BBC Four to repeat comedy classics

Friday 14th October 2022, 1:02pm

To link in with the celebrations of 100 years of the BBC, from Saturday 22nd October BBC Four will begin broadcasting classic episodes of sitcoms and sketch shows.

Here's what we have to look forward to:

Saturday 22nd October

The Morecambe & Wise Show. Image shows from L to R: Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise, Andre Previn. Copyright: BBC

8pm: The Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show: A Perfect Christmas

The 2011 documentary featuring the best moments from the duo's festive shows.

Victoria Wood As Seen On TV. Victoria Wood. Copyright: BBC

10:30pm: Victoria Wood As Seen On TV

A 1986 episode of the sketch show.

Alas Smith & Jones. Image shows left to right: Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones

11pm: Alas Smith & Jones

Series 1, Episode 5 of the sketch show starring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.

The High Life. Sebastian Flight (Alan Cumming)

11:30pm: The High Life

The first episode of the 1994 airline sitcom.

Sunday 23rd October

Hancock's Half Hour. Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock (Tony Hancock). Copyright: BBC

7pm: Hancock's Half Hour

The celebrated Twelve Angry Men episode of the comedy classic.

Just Good Friends. Image shows from L to R: Penny Warrender (Jan Francis), Vince Pinner (Paul Nicholas). Copyright: BBC

7:30pm: Just Good Friends

The first episode of the 1980s sitcom starring Paul Nicholas and Jan Francis.

'Allo 'Allo!. Image shows from L to R: Edith Melba Artois (Carmen Silvera), René François Artois (Gorden Kaye), Yvette Carte-Blanche (Vicki Michelle). Copyright: BBC

21:20pm: 'Allo 'Allo!

Series 2's Christmas Special: The Gâteau From The Château.

The Young Ones. Image shows from L to R: Vyvyan (Adrian Edmondson), Neil (Nigel Planer), Mike (Christopher Ryan), Rick (Rik Mayall). Copyright: BBC

10:10pm: The Young Ones

Series 2, Episode 1: The infamous episode in which the gang appear on University Challenge.

Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles). Copyright: BBC

10:40pm: Red Dwarf

Series 5, Episode 4: Quarantine.

I'm Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Talkback Productions

11:10pm: I'm Alan Partridge

Series 2, Episode 4: Never Say Alan Again.

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

11:40pm: Steptoe And Son

Series 7, Episode 6 - Divided We Stand: The episode in which Harold is desperate to get some privacy from Albert and decides to take drastic action by dividing the house down the middle.

Till Death Us Do Part. Image shows from L to R: Mike Rawlins (Anthony Booth), Rita Rawlins (Una Stubbs), Alf Garnett (Warren Mitchell), Else Garnett (Dandy Nichols). Copyright: BBC

0:10am: Till Death Us Do Part

Series 7, Episode 2 - Min The Housekeeper.

Best Of Chewin' The Fat. Copyright: The Comedy Unit

0:40am: Best Of Chewin' The Fat

Highlights from the Scottish sketch show.

Monday 24th October

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Mr. Mackay (Fulton Mackay), Fletcher (Ronnie Barker), Godber (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: BBC

7pm: Porridge

Series 2, Episode 5 - Happy Release. Blanco ends up in the prison hospital.

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Frank Spencer (Michael Crawford). Copyright: BBC

7:30pm: Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

Series 1, Episode 4: Frank and Betty travel to the seaside for a second honeymoon.

The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. Image shows from L to R: Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter), Doc Morrissey (John Horsley). Copyright: BBC

8pm: The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin

The first episode of the classic 1970s comedy, starring Leonard Rossiter.

Yes Minister. Image shows from L to R: James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC

8:30pm: Yes Minister

Series 3, Episode 4 - The Moral Dimension.

Blackadder. Queen Elizabeth I (Miranda Richardson)

10pm: Blackadder

Series 2, Episode 1 - Bells. Blackadder takes in a spirited lad as his manservant - unaware the fellow is actually a woman out to make her fortune.

