''Birds in the Bush'' (also known as ''The Virgin Fellas'' and ''Strike It Rich'') is an Australian/United Kingdom situation comedy series produced in 1972.Albert Moran, ''Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series'', AFTRS 1993 p. 81 The series was set on a remote Australian property run by seven beautiful but naive young women. When the property is inherited by an English

water diviner ''The Water Diviner'' is a 2014 drama film starring and directed by Russell Crowe, in his directorial debut, and written by Andrew Anastasios and Andrew Knight. The film is loosely based on the book of the same name written by Andrew Anastasio ...

(

Hugh Lloyd Hugh Lewis Lloyd (22 April 1923 – 14 July 2008) was an English actor who made his name in film and television comedy from the 1960s to the 1980s. He was best known for appearances in ''Hancock's Half Hour'', ''Hugh and I'' and other sit ...

) he and his Australian half-brother (

Ron Frazer Ron Frazer (7 December 1928 – 8 January 1983) alternatively Ron Fraser, was an Australian actor, comedian and screenwriter, he was known for roles in theatre and television, primarily as a character actor. Career Fraser started his career i ...

) and an assistant (

Kate Fitzpatrick Kerry Kathleen Fitzpatrick (born 1 October 1947) known as Kate Fitzpatrick, is an Australian television, film, and theatre actress. Early years Kate grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Dover Gardens, and it was in Adelaide that her love for cl ...

) begin living on the property and attempt to teach the nubile young women the ways of the world. The series focused on the physical attractiveness of the young women, who all wore skimpy blue smocks and had names like "Abigail", "Lolita", "Tuesday", "Wednesday" and "Buster", along with ''

Carry On Carry On may refer to: * ''Carry On'' (franchise), a British comedy media franchise *Carry-on luggage or hand luggage, luggage that is carried into the passenger compartment * ''Carry On'' (film), a 1927 British silent film * ''Carry On'' (novel), ...

''-style innuendo.

Production

The series was written and directed by David Croft and was intended primarily for a UK audience. As UK television was by now broadcasting in colour, it meant that ''Birds in the Bush'' was also shot in colour, but this necessitated shooting the series on film rather than videotape, as the ATN7 television studios in Australia were yet to be converted to colour.

Reaction

The series began on air in Australia on 3 May 1972 but rated poorly there. Likewise UK ratings were low and the series run was cancelled there before all the episodes had been shown (it ran on BBC1 from 10 July 1972 until 21 August 1972). Just one season of 13 30-minute episodes was produced. Cast member Kate Sheil, who played one of the naive girls, later said of her participation in the series that "I'm still trying to live that down because a lot of people hated it. We just run around saying these amazing things. I used to watch it for the scenery".Johnson, Jackie. ''Our Kate’s Image Turns Timid.'',

TV Week ''TV Week'' is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news. Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particu ...

. 24 October 1981, p. 41

Cast

as Hugh *

as Ron * Alastair Duncan as Hoffnung *

as Michelle * Elli Maclure as Abigail *

Ann Sidney Ann Sidney (born 27 March 1944) is a British actress, TV Host and beauty queen who won the 1964 Miss World contest representing the United Kingdom. Early life Sidney moved to Poole when very young. She went to Martin Road School in Parkstone a ...

as Nanny * Susan Lloyd as Lolita * Kate Sheil as Friday * Briony Behets as Tuesday * Nicola Flamer as Caldera as Wednesday * Jenny Hayes as Buster

References

External links

* Comedy Guide * {{DEFAULTSORT:Birds In The Bush BBC television sitcoms David Croft sitcoms Australian television sitcoms 1970s British sitcoms 1972 British television series debuts 1972 British television series endings 1972 Australian television series debuts 1972 Australian television series endings English-language television shows Black-and-white Australian television shows