Dave This is a sitcom about middle-class, middle-aged people in suburban Surrey. It was broadcast on BBC One from 1984-1989.The protagonist, Martin Bryce (played by Richard Briers) has obsessive- compulsive personality disorder. In the first episode, Paul Ryman (played by Peter Egan) moves into the house next door to Martin. Paul is more popular and more successful at everything than Martin is - despite Paul not really trying hard at anything. Martin's jealously of Paul and the resentment he feels towards Paul as a result of that is prominent in every episode.

Hertsmere What makes Ever Decreasing Circles so charming and fascinating ? Basically, it's the old world values of love and fidelity.Martin, fastidiously played by Richard Briars, is a man struggling against his own mediocrity. We can all recognise his situation and the men whose lives mirror his, he tries so hard at everything but his best is never quite good enough, while the charmer Paul, oily played by Peter Egan, achieves everything with effortless ease.It's a play and a counter-play of a man who struggles through life compared to a man who is gifted by nature.What redeems Martin from a lifetime of ennui is that he is married to Anne, played by the simply gorgeous Penelope Wilton. Would be Hollywood actresses should note that Penelope Wilton manages to convey as much sex appeal through a smile as do many talentless actresses through heaving bosoms.Anne is the rose in Martin's life and we are left with the feeling that Martin wakes up everyday thanking God for giving him such a wife.What gives the show its appeal is that although Anne is undoubtedly attracted by Paul and his charm , she remains loyal to Martin.Ever Decreasing Circles tells us that there is still a place for Fidelity in married life and the World.

mattjtemp Very popular on first airing (1984 ish) but now fairly unheard of and rarely repeated on UK terestrial television. Great Sit-com, not a huge classic but very watchable, especially for the ridiculously smooth Peter Egan and wound too tight Richard Briers.

GeoffLeo Richard Briers has appeared in some terrific TV comedy series but this must surely be his best performance to date. His character, Martin Bryce, runs 'The Close', his local neighbourhood by organizing all the committees and cajoling his neighbours to take part in various activities. His job, at Mole Valley Valves is seen to be fairly humdrum. His wife (Penelope Wilton) just about puts up with his irritating, though well-meaning ways, but his dream world has a rude awakening with the arrival of new next door neighbour, Paul Ryman (Peter Egan). Paul is everything Martin is not that in that he is successful in business without seeming to bother, has played cricket at Lords, is handsome with a succession of beautiful girlfriends, has many 'mates' to help him pull strings and is charming to all and sundry.The series shows Martin's vain attempts to prove he is the better man, often to his wife, Anne, but also to other neighbours from the close, notably Howard & Hilda Hughes. These two are another classic creation from writers Esmonde and Larbey. They do everything together, have a daily set routine which can never be interrupted and a genius for unintentional and innocent double-entendres usually only picked up by Paul and Anne. Howard (brilliantly portrayed by Stanley Lebor) is Martin's best friend but the latter cannot understand why he falls for Paul and his 'nice guy' image.One of the funniest episodes of the series comes when Anne is in hospital for a few days and Martin boastfully promises to spring clean the house single-handedly in her absence. He uses charts, colour-coding and a stop-watch but everything goes wrong that could go wrong and it's Paul who inevitably has to come to the rescue. The series ended with a one-off extended edition which saw Anne expecting a baby (rather late in life) and the couple's move from The Close to Oswestry, brought about by the merger of Martin's firm.An essential purchase on DVD for anybody who appreciates subtle comedy writing and great performances by the entire cast.