Absolutely love James Bolam. Just watched The Beiderbecke trilogy, totally brilliant! I loved him as Terry in whatever happened too....and thought he was bloody lovely when he was younger. These two worked well together but it doesn't mean they had to be best friend's, its a job!
The first broadcast just before University and on going EVERYONE wanted me to teach them Geordie. I am from Middlesbrough NOT a Geordie. Durham Miners Accent is closer. Mike Neville, BBC Look North News then worked on a mini-series called "Lern Yer Sel Geordie" . I found the Book at Beamish Museum in the early 80s.@@davehoward22 James Bolam one of the finest UK TV actors. Sad, today, David McCullum, another great UK TV actor passed away. David was the second highest paid TV actor in the USA of all time. $500,000 per episode BUT only half of Hugh Laurie in "HOUSE". Still UK One & Two. Hope that James and his Wife Susan James have a long life still ahead of them bringing so much joy across the decades.
James Bolam also played the EXCELLENT lead role of Jack (John), Ford in 'When The Boat Comes In' - one of the finest series (there were four series of over forty episodes), on television. Bolam's wife Susan Jamieson also starred, but Bolam's character was perfect in every degree. The series continued with very high ratings throughout. I highly recommend it for any ex Veteran of the armed forces (especially the Army).
Jack Ford was his finest work of his career. I can’t stop watching it and I’ve had the box set for about 15 years now. Also I watched the originals when they were on Tv from 76 to 81.
When the Boat Comes In also starred Alun Armstrong another wonderful Actor. They worked together in New Tricks where James Bolam real wife, Susan Jameson played the wife of Alun Armstrong. Odd that Alun could work with Both James and his wife but Rodney couldn't and James had many successful series while Rodney didn't. Think a bit of jealousy?
Together these two men, and Brigit Forsyth in the second phase, produced one of the greatest of British sitcoms. The twelve episodes of the 1970s version make great comedy out of the tragedy of two men whose friendship is disrupted by one of them wishing to settle down. This is universal and this brilliant tragicomedy is why we are still watching all these years later.
To me the best episodes was (maybe the Christmas special) when Terry did his driving test and became a cabbie and when the 'lads' tried to avoid the England match result so they could watch it later...to find out it was "flooded out!".
Not only one of the funniest sitcoms ever, but also an accurate representation of life in the North East in the 1970’s. I went to Park Juniors myself so I should know (two years behind Bob and Terry).
My favourite episode, original Series (B&W), was when Terry was learning to ride a Scooter and Bob told Terry that to practice his emergency stop Bob would jump out at Terry. Bob promptly jumped in front of a different Scooter and ended up in Hospital, blaming Terry.
@@trevorhart545 Ive got that on the DVD set, interestingly , although its the 60’s ‘The Likely Lads’ ..Not 70’s whatever Happened to…its when we hear the first fleeting mention of Thelma, Terry says to Bob that the only reason he’d want a Scooter as well is to try and impress “that Thelma Chambers” and wizz of with her on the back of it, something like that, been quite a while since I watched it tbh, and that is the one and only mention of her…until of course ..‘Whatever Happened to….’ Great series !
Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads When the Boat Comes In New Tricks Beiderbeck Trilogy, (Tapes, Affair & Connection) EDIT, missed out: Only When I Laugh, along with with Peter Bowles All of these were Long Running Roles plus many one off roles including Midsommer Murder I think that shows what "chazsach6594" has pointed out I am not sure that I have seen Rodney Bewes as anything except as "Bob"
@@FeckWoke He doesn't know me He's never seen me So he's at a disadvantage he has nothing to back up anything he would say anyway So I'm not bothered People who do know me do speak highly of me and that's enough for me He speaks very badly about you tho after you met in Muppet Land Just outside divsville
These guys were just workmates. They were such great actors that people believed they were friends in real live. It's the same as if you work in a office or factory, you can be great mates but as soon as someone leaves, you never hear from them again.
My wife and I are in the middle of rewatching WHTTLL. Absolutely excellent acting and brilliant scripts. Still laughing out loud all these years later. And no rude words apart from “Bloody Hell! Bloody Hell!”
Ironic that a classic and very popular 60's and 70's comedy, which was built around the close friendship of two guys, was portrayed by two actors who didn't really like one another. It's a mark of their acting ability that they carried the series as far as it went. Being feared of being type cast, especially when its tied with another actor, is something which does occur frequently in the entertainment business.
