What is the primary genre of the British television series "The Thin Blue Line"?

The British television series "The Thin Blue Line" is primarily classified as a sitcom, specifically a police comedy.

Who created and wrote the British sitcom "The Thin Blue Line"?

The sitcom "The Thin Blue Line" was created and written by Ben Elton.

Who is the main star of "The Thin Blue Line"?

The main star of "The Thin Blue Line" is Rowan Atkinson.

On which television network did "The Thin Blue Line" originally air?

"The Thin Blue Line" originally aired on BBC1.

What years did "The Thin Blue Line" broadcast?

The series "The Thin Blue Line" broadcast from 1995 to 1996.

How was "The Thin Blue Line" ranked in a poll for Britain's Best Sitcom?

In a poll for Britain's Best Sitcom, "The Thin Blue Line" was ranked number 34.

When did "The Thin Blue Line" become available on BBC iPlayer?

The series "The Thin Blue Line" became available on BBC iPlayer in September 2021.

In what fictional English town is "The Thin Blue Line" set?

The series "The Thin Blue Line" is set in the fictional English town of Gasforth.

What is the central conflict or dynamic depicted in "The Thin Blue Line"?

The show depicts the uniformed police squad, led by Inspector Raymond Fowler, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led by Detective Inspector Derek Grim, often clashing due to conflicting views or methods of operation while dealing with similar issues.

Which branch of the police force generally triumphs in "The Thin Blue Line"?

Generally, the uniformed section of the police force triumphs over the detectives in the series, although not without facing their own challenges and foibles.

Who portrayed the character of Inspector Raymond Fowler?

Inspector Raymond Fowler was portrayed by Rowan Atkinson.

Describe the personality and personal life of Inspector Raymond Fowler.

Inspector Raymond Fowler is an old-fashioned, by-the-book policeman. His lack of interest in sex annoys his live-in girlfriend of ten years, Sergeant Patricia Dawkins, and he has a son named Bill from a previous marriage.

Who played Sergeant Patricia Dawkins?

Sergeant Patricia Dawkins was played by Serena Evans.

What is Sergeant Patricia Dawkins' role and relationship with Inspector Fowler?

Sergeant Patricia Dawkins is a desk sergeant and Inspector Fowler's long-suffering partner. She desires more sexual attention from him, which he often reluctantly provides. Despite her frustrations, she is devoted to Fowler and dreams of marriage and children.

Who portrayed Detective Inspector Derek Grim?

Detective Inspector Derek Grim was portrayed by David Haig.

What is Detective Inspector Derek Grim's position and attitude?

Detective Inspector Derek Grim is the head of the CID unit at Gasforth Police Station. He holds the view that CID officers are superior to the uniformed police, a common trope in police dramas.

Describe Detective Inspector Grim's personal life as depicted in the series.

Detective Inspector Grim has been married for twenty years to Tina, with whom he shares an intense love-hate relationship. They have a son named Darren, who was arrested in one episode. His relationship with Inspector Fowler is often antagonistic, though he sometimes confides in Fowler about his marital frustrations in the second series.

Who played Constable Kevin Goody?

Constable Kevin Goody was played by James Dreyfus.

What are the key characteristics of Constable Kevin Goody?

Constable Kevin Goody is depicted as profoundly unintelligent and oblivious, with little understanding of police work. He is also characterized as camp and has an infatuation with Constable Habib.

Who portrayed Constable Maggie Habib?

Constable Maggie Habib was played by Mina Anwar.

What is Constable Maggie Habib's role and background?

Constable Maggie Habib is a female officer of South Asian descent, raised in Accrington. She often serves as the "straight man" in Fowler's uniformed branch and is usually the most effective officer, despite fending off Kevin Goody's advances.

Who played Constable Frank Gladstone?

Constable Frank Gladstone was played by Rudolph Walker.

Describe Constable Frank Gladstone's character and career.

Constable Frank Gladstone is a Trinidad-origin constable nearing retirement. Having served as a PC his entire adult life, like his father before him, he is enjoying the winding down of his career. He has a notable obsession with television presenter Gloria Hunniford.

Who played Detective Constable Robert Kray in the first series?

Detective Constable Robert Kray in the first series was played by Kevin Allen.

What were the characteristics of Detective Constable Robert Kray?

Detective Constable Robert Kray, part of Grim's CID unit, was described as a very laddish, intelligent, cynical, and pragmatic police officer.

