A major change in the character of 'Cyril Blake' occurred when the series 'Don't Drink The Water' began. In 'On The Buses', he'd always been depicted as the sneering face of authority, the arch-enemy of those loveable scamps Stan and Jack. In the spin-off series, he is a sympathetic character. No=one refers to him as 'Blakey' anymore, but either 'Cyril' or 'Senor Blake'.
The second season kicked off with this opener. As the Blakes relax in their apartment, Dorothy misses British television, in particular the shows of Hughie Green and Bob Monkhouse. Cyril is glad to be away from the box. When Carlos ( Derek Griffiths ), says he knows a man ( Ray Marioni ) who can supply a set, Cyril is reluctant to take one, but to stop Dorothy's nagging, he relents. The set duly arrives. The Blakes find themselves watching 'Upstairs, Downstairs' dubbed into Spanish...
The hit costume drama was shown around the world, and loved by millions. It was still running in 1975, when this was made. It ended the next year. Carlos Douglas, who plays a policeman, hilariously portrayed the much put upon waiter in 'Duty Free' a few years later. Derek Griffiths was one of the series' greatest attributes. Nobody in the show mentions his skin colour or makes fun of it. Haters of 1970's sitcoms, please take note.
Funniest moment - Cyril is trying to get good reception from Gibraltar, and tells Carlos to move the aerial onto the balcony. Poor Carlos loses his footing and tumbles over the side!
The second season kicked off with this opener. As the Blakes relax in their apartment, Dorothy misses British television, in particular the shows of Hughie Green and Bob Monkhouse. Cyril is glad to be away from the box. When Carlos ( Derek Griffiths ), says he knows a man ( Ray Marioni ) who can supply a set, Cyril is reluctant to take one, but to stop Dorothy's nagging, he relents. The set duly arrives. The Blakes find themselves watching 'Upstairs, Downstairs' dubbed into Spanish...
The hit costume drama was shown around the world, and loved by millions. It was still running in 1975, when this was made. It ended the next year. Carlos Douglas, who plays a policeman, hilariously portrayed the much put upon waiter in 'Duty Free' a few years later. Derek Griffiths was one of the series' greatest attributes. Nobody in the show mentions his skin colour or makes fun of it. Haters of 1970's sitcoms, please take note.
Funniest moment - Cyril is trying to get good reception from Gibraltar, and tells Carlos to move the aerial onto the balcony. Poor Carlos loses his footing and tumbles over the side!