Hippopotamus

This was funny when I saw it back in 1976 and still funny today.

Writer David Nobbs wrote a series of books that charts Reginald Perrin life. Middle aged, middle class, middle manager being tired of his life, his work and the commute. In essence Reggie Perrin (Leonard Rossiter) is having a breakdown.

The first episode shows his working days where Reggie goes to work and then increasingly has flights of fancies. Each time his mother in law is mentioned, he has visions of a Hippopotamus. Ravishing his secretary.

By the end of the first episode, Reggie's behaviour is becoming bizarre. Only having ravioli at an Italian restaurant. Calling her mother in law a Hippopotamus in from of his wife Elizabeth (Pauline Yates.)

Now I did not get where I am today by not recognising good comedy. The first episode establishes Reggie's routine as he walks past roads named after poets. The trains that are late.

Then there are his work colleagues at Sunshine Desserts with their catchphrases such as Super and Great. Then there is CJ brilliantly played by John Barron. The mean cruel boss.

The first episode struck a chord with those struck in a rut whether working in a factory or in an office job.

I was a kid when watching this. When I had to commute for work, I often thought of Reginald Perrin as I was struck in a traffic jam. You could understand why he wanted to rebel.

Middle-aged Reginald Perrin lives in suburbia with his wife Elizabeth. Every work day he has the same routine, the same train ride ending up at his senior-manager job at Sunshine Desserts. He is, however, starting to tire of the routine and of his job.

An episode that sets the tone for the series, and an excellent start it is. Very funny, though not laugh-a-minute: the jokes are set up very well for a more profound punch line. It also gets better and better the longer it goes on as the charm of the episode, and series, is largely revealed later.

On that note, maybe it is because I am of a similar age to Reginald Perrin and have a similar mindless, soul-sapping job, but I found the episode highly relatable. While clearly a comedy, the dramatic elements of the episode are great too, making the episode highly engaging, powerful and profound.

Reginald Perrin is decidedly fed up, his life is feeling somewhat repetitive, he says goodbye to his wife, gets the train, heads to work, home, then repeat. His boss at Sunshine Desserts is keen to promote a new line in exotic flavoured ices.

What a great first episode, it sets the scene, introduces the characters, and we get a glimpse into the mind of Reggie Perrin, a man who's health is on a downward spiral.

So many funny sequences, Reggie dreading visiting the mother in law and fantasising about his classy secretary Joan, and that wonderful introduction to CJ, where we learn exactly what kind of Executive he is.

I just love the direction it's going on, you truly see a man pushed to the limits by the repetition of daily routine, desperately trying to break away.

Leonard Rossiter is superb, what a talent, and being the Rising Damp addict that I am, I was able to see him as a whole new character here.

9/10.