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Sep
08
2005

Bob & Margaret. by Alison Snowden and David Fine (1998).

Posted by logboy at 9:38am.

Posted in DVD News , Cult, Comedy, Animation, Drama, UK, Ireland, Australia & New Zealand.

bobandmargaret.jpeg

Based on an Oscar-winning short film ‘Bobs Birthday’ from 1995, ‘Bob & Margaret’ is a show I’ve caught many episodes of over time, but I’ve never managed to watch it all (52 episodes over 4 seasons - not sure if theyv’ve all been aired here) in the correct order. Deceptively simple in its premise, Bob (a Dentist) and Margaret (a Chiropodist) stuggle to work out what’s missing from their life. Essentially they’re not entirely suited to modern life, but like so many of us they still battle to master it.

There’s uncomfortable relationships with other couples that they’re not entirely keen on, odd relatives, annual events they feel obliged to be a part of, the hassles of their jobs, and the stuggle to maintain their own relationship in the midst of it all - so we all go through these things, and that’s not the reason to feel it’s familiar as much as it is the reason we can all relate and enjoy their pain in that odd fashion we all seem to.

The initial series is typically British, later episodes may compromise in their approach as they’re more America-friendly due to funding and production issues. Snowden and Fine remained involved even when scripts were initially written by others (the show seems to originate as a Channel 4 (U.K) show, moved on to Nelvana in its later incarnations until it finished in 2001), as is often the case as a show gathers more awards and a larger audience. In its content and approach, it does compare somewhat to ‘The Simpsons’, ‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Seinfeld’; on Comedy Central its’ rating are second only to ‘South Park’.

It’s a British approach though that sets it apart more clearly (at least initially) and makes it a rare example of adult animation from the UK. Amongst the vocal talent involved are Steve Coogan (aka Alan Partridge, as ever) and Peter Baynham (from ‘I am not an Animal’ and ‘The Day Today’).

The fist series appears to be getting a long-overdue R2 UK DVD release on 14th November 2005.

‘Bob & Margaret’ at Snowden Fine Animation Studios.
Animation World News Piece.
Toonhound Piece.
Complete Episode Guide at Cartoon Database.
IMDB entry for ‘Bob & Margaret’.

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Reader Comments

  1. tracy 09/08/2005 @ 10:24am

    I’ve seen a couple snippets of this show, probably years ago. I thought it was hilarious - the humor was at times extremely dry. I would love to see a full episode.

  2. Kurt 09/08/2005 @ 10:35am

    I absolutely loved the “Bob’s Birthday” short which the series was based on…but never managed to catch a full episode of the show…

  3. Connie 10/07/2005 @ 10:46pm

    Hi!!!
    I love this show! If anyone knows how to get the shows on tape or dvd please email me asap.

    Thank you,
    Connie

  4. carmen berfield 11/13/2005 @ 11:24pm

    i just bought the 2 vhs sets and was wondering if “bob’s birthday” (and other oscar nominated shorts, such as “harvey crumpet”) can be purchaced anywhere.
    ——-

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