Review of Birds of a Feather

The "girls" are nigh - on pensioners,Dorien looks like something from the health warning on a fag packet....please give it up ladies. Yet still it prospers and is being re - run on "Freeview" about every ten minutes - then there's the stage show...I'm obviously missing something. Most weeks either of the three stars are on the front page of the women's mags and it's a shame that these fine actors are mainly known for what is their least work. Miss Quirke in particular has real presence. Only Miss Joseph has maintained her accent over the years,unfailingly hitting the right note. Mesdames Quirke and Robson wax and wane with their Cockerney,sometimes in the same sentence. Back in 1989,bright - eyed and bushy - tailed,Sharon and Tracey were prison widows,dutifully visiting their worthless blokes in the nick,exchanging witty banter over the kitchen island in Chigwell. By the end of the last series they were dull - eyed and raddled,spouting crudities and less than subtle innuendo like Alan Carr without the inhibitions. Still,as long as the cheques keep coming in,eh ladies?