Rides is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1992 and 1993. It lasted two series of six episodes each and was made by Warner Sisters, a UK-based television production company based in Ealing. The series starred Jill Baker as Patrice Jenner, a former Royal Corps of Transport warrant officer who starts up an all-women taxi firm. The first series dealt with the establishment of the business and the recruitment of a team of drivers - Scarlett, Janet, Sue-Lyn, Aileen, Aggie and George. The second series explored more personal storylines involving the women, such as Patrice's relationship with her teenage daughter Beki. The first series also starred Jesse Birdsall as Julian, Patrice's love interest, however in series two Julian was played by a different actor, James Purefoy. George was a motorbike-riding, leather-clad lesbian who was dating Sacha, played by Charlotte Avery. They lived in a squat and befriended Patrice's daughter Beki - causing much concern to Patrice. George, Frankie and Sacha were the motorcyclists who made up the 'dispatch' part of the firm. Scarlett was a transsexual.
| Alternative Titles | |
| First Air Date: | 1992-02-18 |
| Last Air Date: | 1993-06-18 |
| Number of Episodes: | 12 |
| Number of Seasons: | 2 |
| Genres: | Drama |
| Status: | Ended |
| Networks: | $BBC One |
| Casts: | Caroline Blakiston, Katharine Schlesinger, Lucy Speed, Jill Baker, Louise Jameson |
Lazy, but spiritual comedy/drama with Eddie Murphy, Jeff Goldblum and Kelly Preston A mysterious saintly man named G (Eddie Murphy) befriends the director of a failing shopping network (Jeff Goldblum) & his colleague (Kelly Preston) in Miami. He becomes a curious sensation on the network. “Holy Man” (1998) combines elements of “Michael” (1996) and “City of Angels” (1998) to forge its own hybrid and is the obvious precursor to “Bruce Almighty” (2003). It failed at the box office mainly because people thought it was going to be a typical Eddie Murphy vehicle, but it’s not. Sure, there’s some comedy, but it’s decidedly low-key with maybe 2-3 laugh-out-loud parts. It’s more of an amusing drama crossed with spiritual docudrama and the unique tone turned people off. While it’s the least of those three other films, it possesses its own appeal once you catch a grip. The movie seems overlong though and needed tightened up with a rewrite. Still, it has its points of interest. Murphy, for instance, is thoroughly convincing in the title role and his character is certainly intriguing (I think it’s obvious who he really is), not to mention the flick conveys several valuable insights. The film runs 1 hour, 54 minutes and was shot in Miami, Florida. GRADE: C+/B-
