Chance in a Million


Chance in a Million is a British sitcom broadcast between 1984 and 1986, produced by Thames Television for Channel 4.
The series was co-written by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen and starred Simon Callow and Brenda Blethyn.
The producer and director of the series was Michael Mills.

Plot

The premise of the show is that the main character, Tom Chance, is frequently the victim of unlikely circumstances, although he cares little about this and is, in fact, largely oblivious to much of what happens around him.
He meets his long-suffering girlfriend, Alison Little, by chance. This happens when Tom Chance goes to the same hotel on a blind date to meet a girl, that Alison Little has arranged to meet her cousin Tom.
Tom is shy towards Alison. However, Alison has fallen in love with Tom at first sight and she is keen for their friendship to develop into something more intimate.
Tom has a tendency to get into trouble as a result of unlikely coincidences. This leads to Tom being arrested for crimes he did not commit – which happens so often that police Sergeant Gough eventually gives orders for Tom not to be arrested, no matter how suspicious the circumstances.
Tom has an amusing ability to drink an entire pint of beer in one gulp whilst in the middle of speaking a sentence.
Tom's style of speaking is a key component of his comic nature. He speaks only in short staccato sentences similar to a telegram: "Can’t talk Alison. Car being towed. Problem with lawn furniture."
He also has a fascination with Surrey and England cricketer Alec Bedser, and a cricket bat, which has been autographed by the cricketer, is one of Tom's most treasured possessions.

Cast

There were three series, each of six episodes, as follows:
Series 1
  1. "Plumstones" – Various unfortunate coincidences bring about Tom Chance's arrest. A timecoded pilot version also exists and is included on the DVD as an extra. This version has a differently-scripted and acted second half, although the ending is similar.
  2. "Honour Thy Father And Thy Mother" – Tom is mistaken for a crooked car dealer.
  3. "Flowing with the Tide" – The bank fails to pay Tom's bills.
  4. "The Birthday Party" – Tom's party for Alison is a disaster.
  5. "Man of Iron" – Tom's bad luck affects Alison's visiting cousin.
  6. "Stuff of Dreams" – Reporters expect to find a crime boss at Tom's.
Series 2
  1. "The Taxman Cometh" – Tom is sent a tax demand by an inspector who believes Tom has debauched his daughter.
  2. "For Whom The Bell Tolls" – Tom is sent by strangers to cancel a wedding.
  3. "The Lost Weekend" – Tom tangles with drug traffickers on the way to visit Alison's parents.
  4. "And What Shall We Do for a Ring?" – Tom and Alison are mistaken for jewellery thieves.
  5. "Winning Streak" – Tom suddenly begins to win things.
  6. "Naming The Day" – Tom visits the paper to correct the reports of his engagement... and death.
Series 3
  1. "Goodbye Mr Henstridge" – Tom and Alison go to Mr Henstridge's funeral.
  2. "Guess Who's Not Coming For Dinner" – Tom and Alison visit Tom's long-suffering family.
  3. "The Blessing" – A flight-simulator, some animal rightists and a snake create problems.
  4. "The Once And Future Chance" – Alison is thinking about having children, but they end up with more than they bargained for.
  5. "Pre-Matrimonial Tensions" – Wedding plans are disrupted by the activities of a photographer.
  6. "The Wedding" – The wedding day finally arrives, but can the guests escape from the sewer ?

    DVD releases

DVDRelease date
The Complete Series 11 March 2010
The Complete Series 25 July 2010
The Complete Series 34 October 2010
The Complete Series 1 to 3 Box Set4 October 2010