Ankle Tag
Ankle Tag (2015-2020, United Kingdom)
BBC radio show BBC radio sitcom radio sitcomUnsuccessful journalist Gruff lives with his wife Alice and a year-old daughter Carys, trying to get by with the other parents in their social circle. But one day, the worst day he could choose, Gruff’s father, Bob, shows up at their doorstep. Gruff and Bob were not really on the speaking terms and there was a reason for it - Bob spent a lot of his time creating scam businesses and past few years in prison, because of those businesses. To put it mildly, Gruff does not want to have anything to do with his father, but there is a catch - Bob gave Gruff’s address as the place of residence because he will spend the rest of his sentence with an ankle tag. And ankle tag means Bob has to be no further that few dozens feet away from the equipment installed in the building for the most of the day, otherwise he could be re-arrested. Gruff is understandably angry, but Alice sees this as a blessing in disguise - this way Carys can get to know her grandfather. Also, Gruff finds an opportunity as a journalist to benefit from this situation.
A BBC Radio 4 sitcom with perhaps not the most original opening (people who don’t get along are forced to live together), nor the most original characters (a conman who never stops being a conman even if he means well), but with good cast and good enough scripts, it was an interesting program. The ankle tag was forcing the plots to be a bit limited (Bob had to be at home between sunset and sunrise), but at the same time it was used as an element to make life a bit more complicated for the conman Bob. The stories were entertaining enough for the whole thing to be fresh throughout the whole series.
conman-themed shows family-themed shows
add a commentEpisodes of Ankle Tag
Pilot (2015)
1. Pilot
Gruff’s father shows up unexpectedly, released early from the prison. But there is a snag. Or rather a tag.
Series 1 (2017)
1. The Date
Bob meets a nice woman in the museum, but once he starts dating her, the ankle tag becomes a problem. And also a thing he said.
2. The Plumber
Bob is convinced that the fancy plumber Gruff hired has a dark secret.
3. The Church
Gruff and Alice want their daughter to be eligible for a place in a prestige catholic school and... they go a step too far.
Series 2 (2018)
1. The Charity Gig
Bob spots an opportunity to make some money when one of his ex-cellmates starts promoting his book.
2. The Nappy Advert
Bob learns about a scam someone else pulled and he will have none of that. Not for free anyway.
3. The Falklands
Bob meets Alice’s mother and her new boyfriend, a Falklands veteran, and becomes suspicious.
4. The All-nighter
Alice and Gruff and facing important career opportunities, all they need is a good night sleep. Unfortunately, Bob has other plans.
Series 3 (2020)
1. Bob’s Dad
Bob meets his father, also a criminal, and ends up pretending to be a lawyer.
2. Housesitting
Gruff and Alice are house-sitting for a wealthy neighbours, but accidentally they trigger an unfortunate chain of events.
3. The Guest
Gruff gets a chance to review the upcoming movie of a famous director, but they end up accommodate him.
4. The Bike
Gruff takes up biking as a hobby and way to get fit, but that new hobby gets a bit out of hand.
5. Doppelganger
Alice joins the amateur drama company and Bob... does his own thing.
6. Gruff’s Mum
Bob’s ex-wife Barbara comes to visit and Bob sees this is an opportunity for reconciliation.
