Karl Howman first worked with John Esmonde and Bob Larbey when he was cast to replace Robert Lindsay as Jakey in the fifth ( and as it would turn out, final ) series of their R.A.F based sitcom 'Get Some In'. They must have been impressed by his acting prowess as in the mid '80's they penned this enjoyable little vehicle for him.
Howman was cast as Jacko, a self-confessed womaniser who works as a painter and decorator. With his wit and good-looks, he manages to charm any girl he meets, much to the envy of his friend Eric ( Mike Walling ), who is married to Jacko's sister Jean ( Nicky Croydon ).
However, Jacko's forward approach with the females often lands him in trouble with his grumpy boss Lionel ( Gary Waldhorn before he took off as David Horton in 'The Vicar Of Dibley' ), who is married to Veronica ( the lovely Elisabeth Counsell ) who seems to have a little soft spot for Jacko. They have a daughter, the prim and proper debutante Lesley ( the gorgeous Kim Thomson, then the equally gorgeous Erika Hoffman ), who almost has a thing going with Jacko. Eventually, Jacko develops a relationship with Lionel's secretary Sandra and later gets engaged to her. In later episodes, Veronica took over the running of the decorating firm after her husband died.
'Brush Strokes' was easy-going, unassuming entertainment which gave viewers a good laugh each time. Howman was great as the cheeky but likable Jacko, looking far more comfortable here than he did in 'Get Some In' ( but then in all fairness the act of Robert Lindsay is a pretty tough act to follow ). Gary Waldhorn also was wonderful and it was not the same after he left. The rest of the supporting cast, particular Jackie Lye ( who played Sandra ) and Howard Lew Lewis ( who played the slovenly barman Elmo at Jacko's local ), were excellent too. The latter was also to be seen at this time alongside Jimmy Mulville and Rory McGrath in their Roman Empire sitcom 'Chelmsford 123'.
Special note should also be made of the wonderful 'Because Of You' theme tune, provided by the underrated Dexys Midnight Runners.
Sadly, viewers were deprived of a happy ending, unlike in John Sullivan's earlier 'Just Good Friends', Jacko and Sandra did not make it to the altar.
'Brush Strokes' was re-ran on Paramount Comedy about ten years ago ( which was how I came to get into it ) but it has not been broadcast since. It has however been released on DVD in its entirety and makes for fun viewing. In 1992, Karl Howman took on the lead of another Esmonde and Larbey show - 'Mulberry'.
Howman was cast as Jacko, a self-confessed womaniser who works as a painter and decorator. With his wit and good-looks, he manages to charm any girl he meets, much to the envy of his friend Eric ( Mike Walling ), who is married to Jacko's sister Jean ( Nicky Croydon ).
However, Jacko's forward approach with the females often lands him in trouble with his grumpy boss Lionel ( Gary Waldhorn before he took off as David Horton in 'The Vicar Of Dibley' ), who is married to Veronica ( the lovely Elisabeth Counsell ) who seems to have a little soft spot for Jacko. They have a daughter, the prim and proper debutante Lesley ( the gorgeous Kim Thomson, then the equally gorgeous Erika Hoffman ), who almost has a thing going with Jacko. Eventually, Jacko develops a relationship with Lionel's secretary Sandra and later gets engaged to her. In later episodes, Veronica took over the running of the decorating firm after her husband died.
'Brush Strokes' was easy-going, unassuming entertainment which gave viewers a good laugh each time. Howman was great as the cheeky but likable Jacko, looking far more comfortable here than he did in 'Get Some In' ( but then in all fairness the act of Robert Lindsay is a pretty tough act to follow ). Gary Waldhorn also was wonderful and it was not the same after he left. The rest of the supporting cast, particular Jackie Lye ( who played Sandra ) and Howard Lew Lewis ( who played the slovenly barman Elmo at Jacko's local ), were excellent too. The latter was also to be seen at this time alongside Jimmy Mulville and Rory McGrath in their Roman Empire sitcom 'Chelmsford 123'.
Special note should also be made of the wonderful 'Because Of You' theme tune, provided by the underrated Dexys Midnight Runners.
Sadly, viewers were deprived of a happy ending, unlike in John Sullivan's earlier 'Just Good Friends', Jacko and Sandra did not make it to the altar.
'Brush Strokes' was re-ran on Paramount Comedy about ten years ago ( which was how I came to get into it ) but it has not been broadcast since. It has however been released on DVD in its entirety and makes for fun viewing. In 1992, Karl Howman took on the lead of another Esmonde and Larbey show - 'Mulberry'.