Common As Muck

Common As Muck is a gritty BBC comedy drama serial focusing on the lives of a crew of bin men and their management staff. It ran for two series. The first series was screened in 1994 and the second in 1997. Both were nominated for a BAFTA for Best Drama.

ComedyDrama

Seasons

1. The Nose Out of Joint

Air Date: 1994-09-07

A drama series that follows the adventures of a gang of dustbin men as they face the realities of privatisation. They're a wild bunch, a law unto themselves. But with the local people thinking they would be better off with a private company, the last thing the boys should do is put a powerful nose out of joint.

2. Keeping the Refuse Tender

Air Date: 1994-09-14

The day of judgement approaches and the management will have to take radical action if they're going to hang on to the refuse tender. Supercrew's card is marked and they'd better watch out if they're not to run into a bin-load of trouble.

3. The Weekend

Air Date: 1994-09-21

It's the weekend and the council are meeting to decide who gets the refuse tender. It's Jonno's big night out and Nev comes face-to-face with a secret from his past.

4. Supercrew at the Job Centre

Air Date: 1994-09-28

The Belgians have taken over, in the form of Propre UK and the sleek Brian Forget. The binmen have to grit their teeth and sign on with the privatised outfit, even at lower wages. Only Ken refuses and gets himself paid off - but not for long. Working life for the 'supercrew' is looking unliveable - until Ken starts taking an interest in Euro-legislation.

5. Cash Bonus

Air Date: 1994-10-05

Ken receives good news from his employer and Denice has an announcement to make. Jonno finally discovers what Marie does for a living.

6. One More Battle to Fight

Air Date: 1994-10-12

The binmen decide to fight back against Propre UK and stage a go-slow.

1. Episode 1

Air Date: 1997-01-08

The binmen gather to give Nev a good retirement send-off, fully aware that their business is under threat and they may have to find new ways to survive.

2. Episode 2

Air Date: 1997-01-15

Ken and Bernard try to make an honest bob by painting a local church. Meanwhile, Nev's new-found love really gets serious.

3. Episode 3

Air Date: 1997-01-22

The lads go to Fleetwood to stop Nev marrying Irene, who they regard as a gold-digger. The site is visited by the Millennium Games Committee and Sharon and Ken enter a hairdressing competition.

4. Episode 4

Air Date: 1997-01-29

Nev doesn't want to return to Hepworth. Sharon and Ken struggle with the new salon, while Prabhakar receives a compulsory purchase order for the yard. Parry loses job and Diane leaves him.

5. Episode 5

Air Date: 1997-02-05

Parry's financial worries mount when Pete calls in his debts and he seriously considers ending it all - until Nev and the rest of the lads get together to plot a fitting revenge on the uncaring loan shark.

6. Episode 6

Air Date: 1997-02-12

The lads hatch a plan to break George out of jail, hoping he'll lead them to the all-important photo and help them to expose Stranks and Roberts's corruption. However, events take a turn for the worse and they are forced to hide out in a local church - just as Denise's mum's wedding is about to start.

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