One Foot in the Grave

30min

Comedy

One Foot in the Grave is a BBC television sitcom series The series features the exploits of Victor Meldrew and his long-suffering wife, Margaret. The programmes invariably deal with Meldrew's battle against the problems he creates for himself. Living in a typical household in an unnamed English suburb, Victor takes involuntary early retirement. His various efforts to keep himself busy, while encountering various misfortunes and misunderstandings are the themes of the sitcom. The series was largely filmed on location in Walkford, near New Milton in Hampshire, although several clues show that the series may have been set in Hampshire – possibly Winchester. Despite its traditional production, the series supplants its domestic sitcom setting with elements of black humour and surrealism.

Episodes

Cast

Alive and Buried

1. Alive and Buried

29min

4th Jan 1990

Victor Meldrew, 60 years old, is at last retiring from the rigors of his security guard job at Watson-Mycroft. Replaced by a talking machine, Victor soon discovers that retirement will give him just as many reasons to be grumpy.

The Big Sleep

2. The Big Sleep

28min

11th Jan 1990

As retirement throws more problems for Victor Meldrew's retirement, including a next-door neighbour's noisy party, a disturbing and puzzling rash and an atheist funeral, has Victor bitten the bullett?

The Valley of Fear

3. The Valley of Fear

29min

18th Jan 1990

After being mugged whilst photographing badgers, and having his house sprayed with the phrase 'The Man Who Lives Here Is A Turd', Victor decides to hold a crime prevention meeting.

I'll Retire to Bedlam

4. I'll Retire to Bedlam

29min

25th Jan 1990

After being stuck in the shed for over three hours, then forced to spend an entire day with his eyes closed after a visit to the optometrist, Victor cannot bear the trials of babysitting.

The Eternal Quadrangle

5. The Eternal Quadrangle

29min

1st Feb 1990

Although Margaret is glad that Victor finally has a hobby to occupy his time, she is less pleased to discover that it involves painting nudes.

The Return of the Speckled Band

6. The Return of the Speckled Band

29min

8th Feb 1990

Following a food poisoning incident, problems with the electricity man, the Meldrews embark on a well deserved holiday, however this is only the start of their problems?

First air date

4th Jan 1990

Last air date

20th Nov 2000

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks