It's hard to understand why such a talented comedian as Brian Conley seems to have vanished from our screens. Throughout the early '90's he was everywhere. One of his most famous efforts was 'The Brian Conley Show' which saw the birth of some of his most memorable character creations such as foul mouthed children's television presenter Nick Frisbee and thick as two short planks fortune teller Septic Peg ( a parody of real-life soothsayer Mystic Meg ).
In 1993, Brian decided to show viewers his acting prowess and headed a sitcom pilot entitled 'Brian Conley - Outside Chance' which has him cast as Kenny Conway, an ex-con who upon release from prison decides he wants to go straight, much to the alarm of his spiv of a mother Jean ( Kate Williams ) and his best friend and dodgy dealing mechanic Jake Brewer ( Richard Graham ). Also, much to Kenny's surprise, his probation officer has been changed from the stuffy Mr. Treadwell ( Neil McCaul ) to the attractive Gillian Walcot.
Kenny seems to fall for his new probation officer ( for whom he is determined to stay out of crime for ), something which causes problems between him and his brassy girlfriend Donna ( Georgia Allen ).
The pilot was such a hit that a full series followed the following year, with the show now named 'Time After Time'. The first episode was a remake of the pilot, with some scenes re-filmed due to the change in casting of Gillian, who was played in the pilot by Kim Thomson but was played in the series by the gorgeous Samantha Beckinsale.
'Time After Time' was a brilliant series and could easily have run to a third series. The ruggedly handsome cheeky chappie that was Brian Conley was superb as Conway and there was real chemistry between him and the lovely Samantha. I wish those two had got together, they seemed such a perfect match, and Beckinsale was far more attractive than Georgia Allen's Donna. Kate Williams was hilarious as Kenny's mum. Fans of 'Love Thy Neighbour' would be shocked seeing her in such a 'hard-as-nails' role. Also appearing from time to time was Kenny's scatty Auntie Dot ( the late Deddie Davies ).
Why 'Time After Time' isn't better remembered I'll never know and also why it has not been repeated or released on DVD is an even bigger mystery.
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