Behaving Badly

1989 • Drama

Behaving Badly is a 1989 British television serial directed by David Tucker. The teleplay by Catherine Heath and Moira Williams is based on Heath's novel of the same name. It was initially broadcast by Channel 4. The series was released on DVD in 2005. The plot focuses on Bridget Mayor, a middle-aged housewife and part-time teacher who is forced to re-evaluate her life when her husband of twenty years abandons her for a younger woman.

For lovers of wry humor and satirical wit, 'The Grantchester Grind' by Tom Sharpe is a must-read. While the TV series 'Behaving Badly' captures some of the eccentricities and humor of its characters, the book delves deeper into the idiosyncrasies and offers richer, more detailed character development. The novel offers a vibrant and uproarious journey through the absurdities of academia and English society that is difficult to fully capture on screen. Sharpe's sharp-eyed observations make the pages come alive with situations that range from the hilarious to the surreal, bringing a level of immersion that can't be replicated by the television adaptation. Moreover, reading Sharpe's original work allows readers to savor every humorous twist and tongue-in-cheek moment at their own pace. His unique style of descriptive prose and comedic timing ensures every chapter brings with it another reason to chuckle, encouraging readers to truly appreciate the subtle nuances that the TV series might gloss over.