'Birds Of A Feather' to return?

BBC sitcom Birds Of A Feather could make a comeback, reports The Mirror.

Original cast members Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph have been asked to make another series by the team behind the classic sitcom.

Quirke, who played Sharon Theodopolopodous in the show, said they would be willing to return if the scripts were good.

"People remember Birds Of A Feather so fondly because it didn’t tail off at the end, the standard of the scripts didn’t deteriorate," said the actress. "We’d be keen to maintain that standard. None of us would want to make a new series that was below standard. I’d rather stay at home doing the housework."

Quirke is now waiting to see what stories the scriptwriters come up with. "How about three old girls in a nursing home, talking around a table? If we leave it much longer, it might come to that."

Lesley Joseph has strongly hinted that classic BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather could be revived following a successful theatre tour.

Birds of a Feather ran for nine series between 1989 and 1998, regularly pulling in big ratings for BBC One.

The show starred Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson as sisters Sharon Theodopolopodos and Tracey Stubbs, who move in together in Chigwell after their husbands are convicted of armed robbery. Joseph played next-door neighbour Dorien Green, who was notorious for her affairs with younger men.

Joseph, Quirke and Robson have been on tour with the show this year and the audience response has sparked rumours of a possible TV comeback.

"They are in talks to bring back the television show, with the three of us, as it wouldn't work with anybody else and I'd absolutely love to do it," Joseph told The Mirror.

"Pauline, Linda and I have loved the stage show. It's a very unique bond that we have and it has been simply glorious to be a part of, it really has. We've had a fantastic time.

"We have packed out every night on the road and most evenings we've been getting a standing ovation. It's like we've never been away."

The TV show and theatre tour were both created and written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran.

Pauline Quirke claimed earlier this year that the BBC had yet to approach them with any sort of offer of a reunion.

CLASSIC sitcom Birds Of A Feather is returning to TV after 15 years — with all three of its original stars.
But the 1990s show, which for nine years pulled in audiences of more than 20million for the BBC, will make its comeback on rival ITV.
Actresses Pauline Quirke, 53, and Linda Robson, 55, will start filming eight new episodes in September with co-star Lesley Joseph.
The show’s creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran originally approached the BBC — which axed the comedy in 1998 — with the idea of reviving it.
But Beeb bosses only wanted to make a Christmas special.
ITV saw its chance to stage a coup and waded in, offering to make a whole series. That clinched the deal.
An ITV insider said: “The idea has been kicking around for a while and all the cast were up for it. Top brass heard that the writers had only been offered a one-off special at the BBC, so they decided to strike.
“The scripts are great and still crackling with the kind of gags that made it such a big success all those years ago.
“It’s all very hush-hush right now but ITV are delighted that they’ve managed to land it.”
The show ran on the BBC for 102 episodes. It centres on two sisters — hard-up Sharon and well-off Tracey (Quirke and Robson) — who set up home with each other after their husbands are both jailed for armed robbery.
Actress Lesley plays their man-eating neighbour Dorien Green.
The three stars reunited last year for a successful stage version of the show, sparking interest from telly producers.
Lesley, 67, said recently: “People remember Birds Of A Feather so fondly because it didn’t tail off at the end — the standard of the scripts didn’t deteriorate.
“None of us would want to make a new series that was below standard.”


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz2WYQrmgQm

CLASSIC sitcom Birds Of A Feather is returning to TV after 15 years — with all three of its original stars.
But the 1990s show, which for nine years pulled in audiences of more than 20million for the BBC, will make its comeback on rival ITV.
Actresses Pauline Quirke, 53, and Linda Robson, 55, will start filming eight new episodes in September with co-star Lesley Joseph.
The show’s creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran originally approached the BBC — which axed the comedy in 1998 — with the idea of reviving it.
But Beeb bosses only wanted to make a Christmas special.
ITV saw its chance to stage a coup and waded in, offering to make a whole series. That clinched the deal.
An ITV insider said: “The idea has been kicking around for a while and all the cast were up for it. Top brass heard that the writers had only been offered a one-off special at the BBC, so they decided to strike.
“The scripts are great and still crackling with the kind of gags that made it such a big success all those years ago.
“It’s all very hush-hush right now but ITV are delighted that they’ve managed to land it.”
The show ran on the BBC for 102 episodes. It centres on two sisters — hard-up Sharon and well-off Tracey (Quirke and Robson) — who set up home with each other after their husbands are both jailed for armed robbery.
Actress Lesley plays their man-eating neighbour Dorien Green.
The three stars reunited last year for a successful stage version of the show, sparking interest from telly producers.
Lesley, 67, said recently: “People remember Birds Of A Feather so fondly because it didn’t tail off at the end — the standard of the scripts didn’t deteriorate.
“None of us would want to make a new series that was below standard.”


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz2WYQrmgQm

ITV has released a first-look picture from the new Birds of a Feather.

The classic BBC sitcom will return for a new series on ITV in spring 2014.
http://i2.cdnds.net/13/38/618x411/birdsofafeather.jpg
The 'Birds of a Feather' cast reunite for a new series.
© ITV
The 'Birds of a Feather' cast reunite.


Linda Robson (Tracey), Pauline Quirke (Sharon) and Lesley Joseph (Dorien) have all reprised their roles, with new episodes starting shooting this week.

