Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
0101Get Well Soon2011051620130731 (BBC7)
20150202 (BBC7)
Harvey Easter is a family man, tone-deaf piano seller and eternal optimist.
0102My Valentine2011052320130807 (BBC7)
20150209 (BBC7)
Harvey is struggling to come up with a Valentine's idea for Jax.
0103Birthday Greetings2011053020130814 (BBC7)
20150216 (BBC7)
Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui or 'Jax' (played by Rebecca Front), knows all too well.

In this episode Harvey and Sean's jobs are put in the firing line whilst Robbie discovers a new love of birds...for the time-being.

Cast:

Harvey Easter...Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter.....Rebecca Front

Charlie Easter....Antonia Campbell-Hughes

Robbie Easter....Joe Tracini

Rakesh Rathi....Navin Chowdhry

Ray Marsh....Justin Edwards

Sean Cahoun....Michael Legge

Mr Bolt....Simon Day

Writer - Andrew Collins

Title Music performer/arranger - Jim Bob

Producer/Director - Anna Madley

An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4.

Harvey and Sean's jobs in the firing line, while Robbie discovers a new love of birds.

0104Good Luck2011060620130821 (BBC7)
20150223 (BBC7)
Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui or 'Jax' (played by Rebecca Front), knows all too well.

In this episode Robbie is taught a lesson whilst Harvey feels it's time to spill the beans, nothing is sure to get in the way...

Cast:

Harvey Easter - Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter - Rebecca Front

Charlie Easter - Antonia Campbell-Hughes

Robbie Easter - Joe Tracini

Kill-R - Javone Prince

Rakesh Rathi - Navin Chowdhry

Ray Marsh - Justin Edwards

Sean Cahoun - Michael Legge

Sergeant Major - Simon Day

Writer - Andrew Collins

Title Music performer/arranger - Jim Bob

Producer/Director - Anna Madley

An Avalon production for BBC Radio 4.

Robbie is taught a lesson, but Harvey feels it's time to spill the beans.

0201Good Luck!2012040920160228/29 (BBC7)Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui or 'Jax' (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, be it having Harvey's racist mum coming to stay, a missing cat called Lucky or a Nazi neighbour, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and the two kids - restless, fickle, hyperactive space cadet Robbie, 16, street-talking, soon-to-be-married council busybody Charlie, 18 (and her live-in boyfriend Kill-R) - Harvey's optimism ('it'll be fine') is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

His days as Junior Deputy Assistant Sales Manager at a Ringfence-Upon-Thames piano shop soon to be renamed Sean's Super Synths must surely be numbered, his daughter's Big Fat Weyfleet Wedding is beyond the family's austerity measures, and Jax is dangerously close to taking her new career move with hunky builder Rakesh to the next stage.

~Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

On day one of the Easter family economy drive, Charlie accuses Robbie of taking drugs and a scratchcard win convinces Harvey he's having a lucky day.

Cast:

Harvey Easter ...... Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter ...... Claire Skinner

Charlie Easter ...... Rosamund Hanson

Robbie Easter ...... Tyger Drew Honey

Kill-R ...... Javone Prince

Rakesh Rathi ...... Navin Chowdhry

Dr Ray Marsh ...... Justin Edwards

Sean Calhoun ...... Michael Legge

Written by Andrew Collins

Title Music Arrangement by Jim Bob

Producer/Director: Anna Madley

A Avalon Production for BBC Radio 4.

The Easter family are economising. Charlie accuses Robbie, but is it Harvey's lucky day?

0202Sorry2012041620160306/07 (BBC7)In this week's episode, Harvey's cat Lucky has gone missing, but does her disappearance have anything to do with the book-burning neighbour (played by Simon Day)? Robbie develops a crush on an older woman and Jax rekindles her relationship with the builder Rakesh.

Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and their teenage kids, Harvey's optimism is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

~Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

Cast:

Harvey Easter ..... Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter ..... Claire Skinner

Charlie Easter ..... Rosamund Hanson

Robbie Easter ..... Tyger Drew Honey

Kill-R ..... Javone Prince

Rakesh Rathi ..... Navin Chowdhry

Dr Ray Marsh ..... Justin Edwards

Mr Leopold ..... Simon Day

Sean Calhoun .... Michael Legge

Written by Andrew Collins

Title Music Arrangement by Jim Bob

Producer/Director: Anna Madley

An Avalon Production for BBC Radio 4.

Has the disappearance of Harvey's cat got anything to do with the book-burning neighbour?

