A Sharp Intake of Breath

A Sharp Intake of Breath
A Sharp Intake of Breath opening titles by Mel Calman
Genre	Situation Comedy
Created by	Ronnie Taylor
Written by	Ronnie Taylor (1977–80) Vince Powell (1981)
Directed by	Les Chatfield (1977–79) Stuart Allen (1980–81)
Starring	David Jason Jacqueline Clarke Richard Wilson (series 1–3) Alun Armstrong (series 1–2)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of series	4
No. of episodes	22
Production
Producer(s)	Les Chatfield (1977–79) Stuart Allen (1980–81)
Running time	30 Minutes
Production company(s)	ATV
Release
Original network	ITV
Picture format	4:3
Audio format	Mono
Original release	28 July 1977 (pilot) 28 February 1978 – 15 February 1981

A Sharp Intake of Breath is a British sitcom starring David Jason, Jacqueline Clarke, Richard Wilson and Alun Armstrong which ran from 1977 to 1981. It was made for the ITV network by ATV. The opening titles featured cartoons by Mel Calman.

Jason played an everyman character called Peter Barnes and Jacqueline Clarke played his wife Sheila. Wilson and Armstrong played a range of petty officials and bureaucrats whose actions frustrated Barnes' attempts to deal with the necessities of everyday life. The title A Sharp Intake of Breath refers to the reactions of various characters to seemingly simple requests by Peter, generally followed by a denial.

Episode Listing

Pilot:

#	Title	Written by	Original airdate
Pilot	"A Sharp Intake of Breath"	Ronnie Taylor	28 July 1977
The pilot was part of ITV's The Sounds of Laughter series of six one-off comedies. Sheila Barnes was played by Patricia Brake in this episode.

Series 1:

#	Title	Written by	Original airdate
1	"Your Life in Their Hands"	Ronnie Taylor	20 February 1978
Peter goes to the doctor at Sheila's insistence and spends a long time in the waiting room. Richard Wilson plays Dr. Macburney and Alun Armstrong plays another patient, Arthur Clegg.
2	"Happy Motoring"	Ronnie Taylor	27 February 1978
Peter's car is taken in for repair and he has a hard time getting it back. When it's finally fixed, Sheila has an accident while he's teaching her to drive. Alun Armstrong plays Terry, a mechanic, and Richard Wilson plays Mr. Myers at the garage.
3	"Somewhere in the Sun"	Ronnie Taylor	6 March 1978
Peter asks his boss for time off in June to go to Majorca and ends up having to go right away. Richard Wilson plays his boss, Mr. Fitch, and Alun Armstrong plays Jackson, another tourist.
4	"See You in Court"	Kenneth Cope	13 March 1978
Peter's wife wants a divorce after his drunken boss comes into her room while she's sleeping. Richard Wilson plays his solicitor, Mr. Fraser, and Alun Armstrong plays his friend Brian.
5	"The Gasman Cometh"	Leslie Duxbury	20 March 1978
After Sheila makes an inquiry about converting to gas heat, the Barneses find themselves besieged by gas company representatives. Alun Armstrong plays a salesman and Richard Wilson plays a man from the gas board.
6	"The Seven Year Hitch"	Ronnie Taylor	27 March 1978
For their seventh anniversary, Peter and Sheila return to the hotel where they honeymooned but find they are too late for dinner. Richard Wilson plays Mr. Kerr, the concierge, and Alun Armstrong plays Albert, a room service waiter.

Series 2:

#	Title	Written by	Original airdate
1	"Your Move"	Ronnie Taylor	19 February 1979
Problems arise when Sheila discovers the house of her dreams.
2	"Your Very Good Health"	Ronnie Taylor	26 February 1979
An accident leaves Peter at the mercy of the National Health Service, but a weekend in the hospital is no rest cure, especially for the hospital staff.
3	"Where There's a Will"	Ronnie Taylor	5 March 1979
A bereavement plunges the Barnes household into mourning and Sheila receives a legacy with strings attached.
4	"Another Little Drink"	Ronnie Taylor	12 March 1979
5	"The Square on the Hypotenuse"	Ronnie Taylor	19 March 1979
6	"What about the Workers?"	Ronnie Taylor	26 March 1979

Series 3:

#	Title	Written by	Original airdate
1	"The Spare Part"	Ronnie Taylor	4 January 1980
Peter tries to get a spare part for his washing machine. Richard Wilson plays Henshaw from the parcels office.
2	"Just Cause or Impediment"	Ronnie Taylor	11 January 1980
When Peter agrees to be best man at a wedding, he has trouble getting a morning suit at short notice, ends up at the wrong church, and loses the ring. Richard Wilson plays Basil Dawson, a tailor.
3	"Look Who's Coming For Ever"	Ronnie Taylor	18 January 1980
Peter's father-in-law comes to stay while his brother-in-law goes on holiday. Richard Wilson plays the father-in-law.

Series 4:

#	Title	Written by	Original airdate
1	"Wheels"	Vince Powell	11 January 1981
Peter is supposed to deliver the company chairman's new Mercedes, but he takes it out for a drive and ends up detained by the police.
2	"Match of the Day"	Vince Powell	18 January 1981
Peter loses his ticket to an England vs. Germany match at Wembley and tries to get in another way.
3	"The Train Now Standing"	Vince Powell	25 January 1981
Peter goes to London to lodge a complaint with British Rail when a train no longer stops at his station.
4	"While the Cat's Away"	Vince Powell	1 February 1981
5	"The Weekend"	Vince Powell	8 February 1981
6	"Rear Window"	Vince Powell	15 February 1981

DVD Release

The Complete series will be released on DVD 04/05/2015

External links

• A Sharp Intake of Breath at BBC Online
• A Sharp Intake of Breath at the Internet Movie Database
• A Sharp Intake of Breath at TV.com