Mixed msgs about that, as there are versions that they got on fine but there was bound to be tensions as they were both the protagonists of the show being more or less a duo role as oppose to an ensemble cast, but ppl in the know have stated that they got on fine with each other.@@TheWacoKid1963
Yes that’s right. They were actors, acting a script brilliantly! Such a shame the new wave of actors push their ideologies….I miss good actors that can act any character.
Obviously taken from an American viewpoint as it misses some superb acting from Bolam in ‘When the Boat Comes in’, ‘Only When I laugh’, the and classic and much under-rated Beiderbecke trilogy and most definitely the long running ‘New Tricks’.
One of the most overlooked theme tunes that resonates with people of the likely lads era was the theme of “Whatever happened to the likely lads” by highly likely. You can hear it on UA-cam .
the likely lads and whatever happened.. are still brilliant. Sometimes you have to accept that they were two actors who worked great on a job together and then just moved on. It's not always easy to keep in touch with old work mates when you move on and in different directions. One party can sometimes feel more of a bond than the other. That's life.
THe comedy in the show was derived greatly from the disparity between each of the characters outlook on life. In the show, they had gone to school together and grown up with each other - therefore they knew each other very well, however, they had totally different views and different approaches to most things. The fact they they were also so different off screen is not a surprise.
Thank you for putting this interesting programme together. I think the Likely Lads film was released in 1976 so not that long after the 1973-74 TV series of Return of the Likely Lads and the Radio Series was July - Oct 1975 so do not think there had been a big gap between the actors working together.. Presumably, it was the same year as working together on the film that the alleged phone call and falling out happened in 1976.
Spring and Port Wine (1970) was the only film i seen Bewes in with Susan George James Mason and Diana Coupland and more, As for Bolam when the boat comes in made him it was a drama series, out of the likely lads Bolam was the only one born in the north east Sunderland while Bewes was from Bingley in Yorkshire
The better actor, a matter for debate. Certainly doesn't sound like the better man going by the negative feedback from all the people who have had the misfortune to meet or work with him 😢@@michellefalleur9608:31 8:31 8:31
I don't exactly know the reason for Bolam's privacy obsession but it could be because his wife Susan Jameson, herself an actress, most famous for the series 'Take Three Girls', earlier in her career had a brief affair with actor Richard O'Sullivan, star of the sitcom 'Man About the House' from which she had a child rejected by both parents as Richard O'Sullivan seemed to have a phobia about commitment and Susan Jameson was embarrassed by having an illegitimate child. The child, a son, looked very like Richard O'Sullivan. He once met Susan Jameson, who went on to marry and have a daughter with James Bolam. She told her son at that meeting that she didn't have any maternal feelings for him and did not want to meet him again. This is according to what her son said.
They sound like a perfect match. Obviously have very high opinions of themselves and bloated egos. Career, status and money meant far more to them than family friends and not being ashamed of their humble beginnings. I never knew all this until recently. A good actor he may be, but sounds as though he has treated many people on the way up with contempt and is rather unlikeable. Interesting Rodney Bewes isn't the only actor who has written about Boland's selfish and mean spirited ways. I had no idea that his wife Susan Jameson had a son with Richard O Sullivan but gave him up and never wanted anything to do with him. That's made me see these pair in a completely different light, after all these decades of watching their work. I won't be watching them now with the same enjoyment. They have sullied those memories. I feel for Rodney he was obviously the better human
You seemed to miss james bolam in when the boat comes in . The character i will always associate with, a brilliant series that was a history of how the northern working class were and existed after world war one. A treasure of history of fact and t.v
Maybe it was a case of James Bolam being ambitious and desperately wanting to be known as a serious actor, but Rodney Bewes like many of us easy going and fairly content with what he already had.
I like James Bolam. He has diversified his roles. While Rodney Bewes played fewer roles, you still placed him as a likely lad. I love Jame Bolams role in New Tricks. I watch it over and over again
Just because they were celebrities doesn't mean they should keep in touch. I left the police fifty years ago but never hardly contacted any former colleagues.
I met Rodney Bewes in Cadgwith Cornwall. Went out in his boat a couple of times and got a tour of the smuggling caves. He introduced me to Rum and Shrub a favourite drink of his. He was most likeable, friendly and a great sense of humour. I still drink rum and shrub in his memory. He basically made my holiday extremely memorable. RIP Rodney.
I am from Middlesbrough so when I went to Liverpool students would ask me to teach them Geordie. I am Yorkshire and Geordie comes in 2 forms to me. Northumberland and Newcastle region. Sunderland was Durham Miners Accent NOT Geordie, VERY different. Manchester and Liverpool VERY different accents. It is like calling a Sloane Ranger the same as an Eastender.