Who played Detective Constable Gary Boyle in the second series?

Detective Constable Gary Boyle, who replaced Robert Kray in the second series, was played by Mark Addy.

What were the characteristics of Detective Constable Gary Boyle?

Similar to his predecessor Kray, Detective Constable Gary Boyle was intelligent, cynical, pragmatic, and very laddish. He also enjoyed the perks associated with being a police officer.

How many series of "The Thin Blue Line" were produced?

There were 2 series of "The Thin Blue Line" produced.

How many episodes were there in total for "The Thin Blue Line"?

There were a total of 14 episodes of "The Thin Blue Line".

What was the broadcast time and day for Series 1 episodes?

Episodes in Series 1 of "The Thin Blue Line" were broadcast at 20:30 on Mondays on BBC1.

What was the broadcast time and day for Series 2 episodes?

Episodes in Series 2 of "The Thin Blue Line" were broadcast between 21:30 and 21:40 on Thursdays on BBC1, with the exception of the final episode which aired on a Monday.

Which episode of Series 1 featured Constable Habib falling in love with a fireman?

The episode titled "Fire and Terror" from Series 1 featured Constable Habib falling in love with a fireman, while PC Goody experienced jealousy.

Which episode of Series 1 included a guest appearance by Stephen Fry?

The episode "Kids Today" from Series 1 featured a guest appearance by Stephen Fry, where Fowler leads a camping trip for young offenders.

What was the plot of the Series 1 Christmas special episode?

The Series 1 Christmas special, titled "Yuletide Spirit," involved Grim tracking dangerous carol singers, and Goody causing trouble with Christmas presents at work.

What event prompted Inspector Fowler to consider proposing to Sergeant Dawkins in the final episode?

In the final episode, "The Green Eyed Monster," Fowler decides to propose to Patricia after Grim mentions that the promotion committee focuses on married officers, leading Fowler to believe marriage might aid his chances.

What was the inspiration behind many of the characters in "The Thin Blue Line"?

Creator Ben Elton, being a fan of "Dad's Army," was influenced by its characters when developing many of the characters for "The Thin Blue Line."

Can you provide an example of a character influence from "Dad's Army" on "The Thin Blue Line"?

Yes, Constable Goody's character, often described as a "stupid boy" who irritates Fowler, is similar to Private Pike from "Dad's Army." Additionally, Gladstone's habit of reminiscing about Trinidad mirrors Lance Corporal Jones's penchant for recalling stories about Sudan.

Did Ben Elton appear in "The Thin Blue Line"?

Yes, Ben Elton appeared in the series himself, playing a homeless man in the Christmas special episode "Yuletide Spirit."

How were the DVD releases of "The Thin Blue Line" handled in the UK and North America?

Both series were released on DVD in the United Kingdom (Region 2) by Vision Video Ltd. In North America (Region 1), the series was released by BBC Warner. Notably, the first series episodes were not in broadcast order on DVDs in both regions, and Series 2 episodes in the Region 1 DVD release were cut to fit a shorter runtime.

What are the differences in subtitles and closed captions between UK and North American DVD releases?

The Region 1 (North America) DVD release of "The Thin Blue Line" includes English closed captions, while the UK Region 2 release does not feature any subtitles.

Which production company was responsible for "The Thin Blue Line"?

The production company for "The Thin Blue Line" was Tiger Aspect Productions.

Who composed the music for "The Thin Blue Line"?

The composer for "The Thin Blue Line" was Howard Goodall.

What is the typical running time for an episode of "The Thin Blue Line"?

The running time for an episode of "The Thin Blue Line" is approximately 30 minutes.

Besides the main cast, who else was involved in the production of "The Thin Blue Line"?

Key production personnel included Peter Bennett-Jones as executive producer, Geoffrey Perkins and Ben Elton as producers, and Graham Hutchings, Steve Tempia, and Charlie Fawcett as editors.

What is the significance of the "E-FIT" poster in the briefing room during the first series?

In the first series, the 'wanted' poster displayed behind Fowler's desk in the briefing room was an E-FIT (Electronic Facial Identification Technique) image of Ben Elton.

What other media platforms or collections feature content related to "The Thin Blue Line"?

Wikiquote features quotations related to "The Thin Blue Line (British TV series)", and the series is also listed on IMDb, epguides.com, and the British Comedy Guide.

