It ran from 1977 to 1979, a total of 13 episodes were produced over two series and was written by Bob Larbey and John Esmonde.
[1] The premise for the series initially focussed on two passengers Ralph Tanner (Briers) and Brian Bryant (Michael Gambon) who meet at Gatwick Airport, en-route on holiday to Spain.
The idea for the show came from creating a dynamic similar to The Odd Couple, where two 'misfits' with different personalities, who are diametrically opposite in character, are drawn together in friendship.
Brian is an introverted bore who is gullible and timid, whilst Ralph is an extroverted, outgoing and lively party animal, who also happens to be a compulsive liar.
[4] Patrick Campbell from the same publication thought that Briers looked lost in his role and was prone to caricature, while Gambon seemed to have been created for one episode then left to his own devices.