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So what if they didn't speak again! As James Bolam, apparently said, they worked together and moved on. We've all done exactly the same thing. Media making something out of nothing, as usual.......
If you are looking for examples of brilliant 2 handed comedy played by actors who didn't really like each other, don't forget Harry H Corbett and Wilfed Bramble in "Steptoe & Son" (BBC TV series[s], plus 2 or 3 feature films).
Again a great video. Missing vast chunks of both of the lads works and trying to get to the nub of these two. Enjoyed it. But again I say why an American presenter!
I always reckoned James Bolam was one of my favourite actors...from the Likely lads to The Missing Postman and more...a man i liked to watch...... Bob.....Paignton.....
I always loved both The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to but longed for a Whatever Happened to Whatever Happened to The Likely Lads with Bob still married now with children (All female of course) and Terry still single both slightly envious of each others lifestyle. Sadly it's all too late now and I pray that they don't try to remake any of this with different actors (Yes I'm looking at you Ant and Dec!)
Dreadful video. Little more than lazy repackaging of old clips and second-hand rumour, with nothing new to say and not a peep from any of the protagonists. And the programme name was The *Likely* Lads (note stress on second word) - not The Likely *Lads*.
For many years after, Bewes tried rather desperately to maintain the illusion that he was still in touch with Bolam, telling journalists who inquired that they had only recently had dinner together, enjoyed 'a swift half' or met up at the races - 'It was easier that way,' he later confessed - but, after Bolam declined to appear as a guest in his edition of "This Is Your Life" in 1980, and then ignored a number of other attempts at a rapprochement, Bewes finally began to address the issue in public - first in his 2005 autobiography, "A Likely Story", and then in countless interviews over the final twelve years of his life. It will remain a matter for conjecture how much he really believed, or managed to convince himself, that he was now mourning the loss of a genuine friendship, but certain elements in the narrative that he would recite always sounded somewhat contrived. He made a number of conflicting and confusing claims, for instance, that Bolam, riding high in a succession of other series while his erstwhile co-star was now struggling to revive his flagging career, had selfishly refused to sanction repeats of "The Likely Lads" on network British television. In 2007, a mere two years after he had claimed that he was "happy they keep on showing the old episodes" ("let's face it," he added, "you get the repeat cheques, and the bank manager smiles"), Bewes, in a bizarre volte-face ignored by the media, told an interviewer that Bolam had "vetoed" all repeats of the shows 'for 18 years' on the grounds that it would have been "a retrospective step" in his career.
Bolam starred in 'When the boat comes in' - the school featured by BBC was Western Board school North Shields. Our only encounter with the star was sadly miserable as he refused to acknowledge any of us school kids as he walked across the playground. Not holding a grudge, just seems to be a boring person in public.
This was the stand out comedy of the 60s Absolutely brilliant I put this above fawlty towers and when they came back as whatever happened it was if they had never been away They do not make comedy like this any more and it pkayed a part in my growing up
Not much mention here for James Mitchell the creator of W T B C I I remember as a student at Sunderland College of Art - starting in 1964, he was my English tutor but forever writing away behind those very big milk bottle bottom glasses. Didn't know then of course about his status. Was he creating Callan, Jack Ford or the many novels under his own or pseudonym. The atmosphere I suppose was not just filled with fiction but cigarette smoke from chain smoking.
This documentary (and many of the comments) seem very pro James and anti Rodney. The truth is James Bolam could be moody and difficult, and perhaps takes himself a little too seriously. Not unlike the relationship between Wilfred Brambell and Harry H Corbett from that other great 60s/70s series Steptoe and Son. Dn't forget either the antipathy between Jimmy Jewell and Hylda Baker in Nearest and Dearest. For old Jimmy was a very difficult man, who could start an argument in an empty room.
I am in the upper 60s and from the North East. Rodney played himself, that was all he could do. James went on to a variety of roles. That was the key difference, one had talent and the other had jealousy. Likely Lads was the 1960s, Black and White.
It's strange how Rodney Bewes' cause of death has never been announced. I've also thought that when this happens it usually means there's something strange about the the circumstances surrounding his death.
This video is of "a piece" with many other such videos on UA-cam - probably churned out by the bucketload - complete with the omnipresent American accent of the narrator - the actual "meat" or "substance" is usually quite thin - I think viewers of this video would probably agree on one thing - Bolam and Bewes each stood for higher standards in their professional lives than this video !!!!!
