An Actor's Life For Me

infobox television
show_name = An Actor's Life For Me "(Television)


caption =
genre = Sitcom
runtime = 30 minutes
creator =
starring = John Gordon-Sinclair
Gina McKee
Victor Spinetti
Benedict Taylor
country = United Kingdom
network = BBC
first_aired = 14 November
last_aired = 19 December 1991
num_episodes = 6
imdb_id = 0088472

"An Actor's Life For Me " is a sitcom that aired on BBC Radio 2 from 1989 to 1993 and on BBC television in 1991. Starring John Gordon-Sinclair and Gina McKee, it was written by Paul Mayhew-Archer, who later co-wrote "The Vicar of Dibley".

Cast

Radio

* John Gordon-Sinclair - Robert Wilson
* Caroline Quentin - Sue Bishop
* Gary Waldhorn - Desmond Shaw

Television

* John Gordon-Sinclair - Robert Neilson
* Gina McKee - Sue Bishop
* Victor Spinetti - Desmond Shaw
* Benedict Taylor - Sebastian Groom
* Sophie Dix - Stage Manager

Plot

"An Actor's Life For Me" is based around Robert Wilson/Neilson, an actor who believes is about to make it big time. While he never achieves his quest for fame, he always remains optimistic that he will do at the next audition. His girlfriend, Sue Bishop, and agent Desmond Shaw do their best to keep his feet on the ground.

The final episode of the TV series ends with Sue's father (John Woodvine) being humiliated as a result of Robert's new risque play and a misunderstanding with the police. As a result of this, Sue walks out on Robert.

Television episodes

#"A Kiss Is Just a Kiss" (14 November 1991)
#"I Can Do That" (21 November 1991)
#"Fathers and Sons" (28 November 1991)
#"May the Farce Be With You" (5 December 1991)
#"Night of the Living Dead" (12 December 1991)
#"Not Suitable For Parents" (19 December 1991)

Radio Series

"An Actor's Life For Me" aired on BBC Radio 2 for three series. The first series of seven episodes aired from 20 January to 3 March 1989. The second series had six episodes and ran from 11 February to 18 March 1990. The third and final series also had six episodes and ran from 5 January to 9 February 1993. An unaired pilot had previously been recorded several years before. It starred Nicholas Lyndhurst and Peter Jones in the roles that were subsequently played by John Gordon-Sinclair and Gary Waldhorn.

The first series was rebroadcast on Radio 7 in July 2007.

References

* Mark Lewisohn, "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy", BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003
* [http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/actor/index.html British TV Comedy Guide for "An Actor's Life For Me"]