Betty Spencer
| Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Raymond Allen |
| Written by | Raymond Allen (20 episodes, 1973–78) Michael Crawford (7 episodes, 1978) |
| Directed by |
Michael Mills (1973, plus two specials) Sydney Lotterby (1975) |
| Starring |
Michael Crawford Michele Dotrice |
| Theme music composer | Ronnie Hazlehurst |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 3 (plus 3 Christmas Specials and 1 Sport Relief Special) |
| No. of episodes | 23 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Michael Mills (13 episodes, 1973, plus 2 specials) Sydney Lotterby (7 episodes, 1978) |
| Running time | 30 minutes (per episode) |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC1 |
| Picture format |
625-line PAL (1973–78) 1080i HDTV (2016) |
| Audio format |
Monaural (1973–78) Surround sound 5.1 (2016) |
| Original release |
Original Series 15 February 1973 – 25 December 1978 Sport Relief Special 18 March 2016 |
| Website | |
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is a British sitcom created and written by Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. It was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for three series, ending in 1978, and returning briefly in 2016 for a one off special. The series follows the accident-prone Frank Spencer and his tolerant wife, Betty, through Frank's various attempts to hold down a job, which frequently end in disaster. The sitcom was filmed in and around the town of Bedford in Bedfordshire. It was noted for its stuntwork, performed by Crawford himself, as well as featuring various well-remembered and much lampooned catchphrases, that have become part of popular culture. In a 2004 poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom, Some Mothers Do 'Ave Em came 22nd.
The expression "" is meant to refer to someone clumsy or foolish.
The , smiling Frank, sporting his trademark beret and trench coat, is married to the apparently normal Betty (Michele Dotrice) and in later series they have a baby daughter, Jessica. The character was popular with television impressionists such as Mike Yarwood in the 1970s, particularly his main catchphrase, "Ooh Betty", which is only ever said in one episode: series 2, episode 2.
"Ooh Betty ..." is not Frank's only catchphrase of the series. Others include a quavering "Oooh ...", usually uttered with his forefinger to his mouth as he stands amidst the chaos of some disaster he has just caused (and which he himself has invariably escaped unscathed). He also sometimes complains about being "ha-RASSed!", or occasionally, "I've had a lot of ha-RASSments lately" (originally an American pronunciation). Other recurring catchphrases include references to "a bit of trouble", which usually implies some sort of undisclosed digestive disorder, and to the cat having "done a whoopsie" (presumably a euphemism for having defecated in an inappropriate place, on one occasion in Spencer's beret). If Frank is pleased (or confused) about something, he will often use the catchphrase "Mmmm — nice!" or "Ohhh — nice!"
Despite his unfailing ability to infuriate people, Frank is essentially a very sympathetic character, who inspires much affection from his ever-loving and patient wife, Betty. He also venerates the memory of his late mother (Jessica Spencer) and worships his daughter (also named Jessica).
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Wikipedia