A Bit Of Fry & Laurie. Image shows from L to R: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie

10:30pm: A Bit Of Fry & Laurie

Series 2, Episode 6. The series finale is ruined when Stephen kills Hugh to stop him playing the piano.

Monday's schedule also features new interview programme Stephen Fry In Conversation With Alan Yentob (9pm), and Wilde (11pm), the 1997 film in which Fry plays acclaimed wit Oscar Wilde.

Tuesday 25th October

Open All Hours. Image shows from L to R: Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron), Granville (David Jason), Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker). Copyright: BBC

7pm: Open All Hours

Series 2, Episode 2 - The Reluctant Traveller. Granville struggles to find some privacy when the milkwoman makes a pass at him.

The Liver Birds. Image shows from L to R: Beryl Hennessey (Polly James), Sandra Hutchinson (Nerys Hughes). Copyright: BBC

7:30pm: The Liver Birds

Series 4, Episode 10 - Follow That Ring. Beryl loses her engagement ring while making Sandra a trifle.

Bread. Image shows from L to R: Joey Boswell (Graham Bickley), Aveline Boswell (Melanie Hill), Nellie Boswell (Jean Boht), Grandad (Kenneth Waller), Shifty (Bryan Murray), Adrian Boswell (Jonathon Morris), Billy Boswell (Nick Conway), Freddie Boswell (Ronald Forfar). Copyright: BBC

8pm: Bread

Series 5, Episode 1. Cousin Shifty moves in with Grandad when he is released from prison.

Ever Decreasing Circles. Image shows from L to R: Ann Bryce (Penelope Wilton), Martin Bryce (Richard Briers). Copyright: BBC

8:30pm: Ever Decreasing Circles

Series 4, Episode 3. Martin gets trapped between the joists in a loft while spending a weekend in a country cottage.

Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Patsy (Joanna Lumley)

9pm: Absolutely Fabulous

Series 1, Episode 3. Edina and Patsy set off for a break to France.

French And Saunders. Image shows from L to R: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders

9:30pm: French And Saunders

Series 3, Episode 6, featuring appearances by Kirsty MacColl and Motorhead's Lemmy.

The Lenny Henry Show. Image shows from L to R: Winston (Vas Blackwood), Delbert Wilkins (Lenny Henry). Copyright: BBC

10pm: The Lenny Henry Show

A classic edition of the sketch show, introducing boxer Joe 'Bomber' Baxter and Billy Bradford, the singing comic.

The Thick Of It. Image shows from L to R: Oliver Reeder (Chris Addison), Terri Coverley (Joanna Scanlan), Nicola Murray (Rebecca Front), Glenn Cullen (James Smith), Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Copyright: BBC

10:30pm: The Thick Of It

Series 3, Episode 2. A database containing the immigration records of more than 170,000 people is accidentally erased.

My Family. Image shows from L to R: Michael Harper (Gabriel Thomson), Susan Harper (Zoë Wanamaker), Ben Harper (Robert Lindsay), Janey Harper (Daniela Denby-Ashe)

11pm: My Family

Series 3, Episode 8. Janey is appalled when her mum comes to visit at university and begins to reminisce about her own student days.

The Real McCoy. Image shows from L to R: Curtis Walker, Ishmael Thomas. Copyright: BBC

11:30pm: The Real McCoy

Series 5, Episode 5 of the sketch show.

Wednesday 26th October

The Two Ronnies Sketchbook. Image shows from L to R: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett. Copyright: BBC

7pm: The Two Ronnies Sketchbook

The duo present some of their highlights.

As Time Goes By. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Judi Dench), Lionel (Geoffrey Palmer). Copyright: DLT Entertainment Ltd.

7:30pm: As Time Goes By

Series 6, Episode 7. Jean begins to think that, 19 months after tying the knot, her marriage may have become stale.

Last Of The Summer Wine. Image shows from L to R: Walter C. 'Foggy' Dewhurst (Brian Wilde), William 'Compo' Simmonite (Bill Owen), Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis). Copyright: BBC

8pm: Last Of The Summer Wine

Series 3, Episode 7. Foggy tries to implement a new fitness regime.

