PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Tony Carpenter, had elevated a small taxi-cab company into a thriving executive car-hire business and made himself a millionaire in the process. While doing so, and in spite of his wealth, Carpenter had also managed to keep his East End sensibilities and outlook. He does, however, live in a big house, which requires a permanent staff, although his friendly 'we're-all-mates-together' attitude permits them to treat him as an equal rather than in the customary deferential manner. Carpenter's secretary, Maggie, has a sharp line in backchat; the cook, Mrs Wembley, works to her own agenda; and the butler, Sam, is just plain insolent. Tony tolerates the uppity nature of his staff and their surly attitude towards him mainly because they are the closest he has to real friends, people who 'tell it like it is' without deference to his fortune.

But Ruth Carpenter, Tony's wife, has vastly a different take on life - she is a snob and disapproves of Tony's downmarket tastes and unbecoming familiarity with the staff. Inevitably, these differences take their toll and the couple spend much of the time drifting apart and coming (grudgingly) back together again. These conflicts form the bedrock of On The Up.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Bob Larbey (CREATOR/WRITER)
Gareth Gwenaln (PRODUCER/DIRECTOR)
Paul Harrison (DIRECTOR)

CAST
Dennis Waterman as Tony Carpenter
Judy Buxton as Ruth Carpenter
Sam Kelly as Sam
Jenna Russell as Maggie
Joan Sims as Fiona Wembley
Michelle Hatch as Dawn
Dora Bryan as Mum (series 1)
Pauline Letts as Mum (series 2)

DURATION
19 X 30