Oneupmanship – Nostalgia Central

1 9 7 4 (UK)
1 x 30 minute episode
1 9 7 6 (UK)
12 x 30 minute episodes
1 9 7 8 (UK)
5 x 30 minute episodes

Originally broadcast on Thursday 19 December 1974, Christmas Oneupmanship – subtitled “The Sadist’s Guide to Yule” – was a one-off BBC comedy with advice on how to survive the rigours of the festive season, written by Barry Took and based on the book Gamesmanship, Lifemanship and Oneupmanship by Stephen Potter.

The advice came from the (fictional) Yeovil College of Lifemanship in Station Road, Yeovil – the only semi-detached university in Britain.

A series followed in March 1976, presenting the subjects of Healthmanship (covering all aspects of the doctor/patient relationship), Businessmanship (out-manoeuvring your business rivals), Woomanship (how to woo and win, whether ugly or handsome), Weekendmanship (how to behave should you be invited for a long weekend in the country), Artmanship (“a feast for Philistines”) and Golfmanship.

A further six episodes were produced in November and December of that year, with topics including Yeovilship (the opening of the new term at the Alma Mater of Oneupmanship), Workmanship (falling somewhere between craftsmanship and Wormwood Scrubs), Who Was that Ladymanship?, Housemanship (where to live and how to act when you’re living there so that the neighbours have to keep up with you), Up Up and Awaymanship and Getting Acrossmanship (the art of making contact with one’s fellow man).

A third and final series of five episodes aired in 1978, which included a refresher course for those who – by accident or sloth – missed the college’s earlier emissions.

Richard Briers appeared as Stephen Potter, Peter Jones was Gatling-Fenn, and Frederick Jaeger played Cogg-Willoughby.

They were joined by a regular cast including Donald Gee, Anita Carey and The Lichfield Choristers. Music was provided by Instant Sunshine.

Stephen Potter
Richard Briers
Gatling-Fenn
Peter Jones
Cogg-Willoughby
Frederick Jaeger

Episodes

Christas Oneupmanship || Healthmanship | Businessmanship | Woomanship | Weekendmanship | Artmanship | Golfmanship || Yeovilship | Workmanship | Who Was that Ladymanship? | Housemanship | Up Up and Awaymanship | Getting Acrossmanship || Up Country | Litmanship | Anti-Woo | Fair and Unfair Sexmanship | Reprise

Video