0203Happy 18th2012042320160313/14 (BBC7)Written by Andrew Collins

Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and their teenage kids, Harvey's optimism is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

~Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

This week, Harvey and Jax stand firm and inform Charlie that they can't afford to throw her an 18th birthday party, much to her displeasure, while Robbie's latest flirtation with drugs does not quite go as planned.

Cast

Harvey Easter ..... Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter ..... Claire Skinner

Charlie Easter ..... Rosamund Hanson

Robbie Easter ..... Tyger Drew Honey

Kill-R ..... Javone Prince

Rakesh Rathi ..... Navin Chowdhry

Dr Ray Marsh ..... Justin Edwards

Sean Calhoun ..... Michael Legge

Shop Assistant ..... Susy Kane

Producer: Anna Madley

An Avalon Production for BBC Radio 4.

Harvey and Jax inform Charlie that they cannot afford to throw her an 18th birthday party.

0204With Deepest Sympathy2012043020120807 (BBC7)
20160320 (BBC7)
20160321 (BBC7)
20120731 (R4)
Written by Andrew Collins

Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and their teenage kids, Harvey's optimism is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

~Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

In this episode, the Easter family travel to Middlesborough to help Harvey's miserable, hypochondriac, racist mum Lou through a difficult time, and Charlie learns about mobile phone etiquette at a Catholic funeral mass and an Italian wake.

Cast

Harvey Easter ..... Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter ..... Claire Skinner

Charlie Easter ..... Rosamund Hanson

Robbie Easter ..... Tyger Drew Honey

Kill-R ..... Javone Prince

Lou Easter .... Sorcha Cusack

Priest .... Angus Deayton

Producer: Anna Madley

An Avalon Production for BBC Radio 4.

Harvey's rather difficult mum is having a tough time. What can his family do to help?

0205You're Leaving2012050720120814 (BBC7)
20160327 (BBC7)
20160328 (BBC7)
20120807 (R4)
Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This, however, is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and their teenage kids, Harvey's optimism is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

~Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

This week, Harvey's racist mum, Lou, moves in while she grieves for her plumber boyfriend and drives Jax out of the house, but will she give her blessing to Charlie and Kill-R's wedding when they fix a date?

Cast:

Harvey Easter ..... Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter ..... Claire Skinner

Charlie Easter ..... Rosamund Hanson

Robbie Easter ..... Tyger Drew Honey

Kill-R ..... Javone Prince

Lou Easter ..... Sorcha Cusack

Rakesh Rathi ..... Navin Chowdhry

Sean Calhoun ..... Michael Legge

Written by Andrew Collins

Title Music Arrangement by Jim Bob

Producer/Director: Anna Madley

Editor: Rich Evans

An Avalon Production for BBC Radio 4.

What will happen to his family when Harvey's racist mum, Lou, has to move in?

0206 LASTOn Your Wedding Day2012051420120821 (BBC7)
20160403 (BBC7)
20160404 (BBC7)
20120814 (R4)
Written by Andrew Collins.

Harvey Easter (played by Mark Benton), 46, is the eternal optimist. He is able to see the good in every situation, the silver lining within every cloud, the bright side to every bit of bad news.

This however is his downfall. Someone for whom the glass is always half-full can be difficult to live with, as his wife of 19 years, Jacqui (played by Claire Skinner), knows all too well. Even as life deals Harvey and the Easter family a series of sadistic blows, Harvey looks on the positive side. It's pathological with him. The way Jax sees it, instead of dealing with the problems of their marriage and their teenage kids, Harvey's optimism is actually his way of avoiding engagement with the big issues.

~Mr Blue Sky is about one man battling to remain positive in moments of crisis, and one woman battling to live with someone who has his head in the clouds.

It's the day before Charlie and Kill-R's wedding day. While Rakesh makes Jax an unexpected offer and the bride gets cold feet, Harvey's plan to write his speech is interrupted by a distress call from the groom at Gatwick.

Cast:

Harvey Easter ..... Mark Benton

Jacqui Easter ..... Claire Skinner

Charlie Easter ..... Rosamund Hanson

Robbie Easter ..... Tyger Drew Honey

Kill-R ..... Javone Prince

Lou Easter ..... Sorcha Cusack

Rakesh Rathi ..... Navin Chowdhry

Dr Ray Marsh ..... Justin Edwards

Sean Calhoun ..... Michael Legge

Registrar ..... Simon Day

Custom's Official ..... Greg Davies

Produced by: Anna Madley

An Avalon Production for BBC Radio 4.

Harvey is excited as wedding bells are in the air for his daughter, Charlie.