James Bolam is a True actor playing comedy and straight parts along with playing parts in children's programmes but Bewes was in real life as he portrayed stuck up
Bewes seems to have been one of the most conceited men to have lived within my lifetime. His mission in life would appear to have only centered on one thing. The advancement of Rodney Bewes.
what a load of tosh you didnt know them your just speculating what you think happened.. ever thought that one may have said Ive had enough you go it alone ???
Why do people expect so much of people who worked together. These weren’t a married couple or brothers I had work colleagues ex girlfriends and friends in decades gone by who I never think of now and just don’t care about it isn’t a rift but life is long and unless you bump in to someone from your past there are far more important things to deal with today. These actors were a good double act and one went on to bigger and better the other was a one trick pony.
Absolutely love James Bolam. Just watched The Beiderbecke trilogy, totally brilliant! I loved him as Terry in whatever happened too....and thought he was bloody lovely when he was younger. These two worked well together but it doesn't mean they had to be best friend's, its a job!
Used to like when the boat comes in
The first broadcast just before University and on going EVERYONE wanted me to teach them Geordie. I am from Middlesbrough NOT a Geordie. Durham Miners Accent is closer. Mike Neville, BBC Look North News then worked on a mini-series called "Lern Yer Sel Geordie" . I found the Book at Beamish Museum in the early 80s.@@davehoward22
James Bolam one of the finest UK TV actors.
Sad, today, David McCullum, another great UK TV actor passed away. David was the second highest paid TV actor in the USA of all time. $500,000 per episode BUT only half of Hugh Laurie in "HOUSE". Still UK One & Two.
Hope that James and his Wife Susan James have a long life still ahead of them bringing so much joy across the decades.
Couldn't stand that one that died
.........the thing is everybody thought they were friends tho !
Where did you watch the Beiderbecke trilogy. Been looking for it for years. Watched it all when it first aired.
James Bolam also played the EXCELLENT lead role of Jack (John), Ford in 'When The Boat Comes In' - one of the finest series (there were four series of over forty episodes), on television. Bolam's wife Susan Jamieson also starred, but Bolam's character was perfect in every degree. The series continued with very high ratings throughout. I highly recommend it for any ex Veteran of the armed forces (especially the Army).
I've been watching the series on channel 20 (drama). Better than 95% of the rubbish on TV nowadays.
I love this series, James Bolam is a great actor..I watched the original series and I still watch it from time to time on you tube..🤩
Do you have all of the episodes on DVD? If not, they are still available to buy online as either seperate series or as one big box set. Enjoy.
Jack Ford was his finest work of his career. I can’t stop watching it and I’ve had the box set for about 15 years now. Also I watched the originals when they were on Tv from 76 to 81.
When the Boat Comes In also starred Alun Armstrong another wonderful Actor. They worked together in New Tricks where James Bolam real wife, Susan Jameson played the wife of Alun Armstrong. Odd that Alun could work with Both James and his wife but Rodney couldn't and James had many successful series while Rodney didn't. Think a bit of jealousy?
Together these two men, and Brigit Forsyth in the second phase, produced one of the greatest of British sitcoms. The twelve episodes of the 1970s version make great comedy out of the tragedy of two men whose friendship is disrupted by one of them wishing to settle down. This is universal and this brilliant tragicomedy is why we are still watching all these years later.
To me the best episodes was (maybe the Christmas special) when Terry did his driving test and became a cabbie and when the 'lads' tried to avoid the England match result so they could watch it later...to find out it was "flooded out!".
We should be really talking about the greatness of the writers and not the actors so much.
@@alanprior7650 The army would have taught him to drive.
And the lovely Sheila Fern
Not only one of the funniest sitcoms ever, but also an accurate representation of life in the North East in the 1970’s. I went to Park Juniors myself so I should know (two years behind Bob and Terry).
I went to Brierdene School ... not too far away
My favourite episode, original Series (B&W), was when Terry was learning to ride a Scooter and Bob told Terry that to practice his emergency stop Bob would jump out at Terry. Bob promptly jumped in front of a different Scooter and ended up in Hospital, blaming Terry.
@@trevorhart545 Ive got that on the DVD set, interestingly , although its the 60’s ‘The Likely Lads’ ..Not 70’s whatever Happened to…its when we hear the first fleeting mention of Thelma, Terry says to Bob that the only reason he’d want a Scooter as well is to try and impress “that Thelma Chambers” and wizz of with her on the back of it, something like that, been quite a while since I watched it tbh, and that is the one and only mention of her…until of course ..‘Whatever Happened to….’ Great series !
