It is widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever sitcoms.
But The Good Life promoted a lifestyle that can cause ‘long-term ill health’ according to Monty Don.
The gardening guru has warned people against going ‘self-sufficient’, growing and making everything themselves, as Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal’s characters did in the cult 1970s sitcom.
Mr Don, the Daily Mail Weekend magazine’s gardening columnist, gave his verdict on the premise of the hit BBC series in an article for Gardeners’ World, saying he found the characters ‘creepily pathetic’.
He said that people who try to live self-sufficiently can expect their teeth to fall out, their breath to smell and their skin to ‘erupt in boils’.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3713785/The-Good-Life-make-ill-warns-Monty-Don.html#ixzz4FmQJONEM
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It's too easy to go back in time and judge by today's standards. 'The Good Life' a simple sitcom, penned and shown over 40 years ago for goodness sake, I dare say if we were to be shown Monty in his pomp 40 odd years ago, in his tight ar*ed flairs, skinny fitted shirt, mop of curly hair, we may find him a bit 'creepy' also..........but dare I say, some find him a bit 'creepy' now!
Agree, there is something 'uneasy' about him on TV, but maybe why we watch with his unusual persona/style ?
Not sure where there's "hostility" ?
I'm pleased you re-read my post Tom - I quite enjoy Monty Don's laid back style.
I can't comment on whether the good life causes long-term ill health or for ones teeth to drop out but what I do know is, many people who strive for a self sufficient lifestyle, fail to accomplish it long-term.
Self sufficiency takes a lot of energy and time. The concept of growing your own food, as well as making things to wear is often misconceived.
Many move to here France intent on living the good life. To a certain extent, so was I. I soon realised that I could not work and make a living as well slog and toil in my veg patch - or forage the countryside - just for the so-called easy way of life.
I also think there are many people who kid themselves that they are (partly) self sufficient. However, these part-time eco warriors often splash the cash to buy a hugely expensive wooden veg trough to grow ten quids worth of lettuce or a single tomato plant. It may be fun and very therapeutic but it's not a sustainable (nor cheap) way of life.
Only a dedicated minority can ever expect to live of the land entirely.