Alf Garnett spreads his insufferable intolerance to the antipodes in this season from 1989…

The fourth series ofIn Sickness And In Health, unusually for a sitcom, is a 7-episode story arc.

Alf Garnett (Warren Mitchell), as cantankerous as ever, is struggling on his pension.

Alfs mate Arthur (Arthur English) suggests Alf marry Mrs Hollingbery and buy his house from the council.

Then he could be quids in to the tune of 100,000.

Can Ricky and his business partner really be trusted?

Just what are the Aussies to make of Alf?

Will the wedding go ahead?

There are some notable changes in this series.

Fred is a charmless man who constantly belittles his wife in public.

Three series later it was still going strong.

Theres several mentions of the Aussie soapNeighbourswhich was at its height in this period.

Like so many British sitcoms,In Sickness And In Healthis undoubtedly stronger when on home turf.

If a show strays from its basic premise and indulges in special trips abroad the humour is somehow diluted.

Then again, the situation was always secondary to Alf and his rants.

In Sickness And In Health is availablenow.

Rating:

3 out of 5