The Good Life (1994 TV series)

The Good Life (1994 TV series) was a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1994 to 1998. It was a remake of the popular 1975-1978 series of the same name, also known as Good Neighbors in some regions.

The series starred Richard Briers as Tom Good, Felicity Kendal as Barbara Good, Penelope Keith as Margo Leadbetter, and Paul Eddington as Jerry Leadbetter. While the core premise remained the same – Tom and Barbara attempting to live a self-sufficient lifestyle in suburban Surbiton, much to the chagrin of their upwardly mobile neighbors, Jerry and Margo – the 1994 version attempted to update the humor for a contemporary audience.

Differences from the original included updated references to then-current events and technology, although the basic character dynamics and plot structures were largely replicated. The series faced criticism for not capturing the charm and originality of the original, often being compared unfavorably to its predecessor. Despite the criticisms, it ran for two series.

The 1994 version ultimately failed to achieve the same level of success as the original The Good Life, and is now largely considered a less memorable revival of the classic sitcom.