Hello and welcome to another edition of the Vintage Media Millennial blog. While the show I’m about to write about was made in the 21st century, it stars someone known most for productions from the 1960s to today.
After I lost a parent when I turned 18, I coped with the grieving process by watching classic sitcoms on the UK Gold Channel. I made an effort to avoid my late parent’s favourite shows and explored other options. One of the shows I watched was the 1970s sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads.
After watching a number of episodes, I remember declaring it one of my favourite sitcoms ever. I loved the relationship between Terry and Bob, played by James Bolam and Rodney Bewes respectively. Free from the proto Men Behaving Badly antics of the 1960s’ Likely Lads, the sequel was more about moving with the times.
All this time later, I still have a high opinion of the series. I’ve been lucky to catch an episode or two on That’s TV, and I’m still in awe. It was the two lead stars that made it for me.
What is Grandpa in my Pocket?
Grandpa in my Pocket aired on CBeebies between 2009 and 2014, running for 118 episodes over 4 series. It was created by Mellie Buse and Jan Page, and starred James Bolam as the title character.
The show follows the adventures of a young boy named Jason Mason and his grandpa. In each episode, Grandpa’s shrinking cap allows him to shrink to the size of a toy, leading to a series of comical and imaginative escapades.
The series is notable to classic British TV fans for featuring a number of guest stars from yesteryear. Bolam’s wife Susan Jameson appears as his sister. Names who make one-off appearances include Liza Goddard, Meera Syal, Alex Jennings, Geoffrey Palmer, Vivien Heilbron, Rula Lenska, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Maggie Ollerenshaw and Anne Reid.
All four series are available to watch legally on YouTube.
My thoughts on Grandpa in my Pocket
Upon watching episodes with my son, I immediately feel drawn to the show. It has that familiar vibe present throughout many CBeebies Productions, but there is a magic ingredient that I feel perhaps tips it over the edge. The presence of Bolam, normally found in more credible roles, elevates the show. He is a delight and brings as much fun to this role as he did to Terry.
As is the case with many shows aimed at young children, there are a number of repetitive elements that do wear a little after multiple viewings. The number of times I’ve heard the lead character say “Not the shrinking cap Grandpa!” must be in the 100s by now. I can understand why some parents would view it in the league of obnoxious, as repeated viewings of this moment can get annoying.
It’s a safe, lighthearted watch, perfect for young kids and nostalgic parents alike. It provides a little magic through Bolam’s miniature antics, and a friendly world to get lost in. It also provides ample opportunity to introduce our young ones to familiar faces from yesteryear; Who knew Geoffrey Palmer could play James Bolam’s brother? Marvellous!
Thank you for reading this edition of Vintage Media Millennial. If you have any thoughts on anything discussed in today’s blog, let me know in the comments below or contact me on social media! Alternatively, you can email Jamie@OldTimeReview.co.uk with any questions you may have.
