Ep 1. The New Manager
- January 3, 1991
- 27 min
The Brittas Empire is a British sitcom that aired from 1991 to 1997, and centers around the hapless but well-meaning leisure center manager Gordon Brittas (played by Chris Barrie). In season 1 episode 1, titled "The New Manager," viewers are introduced to Gordon Brittas and the leisure center he manages. The episode opens with a group of schoolchildren and their teacher arriving at the leisure center ready for a day of swimming and activities.
As the children excitedly splash around in the pool, the tranquil scene is interrupted by a commotion at the front desk. It turns out that the center's former manager has resigned, and a new manager is due to arrive any minute. This news causes panic among the staff, who are all worried about what their new boss will be like.
As they wait anxiously for the new manager to arrive, the staff speculate about what kind of person he will be. Some are hoping for someone fun and easy-going, while others fear they will get a strict, rule-abiding manager. These fears are not unfounded, as the arrival of the new manager proves to be a shock to everyone.
The new manager turns out to be none other than Gordon Brittas, a man who is more interested in imposing his own ideas on how the leisure center should run than listening to the concerns of his staff. His first order of business is to impose a number of new rules and regulations, which includes taxing his staff for any minor mistakes they make on the job.
The staff members are not pleased with Gordon's behavior, and they quickly begin to resent his dictatorial style of management. In particular, the center's receptionist, Carole (played by Harriet Thorpe), is constantly at odds with Gordon as she tries to keep the center running smoothly.
Despite the staff's misgivings about Gordon's management style, the show's opening episode does an excellent job of showcasing the humor and charm of The Brittas Empire. The mix of slapstick comedy and witty dialogue is appealing, and Chris Barrie is an excellent choice for the role of Gordon Brittas.
Overall, "The New Manager" is a great introduction to The Brittas Empire, and sets the stage for many more hijinks and hilarity at the leisure center in the episodes to come.