The Thin Blue Line British Tv Series Wiki: Gasforth's Finest: A Deep Dive into The Thin Blue Line

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Introduction

A Classic British Sitcom

The Thin Blue Line is a critically acclaimed British sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1995 to 1996. Created and written by the renowned Ben Elton, the series starred the celebrated Rowan Atkinson. It achieved significant recognition, ranking 34th in a poll for Britain's Best Sitcom. In September 2021, the series became available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, introducing it to new audiences.

Setting and Premise

The series is set within a police station in the fictional English town of Gasforth. It masterfully contrasts the efforts of the uniformed constabulary, led by the principled Inspector Raymond Fowler (Atkinson), with the more ambitious Criminal Investigation Department (CID), headed by Detective Inspector Derek Grim (David Haig). The narrative often hinges on the conflicting viewpoints and operational methods of these two branches, frequently culminating in the uniformed section achieving success despite their own quirks and foibles.

Cast and Characters

Inspector Raymond Fowler

Portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, Inspector Fowler is an old-fashioned, by-the-book policeman. His reserved nature regarding intimacy often causes friction with his long-term partner, Sergeant Dawkins. He has a son, Bill, from a previous marriage.

Sergeant Patricia Dawkins

Played by Serena Evans, Sergeant Dawkins is the desk sergeant and Fowler's partner. She is perpetually seeking more affection from Fowler, leading to considerable frustration, yet she remains devoted and dreams of marriage and family.

Detective Inspector Derek Grim

David Haig embodies DI Grim, the head of CID. He operates under the assumption that CID is superior to the uniformed police. Grim shares a complex, often antagonistic relationship with Fowler, though Series 2 sees moments of confiding in Fowler about his marital issues.

Constable Kevin Goody

James Dreyfus plays Constable Goody, characterized by his profound lack of intelligence and obliviousness. Despite his camp demeanor, he harbors an infatuation with Constable Habib.

Constable Maggie Habib

Mina Anwar portrays Constable Habib, a South Asian officer raised in Accrington. She often serves as the sensible counterpoint to Fowler's uniformed team and effectively manages Kevin's advances.

Constable Frank Gladstone

Rudolph Walker brings Constable Gladstone to life, a Trinidad-born officer nearing retirement. He cherishes his long career and has a peculiar fascination with television personality Gloria Hunniford.

Detective Constable Robert Kray (Series 1)

Kevin Allen played Kray, an intelligent, cynical, and pragmatic detective in Grim's CID unit during the first series.

Detective Constable Gary Boyle (Series 2)

Mark Addy took over the role in the second series as Boyle, Kray's replacement. He shares Kray's intelligence and cynicism, enjoying the perks associated with police work.

Episodes

Series 1 (1995)

Broadcast on Mondays at 20:30 on BBC1.

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original Release
1	"The Queen's Birthday Present"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	13 November 1995
Inspector Fowler and Sergeant Dawkins should be celebrating their tenth anniversary together, but the Queen's official birthday and Fowler's complete remissness puts a spanner in the works.
2	"Fire and Terror"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	20 November 1995
Constable Habib falls in love with a fireman and PC Goody is jealous. DI Grim is onto "a big case" while Inspector Fowler is constantly plagued by a hoaxer.
3	"Honey Trap"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	27 November 1995
Dawkins is furiously jealous of Fowler's admiration for Habib, though mistakenly. While Fowler is preparing his team for the pub quiz, Grim has borrowed his star player, PC Habib. Can PC Goody take her place? And what will she look like in a miniskirt and will she succeed in nabbing the man Grim wants?
4	"Rag Week"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	4 December 1995
The local college students get completely out of hand during their rag week. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Grim is in a good mood when he has got a real life bank raid to deal with.
5	"Night Shift"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	11 December 1995
Fowler reluctantly agrees to let his son Bill stay with him and Patricia for a few days. Patricia, unsatisfied and frustrated with Raymond, takes their matter to a sex therapist. Meanwhile, Grim is working with Scotland Yard against organised crime — and Fowler is most definitely NOT jealous.
6	"Kids Today"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	18 December 1995
Fowler leads a camping trip for young offenders, but Grim plans a "short sharp shock". Guest starring Stephen Fry.
7	"Yuletide Spirit"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	26 December 1995
Grim is on the trail of some dangerous carol singers, and Goody proves that giving Christmas presents at work can be a bad idea.

