Astronauts, 1981
Astronauts was an ITV sitcom that ran for 2 series over 13 episodes (7 in series one and 6 in series two) between 1981 and 1983.
It’s scripts were of the highest calibre being written by two of the ‘Goodies’ and benefitting from script editing by comedy script writing legends Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (Likely Lads, Porridge)
The show was an outside production from Witzend for Associated Television (ATV), which became Central midway through the production run.
Astronauts has not benefitted from regular repeats although a selection of 8 episodes got a repeat outing in 1986 courtesy of Channel 4.
Summary
Three Astronauts Malcolm Mattocks, Gentian Foster and David Ackroyd, are sent to occupy the ‘Sky Lab’ space station for six months.
They take with them a dog, a collection of white mice and some insects. The dog, Bimbo, had previously appeared in The Goodies.
Watching the goings on back at Mission Control is Beadle, an American.
The humour is primarily based on the claustrophobic conditions of the two-room space station and the consequent tensions.
Clips
This episode just popped up on You Tube
[AdSense-A]
Cast
Christopher Godwin – Commander Malcolm Mattocks
Carmen du Sautoy – Dr. Gentian Foster
Barrie Rutter – Technical Officer David Ackroyd
Bruce Boa – Beadle
Details
Channel: ITV
Written By: Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie
Script Editors: Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais
Produced For ITV By: Witzend Productions
Original Transmission Dates: 26th October – 7th December 1981 (series 1), 19th July – 23rd August 1983 (series 2)
Where To Watch
Doesn’t appear on any major streaming service. The complete series was available from on DVD on the sadly now defunct Network On Air label