Crap.
It was not authentic at all. Hardly any of the cast had a northern accent.
James Bolam is one of the best and underrated actors this country has ever produced.
Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads
When the Boat Comes In
New Tricks
Beiderbeck Trilogy, (Tapes, Affair & Connection)
EDIT, missed out: Only When I Laugh, along with with Peter Bowles
All of these were Long Running Roles
plus many one off roles including Midsommer Murder
I think that shows what "chazsach6594" has pointed out
I am not sure that I have seen Rodney Bewes as anything except as "Bob"
He was no great actor. He was personable on screen, and he made good choices. Not that it has anything to do with this.
Underrated 😡😡😡
People overuse that word to make us feel they know more than us
He was shee-ite never liked any of his crap
@@carazy-wb5yk Yet he speaks so highly of you. Oh well.
@@FeckWoke
He doesn't know me
He's never seen me
So he's at a disadvantage he has nothing to back up anything he would say anyway
So I'm not bothered
People who do know me do speak highly of me and that's enough for me
He speaks very badly about you tho after you met in Muppet Land
Just outside divsville
These guys were just workmates. They were such great actors that people believed they were friends in real live. It's the same as if you work in a office or factory, you can be great mates but as soon as someone leaves, you never hear from them again.
Just because you work together doesn’t mean you have to be friends.
My wife and I are in the middle of rewatching WHTTLL. Absolutely excellent acting and brilliant scripts. Still laughing out loud all these years later. And no rude words apart from “Bloody Hell! Bloody Hell!”
Real humour doesn't depend on swearing.
Ironic that a classic and very popular 60's and 70's comedy, which was built around the close friendship of two guys, was portrayed by two actors who didn't really like one another. It's a mark of their acting ability that they carried the series as far as it went. Being feared of being type cast, especially when its tied with another actor, is something which does occur frequently in the entertainment business.
It was the same in Rising Damp..Rupert Rigsby may have lusted after Miss Jones, but the actors in real life were poles apart, and hardly communicated.
Harry H. Corbett & Wilfred Bramble in Steptoe & Son is another example. The underlying tension feeds the entertainment. @@gaskellr44
@@gaskellr44 we hear the same of Steptoe & Son all the time
Mixed msgs about that, as there are versions that they got on fine but there was bound to be tensions as they were both the protagonists of the show being more or less a duo role as oppose to an ensemble cast, but ppl in the know have stated that they got on fine with each other.@@TheWacoKid1963
Yes that’s right. They were actors, acting a script brilliantly! Such a shame the new wave of actors push their ideologies….I miss good actors that can act any character.
That cycling episode was really top notch, very funny.
I think that was partly filmed on the Beehive road .. between Earsdon and Seaton Sluice, just near Whitley Bay
Obviously taken from an American viewpoint as it misses some superb acting from Bolam in ‘When the Boat Comes in’,
‘Only When I laugh’, the and classic and much under-rated Beiderbecke trilogy and most definitely the long running ‘New Tricks’.
Also don't forget Bolam's adverts for Young's Fish. 'Make Young's the fish of the day!'
.......and Grandpa in my Pocket, done for the kids, which was great.
@@BradBrassman James Bolam obviously still has plenty of other bigger fish to fry.
He is arguably the protagonist in O W I L, a brilliant comedy with a glowing ensemble cast that includes Peter Bowles and Richard Wilson.
Trivia doesn't come more trivial than this.
I've worked closely with hundreds of people throughout my working life with very few I'm still in contact with, why should actors be any different.
Exactly
And some people I've worked with I don't want to keep in contact with.
One of the most overlooked theme tunes that resonates with people of the likely lads era was the theme of “Whatever happened to the likely lads” by highly likely. You can hear it on UA-cam .
the likely lads and whatever happened.. are still brilliant. Sometimes you have to accept that they were two actors who worked great on a job together and then just moved on. It's not always easy to keep in touch with old work mates when you move on and in different directions. One party can sometimes feel more of a bond than the other. That's life.
THe comedy in the show was derived greatly from the disparity between each of the characters outlook on life. In the show, they had gone to school together and grown up with each other - therefore they knew each other very well, however, they had totally different views and different approaches to most things. The fact they they were also so different off screen is not a surprise.
Why? It's called acting. They could have been best pals in real life, with same views and interests.
He put a block on repeats being shown thus preventing Bewes from getting a few bob!
False.
I loved everything the two lads made, they were a class act and very funny, I look back on the likely lads with fondness.
Bolam was brilliant in the Biederbecke Trilogy.
