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{{lead too short|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Kinvig
| image = Kinvig.jpg
| image = Kinvig.jpg
| caption = The original DVD cover with Kinvig and Miss Griffin
| caption = The original DVD cover with Kinvig and Miss Griffin
| show_name_2 =
| alt_name =
| genre = [[Science Fiction]]
| genre = [[Science fiction]]
| creator =
| creator =
| developer =
| developer =
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| runtime = 30 minutes
| runtime = 30 minutes
| company = [[London Weekend Television]]
| company = [[London Weekend Television]]
| distributor =
| channel = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| channel = [[ITV Network|ITV]]
| picture_format =
| audio_format =
| first_run =
| first_aired = {{start date|1981|9|4|df=y}}
| first_aired = {{start date|1981|9|4|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1981|10|16|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1981|10|16|df=y}}
| preceded_by =
| related =
| followed_by =
| related =
| website =
| production_website =
}}
}}
'''''Kinvig''''' is a sci-fi comedy television series made by [[London Weekend Television]] 1981.
'''''Kinvig''''' is a 1981 sci-fi comedy television series made by [[London Weekend Television]] which ran for one series of seven episodes. It was the only [[sit-com]] written by [[Nigel Kneale]] who was more famous for creating serious science fiction dramas such as ''[[Quatermass]]'' and its sequels, and it was directed and produced by Les Chatfield, with original music by [[Nigel Hess]].


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
Des Kinvig ([[Tony Haygarth]]) runs an electrical repair shop in the small town of Bingleton.
Ineffectual dreamer Des Kinvig ([[Tony Haygarth]]) runs a rundown little electrical repair shop in the small town of Bingleton where he lives with his mumsy, scatterbrained wife Netta ([[Patsy Rowlands]]) and oversized pet dog Cuddly.
One day his store is visited by Miss Griffin ([[Prunella Gee]]), who is from the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] and in need of Des' help. Kinvig's friend Jim Piper ([[Colin Jeavons]]) is a lifelong UFO watcher and is consumed by jealousy when he discovers that Kinvig has encountered extra-terrestrials. It is left intentionally ambiguous whether Kinvig's experiences with aliens are real or the product of an overactive imagination.


One day his shop is visited by the beautiful, sharp-tongued Miss Griffin ([[Prunella Gee]]) who seems at first just another dissatisfied customer.
The show was produced by [[LWT]], and only ran for one series of seven episodes. It was written by [[Nigel Kneale]] (more famous for ''[[Quatermass]]''), directed and produced by Les Chatfield, with original music by [[Nigel Hess]].

However, after encountering a [[flying saucer]] while walking the dog one night, Kinvig discovers she is actually a scantily-clad alien from the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] who desperately needs the help of the scruffy, bearded Des' "exceptional brain" to stop an invasion of the evil ant-like Xux who are replacing people with robot duplicates.

Kinvig's friend Jim Piper ([[Colin Jeavons]]) is a lifelong [[UFO]] watcher and wild-eyed [[conspiracy buff]] who is consumed by jealousy when Des tells him about his extraterrestrial exploits.
It is left intentionally ambiguous whether Kinvig's experiences with aliens are real or the product of an overactive imagination.

In early 2004 it was reported that [[Edgar Wright]] was working on a script for a big-screen adaptation of ''Kinvig''; however although initially [[Green-light|green lit]], the project was eventually dropped.


==Reception==
==Reception==
Around the time of original transmission, ''Kinvig'' was positively reviewed by ''The Times'', the preview stating that
Around the time of original transmission, ''Kinvig'' was positively reviewed by ''The Times'', the preview stating that
"Cast splendid, direction deft".<ref>"Pick of the week's television". [[The Times]]. 1981-09-04. p. XII.</ref>
"Cast splendid, direction deft".<ref>"Pick of the week's television". [[The Times]]. 1981-09-04. p. XII.</ref>

However, to later TV historians, ''Kinvig'' is not considered to be one of Kneale's better productions. ''The Guinness Book of Classic British TV'' claims that apart from Jeavons' performance, ''Kinvig'' was "a huge disappointment".<ref>The Guinness Book of Classic British TV, by [[Paul Cornell]], [[Martin Day]] and [[Keith Topping]], Second Edition. Guinness Publishing Ltd., 1996 ( pg. 398).</ref> [[Peter Nicholls (writer)|Peter Nicholls]] also criticised the program, saying the scripts "lacked the precision required for decent farce". Nicholls also noted that some viewers objected to Kneale's depiction of science-fiction [[fandom|fans]] as being the same as [[UFO]] enthusiasts, and states ''Kinvig'' is notable for its "contemptuous treatment" of the leading characters.
However, to later TV historians, ''Kinvig'' is not considered to be one of Kneale's better productions. ''The Guinness Book of Classic British TV'' claims that apart from Jeavons' performance, ''Kinvig'' was "a huge disappointment".<ref>The Guinness Book of Classic British TV, by [[Paul Cornell]], [[Martin Day (writer)|Martin Day]] and [[Keith Topping]], Second Edition. Guinness Publishing Ltd., 1996 ( pg. 398).</ref>
<ref>''[[Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]]'', edited by [[John Clute]] and Peter Nicholls, Orbit Books, 1993 (pgs. 669,672).</ref>