Series 2 (1996)

Broadcast on Thursdays at 21:30-21:40 on BBC1 (except the final episode).

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original Release
8	"Court in the Act"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	14 November 1996
Inspector Fowler prepares his force for the rigours of cross-examination in court, and Constable Goody tries out a fetching new uniform.
9	"Ism Ism Ism"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	21 November 1996
The Mayoress informs Fowler that an illegal asylum seeker has taken refuge in the town. Grim meanwhile attempts to join a secret lodge.
10	"Fly on the Wall"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	28 November 1996
A television crew come to Gasforth to make a documentary about policing "in the raw".
11	"Alternative Culture"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	5 December 1996
Grim declares war on drugs. Meanwhile, a plumbing crisis at the station means the women have to share the men's locker room.
12	"Come on You Blues"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	12 December 1996
When Gasforth Football Club are drawn against Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup, Grim looks forward to tackling some proper football hooligans.
13	"Road Rage"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	19 December 1996
Gasforth's new bypass causes headaches for Inspector Fowler when his partner Patricia joins the road protestors.
14	"The Green Eyed Monster"	John Birkin	Ben Elton	23 December 1996
Fowler thinks it is his turn for promotion. When Grim says the committee focus on married officers, Fowler decides to propose to Patricia.

Development

Influences and Homages

Creator and writer Ben Elton drew significant inspiration from the classic sitcom Dad's Army. This influence is evident in the character dynamics, particularly the relationship between Inspector Fowler and DI Grim, which mirrors the rivalry between Dad's Army's Captain Mainwaring and Warden Hodges. Constable Goody's character echoes Private Pike's role as a somewhat dim-witted subordinate who often irritates his superior. Furthermore, Constable Gladstone's tendency to reminisce about his past experiences in Trinidad is reminiscent of Lance Corporal Jones's frequent recollections of Sudan. Elton himself made a cameo appearance as a homeless man in the Christmas special, "Yuletide Spirit," and his E-FIT likeness appeared on a 'wanted' poster in the first series.

Home Media

DVD Releases

Both series of The Thin Blue Line have been released on DVD in the United Kingdom (Region 2) by Vision Video Ltd. North American releases (Region 1) were handled by BBC Warner, though some episodes in the first series were not in broadcast order, and Series 2 episodes were edited for runtime. The Region 1 release includes English closed captions, while the UK Region 2 release does not feature subtitles. The series has also been made available on DVD in Region 4 by Umbrella Entertainment.

Other Sources

Related Publications

Further insights into the series can be found in:

Mark Lewisohn, "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy", BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003.

External Links

Official & Fan Resources

Explore additional resources for The Thin Blue Line:

The Thin Blue Line at IMDb
The Thin Blue Line at epguides.com
The Thin Blue Line at British Comedy Guide
The Thin Blue Line on BBC Comedy
BBC Guide Archive: The Thin Blue Line
BBC "Best Sitcom" Ranking
Quotations related to The Thin Blue Line on Wikiquote

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References

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Gasforth's Finest

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Introduction ℹ️

📺 A Classic British Sitcom

👮 Setting and Premise

Cast and Characters 🎭

👨‍✈️ Inspector Raymond Fowler

👩‍✈️ Sergeant Patricia Dawkins

🕵️ Detective Inspector Derek Grim

👮‍♂️ Constable Kevin Goody

👮‍♀️ Constable Maggie Habib

👴 Constable Frank Gladstone

🧑‍💼 Detective Constable Robert Kray (Series 1)

🧑‍💼 Detective Constable Gary Boyle (Series 2)

Episodes 📅

📜 Series 1 (1995)

📜 Series 2 (1996)

Development ✍️

💡 Influences and Homages

Home Media 📀

📦 DVD Releases

Other Sources 🔗

📚 Related Publications

External Links 🌐

🌐 Official & Fan Resources

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Introduction

A Classic British Sitcom

Setting and Premise

Cast and Characters

Inspector Raymond Fowler

Sergeant Patricia Dawkins

Detective Inspector Derek Grim

Constable Kevin Goody

Constable Maggie Habib

Constable Frank Gladstone

Detective Constable Robert Kray (Series 1)

Detective Constable Gary Boyle (Series 2)

Episodes

Series 1 (1995)

Series 2 (1996)

Development

Influences and Homages

Home Media

DVD Releases

Other Sources

Related Publications

External Links

Official & Fan Resources

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice