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
Bryan gets more than he bargained for when he meets his new love and the staff's loyalties are severely tested for the events that follow. Llewellyn seizes the opportunity of securing extra labour when Bryan’s lustful date arrives with her unexpected family in toe. </td></tr>
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[edit] Christmas Special (2007)
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director/s | Original airdate
<tr style="text-align: center; background:#F2F2F2"><td id="ep23">23</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">"The Special Relationship" </td><td>John Sullivan</td><td>Tony Dow</td><td>30 December 2007</td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom:3px solid #CCCCFF" colspan="5">
When the farmers find several unused weapons in the field, they discover that the farm was used as a US army base in the 1970s. Soon an American billionaire who once was stationed at the base arrives to check out the old place and is led to believe that Mrs Cakeworthy is his daughter. (40 Minutes) </td></tr>
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[edit] Series 4 (2008)
This series will consist of 7 episodes and a Christmas Special.
[edit] DVD releases
The first series of The Green Green Grass, including the 2005 Christmas Special, was released in Region 2 (UK) as a 2-disc set by BBC DVD & 2 Entertain Video while the second series was on air. The second series has been released on April the 7th 2008 with the 2006 Christmas Special included. The Series 3 DVD is rumoured to be released soon after the Series 2 DVD.
| DVD | Release date
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| The Complete First Series (2 discs) | 23 October 2006
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| The Complete Second Series (2 discs) | 7 April 2008
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| The Complete Third Series | T.B.A
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[edit] References
[edit] External links
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