Growing Up

Local English drama goes nostalgic! Rediffusion radio, the wayang, the Beatles..icons which evoke memories of the 60's in this new series. It charts the ups and downs of the Tay family living in the era as seen through the eyes of the second son (Steven Lim). Lim Kay Tong plays the stern patriarch; Wee Soon Hui, the typical stoic mother and Andrew Seow as a James Dean--like rebel.

With a little help from his friends, the Tays and Ismail, Govinda comes up with a plan to impress his daughter Shanti, her fiance', and her future mother-in-law when they fly down to Singapore to see him, but the best-laid plans have a way of going wrong..

Poh Choo returns and creates a stir in the family. Just when you thought it was safe to give away your first daughter.

Mr Tay's old classmate comes for a visit. Everyone's excited but soon feel uneasy when they find out he's a leper. However he eventually impresses the family with his strong determination and willpower. David especially learns a lesson or two about life from him when the former encounters a bully in school.

When Mr Tay's old classmate visits, everyone's excited, but they soon feel uneasy when they find out that he's a leper. However, he eventually impresses the family with his strong determination and willpower. David especially learns a lesson or two about life from him when he encounters a bully in school.

It's 1968 and David is part of the second batch to be enlisted into NS, to the distress of Mrs Tay. Meanwhile, Vicky is in a dilemma - should she go to the Teachers Training College or join Whiteley's Department Store to pursue her interest in fashion.

Tammy wins a school swimming contest but a sore loser insists that she won the race unfairly. Meanwhile, Gary wants to buy a scooter and tries to find a way to earn instant cash.

Mr Robinson has to leave Singapore after the British Forces (British Army) pull out. So Tay is called upon to be the Acting Restaurant Manager. Meanwhile, Ah Guan takes David and Fatty on their last 'freedom fling' before army life begins.

David begins a new chapter of his life in the army and his mother is worried for him. Meanwhile, Tay is promoted to Restaurant Manager and calls for a celebration. Vicky dresses her mother to the nines for the occasion.

Gary appears on national TV in the RTS Talentime 1968, to the excitement of the Tay family. Meanwhile, Vicky gives Mrs Tay a make-over for Mr Tay's hotel staff party.

The path of love is never easy as Govin finds out when his friendship with a widowed schoolteacher starts tongues wagging. Meanwhile, the Tays are in for a rude shock when they realise they may have to move into a cramped HDB flat.

Newcomer Jamie Yeo takes over as Tammy, and Pierre Png plays her love interest. Anna Belle Francis ("Forever Fever") is David's girlfriend. Jacintha Abisheganaden sings the theme song.

Vicky has nowhere to go after a quarrel with her mother-in-law; Gary faces problems in his business; a stuttering Ah Guan must make a presentation, and he succeeds with help from David and Fatty.

David riles everyone when he cuts back on his monthly allowances to his parents. Meanwhile, Tammy's secret admirer pays a visit.

Been there, done that? Robert's ex-girlfriend has been spreading vicious rumours that Tammy has "done it" with Robert. Meanwhile, Gary's plan for Mrs Tay's birthday bash goes awry.

Mrs Tay tries to help Gary in his business but messes things up for him. Meanwhile, David is in love with a new girl in his office.

Mrs Tay is stabbed by a burglar and the family tries to cope when they learn that the wound is fatal. They say their painful goodbyes.

Season 4 opens with the clan frantically preparing for Chinese New Year, circa 1975, so the youngsters are still safely clad in those oversized shirt-collars and campy bell-bottoms. But Vicky has plans to stay ahead of the times by redecorating the family home, and she decides to toss out the long-cherished sewing machine that belonged to her late mother--much to Dad's chagrin.

Sweet romance soon turns sour for Gary when he discovers Karen's secret; David's ex-flame Annie returns from England to haunt him; vain Vicky struggles with motherhood.

As Vicky's boutique is hit by bad times, Mr Tay suggests that she reassess her priorities--especially parenting obligations--but she thinks otherwise. Gary rounds up his old band members to give a shot at the Talentime, while David has sleepless nights over a leaky tap.

Mr Tay discovers that Auntie Boon is a victim of domestic abuse. After some hesitation, he intervenes and finds out he's actually the cause of it. Meanwhile, Gary is elated that Chee Keong looks up to him, but crumbles under the pressure of being a role model.

Mr Tay manages to persuade Gary to attend a matchmaking session, only to disapprove of the girl who shows up. Meanwhile, Tammy has problems with her netball team, and David hopes to buy a car although he can't afford it.

Vicky gives birth to a baby boy and suffers a postnatal blues; Chee Keong drives everybody crazy with his questions of "Where do babies come from?"

All grown up and into their fifth season, the Tay kids find themselves up against temptations, tragedies and trying times in general. Aileen Tan and Cynthia Koh cross over to play love interests.

Vicky suspects Mrs Chong of abusing John and confronts her. Things turn ugly when John develops a persistent fever and is diagnosed with leukaemia. Gary wants Karen to quit her job and help take care of the household.

When will things get easier for the Tays? This week, a match is found for John's bone marrow transplant, but the donor can't be. Found, that is. Meanwhile, Vicky's decision to go to the States bums out Mr Tay.

Mr Tay suffers from loneliness and depression after Vicky and John depart; Gary wants to start his own family but faces business difficulties with a competitor's arrival. Watch out for Aileen Tan who joins the cast.

Gary's furniture business flounders and finally flops. Mr Tay enrolls Chee Keong in a chess competition; he ends up organising it gets accused of rigging the game.

Despite their non-too-cordial acquaintance, the friendship between Mae and Mr Tay blossoms. Meanwhile, while trying to make a quick buck, Gary bumps into Tracy, a bargirl (Cynthia Koh) working in JB. Will TV's bad boy succumb to temptation?

After so many years together, Tay and Mae finally decide to get married. Poh Choo emigrates to Singapore with her husband Jimmy and daughter Li Lien, and for the first time in years, she and Jimmy will live together with their son, Chee Keong.

Tay and Mae spend quality time in a chalet--David's wedding gift to them. They must also deal with the issue of sex after marriage: each not knowing if the other wants it and each not wanting to disappoint the other. Tay in particular must deal with a lot of internal conflicts, including guilt.

Tensions rise between Mae and Poh Choo and Mr Tay is caught in the middle. Meanwhile, Jenny goes to work as David's boss. If that doesn't bruise his ego, her flirting with his colleague should crush whatever pride he has left.

Relationships suffer at the Tay home as Poh Choo and Jimmy get on Mae's nerves and Gary's closeness to Chee Keong irks Karen and Poh Choo. On a brighter note, Jimmy gets free juice and David and Jenny get married.

Trouble is afoot (surprise!) when money disappears from the coffeeshop till. Elsewhere, Jimmy meets an old friend, and Poh Choo and Chee Keong call a truce.

Mae gets her son Meng to work in Tay's coffeeshop in hopes that they will bond. Unfortunately, it backfires and things turn nasty when Jimmy frames Meng for stealing from the till. Li Lien finally breaks through to Meng, and although he keeps his feelings to himself, he fancies her as well--of course, unknown to both of them, they are supposed to be uncle and niece.