I'm interested to know what you guys think of this often overlooked sitcom? I think it works personally, although I think is was good that there was only one series. I mean, can you think of another sitcom spinoff where we see the further adventures of the LEAD character? It's a rare example of as nation and a set of writers (Clement & Le Frenais (?!) wanting to see what would happen to a character that they loved.
I liked it, though obviously it wasn't a patch on Porridge. I paticulary loved the fifth episode titled 'Going, Going, Gone' guest starring Nigel Hawthrone later to find fame in 'Yes Minister' 'Going Going Gone' was the only episode to match the quality of 'Porridge' but a fine series and extremely dramatic when Ronnie Barker went to collect the bafta award that it won as Richard Beckinsale died a couple of days before the show won the bafta.
Yes that was a good episode but I don't think it matches the first 'Going Home'. How perfect was it when Mackay walked into the same train carriage as Fletch? The difficulty I expect they had when writing the show was how do you replace Mackay's authoratative role. I think that's what partly made Porridge so successful; the battle of wits between one man against the 'system'. In 'Going Straight' it was Ingrid that was taking over that role giving Fletch pressure to go straight and not back to skullduggery.
Yeah I really like the first episode- it's almost an episode of Porridge if you know what I mean.
I think the problem was that Fletcher was always a winner inside, always getting mini-victories. But in 'Going Straight' it was quite clear that on the outside world, Fletcher was a loser.
I have heared that before about those criminals who want to stay in prison; there, they are somebody.
Quote: Jack Massey @ September 12 2008, 10:59 PM BSTI think the problem was that Fletcher was always a winner inside, always getting mini-victories. But in 'Going Straight' it was quite clear that on the outside world, Fletcher was a loser.
Prezunctly. Only watched the series once, and although the writing and performances were top rate, as you would expect, it just felt wrong.
I found this interesting.
Just goes to prove there's nothing new under the sun!
Just watching an episode of this.
Fletcher is working in a lobby as a receptionist, and the set looks suspiciously like it might be the same one they used for Fawlty Towers.
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ March 22 2011, 6:30 PM GMTJust watching an episode of this
Fletcher is working in a lobby as a receptionist
& the set looks suspiciously like it might be the same one they used for Fawlty Towers
Yes, I think you're right. Does anyone know for certain?
It's not identical, but it's certainly rather similar. Difficult to tell - one imagines that, even if they didn't use the same physical pieces, the influence of Fawlty Towers at the time must have affected the design and construction of any further hotel lobby sets?
Can't help thinking that it'd be a lot more the same if it was actually, well, the same?
I watched it at the time and have also seen reruns and as others have said, it wasn't bad but it lacked that certain something that Porridge had. Just wasn't the same.
Re the reusing of props: I have certainly seen the same ones used in completely different shows. One that springs to mind is a set of garish curtains that were in Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads that then subsequently turned up in Only Fools And Horses.
Also similar but not related. In an episode of Only Fools Del Boy had a stash of cardboard boxes that bore the logo of the very obscure vending machine company that I happened to work for at that time.
Haven't seen it since it first aired. I liked it, had the main Porridge characters in, you wanted to see how they got on outside, Fletcher's daughter played more of a role, if I remember, had a catchy theme tune, would like to see it again, but have never seen it repeated on any channel myself.
On the similarity of set, quite possible that they did share the FT set, remember this was 1979, the country was harder up than it is now! And the BBC weren't exactly churning out new sitcoms in those days, they were tight with their, er, our money.
It seemed a strange decision to have Fletcher's wife leave him for this series. When she popped into Porridge they always seemed very close and loving despite their separation. The dynamics of the sitcom were odd without the wife's presence.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ March 23 2011, 6:27 AM GMTHaven't seen it since it first aired. I liked it, had the main Porridge characters in, you wanted to see how they got on outside, Fletcher's daughter played more of a role, if I remember, had a catchy theme tune, would like to see it again, but have never seen it repeated on any channel myself.
It pops up on GOLD occasionally.
Or you can buy it on DVD.
See Amazon product listing
[p=http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/181839/Going-Straight-The-Complete-Series/Product.html]
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