The Optimist (TV series)
| The Optimist | |
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| File:The Optimist promotional artwork.jpg
The Optimist promotional poster
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| Genre | Comedy |
| Written by | Richard Sparks, Enn Reitel, Robert Fuest, Robert Sidaway, Peter Ellis |
| Directed by | Peter Ellis, Robert Fuest |
| Starring | Enn Reitel |
| Theme music composer | David Spear |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Robert Sidaway |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) | New Century Films, Charisma Films |
| Release | |
| Original network | Channel 4 |
| Original release | 1983 – 1985 |
The Optimist is a British television comedy series starring Enn Reitel and produced by Robert Sidaway.[1]
Each episode told a separate comic adventure in the life of an everyday man who, whether it turns out a success or a failure, always remains The Optimist. The stories made a feature of fantasy and dream sequences.
Citing the influences of Jacques Tati, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, as well as the character of Walter Mitty, the series was designed as a silent comedy, with original music and enhanced sound effects. Shooting on 16mm, it was made on location in Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles and London. A total of thirteen episodes were produced.
The series debuted on April 14, 1983 and the final episode was broadcast on January 5, 1985.[2]
Season One
After producer Robert Sidaway raised the finance independently, the pilot Sea Dreams was filmed on location in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico during the summer of 1981 with post-production taking place in Los Angeles and London.
After a private screening in Wardour Street, Cecil Korer,[3] Programme Purchaser and Commissioning Editor for Light Entertainment at Channel 4, subsequently commissioned a further six episodes.
Filming took place in various locations in Los Angeles during the summer of 1982 under the direction of Peter Ellis. Director of Photography was Peter Appleton and the Art Director was Mike Porter.
Composer David Spear recorded the main theme and extensive score in Los Angeles with the remainder of post-production was completed in London. Announced in the press and previewed on Channel 4’s opening night (November 2, 1982), Season One was broadcast on Channel 4 between April 14 and May 26, 1983.
| Ep # | Title | Air Date | Writer(s) | Director | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sea Dreams (Pilot) | April 14, 1983 | Richard Sparks | Peter Ellis | Falling asleep in his apartment while watching a late night documentary on windsurfing, The Optimist (Enn Reitel) imagines himself on an exotic beach where he falls in love with The Girl (Sharron Davies) despite his misadventures learning to surf and dancing at the nightclub. To win over The Girl, however, he will need to beat The Rival in a surf race. |
| 2 | The Good, The Bad And The Nasty | April 21, 1983 | Richard Sparks, Peter Ellis, Enn Reitel, Robert Sidaway | Peter Ellis | Dressed for the “wild west”, The Optimist sets out for a ‘Dude Ranch’ and is introduced to the riding instructor (Carinthia West), although he finds that a rival (Martin Kove) is already in her favors. Learning to be a cowboy, The Optimist gets lost in the desert, smashes the Rival’s car and fantasies that he is Clint Eastwood’s ‘The Man With No Name’—urged on by a Grizzly Veteran (Bill Erwin) for a shootout with his nemesis. |
| 3 | Man's Worst Friend | April 28, 1983 | Richard Sparks, Peter Ellis, Enn Reitel, Robert Sidaway | Peter Ellis | |
| 4 | Healthy Bodies, Unhealthy Minds | May 5, 1983 | Peter Ellis, Enn Reitel, Robert Sidaway | Peter Ellis | |
| 5 | Kid's Stuff | May 12, 1983 | Richard Sparks, Peter Ellis, Enn Reitel, Robert Sidaway | Peter Ellis | |
| 6 | Burning Rubber | May 19, 1983 | Richard Sparks, Peter Ellis, Enn Reitel, Robert Sidaway | Peter Ellis | |
| 7 | A Challenge | May 26, 1983 | Peter Ellis, Enn Reitel, Robert Sidaway | Peter Ellis |
Season Two
| Ep # | Title | Air Date | Writer(s) | Director | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Any Messages | December 31, 1984 | Robert Fuest, Enn Reitel | Robert Fuest | |
| 2 | Turf Luck | January 1, 1985 | Robert Fuest, Enn Reitel | Robert Fuest | |
| 3 | The Light Fantastic | January 2, 1985 | Robert Fuest, Enn Reitel | Robert Fuest | |
| 4 | The Double | January 3, 1985 | Robert Fuest, Enn Reitel | Robert Fuest | |
| 5 | The Fool Of The House Of Esher | January 4, 1985 | Robert Fuest, Enn Reitel | Robert Fuest | |
| 6 | The Brush Off | January 5, 1985 | Robert Fuest, Enn Reitel | Robert Fuest |
References
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