Butterflies (TV series)

infobox television
show_name = Butterflies


caption = Series title card
format = Sitcom
runtime = 30 minutes
creator =
starring = Wendy Craig
Geoffrey Palmer
Nicholas Lyndhurst
Andrew Hall
Bruce Montague
Michael Ripper
Joyce Windsor
country = United Kingdom
network = BBC2, BBC1
first_aired = 1978
last_aired = 1983, 2000
num_episodes = 30 "(including 2 shorts)" |

"Butterflies" is a situation comedy written by Carla Lane broadcast on BBC2 from 1978 to 1983.

The situation is the day-to-day life of the Parkinson family in the bitter-sweet style the writer has made her hallmark. There are both traditional comedy sources (Ria's cooking, family squabbles) and more unusual sources such as Ria's relationship [Unconsummated, as per Ms. Lane in a 2002 interview, excerpted on the Series 1 DVD.] with her soulmate the outwardly successful Leonard. Ria is still in love with her husband and has raised two potentially fine sons, yet finds herself dissatisfied and in need of something more. Throughout the series Ria is searching for that "something more" and finds some solace in her unconventional friendship with Leonard. As Ms. Lane put it, "I wanted to write a comedy about a woman contemplating adultery." [Ibid.]

The title of "Butterflies" superficially comes from the Ben's lepidoptery hobby. However, it is better thought of as a metaphor for Ria's struggle against what feels to her as captivity (a captivity of her own making).

The cast is a strong point of the programme. Wendy Craig plays frustrated housewife Ria Parkinson and Geoffrey Palmer her reserved husband, Ben. Their youngest son, Adam, is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst and their older son, Russell by Andrew Hall. Bruce Montague plays Ria's friend Leonard.

The "Butterflies" theme song, "Love Is Like A Butterfly", was written and originally recorded by American country and western music artist Dolly Parton. The version used at the opening of each episode was recorded specially for the series by Clare Torry, with a band conducted by the BBC's well-known TV composer Ronnie Hazlehurst.

Many of the exterior scenes were filmed in Cheltenham including the High Street, Montpellier and Hatherley Park. The Parkinson house is situated on Bournside Road in Up Hatherley, Cheltenham.

Episodes

Twenty-eight episodes were originally produced and broadcast.

Series 1 (1978)
*"When Ria Met Leonard"
*"Breaking the Silence"
*"Thinking About a Job"
*"How About Lunch?"
*"The Lovers"
*"He'll Have to Go"

Series 2 (1979)
*"Leaving"
*"Fox Hunting"
*"Worrying"
*"A Dog's Life"
*"Keeping Fit"
*"An Attractive Visitor"
*"Lunch with Leonard"
*"Christmas with the Parkinsons"

Series 3 (1980)
*"An Empty Cage"
*"Ruby's Crisis"
*"Pregnancy"
*"Problems, Problems"
*"Happy Birthday, Ria"
*"Gimme Shelter"
*"Parting"

Series 4 (1983)
*"Back from New York"
*"Amanda"
*"Pot"
*"Cleaning Windows"
*"Calling"
*"Breaking Up"
*"Loose Ends"

In November 2000, the cast (save for Michael Ripper who had recently died) reunited for a 13-minute episode in aid of Children in Need. The premise is Ria's 60th birthday and the lack of change to her situation.

Special (2000)
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