Over the course of our Behind the Britcom interviews with Richard Briers and Penelope Keith from The Good Life (Good Neighbors in the U.S.), it was quite clear not only from the actors point of view, but also from the writer, Bob Larbey, that Tom and Barbara Good’s concept of self-sufficiency is more relevant today than 30+ years ago. In the case of Giles Coren (British food critic) and Sue Perkins (comedian, writer, radio and television presenter), life really does imitate art. In Giles & Sue Live the Good Life, premiering earlier this week on BBC2, the hosts attempt to recreate the premises of classic 1970’s sitcoms. Up first, The Good Life, which originally starred Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington. Not sure what’s next, but I’d like to see them tackle the likes of Open All Hours, Fawlty Towers and, maybe, ‘Allo, ‘Allo.

Giles and Sue discover that life does imitate art when they meet a couple of real-life “Tom and Barbaras” who attempt to explain how to be self-sufficient.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgmc9YJpK94

After seeing Giles and Sue’s feeble attempt to milk a goat, I’m concerned they will never eat again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhpwvsoV2fg&feature=related