Fresh Fields
Fresh Fields is a British situation comedy written by John T. Chapman and produced by Thames Television for ITV between 7 March 1984 and 23 October 1986. A ratings success at the time, the show is well remembered for its opening titles featuring a silhouette of a person in a rocking chair. It stars Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers as Hester and William Fields, a devoted middle-class couple with an idyllic suburban lifestyle. William works while Hester keeps home. The crux of the show was that she was always looking to try new hobbies or find ways to improve her life, much of which exasperated her hard-working husband. The family home had a granny flat attached, in which Hester's mother Nancy lived. She was divorced from Hester's father Guy although remarried him as the series progressed. The couple had a daughter called Emma who frequently telephoned but never appeared. Her husband Peter did appear often. They later had a son — the Fields' first grandchild — whom they named Guy, after his great-grandfather. Perhaps, the best remembered supporting character was Sonia Barrett who would frequently pop round to borrow items to replace hers due to breakage, theft or mislaying. Hester was not perturbed by this, as the two were close friends, but it used to irritate William. Sonia had the show's only catchphrase — she would always knock on the back door of the Fields' home and then say It's only Sonia! as she walked in. This would sometimes lead to applause of recognition from the studio audience, a phenomenon more regularly seen within American sitcoms. Sonia's husband John appeared on occasion, as did William's secretary Miss Denham, played by Daphne Oxenford.
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Seasons & Episodes
1. Dish of the Day
Hester has joined the roster of amateur cooks who takes turns as chef for "Lucy's Kitchen" in Barnes, her specialty being classic French cuisine. But on her first night, no one shows up at the restaurant except William, who saves the day by pretending they are on a romantic rendezvous.
2. Middle-Age Dread
William is tiring of Hester's efforts at self-improvement. Meanwhile, Hester is furious at being rejected for a job as assistant in a boutique because she is too old, and disguises herself as a brainless twenty-soemthing to apply again.
3. Hook, Line and Sink Her
William has been looking forward to relaxing on a fishing trip, and is dismayed when Hester and Nancy insist on accompanying him.
4. The Naked Truth
Complications ensue when one of William's clients becomes attracted to Hester.
5. Des Det Res
Now that Emma is out on her own, William and Hester ponder selling the house and moving somewhere smaller.
6. Something in the Oven
Emma announces that she is pregnant.
