Episodes

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0101Career2014111620141121/22/23 (BBC7)
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Comedian Hal Cruttenden stars as a stay at home father who is having a mid-life crisis.

~Hal stars as himself, married to Sam and father to two lovely girls. The problem is that, as Sam's career blossoms internationally and daughters Lilly and Molly grow up and are no longer dependent on their loving and caring father, Hal feels restless.

So, with the help of his ever unreliable mates Doug, Fergus and Barry, Hal decides to try new things in his life. But, inevitably, things don't go to plan!

Further challenges come from Hal's now deceased father, who was a true adventurer and all-round hero (something his son sadly is not) and is starting to appear to Hal at the most inopportune times to give unwelcome advice.

In this opening episode, Hal is arranging a special romantic getaway for Sam with some difficulty, Lilly and Molly are becoming almost strangers to Hal, his friend Fergus thinks he's finally found love, and Hal is forced to replace Sam in making a talk at the girls' school as Sam has to go on a work trip abroad.

Producer: Paul Russell

An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2014.

~Hal has planned a getaway, but has to act as a stand-in speaker at his daughter's school.

0102Death2014112320141128/29/30 (BBC7)
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In this episode, Hal faces a horrifying thought - he might have testicular cancer. So he tries to look mortality in the face - not easy for an overly sensitive and emotional man. He tries to bond with his entrepreneurial stepson Jack, but a visit to a football match doesn't work out as Hal planned.

An unlikely form of salvation arrives when it's suggested that Hal takes part in a charity run. Things take an unexpected turn and Hal actually surprises himself - but not in the way he planned.

Producer: Paul Russell

~Hal has a serious health problem, but salvation comes in the form of a charity race.

0103Crime2014113020141205 (BBC7)
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~Hal Cruttenden stars as a 40-something husband and father who, years ago, decided to give up his job and become a stay at home father. His wife, Sam, has a successful business career, which makes her travel more and more. His children, Lilly and Molly, are growing up fast, and his role as their father and mentor is diminishing by the day.

So what can Hal to as he reaches a crossroads in his life? Help is (sort of) at hand in the form of his eager mates - Doug, Fergus and Barry - who regularly meet at their local curry house for mind expanding conversations that sadly never give Hal the core advice he so desperately needs.

~Hal is confused even further as he regularly has visions of his long dead and highly macho father, who he's forced to engage in increasingly frustrating conversations.

In this episode, Hal becomes the latest victim to a series of car crimes that have happened near his home. Not only has his own personal car space been invaded, but his beloved CD collection has been stolen - including Abba, Dolly Parton and The Pet Shop Boys.

How can Hal survive this tragedy?

In the process of trying to cope with this crime, Hal also tries to find the real man in himself - but in attempting to do this, only scares his young daughters and reduces them to tears.

Stay-at-home Hal becomes the victim of car crime and gets some unwanted security help.

0104 LASTFidelity2014120720141212/13/14 (BBC7)
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So what can Hal do as he reaches a crossroads in his life? Help is (sort of) at hand in the form of his eager mates - Doug, Fergus and Barry - who regularly meet at their local curry house for mind expanding conversations that sadly never give Hal the core advice he so desperately needs.

~Hal is confused even further as he regularly has visions of his long dead and highly macho father, who he's forced to engage in increasingly frustrating conversations.

In this last episode of the series, Hal faces a new challenge - unwanted romantic attention. Happily married to Sam and with two adoring daughters, life is a picture of roses at home. But how will Hal cope with the romantic attention of a new, attractive neighbour Angie?

How will happily married Hal cope with the romantic attention of a new neighbour.

0201Teenagers2017040920170414/15 (BBC7)
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~Hal Cruttenden returns as a hapless house husband trying to cope with his mid-life crisis and doubting his every move.

His wife Sam is still a highly successful business woman, while daughters Lily and Molly continue to grow into teenagers and find their dad just a little annoying. Racist neighbour Penny is a major thorn in Hal's side and his best mates Fergus and Barry hinder rather than help Hal's goal of finding himself.