[[Peter Nicholls (writer)|Peter Nicholls]] also criticised the programme, saying the scripts "lacked the precision required for decent farce". Nicholls also noted that some viewers objected to Kneale's depiction of science-fiction [[fandom|fans]] as being the same as [[Ufology|UFO]] enthusiasts, and states ''Kinvig'' is notable for its "contemptuous treatment" of the leading characters.<ref>''[[The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]]'', edited by [[John Clute]] and Peter Nicholls, Orbit Books, 1993 (pgs. 669,672).</ref>

Science fiction historian [[Brian Stableford]] dismissed ''Kinvig'' as "very silly" and echoed Nicholls' criticism of the show, calling Kneale's script "ignorant" for implying that all science fiction fans are also obsessed with UFOs.<ref>''The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction'' edited by [[David Pringle]]. Carlton, 1996. {{ISBN|185868188X}} (p.154)</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|id=0081888|title=Kinvig}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0081888|title=Kinvig}}
*{{British Comedy Guide|tv|kinvig}}


{{Nigel Kneale}}
{{Nigel Kneale}}


[[Category:1980s British comedy television series]]
[[Category:1980s British comic science fiction television series]]
[[Category:1981 British television programme debuts]]
[[Category:1980s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:1981 British television programme endings]]
[[Category:1981 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:British science fiction television programmes]]
[[Category:1981 British television series endings]]
⚫
[[Category:British science fiction television shows]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fiction set on Mercury (planet)]]
[[Category:ITV sitcoms]]
[[Category:ITV sitcoms]]
[[Category:Mercury (planet) in fiction]]
[[Category:London Weekend Television shows]]
⚫
[[Category:English-language television programming]]
[[Category:Television series by ITV Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by ITV Studios]]
[[Category:London Weekend Television programmes]]

Latest revision as of 07:47, 6 February 2024

Kinvig
The original DVD cover with Kinvig and Miss Griffin
GenreScience fiction
Directed byBrian Simmons
StarringTony Haygarth
Patsy Rowlands
Prunella Gee
Colin Jeavons
Country of originVereinigtes Königreich
Original languageEnglisch
No. of series1
No. of episodes7
Production
Running time30 Minuten
Production companyLondon Weekend Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release4 September (1981-09-04) –
16 October 1981 (1981-10-16)

Kinvig is a 1981 sci-fi comedy television series made by London Weekend Television which ran for one series of seven episodes. It was the only sit-com written by Nigel Kneale who was more famous for creating serious science fiction dramas such as Quatermass and its sequels, and it was directed and produced by Les Chatfield, with original music by Nigel Hess.

Synopsis

[edit]

Ineffectual dreamer Des Kinvig (Tony Haygarth) runs a rundown little electrical repair shop in the small town of Bingleton where he lives with his mumsy, scatterbrained wife Netta (Patsy Rowlands) and oversized pet dog Cuddly.

One day his shop is visited by the beautiful, sharp-tongued Miss Griffin (Prunella Gee) who seems at first just another dissatisfied customer.

However, after encountering a flying saucer while walking the dog one night, Kinvig discovers she is actually a scantily-clad alien from the planet Mercury who desperately needs the help of the scruffy, bearded Des' "exceptional brain" to stop an invasion of the evil ant-like Xux who are replacing people with robot duplicates.

Kinvig's friend Jim Piper (Colin Jeavons) is a lifelong UFO watcher and wild-eyed conspiracy buff who is consumed by jealousy when Des tells him about his extraterrestrial exploits.

It is left intentionally ambiguous whether Kinvig's experiences with aliens are real or the product of an overactive imagination.

In early 2004 it was reported that Edgar Wright was working on a script for a big-screen adaptation of Kinvig; however although initially green lit, the project was eventually dropped.

Reception

[edit]

Around the time of original transmission, Kinvig was positively reviewed by The Times, the preview stating that "Cast splendid, direction deft".[1]

However, to later TV historians, Kinvig is not considered to be one of Kneale's better productions. The Guinness Book of Classic British TV claims that apart from Jeavons' performance, Kinvig was "a huge disappointment".[2]

Peter Nicholls also criticised the programme, saying the scripts "lacked the precision required for decent farce". Nicholls also noted that some viewers objected to Kneale's depiction of science-fiction fans as being the same as UFO enthusiasts, and states Kinvig is notable for its "contemptuous treatment" of the leading characters.[3]

Science fiction historian Brian Stableford dismissed Kinvig as "very silly" and echoed Nicholls' criticism of the show, calling Kneale's script "ignorant" for implying that all science fiction fans are also obsessed with UFOs.[4]

Cast

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pick of the week's television". The Times. 1981-09-04. p. XII.
  2. ^ The Guinness Book of Classic British TV, by Paul Cornell, Martin Day and Keith Topping, Second Edition. Guinness Publishing Ltd., 1996 ( pg. 398).
  3. ^ The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, edited by John Clute and Peter Nicholls, Orbit Books, 1993 (pgs. 669,672).
  4. ^ The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction edited by David Pringle. Carlton, 1996. ISBN 185868188X (p.154)
[edit]
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