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Ah, Ian Mcshane. He seems a whole world away from Lovejoy now – these days with his appearances in the iconic US series Deadwood, and as “Blackbeard” in “Pirates of the Caribbean 4”, it’s difficult to remember the humble beginnings of the actor.
But as "Lovejoy" Ian Mcshane was every part a charismatic talisman for 1980's Britain. The show was brilliantly British in it’s view and aspirations – what other country would choose one of it’s most popular programmes of the era to be about the antiques trade? Lovejoy was a loveable rogue, always with an eye for a bargain – and robin hood tendencies.
First shown in 1986, the show ran sporadically until 1994, for a total of 6 series. There were a few changes of actors in the series but the essential characters stayed the same.
One fairly big thing that did change was Lovejoy’s haircut! Lovejoy's mullet hairstyle came in for the second series and was a very very funny thing to behold – it’s worth buying an episode for that haircut alone!
Well, now, for the first time the whole boxed set of Lovejoy DVD’s are available to buy! Yes, all 73 episodes over the 6 series.
There are a whole host of cameo’s over the series – Joanna Lumley, Brian Blessed, Linda Grey, James Nesbitt!
Lovejoy the TV programme was actually based on a series of books by a novelist called John Grant. And in the series the Antiques trade became quite exciting to an outsider - Lovejoy had a reputation in the antiques trade as a "divvie", meaning one with a talent for recognising brilliant items. So it gave him a hero-like super power! Or that’s how my 11 year old brain saw it.
So, I you are watching the new Pirates of the Carribean movie and instead of a blast from the aft cannons, you fancy a blast from the past – buy up the boxed set! Lovejoy is waiting – with his mullet!
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