Vodka Aunts

Vodka Aunts was a BBC One sitcom created by The Vodka Aunts comedy group that ran for three series and 4 christmas specials from January 29th 1981 to December 25th 1985. It revolved around a group of friends who enjoy scandal, bitchiness and vodka.

Background
Head of BBC Comedy in 1980 Nikki Neale was pitched the idea by Ifan Barber. He revealed that he and 5 of his closest friends had had the idea when smoking marijuana in the late 60s but ITV had passed on the series. Neale commissioned 6 half hour episodes in the summer of 1980, to be broadcast early the next year.

The show aired six episodes in it's first series and was well received by viewers. It was followed by a 1 hour Christmas special on December 25th 1981.

A second series of 6 episodes was given the go ahead in January 1982, the series aired from July 19th 1982 to August 11th 1982. A second Christmas special followed and a third series was commissioned, despite declining viewership and poor critical response.

The third series of 8 episodes went into production in January 1983, but due to BBC budget cuts, the filming process was put on hiatus and the show only returned for a Christmas special in 1983. A full, 8 episode run aired in the summer of 1984 and was universally panned by critics and viewers, leading to Nikki Neale confirming that the show would not return for another series, but may return for a Christmas special. The third special aired on Christmas day 1984. In April 1985, the BBC announced that due to popular demand, a fourth and final Vodka Aunts Christmas Special would air over the holiday season, the final episode of the show aired on Christmas Day 1985.

Cast
Laura Mitchell as Tammie

Lucie Wiltshire as Tanya

Katie Hedge as Beverly

Shay Farrell as Jennyfur

Lily Richards as Karolyn

Ifan Barber as Vivienne

Episode 1
The Vodka Aunts encounter trouble when Tammie's nephew George dies in a fire, can vodka really be the answer to their troubles?

Episode 2
The Vodka Aunts face a dilemma when Beverly's niece Veronica crashes her car with her boyfriend inside, can vodka really be the only thing they drink?

Episode 3
The Vodka Aunts end up in a conundrum when Tanya's bisexual nephew Julio marries a man and a woman on the same day, can they finally sober up for the occasion?

Episode 4
The Vodka Aunts fall into danger when the bar is taken hostage by Jennyfur's homeless niece Olivia, but is vodka the true criminal?

Episode 5
The Vodka Aunts face prosecution after killing a monkey at Karolyn's nephew Carl's bar mitzvah, but can vodka really talk them out of this one?

Episode 6
The Vodka Aunts head to the French riviera for the premiere of Vivienne's niece Rebecca's first film, but does vodka give them the strength to tell her it's terrible?

Christmas Special
The Vodka Aunts gather together to look back at the year they've had, but can vodka be the best christmas gift of all?

Episode 1
The Vodka Aunts go on a day trip to London to see Tammie's nephew Colin perform on the West End, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted in the theatre. But will vodka get their money back?

Episode 2
The Vodka Aunts visit Beverly's niece Virginia in prison, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted in the theatre. But will vodka serve time?

Episode 3
The Vodka Aunts spend the afternoon at the park with Tanya's gender neutral niece Arabella, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted on the playground. But will vodka cut Tammie out of the swings?

Episode 4
The Vodka Aunts go to the cinema with Jennyfur's nephew Frank, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted in the cinema. But will vodka allow them to watch the biggest blockbuster of the year?

Episode 5
The Vodka Aunts travel to America to watch Karolyn's niece Carrie star in her first porn film, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted on the set. But will vodka stop the aunts from doing a lesbian orgy scene?

Episode 6
The Vodka Aunts join the local Women's Institute with Vivienne's niece Georgette, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted in the meetings. But will vodka bring the other women to their senses?

Christmas Special
The Vodka Aunts spend Christmas in Lapland, but they learn the hard way that vodka isn't permitted in Santa's grotto. But will vodka bring Christmas cheer to all the children in the world?

Episode 1
The Vodka Aunts gather for the funeral of Tammie's niece Carol, but when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will whiskey save the day?

Episode 2
The Vodka Aunts travel to Las Vegas for Beverly's nephew Jack's wedding. But when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will tequila save the day?

Episode 3
The Vodka Aunts spend the day at Tanya's biromantic niece Davina's 6th birthday party. But when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will alcoholic hand soap save the day?

Episode 4
The Vodka Aunts gather together for the book launch of Jennyfur's nephew Arthur's first book. But when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will rum and sunny delight save the day?

Episode 5
The Vodka Aunts pilgrimage to Mecca for the weekend with Karolyn's muslim nephew Sanjay, but when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will holy water and some smuggled cider save the day?

Episode 6
The Vodka Aunts spend the weekend with Vivienne's nephew Rocco in Cancun, but when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will homemade moonshine and a collection of grimey shot glasses save the day?

Episode 7
The Vodka Aunts are shocked when they arrive at Tammie's nephew Marcus' bar and are refused service, but when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will a wrench and a dead body and unlimited booze save the day?

Episode 8
The Vodka Aunts go on trial for the murder of Tanya's non-binary nephew Xanax, but when there's no vodka, the women struggle to go cold turkey, but will a life sentence and a toilet full of homebrew save the day?

1984 Christmas Special
The Vodka Aunts are smuggled out of prison by Beverly's niece Zulu, but when there's no vodka, the women struggle to survive on just cold turkey, but will a nice glass of hot eggnog and a visit from Santa save the day?

1985 Christmas Special/Series Finale
The Vodka Aunts are checked into rehab by Jennyfur's doctor nephew Simon, but when they discover that there is life without vodka, can the women finally give up their alcohol addiction? Or will vodka conquer all?

Revival and Future
Since it's cancellation, Vodka Aunts has been subject to many a rumour of revivals. The cast famously adapted the series into the well received Olivier award winning musical, Dance because we have Vodka! in 1990 and there were early developments of a movie in 2003. However, in 2015, to celebrate 30 years since the end of Vodka Aunts, co-creator Ifan Barber announced a one-off special, that aired on Christmas Day 2015.

2015 30th Anniversary Christmas Special
The Vodka Aunts finally check out of rehab after 30 years and are collected by Vivienne's nephew Graham, they soon meet Kim Kardashian and are reunited with Vodka, but is vodka as good as it was in 1985?

The Vodka Aunts have since confirmed that they are currently developing the Vodka Aunts cinematic universe, where each vodka aunt will have a solo film and then they will all come together for an avengers-style movie afterwards. Scripts are in early development.

In January 2016, Walt Disney World in Florida confirmed construction of a Vodka Aunts ride, to open in 2017.