Birds of a Feather originally ran for 102 episodes on BBC One, and followed sisters Sharon and Tracey, who move in together after their husbands are jailed for armed robbery and befriend cougar neighbour Dorien.

Robson, Quirke and Joseph toured a successful stage version of the TV show last year.

ITV has commissioned eight new Birds of a Feather episodes for television.

2nd January 2014

8.30 - 9.00PM


Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph star in the upcoming TV return of comedy classic Birds of a Feather.

All three original actresses will be reprising their roles as the original Essex girls as ITV viewers will get the chance to find out what Sharon, Tracey and Dorian are now up to.

Original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelps have penned the new series and it’s due to air Spring 2014.

Episode one: Gimme shelter

Sharon’s living back in her council flat and Tracey’s still in Chigwell with younger son Travis… but what’s become of Dorien? What can bring the Birds back together? And who else might return to the nest?

9th January

Episode two: Slave

Now that Sharon has given up work to skivvy for Dorien full-time, Tracey is the only one in the house bringing in a wage. It’s not enough for Tracey to pay all the household bills, so Dorien offers to dip into her savings for some rent - but when she calls the bank it emerges that everything she has is going in legal fees.

In desperation, Sharon and Tracey decide to take Dorien to a car boot sale to raise some much-needed funds. They sell Dorien’s beloved designer collection, right down to the shoes on her feet, which are bought by Amy Childs from The Only Way Is Essex.

Also, even though Garth has found a job in sandwich shop Seedy McCrusty’s, and Sharon has agreed to go back to working the tills at the discount store World of Quid, it’s not enough - Dorien will have to get a job at World of Quid!

9th January

Episode two: Slave

Now that Sharon has given up work to skivvy for Dorien full-time, Tracey is the only one in the house bringing in a wage. It’s not enough for Tracey to pay all the household bills, so Dorien offers to dip into her savings for some rent - but when she calls the bank it emerges that everything she has is going in legal fees.

In desperation, Sharon and Tracey decide to take Dorien to a car boot sale to raise some much-needed funds. They sell Dorien’s beloved designer collection, right down to the shoes on her feet, which are bought by Amy Childs from The Only Way Is Essex.

Also, even though Garth has found a job in sandwich shop Seedy McCrusty’s, and Sharon has agreed to go back to working the tills at the discount store World of Quid, it’s not enough - Dorien will have to get a job at World of Quid!

16th Jan

Episode three: Hot Stuff

Money and space are still tight – and now Tracey can’t ignore that Garth and Marcie aren’t getting any “together time” – so it’s all change in the bedrooms again to give them space. After failing to sleep in the lounge, Sharon tries to bed down in the loft, where she makes an unexpected discovery that might solve all their problems.

16th Jan

Episode three: Hot Stuff

Money and space are still tight – and now Tracey can’t ignore that Garth and Marcie aren’t getting any “together time” – so it’s all change in the bedrooms again to give them space. After failing to sleep in the lounge, Sharon tries to bed down in the loft, where she makes an unexpected discovery that might solve all their problems.

Episode 4/8

Episode four: Hearts For Sale

Tracey, Sharon and Dorien each get romantically involved with three very different men. Travis has romantic troubles of his own, and Garth and Marcie decide to raise money to refurbish their new pub by having a pop-up restaurant evening at Tracey’s, where everyone’s romantic ambitions take a knock…

Episode 5/8

30th Jan

Episode five: Tattoo You

Tracey has Botox, Travis has a tattoo and Sharon looks as if she’ll need a hearing aid.

Episode 5/8

30th Jan

Episode five: Tattoo You

Tracey has Botox, Travis has a tattoo and Sharon looks as if she’ll need a hearing aid.

6th February

Episode six: Blinded by Love

Sharon’s ex-husband Chris gets in touch. He’s met someone new – a lady called Angie, who is friendly, vivacious, and blind. Chris wants to divorce Sharon so they can get married, but Tracey has her doubts. Dorien meets a good-looking blind guy at Chris and Angie’s engagement party who takes a shine to her.

6th February

Episode six: Blinded by Love

Sharon’s ex-husband Chris gets in touch. He’s met someone new – a lady called Angie, who is friendly, vivacious, and blind. Chris wants to divorce Sharon so they can get married, but Tracey has her doubts. Dorien meets a good-looking blind guy at Chris and Angie’s engagement party who takes a shine to her.

13th February

Episode seven: Back to Zero

All three Birds have a financial crisis. Garth and Marcie’s pub, Stubbies, has launched well though thanks to a mystery celebrity Twitter endorsement, and at last there’s some money coming in.

Series overview

Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph star in the upcoming TV return of comedy classic Birds of a Feather.

All three original actresses will be reprising their roles as the original Essex girls as ITV viewers will get the chance to find out what Sharon, Tracey and Dorian are now up to.

Original writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran with Gary Lawson and John Phelps have penned the new series.

6th March

Episode eight: You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Sharon and Tracey get a glimpse of a possible future when they see two elderly sisters in the supermarket, and it worries them. Dorien wins her court case and has a big celebration party, and for a while Tracey and Sharon see a bleak future... But when it becomes clear Dorien’s only real friends are Sharon and Tracey, the Birds are united once more.