Thank you for putting this interesting programme together. I think the Likely Lads film was released in 1976 so not that long after the 1973-74 TV series of Return of the Likely Lads and the Radio Series was July - Oct 1975 so do not think there had been a big gap between the actors working together.. Presumably, it was the same year as working together on the film that the alleged phone call and falling out happened in 1976.
Spring and Port Wine (1970) was the only film i seen Bewes in with Susan George James Mason and Diana Coupland and more, As for Bolam when the boat comes in made him it was a drama series, out of the likely lads Bolam was the only one born in the north east Sunderland while Bewes was from Bingley in Yorkshire
He was in the film version of Billy Liar which starred Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie
@@downseyboy1 yes, he was. He was a good actor, but I think Bolam is better.
The better actor, a matter for debate. Certainly doesn't sound like the better man going by the negative feedback from all the people who have had the misfortune to meet or work with him 😢@@michellefalleur9608:31 8:31 8:31
He was also in one of the muskateer films starring Oliver reed,Frank finlay,Michael York and Richard chamberlin.
I don't exactly know the reason for Bolam's privacy obsession but it could be because his wife Susan Jameson, herself an actress, most famous for the series 'Take Three Girls', earlier in her career had a brief affair with actor Richard O'Sullivan, star of the sitcom 'Man About the House' from which she had a child rejected by both parents as Richard O'Sullivan seemed to have a phobia about commitment and Susan Jameson was embarrassed by having an illegitimate child. The child, a son, looked very like Richard O'Sullivan. He once met Susan Jameson, who went on to marry and have a daughter with James Bolam. She told her son at that meeting that she didn't have any maternal feelings for him and did not want to meet him again. This is according to what her son said.
Poor man, what a horrible, selfish person she must be to reject her own child.
Shared a flat take 3 girls
They sound like a perfect match. Obviously have very high opinions of themselves and bloated egos. Career, status and money meant far more to them than family friends and not being ashamed of their humble beginnings. I never knew all this until recently. A good actor he may be, but sounds as though he has treated many people on the way up with contempt and is rather unlikeable. Interesting Rodney Bewes isn't the only actor who has written about Boland's selfish and mean spirited ways. I had no idea that his wife Susan Jameson had a son with Richard O Sullivan but gave him up and never wanted anything to do with him. That's made me see these pair in a completely different light, after all these decades of watching their work. I won't be watching them now with the same enjoyment. They have sullied those memories. I feel for Rodney he was obviously the better human
That's sad
@@user-lk8bz7hg2b This Boland bloke sounds a bit unpleasant.
Could'nt care less about any actors personal life what they do on screen is all that matters . Bolam is a fantastic actor
You seemed to miss james bolam in when the boat comes in .
The character i will always associate with, a brilliant series that was a history of how the northern working class were and existed after world war one.
A treasure of history of fact and t.v
Loved the Yorkshire lad best❤❤
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Brilliant actor got on with the job and kept his opinions to himself
Maybe it was a case of James Bolam being ambitious and desperately wanting to be known as a serious actor, but Rodney Bewes like many of us easy going and fairly content with what he already had.
I like James Bolam. He has diversified his roles. While Rodney Bewes played fewer roles, you still placed him as a likely lad. I love Jame Bolams role in New Tricks. I watch it over and over again
Just because they were celebrities doesn't mean they should keep in touch.
I left the police fifty years ago but never hardly contacted any former colleagues.
I seem to remember the same being said of Sid James and Tony Hancock
I met Rodney Bewes in Cadgwith Cornwall. Went out in his boat a couple of times and got a tour of the smuggling caves.
He introduced me to Rum and Shrub a favourite drink of his.
He was most likeable, friendly and a great sense of humour.
I still drink rum and shrub in his memory.
He basically made my holiday extremely memorable.
RIP Rodney.
James Bolam. Only When I Laugh, When the Boat Comes in. A Sunderland lad.
I am from Middlesbrough so when I went to Liverpool students would ask me to teach them Geordie. I am Yorkshire and Geordie comes in 2 forms to me. Northumberland and Newcastle region. Sunderland was Durham Miners Accent NOT Geordie, VERY different. Manchester and Liverpool VERY different accents. It is like calling a Sloane Ranger the same as an Eastender.
I thought they were great,loved watching the Likely Lads..😍😎
Yes, they were great together, and James Bolam was great in kids show Grandpa in my Pocket!
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So what if they didn't speak again! As James Bolam, apparently said, they worked together and moved on. We've all done exactly the same thing. Media making something out of nothing, as usual.......
