The Legacy of Reginald Perrin

The Legacy of Reginald Perrin – 1996

The 1990’s seemed to love revivals.  The BBC had resurrected the Doctor In The House series and The Liver Birds, now it was the turn of Reginald Perrin.

As Leonard Rossiter had died in 1984 The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin was seen as a follow on and became the first of of two spin offs from the hugely popular Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin (the other being Reggie Perrin with Martin Clunes).

Running for just one series of seven episodes, the show was not the success that perhaps writer David Nobbs (who also wrote the original) might have hoped.

Summary

As bizarre as the original series.  Reginald Perrin’s circle of family and friends come together at the office of his lawyer Geraldine Hackstraw.  They are told that each will inherit one million pounds, but with one condition – that they do something totally absurd. The nature of their absurd task is left to the individuals, but it is to be judged by Ms Hackstraw.

Most of the characters have fallen on hard times to some extent, having in the main been forced to retire or been made redundant due to their age.

After several pathetic solo attempts at being absurd (including both C.J. and Doc asking out Geraldine), the potential millionaires decide to join forces.  With Jimmy as leader, they mount a bloodless coup the aim of which is to reverse age roles, with such policies as pensions for the young.

The policies are a success – and as such their plan backfires.  Under the terms of Reggie’s will they must to do something absurd, but as Geraldine points out, the idea has turned out not to be absurd after all, therefore they find themselves with an unexpected outcome – they do not now stand to inherit the money.

Clips

 

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Cast

Pauline Yates
John Barron
Sue Nicholls
Geoffrey Palmer
Bruce Bould
Tim Preece
Sally-Jane Spencer
John Horsley
Theresa Watson
Patricia Hodge
Michael Fenton Stevens

Details

Channel: BBC1
Written By: David Nobbs
Produced By: Gareth Gwenlan
Original Transmission Dates: 22nd September 1996 – 31st October 1996

Merchandising

There does not appear to be a DVD release of this show, only the book.

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