British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Ian La Frenais. Copyright: BBC
Ian La Frenais

Ian La Frenais

  • 88 years old
  • English
  • Writer

Ian La Frenais features

The Likely Lads. Image shows left to right: Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes), Terry Collier (James Bolam). Credit: BBC TV

Restoring The Likely Lads

Thursday 19th December 2024

Producer Charles Norton discusses the landmark 60th anniversary DVD collection of important BBC sitcom The Likely Lads and its successor, Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?.

The Likely Lads. Image shows from L to R: Terry Collier (James Bolam), Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes) Features

Comedy Rewind: A likely story - The Likely Lads

Sunday 15th December 2024

As it celebrates its sixtieth anniversary we pay tribute to The Likely Lads, a pioneering series that helped popularise realism in television comedy.

A Tribute To The Likely Lads. Image shows from L to R: Terry Collier (Ant McPartlin), Bob Ferris (Declan Donnelly) TV

When Ant & Dec remade The Likely Lads

Sunday 4th September 2022

Back in 2002, Ant & Dec stepped into the world of sitcom with a remake of classic Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? episode No Hiding Place, with mixed results.

Steptoe And Son. Image shows from L to R: Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett), Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell). Copyright: BBC Features

Britain's sitcom invasion

Tuesday 31st August 2021

As his new book on 1970s sitcoms is published, author Robert Sellers takes a look at the topic of British sitcoms being re-made for an American audience, in the process sharing some of the conversations he had with the original writers involved.

Image shows from L to R: Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement. Copyright: Aaron Brown TV

Clement & La Frenais interview

Monday 15th April 2019

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais talk about their extensive career as two lost episodes of The Likely Lads are recovered, and released with a new restoration of the hit film adaptation.

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Fletch (Kevin Bishop), Officer Meekie (Mark Bonnar). Copyright: BBC TV

Porridge group interview

Monday 2nd October 2017

Following the success of the one-off special in 2016, Porridge returns for a full series. We talked to writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, plus stars Kevin Bishop, Mark Bonnar, and Dominic Coleman, about making the show.

Henry IX. Image shows from L to R: Queen Katerina (Sally Phillips), King Henry (Charles Edwards), Queen Charlotte (Annette Crosbie), Serena (Kara Tointon) TV

Henry IX - Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais interview

Saturday 1st April 2017

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais introduce their new sitcom, Henry IX.

Image shows from L to R: Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement Film

The Commitments: Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais

Wednesday 14th September 2016

As hit film The Commitment marks its 25th anniversary, we speak to writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.

Porridge: Inside Out. Image shows from L to R: Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement. Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment / Serious Comedy Features

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais interview

Monday 19th May 2014

Writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais talk about The Likely Lads, Bob Hoskins, their upcoming police project, cancellation, Anne Bancroft - and of course, Ronnie Barker and Porridge.

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