If you are looking for examples of brilliant 2 handed comedy played by actors who didn't really like each other, don't forget Harry H Corbett and Wilfed Bramble in "Steptoe & Son" (BBC TV series[s], plus 2 or 3 feature films).
James Bolam was great in the period drama “ when the boat comes in “
Again a great video. Missing vast chunks of both of the lads works and trying to get to the nub of these two. Enjoyed it. But again I say why an American presenter!
Yes they were amazing ❤❤
I always reckoned James Bolam was one of my favourite actors...from the Likely lads to The Missing Postman and more...a man i liked to watch...... Bob.....Paignton.....
you missed out other Bolams other great work ie When The Boat Comes In, New Tricks and the Less poplar Andy Cap.
I always loved both The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to but longed for a Whatever Happened to Whatever Happened to The Likely Lads with Bob still married now with children (All female
of course) and Terry still single both slightly envious of each others lifestyle. Sadly it's all too late now and I pray that they don't try to remake any of this with different actors (Yes I'm looking at you Ant and Dec!)
Nah, they're far too busy with Ant and Dec's Saturday Shite.
Love watching the likely lads.
I loved The Beiderbecke Affair!
"Honestly, Thelma, it’s just a lad’s fishing trip - just me, Terry … and Brenda.”
Not really much of a story, two work mates that did not aways get on, a very common story to many people.
Dreadful video. Little more than lazy repackaging of old clips and second-hand rumour, with nothing new to say and not a peep from any of the protagonists. And the programme name was The *Likely* Lads (note stress on second word) - not The Likely *Lads*.
Good grief, the output of this channel is awful.
Quite literally, everything they put up is absolutely pants!
When the boat comes in one of the best series ever about 1920 Britain james bolam one of the greatest actors ever greatest respect to him
Errr .... They were actors playing a part ? why would they stay in touch ... they were not mates they were work colleagues
For many years after, Bewes tried rather desperately to maintain the illusion that he was still in touch with Bolam, telling journalists who inquired that they had only recently had dinner together, enjoyed 'a swift half' or met up at the races - 'It was easier that way,' he later confessed - but, after Bolam declined to appear as a guest in his edition of "This Is Your Life" in 1980, and then ignored a number of other attempts at a rapprochement, Bewes finally began to address the issue in public - first in his 2005 autobiography, "A Likely Story", and then in countless interviews over the final twelve years of his life. It will remain a matter for conjecture how much he really believed, or managed to convince himself, that he was now mourning the loss of a genuine friendship, but certain elements in the narrative that he would recite always sounded somewhat contrived. He made a number of conflicting and confusing claims, for instance, that Bolam, riding high in a succession of other series while his erstwhile co-star was now struggling to revive his flagging career, had selfishly refused to sanction repeats of "The Likely Lads" on network British television. In 2007, a mere two years after he had claimed that he was "happy they keep on showing the old episodes" ("let's face it," he added, "you get the repeat cheques, and the bank manager smiles"), Bewes, in a bizarre volte-face ignored by the media, told an interviewer that Bolam had "vetoed" all repeats of the shows 'for 18 years' on the grounds that it would have been "a retrospective step" in his career.
Bolam starred in 'When the boat comes in' - the school featured by BBC was Western Board school North Shields. Our only encounter with the star was sadly miserable as he refused to acknowledge any of us school kids as he walked across the playground. Not holding a grudge, just seems to be a boring person in public.
This was the stand out comedy of the 60s
Absolutely brilliant
I put this above fawlty towers and when they came back as whatever happened it was if they had never been away
They do not make comedy like this any more and it pkayed a part in my growing up
I wish people would stop saying that people are under rated. He was never under rated by anyone.
While Bolam had a wide variety of roles, Bewes only really played Bob Ferris and it pains me to say it, was so far up his own backside.
Simply the best
Not much mention here for James Mitchell the creator of W T B C I I remember as a student at Sunderland College of Art - starting in 1964, he was my English tutor but forever writing away behind those very big milk bottle bottom glasses. Didn't know then of course about his status. Was he creating Callan, Jack Ford or the many novels under his own or pseudonym. The atmosphere I suppose was not just filled with fiction but cigarette smoke from chain smoking.
They weren't friends they just worked together and apparently Bewes was a big head who was not always liked by other cast members
BEST TV show ever
This documentary (and many of the comments) seem very pro James and anti Rodney. The truth is James Bolam could be moody and difficult, and perhaps takes himself a little too seriously. Not unlike the relationship between Wilfred Brambell and Harry H Corbett from that other great 60s/70s series Steptoe and Son. Dn't forget either the antipathy between Jimmy Jewell and Hylda Baker in Nearest and Dearest. For old Jimmy was a very difficult man, who could start an argument in an empty room.