In this opening episode, Lily is set to introduce the family to her new hip boyfriend, but Hal's need to re-kindle his own romantic past leads to unforeseen challenges.

~Hal's bitter and embittered sister Pippa has come to stay unexpectedly, after her husband decided to experiment with his sexuality...

Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland.

Sam - Kerry GodlimanPippa - Abigail Cruttenden

Fergus - Ed ByrneOberon - Arthur Hughes

Therapist - Jonathan KyddPoliceman - Simon Greenall

Bazman - Joe Attewell

Producer: Paul Russell

An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.

Eldest daughter Lily's first forays into love lead to predictably chaotic results.

The hapless house husband daughter's first forays into love lead to chaotic results. Starring Hal Cruttenden. From 2017.

0202Racists2017041620170421/22 (BBC7)
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The second series of the sitcom with Hal Cruttenden finds the hapless house husband still trying to cope with his mid-life crisis and doubting his every move.

His wife Sam (Kerry Godliman) is still a highly successful business woman, his two daughters Lily and Molly continue to grow into teenagers and find their dad just a little annoying, his bitter and embittered sister Pippa (Abigail Cruttenden) has inconveniently decided to stay with Hal alongside her angry teenage son Oberon, racist neighbour Penny (Ronni Ancona) proves to be a major thorn in Hal's side and best mates Fergus (Ed Byrne) and Barry (Gavin Webster) hinder rather than help Hal's goal of finding himself.

In this second episode, as his wife is nominated for Business Woman of the Year, Hal is interviewed on local news and inadvertently becomes an internet sensation.

Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland

Produced by Paul Russell

An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.

~Hal Cruttenden inadvertently becomes an internet sensation.

Hapless house husband Hal Cruttenden is still trying to cope with his mid-life crisis and doubting his every move.

Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland.

Sam - Kerry GodlimanPippa - Abigail Cruttenden

Fergus - Ed ByrneOberon - Arthur Hughes

Therapist - Jonathan KyddPhotographer - Jonathan Kydd

Interviewer - Simon Greenall

Gianni - Simon Greenall

Mahmoud - Arian Nik

Producer: Paul Russell

The hapless house husband is on the local news and inadvertently becomes a web sensation. Starring Hal Cruttenden. From 2017.

0203Exes2017042320170428/29 (BBC7)
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~Hal's vision of himself as a romantic partner are confounded as Sam reveals she's catching up with a 'blast from the past'. And refugee housemate Mahmoud causes a stir.

Hapless house husband Hal Cruttenden is still trying to cope with his mid-life crisis and doubting his every move.

Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland.

Sam - Kerry GodlimanInstructor - Ronni AnconaFergus - Ed ByrneOberon - Arthur Hughes

Therapist - Jonathan KyddAssistant - Jonathan Kydd

Josh - Simon Greenall

Mahmoud - Arian Nik

Producer: Paul Russell

An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.

~Hal Cruttenden is confronted by his wife's romantic past in a way he could never predict.

The hapless house husband is surprised when confronted by someone from Sam's romantic past. Starring Hal Cruttenden. From 2017.

0204 LASTActors2017043020170505/06 (BBC7)
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After a challenging few weeks, Hal tries to calm things down by hosting a dinner party with Sam to show off their new basement - with wholly unexpected results.

Hapless house husband Hal Cruttenden is still trying to cope with his mid-life crisis and doubting his every move.

Written by Hal Cruttenden and Dominic Holland.

Sam - Kerry GodlimanLinda - Ronni AnconaFergus - Ed ByrneOberon - Arthur Hughes

Therapist - Jonathan KyddRyan - Jonathan Kydd

Josh - Simon Greenall

Mahmoud - Arian Nik

Producer: Paul Russell

An Open Mike production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017.

~Hal hosts a dinner party with Sam to show off their new basement - with unexpected results

~Hal hosts a dinner party with Sam to show off their new basement - with unexpected results. Starring Hal Cruttenden. From 2017.