The Optimist (TV series)

The Optimist
The Optimist promotional poster
Genre	Comedy
Written by	Richard Sparks, Enn Reitel, Robert Fuest, Robert Sidaway, Peter Ellis
Directed by	Peter Ellis, Robert Fuest
Starring	Enn Reitel
Theme music composer	David Spear
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	13
Production
Producer(s)	Robert Sidaway
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	New Century Films, Charisma Films
Release
Original network	Channel 4
Original release	1983 – 1985

The Optimist is a British television comedy series starring Enn Reitel and produced by Robert Sidaway.

Each episode told a separate comic adventure in the life of an everyday man who, whether it turns out a success or a failure, always remains The Optimist. The stories made a feature of fantasy and dream sequences.

Citing the influences of Jacques Tati, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, as well as the character of Walter Mitty, the series was designed as a silent comedy, with original music and enhanced sound effects.

Shooting on 16mm, it was made on location in Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles and London. A total of thirteen episodes were produced.

The series debuted on 14 April 1983 and the final episode was broadcast on 5 January 1985.

After producer Robert Sidaway raised the finance independently, the pilot Sea Dreams was filmed on location in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, during summer 1981 with post-production taking place in Los Angeles and London.

After a private screening in Wardour Street, Cecil Korer, Programme Purchaser and Commissioning Editor for Light Entertainment at Channel 4, subsequently commissioned a further six episodes.

Each half-hour episode starred Enn Reitel in the title role of The Optimist with the remainder of the cast specific to the requirements of the separate stories. In addition, every episode featured a different British actress as part of the romantic interest.

Filming took place in various locations in Los Angeles during summer 1982 under the direction of Peter Ellis. Director of photography was Peter Appleton, the art director was Mike Porter and the costume designer was Jo Korer.

Composer David Spear wrote and recorded the main theme and extensive score in Los Angeles while the remainder of post-production was completed in London. The editor was John Daniels.

Announced in the press and previewed on Channel 4's opening night (2 November 1982), Season One was broadcast on Channel 4 at 8 pm on consecutive Thursdays between 14 April and 26 May 1983.