I do realize I misspelled Laurence's first name.

Eiew! I just can't stand him. I nearly died with laughter when he turned some poor woman's living room into a brothel and she started crying (Upset) because it was just OTT for a suburban house. I saw him in Dublin 4 years ago and is dresses as flamboyent in real like, long leather coat ruffle shirt etc. ans as my male friend put it "is he tt bollocks from the telly!"

I remember going into a carpet shop and an assistant called out, "Mr. X. are you free?"
I kept a straight face, just!

About LLB being my hero, I was kidding.
I do enjoy watching him as he is so outrageous (but not as outrageous as the other designer on Changing Rooms who once put a wormery in someone's bedroom.) Anyway, LLB is pretty pretentious, but it seems to be all show biz.

Oh but Elaine, Laurence IS my hero. I think he's hilarious, particularly since he took over as the presenter of Changing Rooms. And he really knows his stucc. I want to be his friend, life would never be dull.

Actually I viewed a flat once (with a view to buying) that had been designed by him in London. It was much more tasteful than his outlandish efforts for Changing Rooms. He's super over the top for the telly.

I found out yesterday that Violet not only has a Mercedes, but also a sauna, AND a musical BIDET....Classical of course. LOL I just saw the episode of the Lakeside Supper NOT riverside picnic and did not remember the Bidet part. So funny.

LLB wears double cuffs folded open without cufflinks, he fancies himself as a dandy. As for the name, a little invention goes a long long way!

His designs are tasteful when he is acting in a professional capacity, but I'd never use him, he doesn't seem to use space very well at all. He's too posey, too ponsey, hard to take him seriously!

Elaine, I've noticed that Charlie Dimmock has taken to wearing a bra for her appearances on the US versions of Ground Force. (don't know if you've had them over there yet?)
I wonder if it's in deference to US sensibilities, or maybe gravity is beginning to take it's toll.

Did "Minder" screen on a US network? It featured George Cole as the shifty-eyed Arthur Daley (dodgy, my son, very dodgy) and Dennis Waterman as his much put-upon nephew and "minder", Terry, ex-jailbird and pugilist (but he did pull the birds).

BTW, "Are You Being Served?" fans might like to know that one of Sydney's longest-established department store chains was until recently Grace Brothers. Sadly it's now been rebranded "Myers" in line with its Melbourne-based parent company. Never saw Mr Humphreys, though, or Mrs Slocum's pussy.

Neil, man, you better hope and pray the Fodors censors are familiar with the "Are You Being Served?" dialogue!!!!

If not, as you slink off into perpetual banishment, that sound you hear will be me still howling!

And as Mrs Slocum would say, I'm unanimous in that.

Ladies, I've been waiting for the axe to fall for a while. My defence, Your Honour, will be that so many words mean something different in my language (Strine) that it's all been a case of cultural misunderstanding. (Or even racial discrimination - that should work!)

But life without your sparkling repartee would be a dull thing. I'd better stop talking about shop assistants' felines.

Neil, my husband went on a business trip to Sydney and DIDN'T bring back a Grace Brothers shopping bag. We still haven't forgiven him.

nevcharlie,
I've only seen "Ground Force America" a few times,so Charlie's bra status hasn't registered much, I'll take a look next time. In fact I don't watch the newer GF programs as much--I miss Alan Titchmarsh too much. Does he have any other programs/programmes going on now?

elaine, try looking at www.imdb.com -- it's an amazing database on actors, movies, TV shows, etc.

They have tons of informatin on British series and have saved the day more than once at our house when we've racked our brains about some minor character and "what-else have we seen him in?!?!?

great tip, I'll take a look thanks.
I love it when I recognize an actor in a film or play and realize that he/she once played Hyacinth's nemesis or
Jean and Lionel's neighbor.

wow phyllis, great website!
I just learned that the actor in Butterflies was Andrew Hall and that there was a Butterflies reunion special in 2000. Wish I could buy it somewhere!

Elaine,
Your Titchmarsh craving may be assuaged by the following websites.....(Cut and paste into your browser)

http://www.alantitchmarsh.com/

http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Inf...lantimarsh.htm

http://www.mlys00070.pwp.blueyonder....titchmarsh.asp

http://www.bbcamericashop.com/defaul...=&mfs=True

Incidentally, maybe it was Chalie's bra status that aroused my interest in gardens, leading to the current remodelling of my front yard at great expense !!

Elaine, the Butterflies reunion special was part of the annual Children in Need Appeal/telethon. I searched on bbc.co.uk but it doesn't appear to be for sale. Perhaps for a donation they'll send you a DVD? Here's the charity's contact information:

England and general helpline
PO Box 76
London
W3 6FS
Tel: (020) 8576 7788

You may also find this link of interest; it shows the connections between some of Britain's best-loved situation comedies (including Butterflies):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/comedyconnections/

Good luck to you.

mvor, that site is fun, imformative, thanks