I always add cowents before watching the final video and had to add this. The name Dalziel is prounouced DeEl.
Very funny. Very popular show from the 70s. Yes rodney didnt do anything worthy to mention after this and im 54 not 120 year old lol
I am in the upper 60s and from the North East. Rodney played himself, that was all he could do. James went on to a variety of roles. That was the key difference, one had talent and the other had jealousy. Likely Lads was the 1960s, Black and White.
When the boat comes in 👍👍
It's strange how Rodney Bewes' cause of death has never been announced. I've also thought that when this happens it usually means there's something strange about the the circumstances surrounding his death.
Bolam was a better actor.
Just one question, is it true that James Bolan refused to allow re runs of the Likely Lads?
No.
Reading a script, has this narrator even heard of either actor? Complete Tosh...
He put the stress on Lads rather than Likely, which sounds odd.
I was not a particular fan of the series. Wouldn't put put myself out to watch it. But did watch some, from time to time, and was moderately amused.
It was only mildly amusing at best.
Yes, I was ....one of my favourite series (not the last one) is when the boat comes in...superb...that's were ( bolam) I think meet his future wife..
... I think they met on the Original series of Likely Lads, in the 60's , didn't they .
@michellefalleur960 Susan Jameson, I would not know, the what happened, ended in 1976/78,.
@@colincharlton9339 I'm sure, 'cos She was in one of the episodes, & that's how they met, I'm positive anyway !
Was this show shown on American tv?
They got on fine
The natural differences between them greatly helped their performances seem naturally antagonistic.
This video is of "a piece" with many other such videos on UA-cam - probably churned out by the bucketload - complete with the omnipresent American accent of the narrator - the actual "meat" or "substance" is usually quite thin - I think viewers of this video would probably agree on one thing - Bolam and Bewes each stood for higher standards in their professional lives than this video !!!!!
Do you keep in touch with all your school mates or persons you worked with? I suppose not. Pity this kind of drivel is so prevalent on social media.
James Bolam is a True actor playing comedy and straight parts along with playing parts in children's programmes but Bewes was in real life as he portrayed stuck up
Probably a very accurate comment. James went on to many roles Rodney disappeared into Obscurity. Probably the right outcome for both.
Many who met Rodney in real life have commented upon how pleasant and chatty he was.
Watchin likely lads tonight it's brill and funny 🤣
Was brill in when the boat comes in 👍
When you say the name of their famous programme, put the accent on Likely.
James Bolam yeah great actor, so versatile enough to have had a decent career, yep keep going mate.
Bewes seems to have been one of the most conceited men to have lived within my lifetime. His mission in life would appear to have only centered on one thing. The advancement of Rodney Bewes.
what a load of tosh you didnt know them your just speculating what you think happened.. ever thought that one may have said Ive had enough you go it alone ???
Yes loved itxx
Thanks for that, interesting.
James Bolam was clearly the talented one . Bewes always seem to lack depth and was one dimensional.
Bewes wanted to continue with characters but Bolam was done with his role of Terry and the series,
It was the Likely Lads not the Likely, lads
Old old old old news
They were never friends in the first place.
Are the media now dictating who can be a friend for how long. These presenter's should go away and get a life and leave professional actor's alone!
Hah!! James Bolam shared a flat with Mark Feld , who became Mark Bolan . I never knew .
Bolam has always been a Zionist.
Why do people expect so much of people who worked together. These weren’t a married couple or brothers I had work colleagues ex girlfriends and friends in decades gone by who I never think of now and just don’t care about it isn’t a rift but life is long and unless you bump in to someone from your past there are far more important things to deal with today. These actors were a good double act and one went on to bigger and better the other was a one trick pony.
why would anyone care either way if they got on or not..?
I don't want a long potted history just to find out what rumours?
Phew!.....suffered 4 minutes of this repetitive drivel, and this was with 3 minutes of padding.
Bolam simply saw himself as a "serious actor" and didnt want to get tyoecast. Its a shame he forgot the programme and co-actor that made him.
Bolam was/is a cocky creep.
great movie rod and james mason
Dalziel is pronounced 'dee-el'.
this whole video is RUBBISH/TRIPE, and just nonsensical, the Likely Lad's show was great, that's all you need to know,,
They were passing work colleagues, not bosom pals.