A Sharp Intake of Breath Wheels (1977–1981) watch online HD

In 1978, the David Jason sitcom 'A Sharp Intake Of Breath' confounded critics by topping the ratings, overtaking 'Coronation Street'. In all honesty, the first run was the weakest, boasting a pair of unfunny episodes by Kenneth Cope and Leslie Duxbury alongside the much-better Ronnie Taylor ones.

When it returned one year later, Jason said in an interview: "We've gotten together with our writer and tightened up the character of Peter Barnes.". He was right. The second run was more consistent ( even though it was eclipsed by another returning programme, the start of the second season of 'Fawlty Towers' on B.B.C.-2 ), and its popularity continued. I wrote in my diary at the time: "'A Sharp Intake' is definitely on the uptake!".

The third season was curtailed due to Taylor's death. Rather than end the programme outright, A.T.V. hired a new writer - Vince Powell, responsible for hit sitcoms 'George & The Dragon', 'Love Thy Neighbour', and 'Mind Your Language'. Unfortunately, his first script was a reworking of a 'Bless This House' plot, entitled 'A Rolls By Any Other Name'. In that Sid Abbott ( Sid James ) is entrusted with his boss' new car, only to be arrested during a student protest ( in which daughter Sally has taken part ). Powell must have assumed that 'House' was never going to be seen again, hence it was okay for him to reuse the script ( ironically, it is 'Breath' which is no longer seen by the public, thanks to Jason ).

In fairness, 'Wheels' works well as a 'Breath' script - there is a funny scene in a police station with Barnes trying to bribe a sergeant, but the shift in style was noticeable. Peter's whistling while playfully touching Sheila's bottom would later be adopted by Del Boy ( on meeting Marlene ) in 'Only Fools & Horses'.

A major blow to the fourth series was the departure of Richard Wilson. The actor had played authority figures in every episode up until then, and the show was just not the same without him.

Funniest moment - Peter is handcuffed to the police sergeant. When the phone rings, he moves to answer it - and in so doing spills tea all over the other man.

The fourth series has Vince Powell taking over the writing duties and the regular cast of Richard Wilson and Alun Armstrong have been dropped.

I think having Wilson in this episode would have elevated it more and parts of it did look a little laboured. Again David Jason and Jacqueline Clarke work wonders with the material, Jason is now a dab hand with his comic timing.

Peter's manager turns up on a Saturday morning, Peter thinks it might be a promotion, it turns out that he needs to deliver the executive car to the chairman's house.

Peter decides to take the car for a spin and ends up getting mistakenly arrested as a protester. At the police station, he needs to explain to the police officer that he had nothing to do with the protest, while the chairman turns up to his house demanding the car.

Some nice interplay with the desk sergeant at the police station and Peter, especially with the handcuffs.