''L for Lester'' is a BBC

sitcom A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) is a genre of comedy produced for radio and television, that centers on a recurring cast of character (arts), characters as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent settin ...

first broadcast in

1982 Events January * January 1 – In Malaysia and Singapore, clocks are adjusted to the same time zone, UTC+8 (GMT+8.00). * January 13 – Air Florida Flight 90 crashes shortly after takeoff into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. ...

, starring

Brian Murphy Brian Murphy may refer to: Sportspeople * Brian Murphy (Jamaican cricketer) (born 1973), Jamaican cricketer * Brian Murphy (Zimbabwean cricketer) (born 1976), Zimbabwean cricketer * Brian Murphy (baseball) (born 1980), American head baseball coac ...

. The programme followed the misfortunes of a small town driving instructor. It was intended as a new vehicle for Murphy after his previous hit show - '' George and Mildred'' - was axed following the sudden death of

Yootha Joyce Yootha Joyce Needham (20 August 1927 – 24 August 1980), known as Yootha Joyce, was an English actress best known for playing Mildred Roper opposite Brian Murphy in the sitcom '' Man About the House'' (1973–1976) and its spin-off '' George ...

in 1980.

Premise

Lester Small is a driving instructor in a quiet

West Country The West Country is a loosely defined area within southwest England, usually taken to include the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, with some considering it to extend to all or parts of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and ...

town with quite a reputation - for taking on clients that cause havoc and mayhem whenever they are on the road. His most consistent pupil is the hapless Mrs Davies, who usually drives into a perilous situation in each episode where Lester's car is usually either badly damaged or destroyed in the process (e.g. though a

level crossing A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, Trail, path, or (in rare situations) airport runway, at the same level, as opposed to the railway line or the road etc. crossing over or under using an Overpass#Railway, o ...

onto railway tracks, into a river, onto a

firing range A shooting range, firing range, gun range or shooting ground is a specialized facility, sports venue, venue, or playing field, field designed specifically for firearm usage qualifications, training, practice, or shooting sport, competitions. ...

, and with a leaking petrol tank (on two occasions; the first time after Mrs Davies crashes into a barn, the second when a passing cyclist discards a cigarette). None of these antics ingratiate Lester to either the local police chief (with whom he has a long standing feud), or with his bank manager - from whom he keeps having to borrow more money to repair or replace the damaged vehicles. All this puts a strain on his long suffering wife (Amanda Barrie) and secretary (Linda Robson).

Reception

The series was a ratings failure and received mixed reviews from critics, and therefore was not renewed beyond its original run.

External links

* * {{British Comedy Guide, tv, l_for_lester 1980s British sitcoms 1982 British television series debuts 1982 British television series endings BBC television sitcoms British English-language television shows