About this season
Agony is a British sitcom produced by LWT for ITV, broadcast from 1979 to 1981. It stars Maureen Lipman as successful agony aunt Jane Lucas, whose own personal life and marriage is a disaster. It was written by Len Richmond, Anna Raeburn, Stan Hey and Andrew Nickolds. Although a comedy, Agony sometimes dealt with taboo issues such as drug use, racism, abortion, interracial relationships, and swinging, and was the first British sitcom to portray a gay couple as non-camp, witty, intelligent and happy people. It also openly mocked the government, the ruling classes, and religion, and occasionally contained dark and dramatic storylines.
Episodes (7)
1. Back to Reality
Aired 13 April 1980 • 30 min
Jane returns from vacation and decides to start dating again, but sees Laurence on a tape at a video-dating service talking about how much he loves his wife.
2. Working Girls
Aired 20 April 1980 • 30 min
Val threatens to moonlight in one of Vincent Fish's erotic films when Diana refuses to give her a raise.
3. Coming Out... and Going In Again?
Aired 27 April 1980 • 30 min
Michael appears anonymously on Jane's radio show to answer questions about the homosexual lifestyle, but Junior's blunder exposes his identity with devastating consequences.
4. Television Can Damage Your Health
Aired 4 May 1980 • 30 min
Jane tries another medium when she makes a television pilot that goes completely off course.
5. Problem Parents
Aired 11 May 1980 • 30 min
Jane helps Rob explain his homosexuality to his parents and advises her mother about a smitten Junior Truscombe.
6. Second Time Around
Aired 18 May 1980 • 30 min
A religiously reformed Andy Evol returns and both he and Jane return to Happening Radio when Junior falls ill.
7. A Woman Alone
Aired 25 May 1980 • 30 min
Jane is taken hostage during her radio show by a reader unhappy with her advice.