Dinnerladies

Monday

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired 11/12/98

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Episode Summary

On an otherwise typical Monday morning, Bren's canteen is thrown into crisis when Norman the bread man fails to deliver the granary torpedoes. Should she sign the docket or not? Meanwhile, Jean is preoccupied with planning her daughter's wedding and finding the entertainment. Bren's mother Petula drops in with some ideas, but they're probably not quite right. Tony has to go to the hospital to see how his cancer's going. In the midst of this, Anita's in floods of tears (it's her period), Twinkle can't spell minestrone, and nobody's put out the gravy. New Human Resources person Philippa makes her presence felt, bugging everyone to try some group activities. Scottish country dancing anyone?moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Julie Walters

Petula Gordeno
Celia Imrie

Philippa Moorcroft
Maxine Peake

Twinkle

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

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Victoria Wood's first sitcom is a gem.

9.2

"Superb"

By BadWolf735, Jun 04, 2006 Report Abuse

I have been a fan of Victoria Wood's for over twenty years and I have always loved her work. 'dinnerladies' (for those pedantic people, it is supposed to be a small 'd') is proof that Victoria's work has been consistently good for her entire career. Over time she has honed her craft and she knows exactly for whom she is writing.
The castare absolutely superb, giving spot-on performances with magnificent comic timing. Thelma Barlow is a revelation!

'dinnerladies' is the last sitcom of it's kind. The days of the one-set, studio bound sitcoms were thought over, giving way to the more filmic and manic shows. It harks back to the days of 'Dad's Army' and 'Steptoe and Son' where eccentric characters and sharp dialogue were the keys to success.

Although I feel that the humour may be a little to Brit-centric at times, I don't complain because it is all part of its charm.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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Notes
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- First appearances of Stan, Norman, Bren and all her team, Tony and Phillipa. Other people appear but those are the main ones. Edit
- The actor who plays Norman the bread man isn't credited, but it's not the same one who plays him next season. Edit
Quotes
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- Jean: I thought about trailing greenery for the reception, but Keith's anti-ivy. Bren: I didn't know Keith had an Aunty Ivy. Edit
- Bren: Twink, what's the soup? Twinkle: Minestrone. Bren: Well why's it not on the menu? Twinkle: Can't spell it! Edit
- Jean: Keith's family? Last big wedding his auntie Dot ate a coaster. Dolly: No! Jean: (nods) His auntie Dot from Cockamouth ate a raffia drinks coaster. She thought it was a high fibre biscuit. She had to be held back from moving down the table and buttering two more. Edit
Allusions
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