It's difficult to believe that Outside Edge was first broadcast on ITV way back in 1994 because, as this DVD demonstrates, the series still looks as fresh as ever. This gentle sitcom about a local cricket team and the personal lives of it's key members is remarkably well written and acted, deserving the many awards it received during it's run. With an established cast featuring Timothy Spall, Josie Lawrence, Brenda Blethyn and the much underrated Robert Daws, you get the feeling Richard Harris' tight script is in safe hands. The darker side of the self-contained stories being told (such as the evident relationship problems between Mim and Roger) are there if you want them, but often glossed over by sunshine, cricket and general summer fun. Outside Edge is incredibly undemanding to watch and as a result is an absolute treat throughout. This double DVD features all seven episodes plus with the added bonus of the exceptional pilot TV play from 1982 (starring the wonderful Prunella Scales as Miriam).

This was a very underrated comedy based loosely around the on-pitch antics of the members of a cricket club, with a surprisingly strong and poignant human element for Kevin and Maggie in particular.

It's hard to define what makes this a classic, but the script is fantastic and the characters brilliantly cast - with phrases you'll never forget, and you'll never hear "Peter And The Wolf" again without finding yourself smirk !

Roger ("Captain") and Mim ("love you, ok, fair enough"), and Kevin and Maggie are the mainstays of the cast, with the rest of the "team" and their partners mainly playing supporting roles.

I had this when it first came out on VHS, and I lent the first series to a friend - he went out and bought the second series for himself, and I had to "steal" my copy back off him !

Stop reading and buy it, you won't regret it ! (go for the full set !)