Home to Roost

Home to Roost

Home to Roost is a British television sitcom produced by Yorkshire Television in the 1980s. Written by Eric Chappell, it starred John Thaw as Henry Willows and Reece Dinsdale as his 18-year-old son Matthew. The premise is that Henry Willows is forty-something, who has been divorced from his wife for seven years and is perfectly happy living alone in London. That is, until his youngest child, Matthew arrives to live with him, after being thrown out by his mother. The plots generally revolved around Henry's annoyance at having his solitude disturbed, and the age gap clash. Henry employed two cleaners throughout the show's life; first Enid Thompson, and, in the third season, Fiona Fennell.

Comedy

Seasons

1. A New Life

Air Date: 1985-04-19

Divorced office worker Henry Willows is content in his uneventful life, one of his few domestic contacts being Enid, who comes in to clean for him. However his ordered existence is shattered when his seventeen year old son Matthew arrives on his door-step, having previously lived with Henry's ex-wife. Matthew claims that he was fed up at his mother's house and was keen to see his father again. A call to the ex-wife uncovers another story. Matthew was thrown out and told to move in with his father. Henry is about to find out why.

2. Bad Apples

Air Date: 1985-04-26

Henry and Matthew's differences in age and taste are constant and comic irritants in their daily confrontations, but they rise to new levels when the subject of education is raised and they must choose a school for Matthew.

3. All You Need Is Love

Air Date: 1985-05-03

When Matthew brings a girlfriend home, the cleaning lady finds incriminating evidence in his bedroom.

4. Suspect

Air Date: 1985-05-10

When Henry's next door neighbour's son returns from college, comparisons between Matthew and the student are inevitable. But while the neighbour boy might look to be industrious, considerate, well-mannered and a great sportsman, Matthew knows the truth.

5. Dating Henry

Air Date: 1985-05-17

Wine is chilling, candlesticks are on the table and Henry has shaved. Who is coming to dinner? Matthew attempts to find out.

6. Small Change

Air Date: 1985-05-24

As most young people are, Matthew is desperate for money, but his father refuses to invest in his future unless he finds more suitable employment.

7. The Way We Were

Air Date: 1985-05-31

It's Henry's wedding anniversary, but after seven years of separation there is nothing to celebrate, so he goes to the club. While he is out, Matthew welcomes a special guest into his father's home.

1. Protest

Air Date: 1986-10-03

Henry and Matthew's relationship is strained further when Matthew becomes an animal rights activist.

2. Open House

Air Date: 1986-09-12

Henry comes home to find the house full of Matthew's friends—more of an orgy than a party, says Henry—but rather than throw them all out, he joins in with hilarious results.

3. Plastic Dreamworld

Air Date: 1986-09-05

Matthew inherits a large sum of money, but finds it impossible to hold on to. Matthew opens a bank account, but how long can he withstand the temptation of ATMs and credit cards?

4. Acting Out

Air Date: 1986-09-19

Henry is stunned to find Matthew wearing makeup, and even more stunned when he finds out Matthew wants to become an actor. Matthew has joined the college drama group to play Othello, with a married woman as his Desdemona. Henry is horrified at the result.

5. The Test

Air Date: 1986-09-26

Henry suffers every father's nightmare—teaching his son to drive. Inevitably, Henry's pristine new car begins to show signs of stress.

6. Any Questions?

Air Date: 1986-10-10

Prospective candidate Henry is opposed by an attractive woman in the election, creating a quandary for first-time voter Matthew.

7. Julie

Air Date: 1986-10-17

Matthew's sister Julie decides to stay, but Henry and Matthew soon find that three's a crowd.

1. Human Interest

Air Date: 1987-10-24

2. Success Story

Air Date: 1987-10-31

3. High Spirits

Air Date: 1987-11-07

4. The Real Thing

Air Date: 1987-11-14

5. Crime Watch

Air Date: 1987-11-21

6. Getting On

Air Date: 1987-11-28

7. Paper Chase

Air Date: 1987-12-05

1. Bridge of Sighs

Air Date: 1989-12-01

2. Front Runner

Air Date: 1989-12-08

3. The Boyfriend

Air Date: 1989-12-15

4. Thought for the Day

Air Date: 1989-12-22

5. Return to Clagthorpe

Air Date: 1990-01-05

6. High Noon

Air Date: 1990-01-12

7. Leaving

Air Date: 1990-01-19

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Rating

6.3/10

Release Date

1985-04-19

Episodes

28 (4 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast