Hold the Sunset

Hold the Sunset
Series titles over a couple looking at a sunset
Genre Sitcom
Written by Charles McKeown
Directed by Sandy Johnson
Starring John Cleese
Alison Steadman
Jason Watkins
Rosie Cavaliero
Peter Egan
Anne Reid
Joanna Scanlan
James Cosmo
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 6
Production
Executive producer(s) Chris Sussman
Producer(s) Humphrey Barclay
Moira Williams
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) BBC Studios
Release
Original network BBC One
Picture format 16:9 1080p
Audio format Stereo
Original release 18 February 2018 (2018-02-18) – present
External links
Website

Hold the Sunset is a British television sitcom first broadcast on BBC One on 18 February 2018.[1]

Premise

The plot revolves around two retired neighbours, Phil (Cleese) and Edith (Steadman), who are both widowed and planning to start a new life together in Gozo. Those plans are scuppered when Edith's 49-year-old son Roger (Watkins), moves back into his mother's house after walking out on his wife and their two teenage children.

Cast

DVD release

The first series was released on 26 March 2018.[2]

Reception

The series has received predominantly negative reviews with 5.2/10 on IMDb, 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45% of Google users liking the show (March 2018).

Criticism was particularly aimed at the series' dated plot and gags, and for Roger's unlikeability.

Episodes

Series 1 (2018)

Episode 1: Bubbly: 18 February

Edith is a 69-year-old retired widow who lives on her own in a semi-detached house in middle-class suburbia. Her boyfriend Phil is a widower who lives on his own across the road. Phil tries to persuade her to marry, each sell their houses and move to a warm climate together. Her immature 49-year-old son Roger unexpectedly arrives with his bags, delighted in telling her that he has left his unpleasant wife Wendy after 19 unhappy years with her. He also says how happy he is to have left his twin teenage children Jason and Jennifer, as well as his job at the bank. He is horrified when Edith tells him that his father disposed of many of his possessions years ago, which Roger believes were valuable. Edith and Phil are annoyed at Roger's return and his childish behaviour. He plans to visit their neighbour Annie, with whom he was friends when they were children - believing that they should be a couple. Edith informs him that she moved to Canada years ago. Wendy arrives and Roger hides in the shed, then becomes stuck whilst trying to climb through a window in the house. Wendy confronts Roger as he is stuck, then Edith tells her to leave as Edith frees him from the window. Viewers: 7.19 m

Episode 2: Birthday: 25 February

Edith's daughter Sandra visits for Edith's 70th birthday and suggests that Edith sell her house and move in with her. Sandra also asks her for £50,000 to help with her businesses. Roger and Sandra are both horrified at Edith and Phil's plan to marry. Roger tells Phil that Desiree, who stalked Phil, is back in the area, driving a delivery van. Phil tells Roger to go back to Wendy and informs him that he and Edith are planning to move to Gozo. Edith is horrified at Roger hiring Queenie Gale, whom Edith disliked when she did housework for Edith decades ago. Roger suggests to Edith that he continue to live in the house and that she not sell it. Phil supports Roger's proposal, because Roger will otherwise order a delivery from Desiree's company, bringing her to the house. Wendy arrives, angry that Roger has sold their car. Viewers: 5.81 m

Episode 3: The Marriage Counsellor: 4 March

Mrs Gale tells Edith and Wendy that she was a marriage counsellor in Tasmania and can help repair Roger and Wendy's marriage. Both women oppose that, and Wendy is intending to divorce Roger. However, Mrs Gale separately pressures the couple to reunite. They do so briefly, but minutes later Wendy cannot bear Roger's childishness and phones Phil to tell him that the reconciliation is off and that she does not want to see Mrs Gale again. Edith and Phil go on a seaside weekend break together. Viewers: 5.96 m

Episode 4: The Burglary: 11 March

Viewers: 4.47 m

Episode 5: Roger the Carer: 18 March

Viewers: 4.06 m

Episode 6: Old Flames: 25 March

Viewers: 4.15 m

Series 2

Series 2 began filming in September 2018.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Allen, Ben (19 February 2018). "6m watch John Cleese comeback sitcom Hold the Sunset – but the reviews are mixed". Radio Times. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Hold the Sunset". HMV. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  3. ↑ Filming starts on Hold the Sunset series 2
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