Prospects is a British television comedy drama series that was written by Alan Janes and originally shown on Channel 4 in 1986. Created by Euston Films who had a pedigree of producing successful, gritty drama such as The Sweeney and Minder, it followed the exploits of two East End 'geezer' characters - Jimmy 'Pincy' Pince played by Gary Olsen and Billy played by Brian Bovell and their trials and tribulations of making a living in London's Isle of Dogs. Comprising 12 episodes Prospects - with a comic slant, dealt with many of the major issues affecting British society at the height of the "Thatcherite" '80's including unemployment, crime, poverty, regeneration, social change and racism. Prospects gained a cult following and ratings wise it performed well above expectation for Channel 4. At that time Channel Four received a large subsidy from the rival commercial network ITV in exchange for the right to sell airtime; this gave ITV a significant input into the management of the station. The success of Prospects and the fact that it was produced by a subsidiary of the ITV network's largest station Thames Television meant it was moved to a 9pm prime-time repeat slot on ITV in the Spring/Summer of 1987. This fuelled rumours that the network wanted to develop Prospects into a long-running comedy drama series. However despite seeing potential ITV declined the opportunity to develop it beyond the original first series.
The p to s day
Feb 19, 1986
Whilst Pincey and Billy collect their giros, they plan their next get rich quick scheme. Pincey has the idea of a dating service based on astrology,the only problem is the only replies are from women, so Billy egged on by both Del and Pincey tries his hand at the boxing game but is soon out for the count!
Partners in brine
Feb 26, 1986
Pincey buys the new company car-a hearse! They swap a few dozen boxes of pickled olives in brine for dolls in national dress which they have trouble flogging at first. Pincey hooks up with a financial investor with dreams of transforming the dockland into a dolphinarium! There's also some fisticuffs which result in Billy being wrongly arrested by Halforth, the copper who is out to get him and Pincey.
Uncle Harry's system
Mar 5, 1986
Pincey thinks he's onto a sure winner with a betting system his Uncle Harry invented, but at the greyhound track things don't go as planned! Billy and Pincey also get into hot water with local villain Stretch when they are asked to look after,then deliver £500,which Pincey leaves behind in a chinese take-away.
Dirty weekend
Mar 12, 1986
Pincey and Billy find work on a building site and come across a racist bully and try and put one over on him. Billy is in training to become a boxer again, and he and his girlfriend Lucy plan a camping holiday ,but don't figure on Pincey and his new girl, Mona, tagging along without tent poles! Billy's quality time with Lucy is shattered when Pincey's tent collapses and they all bunk in together...
Rodent avengers
Mar 19, 1986
Pincey and Billy become pest control experts, and take the work of another rat-catcher who does his best to get his own back. At first things go really well, but then the binmen accidently pick up their bottles of whiskey promised to a dour Scots customer, and they realise they should've set traps for the rodents, as usual things start to go pear-shaped.
Standing on your own one foot
Mar 26, 1986
Pincey and Billy decide to leave the Isle Of Dogs and rent a flat on Roman Road, Bow, East London. The landlord is a religious nut, and the other tennants are a 'palmist' and a Jewish business man who is convinced the inland revenue are after him. Pincey and Billy soon come face to face with the local fascists, and after having their van wheels pinched by them, play a game of cat and mouse.
Subterranean pig sick blues
Apr 2, 1986
Pincey gets a job as a car park attendant, and discovers an underground tunnel that leads to what he thinks is the door to a high street bank. He tells Billy who warns him to steer clear, but the thought of getting rich quick gets the better of Pincey and he offers the job to local gangster, Stretch, who agrees to 'blow open' the bank door and let Pincey have 10%. Not surprisingly things don't go as planned.
Flying Tonight
Pincey is saving up for his own hot dog van,but in the meantime is working at 'The Happy Fryer' chip shop with George and Bess, who hate each other! When Bess walks out George falls apart, so Pincey ropes in Billy and Mona to run the chippy, and when George says he'll give anything to have Bess back, Pincey sees his chance and says he'll find her for £100! Pincey and Billy do find Bess and she agrees to see George, but when they arrive at the chippy George has gone mad and prepares to boil Bess in the fat! The police are called and everyone escapes and George is comitted to a mental hospital, but that ain't the end...
Four men in a boat
Apr 16, 1986
Billy and Pincey get casual work as waiters on a wedding boat.
Follow the yellow brick lane
Apr 23, 1986
Billy falls in love with Bev a headstrong singer dreaming of pop stardom.
Running All The Way (Part One)
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Running All The Way (Part Two)
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