Freddie and Max

Freddie and Max
GenreSitcom
Written by
Directed byJohn Stroud
Starring
Theme music composerDavid Mackay
Opening theme"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin)
Ending theme"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
ProducerJohn Stroud
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkITV
Release12 November (1990-11-12) –
17 December 1990 (1990-12-17)

Freddie and Max is a British sitcom that first aired on ITV and broadcast for one series and six episodes between 12 November and 17 December 1990.[1] It starred Anne Bancroft as Maxine Chandler, a fading Hollywood star, and Charlotte Coleman as Freddie Latham, her scrappy personal assistant. The series ran for one series of six episodes. The show was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network.

Premise

Maxine Chandler is an egotistical former Hollywood actress who has been residing at the famed Savoy Hotel in London. She is careless with finances and has not worked for many years. Pressed by her agent, Maxine needs to hire a new personal assistant who will help her work on her autobiography. Freddie Latham, a young Cockney woman, happens to wile her way into the job. Freddie is never afraid to confront Max about her behaviour, leading to comedic clashes and genuine moments of friendship.[2]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byAirdate
1"Episode 1"[3]John StroudDick Clement and Ian La Frenais12 November 1990 (1990-11-12)
2"Episode 2"[4]John StroudDick Clement and Ian La Frenais19 November 1990 (1990-11-19)
3"Episode 3"[5]John StroudDick Clement and Ian La Frenais26 November 1990 (1990-11-26)
4"Episode 4"[6]John StroudDick Clement and Ian La Frenais3 December 1990 (1990-12-03)
5"Episode 5"[7]John StroudDick Clement and Ian La Frenais10 December 1990 (1990-12-10)
6"Episode 6"[8]John StroudDick Clement and Ian La Frenais17 December 1990 (1990-12-17)

Production

The series was written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and directed by John Stroud. It was produced by John Stroud, Tony Charles, and Allan McKeown for Thames Television. It was, at the time, Britain's most expensive sitcom at a reported cost of £2 million.

Reception

According to Adam's Nostalgic Memories, "This is yet another 90s ITV sitcom", now was this one any good? I don’t remember this from the time, but I have tracked down all of the episodes on YouTube. Freddie and Max was written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, the double-act who were behind classic sitcoms including The Likely Lads and Porridge, so that was definitely a plus. This was made by their production company for Thames.

The main characters were Freddie, played by Charlotte Coleman of Worzel Gummidge and Marmalade Atkins fame, among plenty of other things, and Max, played by Anne Bancroft, in her only sitcom role. The opening theme was their rather terrible version of "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off", which was an indication of what was to come.[9]

Home media

To this date, the series was not yet released on DVD or VHS.

References

  1. ↑ "Freddie and Max". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Freddie And Max (ITV Sitcom, Anne Bancroft, Charlotte Coleman)". 15 July 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Episode 1". BFI. 12 November 1990. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Episode 2". BFI. 19 November 1990. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Episode 3". BFI. 26 November 1990. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Episode 4". BFI. 3 December 1990. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Episode 5". BFI. 10 December 1990. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Episode 6". BFI. 17 December 1990. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "The YouTube Files – Freddie And Max". Adam's Nostalgic Memories. 27 September 2023.
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