RaspberryLucozade This short running but fondly remembered comedy drama series is notable now for bringing into the limelight Oscar winning actors Robbie Coltrane and the beautiful Emma Thompson. Writer and artist John Byrne supplied the six one hour long scripts which focused on the exploits of a failing rock 'n' roll band whose future looks to be bleak when their lead singer is unexpectedly killed. 'Tutti Frutti' was a smash hit when it first appeared in 1987, winning awards not only to its stars but also to its creator as well as its production crew but despite its popularity it was repeated by the BBC only once and for many years was blocked from being released on VHS or DVD due to royalty issues by the copyright holder and artist of the show's theme music Little Richard. However, in 2006 the ban was lifted when it was repeated by BBC4 and three years later was released on DVD by 2entertain. I was one of many of queued up to by a DVD of the show and I was pleased to say it was worth every penny.Scottish rock 'n' roll band The Majestics are about to embark upon their silver jubilee tour however the lead singer James 'Big Jazza' McGlone is killed in a car crash ( the very car which happened to belong to the band's corrupt manager Eddie Clockerty, who also runs a dingy clothing store ). Flying in from New York for the funeral is Jazza's younger brother, destitute art student Danny, who bears a strong resemblance to his late brother. This gives Eddie an idea - put Danny in place of his brother and carry on with the tour. Danny is initially reluctant but realising he doesn't really have anything to lose, eventually relents. His first day with the group is not a success. He incurs the verbal wrath of the band's roadie Dennis, and ends up in a punch up with drummer Bomba McAteer, rock guitarist Vincent Diver and bass player Fud O'Donnell.Whilst trying to find himself some digs, Danny bumps into an old flame called Suzi Kettles, who he attended art college with. Suzi has romantic feelings for Danny but has difficulty yielding them due to a failed marriage with her estranged and violent dentist husband who is eventually given his comeuppance by Danny. After some initial setbacks, Suzi becomes a member of the band as well.The rest of the group is not without problems - Vincent is two timing his wife Noreen ( played by Anne Kidd ) with a young woman named Glenna, much to the chagrin of Bomba, who is Noreen's brother. Glenna claims to be pregnant at the start of the series but by the end of the run she has suffered a miscarriage and later kills herself by plunging herself into the River Clyde. In the final episode, Vincent commits suicide during the farewell concert of The Majestics' at the Glasgow Pavilion by dousing Polish vodka on himself and setting himself alight.Emma Thompson is wonderful as Kettles though Robbie Coltrane has the most challenging role of playing both Jazza and Danny. Maurice Roeves is a suitably nasty piece of work as Vincent. Richard Wilson as Clockerty forms a hilarious double act with his sassy and sexy secretary Janice Toner ( played by Katy Murphy ). Also excellent were Ron Donachie as Dennis, Stuart McGugan as Bomba and the late Jake D'Arcy as Fud. Only Fiona Chalmers failed to make an impression as Glenna.John Byrne next series for the BBC was 'Your Cheatin' Heart' but it was nowhere near as successful as 'Tutti Frutti'. For Coltrane, this was his final regular comedy series. In the 90's he later branched into straight acting with the wonderful Carlton Television drama 'Cracker'. Emma Thompson pursued a successful film career while Richard Wilson became a household name with the role of Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot In The Grave'.

suckitup-1 Been looking for this for ages and finally managed to track it down. Why do the BBC think it's fine to repeat the same old crap over & over again, but sit on gems like this which never make it to UK Gold or Dave? I originally thought they must have deleted it or something, but looking on Google it seems the original cast aren't keen on a re-run for some reason. Look on ebay, there's a guy selling the whole 6 episodes on DVD, can't wait to receive mine, hope it's not a poorly recorded pirate copy. Even if it is it will still be worth the £7.50 just to relive some classic Scottish comedy, the genius stuff the BBC used to be good at knocking out.

eastbergholt2002 Tutti Fruti was one of the best BBC series of the 1980s. John Byrne's script was smart, witty and full of lively banter. It cleverly captures the delusions of an aging Scottish rock band who return for one last tour. Although the band don't seem to have much of a following they still believe they should have made the big time. There are similarities to Spinal Tap, but the characters in Tutti Friti seem more real.Byrne creates an amazing cast of characters and the acting is excellent. Emma Thompson was never better or sexier as Suzy Kettles. Katy Murphy was a revelation playing Miss Toner. Richard Wilson, Robbie Coltrane and Maurice Roeves were all superb. I would love to see this again.

scotsongs An extremely accurate depiction of a bunch of (almost) "over the hill" Scottish rockers - on their farewell tour. A veritable galaxy of stars, MOST of whom have since become household names. Can it be one (or more) of those big names holding back an agreement for this classic movie/series to be released on video/DVD?Anyone out there with a copy of this on video/dvd? I'd pay well to get a hold of this - purely in the interests of research, you understand.HopingO T Hill