Dad (1997)
Dad is a BBC1 sitcom that ran for 13 episodes over two series and a Christmas special. Described by the BBC as a 'generation-gap comedy', it starred George Cole as Brian Hook, Kevin McNally as his son Alan Hook, and Toby Ross-Bryant as his son Vincent Hook and Julia Hills as his wife Beryl Hook. Written by Andrew Marshall, the title of each episode was a pun on the word 'Dad'. Most of the episodes involved Alan Hook getting frustrated by situations brought upon him by his father and son. For example, in 'Dadmestic', Vincent's mother allows him to host a house party, leaving Alan with no alternative but to spend the evening at his father's house. In the episode 'Habadadery', Brian comes down with a bout of illness, meaning that Alan has to look after him. Brian then takes Alan to 'Mr Nigel's shop', where Alan's middle-aged style crisis goes from bad to worse as he purchases an extremely bold Hawaiian shirt. The theme tune for the first series was the 1965 hit 'Tijuana Taxi' performed by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. For the second series this was replaced with the song 'Go Daddy-O' by Californian swing revival band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
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Episode 1 - Dadism
Release Date: 1997-09-25Alan Hook has two problems in his life: his jovial but infuriating father Brian, and his son Vincent. In this episode it's Vincent's 18th Birthday.
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Episode 2 - Dadmestic
Release Date: 1997-10-02Beryl agrees that Vincent can have a party in the house, leaving Alan with no alternative but to spend a restful evening at his father's place.
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Episode 3 - Dadcipline
Release Date: 1997-10-09While Alan bemoans the lack of discipline in society, Beryl makes an exciting discovery about Vincent. Brian has a secret in his past that affects them all.
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Episode 4 - Habadadery
Release Date: 1997-10-16Alan's father re-enters Alan's life due to a recent bout of illness. Alan then goes through a style crisis made worse when his dad takes him to Mr Nigel's shop.
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Episode 5 - Dadaholic
Release Date: 1997-10-23Alan thinks Brian is drinking too much, but in his efforts to help the situation, Alan ends up in trouble with the police.
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Episode 6 - Holidad
Release Date: 1997-10-30Alan discovers, to his horror, that Beryl has given Brian the task of arranging a holiday for them all. But it couldn't be worse than the family holidays he remembers—could it?