RaspberryLucozade This short running but fondly remembered comedy drama series is notable now for bringing into the limelight Oscar winning actors Robbie Coltrane and the beautiful Emma Thompson. Writer and artist John Byrne supplied the six one hour long scripts which focused on the exploits of a failing rock 'n' roll band whose future looks to be bleak when their lead singer is unexpectedly killed. 'Tutti Frutti' was a smash hit when it first appeared in 1987, winning awards not only to its stars but also to its creator as well as its production crew but despite its popularity it was repeated by the BBC only once and for many years was blocked from being released on VHS or DVD due to royalty issues by the copyright holder and artist of the show's theme music Little Richard. However, in 2006 the ban was lifted when it was repeated by BBC4 and three years later was released on DVD by 2entertain. I was one of many of queued up to by a DVD of the show and I was pleased to say it was worth every penny.Scottish rock 'n' roll band The Majestics are about to embark upon their silver jubilee tour however the lead singer James 'Big Jazza' McGlone is killed in a car crash ( the very car which happened to belong to the band's corrupt manager Eddie Clockerty, who also runs a dingy clothing store ). Flying in from New York for the funeral is Jazza's younger brother, destitute art student Danny, who bears a strong resemblance to his late brother. This gives Eddie an idea - put Danny in place of his brother and carry on with the tour. Danny is initially reluctant but realising he doesn't really have anything to lose, eventually relents. His first day with the group is not a success. He incurs the verbal wrath of the band's roadie Dennis, and ends up in a punch up with drummer Bomba McAteer, rock guitarist Vincent Diver and bass player Fud O'Donnell.Whilst trying to find himself some digs, Danny bumps into an old flame called Suzi Kettles, who he attended art college with. Suzi has romantic feelings for Danny but has difficulty yielding them due to a failed marriage with her estranged and violent dentist husband who is eventually given his comeuppance by Danny. After some initial setbacks, Suzi becomes a member of the band as well.The rest of the group is not without problems - Vincent is two timing his wife Noreen ( played by Anne Kidd ) with a young woman named Glenna, much to the chagrin of Bomba, who is Noreen's brother. Glenna claims to be pregnant at the start of the series but by the end of the run she has suffered a miscarriage and later kills herself by plunging herself into the River Clyde. In the final episode, Vincent commits suicide during the farewell concert of The Majestics' at the Glasgow Pavilion by dousing Polish vodka on himself and setting himself alight.Emma Thompson is wonderful as Kettles though Robbie Coltrane has the most challenging role of playing both Jazza and Danny. Maurice Roeves is a suitably nasty piece of work as Vincent. Richard Wilson as Clockerty forms a hilarious double act with his sassy and sexy secretary Janice Toner ( played by Katy Murphy ). Also excellent were Ron Donachie as Dennis, Stuart McGugan as Bomba and the late Jake D'Arcy as Fud. Only Fiona Chalmers failed to make an impression as Glenna.John Byrne next series for the BBC was 'Your Cheatin' Heart' but it was nowhere near as successful as 'Tutti Frutti'. For Coltrane, this was his final regular comedy series. In the 90's he later branched into straight acting with the wonderful Carlton Television drama 'Cracker'. Emma Thompson pursued a successful film career while Richard Wilson became a household name with the role of Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot In The Grave'.

VictorianCushionCat I was too young to catch this when it came out back in 1987, and as it was only repeated once shortly after then confined to the archives it remained a bit of a mystery. However there had to be something about the show as it seemed to be spoken about in terms of 'masterpiece'Therefore I was glad to finally get hold of a copy on DVD over 20 years on, and now I know what people were talking about, it's a perfect 6 hours of deathly dark but usually hilarious comedy.The casting is spot on at all levels, a real ensemble of the some of the best Scottish talent that at most levels are still highly familiar today. I love the use of location, whether in Glasgow the main setting or one of the less than glamorous towns on the road, namely Buckie, Methil and Ardrossan. It's almost as if they chose the locations after listening to 'Letter from America' by the Proclaimers.I'm sure I'm not the only one when watching this to get the most enjoyment from the Clockerty/Toner relationship. Is there something gong on here, or is it merely penny pinching on Clockerty's behalf that Eddie and Janice share twin rooms and cabins on Sleeper Trains. Either way it's a blast.All in all I'm very thank full that they finally got this out on DVD, keeping it locked away for so long is a crime on a par with wiping all those great sitcoms back in the 1960s.

jo-raine Looking back this had a dream cast - Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson, Richard Wilson. And they were perfect in it. Even the supporting cast, particularly Maurice Roeves and Katy Murphy were fantastic. It was bright and funny, well written, well acted and the music was pretty good. So of course it's been repeated (once?) and not available on DVD.I remember loving this when it was first shown... and missing the last episode. And then it was repeated a couple of years later... and I missed the last episode. That it's not out on DVD yet is nothing short of criminal. Please... I'd like to see for myself just how it ends.

scotsongs An extremely accurate depiction of a bunch of (almost) "over the hill" Scottish rockers - on their farewell tour. A veritable galaxy of stars, MOST of whom have since become household names. Can it be one (or more) of those big names holding back an agreement for this classic movie/series to be released on video/DVD?Anyone out there with a copy of this on video/dvd? I'd pay well to get a hold of this - purely in the interests of research, you understand.HopingO T Hill