Keep On Running (The Green Green Grass)

"Keep On Running" is the premiere episode of the BBC sitcom The Green Green Grass. It was first screened on 9 September 2005 as the first episode of the first series.[1] It was written by The Green Green Grass and Only Fools and Horses series creator John Sullivan and directed by Tony Dow.

"Keep On Running"
The Green Green Grass episode
Boycie and Denzil
Episode no.Series 1
Episode 1
Directed byTony Dow
Written byJohn Sullivan
Editing byChris Wadsworth
Production code1:1 (1)
Original air date9 September 2005 (2005-09-09)
Running time30 minutes
Guest appearance
Paul Barber
Episode chronology
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"A Rocky Start"
The Green Green Grass (series 1)
List of episodes

Synopsis

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Boycie begins a normal day of neglecting his wife, ignoring his son and taking the dog for a walk in a taxi but all is to change. Upon the arrival of friend Denzil, Boycie soon finds out that the Driscoll Brothers, who are currently in prison, are due to be released in three weeks time. Worse still, they have been tipped off that Boycie was the supergrass whose evidence got them imprisoned. Fearing for his life, Boycie sells the house and showroom and buys Winterdown Farm in Oakham, Shropshire.

Upon arriving in Shropshire, Boycie, Marlene and Tyler get lost and cannot find Winterdown Farm (due to Boycie using a faulty satelite navigation sold to him by Del Boy). They stop off at a local pub only to find the tradition of Morris dancing still exists in the country. They soon find the farm and begin to settle in until a knock at the door frightens them. It turns out to be Elgin Sparrowhawk, the farm's very own manager. After several disturbing revelations during their conversation with him they decide to retire only... what did happen in that bedroom?

Cast

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Actor Role
John Challis Boycie
Sue Holderness Marlene
Jack Doolan Tyler
David Ross Elgin
Paul Barber Denzil
Robert Putt Publican

Production

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Writing

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This episode was written by John Sullivan, writer of Only Fools and Horses. The whole of the first series was written entirely by John Sullivan.

Conception

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The idea for The Green Green Grass came from John Challis' real-life situation. John Sullivan, writer of Only Fools and Horses saw how John's life had changed since he and his wife Carol had moved some ten years ago. He decided after watching the episode Little Problems of Only Fools and Horses, where Boycie is obviously terrified of the Driscoll Brothers, to have him shop them to the police and flee before their release. The prequel idea, Once Upon a Time in Peckham was put on hold until the project got onto its feet.

Continuity

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Filming

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Filming for the first series of The Green Green Grass started in June 2005. The series was ready for broadcast by the end of August 2005. Only Fools and Horses regular, Paul Barber was involved in the first episode in a small guest appearance and was the only original cast member to make an appearance. However, Roy Heather has made a cameo as Sid and Roy Marsden and Christopher Ryan have made three appearances as the Driscoll Brothers. With Roy Heather's appearance, the set of The Nag's Head was used.

Broadcast and reception

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During its original airing, the episode had a viewing audience of 8.88 million, in the 8:30pm timeslot it was shown. It is the highest viewing figure the show has received to date.

This episode has since been re-run on BBC1, BBC HD and GOLD. The show received one of the highest ratings of the week making it into the top ten.

The final scene of the episode, under the end credits, features an obvious dubbing where an expletive used by Marlene in the studio recording is replaced with a different word suitable for the pre-watershed airing.

DVD release

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The UK DVD release was released on 23 October 2006.[2] The release includes the 2005 Christmas Special, a short special entitled 'Grass Roots' and a short documentary on 'Rocky'.

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "New Comedy Series Starting Soon - British Comedy Guide". Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  2. ^ "The Green Green Grass: Series One". Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  3. ^ "The Green Green Grass – BBC1 Sitcom".
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