User reviews

I started re-watching this series on YouTube and have found it even better than when I watched it the first time (this is often the case with 're-runs', especially movies, as one often sees little things one missed initially.) "May to December" is, as one acquaintance called it, 'really charming'.

The romance between Alec, the older gentleman, and Zoe, the much younger woman, is treated realistically, thanks to the writing and the acting. Anton Rodgers is perfect as the steady, middle aged solicitor, not looking for a new relationship (the first episode is entitled 'It Never Entered My Mind') and Eve Matheson is equally perfect as the young, newly divorced schoolteacher. One of the reasons I think it works is that the people were real: if this had been Americanized, someone who looked like George Clooney or Brad Pitt would have been cast as the older man, and the woman would have been a model. Neither lead would have been his or her character's age, nor would the age-difference have reflected that in the series. Though both Rodgers and Matheson were a few years older than their characters, their real-life age-difference was exactly that of their characters', which I think helps tremendously.

The writing is excellent; gentle comedy for the most part, but some bits arehilarious. As well, there was no villain or unpleasant person, except perhaps Alec's daughter, and she is wisely kept to a recurring role. Everyone is basically a decent person, which is nice to see in sitcoms, though rare. The relationship between Alec and his son is also a good one; they are poles apart politically and emotionally, but are nonetheless clearly fond of each other.

The chemistry between Matheson and Rodgers is essential, I think. Chemistry is less evident when Lesley Dunlop took over the role of Zoe after the second series. Her version of Zoe is not as witty as Matheson's, and she was not as good a comic actress. I prefer the first actress to the second for these reasons, though I have a natural preference for the originator of a role (such as preferring David Burke as the 'younger' Watson (in the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes tv series) to the older Edward Hardwick, or the first person I see playing a part (such as liking Tom Baker as Dr Who, over all the other actors in that role; Baker was the first I had seen play the character.)

I must state my belief that "May to December" should have ended with the fifth series; the final episode of that series ("The Best is Yet to Come") would have made a natural and optimistic finale. The sixth series saw a deterioration in the writing: the comedy became more broad, even throwing uncomfortable slapstick into the stories. The characters did things uncharacteristic (at one point Alec tells Zoe to 'shut it' during an argument, and in another episode Alec gets drunk). The character of Rosie, replacing Hilary, did not help. This was all due, I think, to series creator, Paul Mendelsohn, giving up the writing chores to others.

Nonetheless, "May to December" remains in large part an original, enjoyable comedy, with people one cares about, and scripts one can laugh at. Such a tv series is not common.

I've been enjoying a rewatch of this and it's entirely down to Hilary,head and shoulders the funniest dumb blonde I've ever seen in a comedy and Rebecca Lacey managed to portray her as endearing rather than a laughing stock and got all the big laughs. I thought the 2 Zoe's were much of a muchness and I've no idea why Alec was Scottish didn't even have a comedy kilt wearing scene

This lovely show needs to be on DVD immediately. All the characters are lovable -- even Mr. Henty. The repartee (sp?) is witty AND funny. Then when you least expect it, you find there is more than just sarcasm and witticisms. There is emotional depth.

The characters -- most of them -- actually go through psychological as well as emotional changes. So as the series goes along, you watch and feel the changes within the characters. It's tough to write something like that into a script and still keep it a lighthearted, endearing family show. But it's so well-done. What a difference when you have a good balance of experienced actors and newcomers.

I wish it had played longer here when it was on public television. DVD Now!

Maryland Public Television ran "May to December" for some six weeks. I thought it the wittiest and most intelligent program on television, bar none. Then they took it off without explanation. I'm furious! Aside from public television, there is precious little on TV that's worth watching. Thus, I truly look forward to the few programs I enjoy and respect. Granted the station may have had a good reason for terminating the show, or may have moved it to another schedule, but I have not been able to unearth that information. MPT does not have a mechanism by which one can complain. Can anyone tell me where (outside of a DVD; I haven't one), one can find it? The people on M-T-D are among the nicest I've ever seen on TV. They're too dear to give up lightly. Help. Knightem.

My family and I have enjoyed this series for years, ever since it was airing on PBS. We would all really love to see it on DVD. All of the characters, (even the twits) are endearing and likable. And not in a sickly or overly-sweet way. They are enjoyable to watch and easy to care about. Even the switch in actresses for the character of Zoe didn't affect how well the show flowed. While the two actresses were very different and played the character quite differently, I could never say one was superior to the other. They were both great, in my opinion. The humor was some of the best I've watched on any program, understated and sharp, intensely clever and very true.

This is a very delightful series.After going thru the series twice, I prefer Eve Matheson's portrayal of Zoe over Leslie Dunlop. Leslie was very lovely and a fine actress,but I thought her character was a little too snippy and combative with Alec.Perhaps the writers felt that was necessary as the couple married and had a child. Eve's portrayal was lighter and sweeter and she and Alec always had some nice laughs. Both ladies were very attractive and played their part well.The other supports were excellent.The only character I couldn't take was Rosie, the sectary in the last season.Her accent and acting were too over the top.Anton Rogers was excellent.A wonderful show.Hope it goes to DVD shoo

I am a "May to December" husband. My wife is 28 years younger than I am. We have had 19 happy years together this Feb 14th. I worked in Pinner Middlesex England as a policeman for 9 years and the show was filmed in the village,not on a studio lot. I think this was one of the best shows that the UK ever sent over to the USA. The story is very true to life, (I went through it with my son just like he does with his daughter.) So far only the first 2 seasons have made it to DVD and I check regularly to see if they have added more seasons.unfortunately they have only put it on DVD in PAL Zone 2. I had to buy a special DVD player so I could watch the ones they have put out. The local PBS station is not running again.

I heard that Anton Rodgers(from the classic "Fresh Fields") was in this show and tuned in. He plays a solicitor who meets and falls for a younger woman. His daughter and friends freak over the match. The variest shows tell how they continue to date, avoid pitfalls, and try to cope with his snobby daughter and friends.

All this was handled with realism and taste. You may not agree with a May-December romance, but you really feel for these two and understand what people go through in this situation, plus the characters on this show are FUNNY! So if you see it on your PBS channel, tune in and enjoy.

Very well written, well filmed and excellent casting apart from last series. It opens brilliantly with Eve Matheson and Clive Francis leaving far too early

Such an enjoyable series with a range of dynamic characters. Lots of secondary plot lines which maintain viewer interest all the way through. Preferred Zoe's casting in Seasons One and Two though.

Near perfect but Eve Matheson was superb as Dunlop wasn't quite there. When Lacey left it nailed the series as Jenson is so bad Clive Francis as Henty was also huge loss as the character was brilliant

The secrectary pleayed by the lovely Rebecca Lacey - and she said to Miss Flood in one episode Hell have no fury like a woman's corns Instead of Woman Scorned hilarious

It was a delightful comedy and as as been said - a great shame that it is not available on DVD - Miss flood trying desperately to get her young secrectary into line and to behave as one should and Zoe trying to get her man up to date with life -

The Garfudge - i.e. the garage in an advertisement for a house that they were buying was typical gentle humour

Another classic comment - How can I have any pride when I support Partick Thislte