About this season
The Liver Birds is a British sitcom set in the city of Liverpool, in the north-west of England, which aired on BBC1 from 1969 to 1978, and again in 1996. It was created by Carla Lane and Myra Taylor. These two Liverpudlian writers had met at a local writers club and decided to pool their talents. Having been invited to London by Michael Mills and asked to write about two young women sharing a flat, Mills brought in sitcom expert Sydney Lotterby to work with the writing team. Lotterby had previously worked with Eric Sykes, Sheila Hancock and on The Likely Lads. Carla Lane in fact wrote most of the episodes, Taylor co-writing only the first two series. The pilot was shown as an episode of Comedy Playhouse, the BBC's breeding ground for sitcoms, in April 1969.
Episodes (12)
1. The Wedding
Aired 7 January 1971 • 30 min
It's the day before Beryl's Gloria's wedding, though Gloria announces that their dad's been seeing another woman, and their Mam's being brave. She also now doesn't want to get married.
2. Look Before You Leap
Aired 14 January 1971 • 30 min
After finishing with Peter Crawford, Sandra is so upset, that Beryl tracks him down and invites him to the flat. Unfortunately there's a case of mistaken identity when a salesman turns up.
3. Housekeeping
Aired 21 January 1971 • 30 min
Being short on the housekeeping, and with lots of IOUs in their holiday fund, the girls decide they need to earn some money. Sandra suggests selling the commode but the search for a new part for it leads them to the auction house.
4. The Proposal
Aired 28 January 1971 • 30 min
With Sandra wanting the flat for herself and her boyfriend Danny, Beryl pretends she has a boyfriend of her own, but in reality is visiting Gerry in the flat below
5. The Good Samaritans
Aired 4 February 1971 • 30 min
In full helping people mode, Sandra decides to let Irene and her new husband stay in their flat for the weekend. They'll stay at Gerry's whilst he's away, and look after the cat. Unfortunately Gerry & his mum turn up.
6. Three’s A Crowd
Aired 11 February 1971 • 30 min
A friend of Sandra's arrives for a couple of days. She's an actress, posh, and sexy and soon gets up Beryl's nose, especially after the effect she has on their two dates.
7. The New Neighbour
Aired 18 February 1971 • 30 min
The girls both throw themselves at the suave, sports car owning new downstairs neighbour. After learning that he's spending the weekend at his parent's guest house in Llandudno, they both decide to go and surprise him
8. The New Flat
Aired 25 February 1971 • 30 min
Due to their constant arguing, the girls eventually decide to move to a bigger flat in Allerton. Unfortunately due to the cost, they need a third person to share so start interviewing
9. The Dog
Aired 4 March 1971
Sandra brings home a stray dog, even though they're not allowed to keep pets. Then the girls get told that the landlord is going to make an inspection, but how do they hide the dog?
10. Grandad
Aired 11 March 1971 • 30 min
Wondering what to do as it's Saturday, Sandra gets roped into looking after her Grandad. She coaxes Beryl to join her but Grandad soon proves more trouble than expected
11. Mother’s Day
Aired 18 March 1971 • 30 min
It's Mother's Day, and both girl's parents arrive to spend the evening with them. Not only do things get off to a very frosty start, but Beryl breaks Sandra's mother's posh present
12. Promotion
Aired 25 March 1971 • 30 min
Sandra gets promoted in work. Wishing she was more like Sandra, Beryl decides to take elocution lessons. Practicing on a posh customer soon gets Beryl into trouble though, and Sandra is told to give her the sack