This English follows the East End working-class Garnett family, headed by patriarch Alf, a reactionary working-class man who wields racist and anti-Socialist views. His long-suffering wife Else manages to keep things in control... for the most part. Their progressive daughter Rita lives with them, as does her Irish husband Mike, who, with an array of liberal worldviews, often quarrels with his father-in-law. It inspired the American show "All In The Family" and several other international variations on the same theme.
This English follows the East End working-class Garnett family, headed by patriarch Alf, a reactionary working-class man who wields racist and anti-Socialist views. His long-suffering wife Else manages to keep things in control... for the most part. Their progressive daughter Rita lives with them, as does her Irish husband Mike, who, with an array of liberal worldviews, often quarrels with his father-in-law. It inspired the American show "All In The Family" and several other international variations on the same theme.
When Mike is unable to get into the phone box to place Alf's bet on a horse which ultimately wins, Alf decides it's time for the Garnetts to have their own phone. Despite Mike trying to wind him up by pretending to be the operator, Alf is proud of his new possession but becomes agitated when Else allows Min from next door to come over and use the phone, turning down the volume on the show he's trying to watch.
Guest stars Pat Coombs, Will Stampe, Patricia Hayes
Believing that Alf is scared to be a blood donor, Mike bets that even if he did give blood, it would be rejected. Alf is sure that his blood will be of service to somebody of importance and then has a dream that he's at Buckingham Palace, where he has helped out the Queen by his donation.
On New Year's Eve, Alf, not wanting to join the others at the party over the road, gets out his old Monopoly set. When everyone returns, they have a game, leading to the inevitable row over property between Alf and Mike, and Alf resorting to drastic action.
Guest stars Pat Coombs, John DeVaut, Maisy Merry, Patrick Travis
Out of grudging respect for a late female neighbour he despised, Alf orders the telly off for the whole day. Mike informs Alf that his beloved West Ham will play Fulham, on telly that evening, but will Alf ultimately watch the Hammers 7-2 triumph?
Guest stars Will Stampe, Joan Sims, Bill Fraser, Frank Howard
Despite confiscating the local kids' football, Alf is invited by the vicar to act as youth soccer coach, attracting scorn from Mike. Needless to say, Alf is not a good trainer, concentrating on the skills of only one player, though he does attract the attention of some well-known players.
Guest stars Bobby Moore, Joan Sims, Roland MacLeod, Dave Underwood, Andy Clayborn
Alf returns from the pub with a mongrel puppy. The family find it adorable but it isn't exactly house-trained. The more the others find it charming through its antisocial antics, the more Alf comes to resent it and wants to get rid of it.
When Else is laid up with bronchitis, her sister Maud arrives to care for the family. She and Alf hate each other and, after he insults her once too often, she refuses to cook for him. Maud also sees an opportunity to make him jealous when an old flame of Else's visits, and she hints that something might've happened between George and Else on Brighton Beach before the war.