Are You Being Served?. Image shows from L to R: Mrs. Betty Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Miss Shirley Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Dick Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Mash (Larry Martyn), Mr. Ernest Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Wilberforce Humphries (John Inman), Captain Stephen Peacock (Frank Thornton). Copyright: BBC

8:30pm: Are You Being Served?

Series 5, Episode 7. Mr Grace decides to move with the times by making an advertisement to be shown in local cinemas.

The Vicar Of Dibley. Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

9pm: The Vicar Of Dibley

Series 3, Episode 1. Geraldine's hopes of romance are fuelled by a visit from David's handsome brother.

One Foot In The Grave. Image shows from L to R: Margaret Meldrew (Annette Crosbie), Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson). Copyright: BBC

9:40pm: One Foot In The Grave

Series 4, Episode 1 - The Pit And The Pendulum. Patrick's cherry tree launches an attack on Victor's junipers.

Goodness Gracious Me. Image shows left to right: Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Nina Wadia. Credit: BBC

10:10pm: Goodness Gracious Me

The first-ever episode of the sketch show's TV outing, first aired in January 1998.

dinnerladies. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Anne Reid), Stan (Duncan Preston), Brenda (Victoria Wood), Twinkle (Maxine Peake), Dolly (Thelma Barlow), Tony (Andrew Dunn), Anita (Shobna Gulati). Copyright: Good Fun / Pozzitive Productions

10:40pm: dinnerladies

Series 1, Episode 3. Bren's mother wreaks havoc in the factory.

11:10pm: The Catherine Tate Show

First-ever edition of the comedy sketch show.

The documentary British Sitcom: 60 Years Of Laughing At Ourselves follows at 11:40pm.

Thursday 27th October

The Good Life. Image shows from L to R: Margo Leadbetter (Penelope Keith), Tom Good (Richard Briers), Jerry Leadbetter (Paul Eddington), Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal). Copyright: BBC

7pm: The Good Life

Series 3, Episode 1. Barbara and Tom look for new ways to organise their work so that their early morning activities won't disturb Margo and Jerry.

To The Manor Born. Image shows from L to R: Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith), Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles). Copyright: BBC

7:30pm: To The Manor Born

Series 3, Episode 7. The original final episode of the 1970s sitcom.

Dad's Army. Image shows from L to R: Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Walker (James Beck), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Private Pike (Ian Lavender)

8pm: Dad's Army

Series 6, Episode 1 - The Deadly Attachment. The platoon is ordered to guard a captured German U-boat crew.

Miranda. Image shows from L to R: Gary (Tom Ellis), Penny (Patricia Hodge), Miranda (Miranda Hart), Stevie (Sarah Hadland), Clive (James Holmes). Copyright: BBC

8:30pm: Miranda

Series 2, Episode 2. Tilly and Penny organise a charity wine-tasting event.

9pm: The Office

Series 2, Episode 5. The staff are in a charitable mood on Red Nose Day.

The Royle Family. Image shows from L to R: Denise Royle / Best (Caroline Aherne), Dave Best (Craig Cash), Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson), Antony Royle (Ralf Little)

9:30pm: The Royle Family

Series 2, Episode 6 - Antony's Birthday. The Royles look forward to a joyous celebration in honour of Antony's 18th birthday.

The Fast Show. Image shows from L to R: Paul Whitehouse, Simon Day, Arabella Weir, John Thomson, Caroline Aherne, Charlie Higson, Mark Williams. Copyright: BBC

10pm: The Fast Show

Series 2, Episode 3 of the rapid-fire comedy sketch show.

Gavin & Stacey. Image shows from L to R: Nessa (Ruth Jones), Gavin (Mathew Horne), Stacey (Joanna Page), Smithy (James Corden). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

10:30pm: Gavin & Stacey

Series 3, Episode 2. Stacey ensures Gavin sticks to his promise as she tries to find a new job.

Nighty Night. Jill Tyrell (Julia Davis). Copyright: Baby Cow Productions

11pm: Nighty Night

First episode of the black comedy written by and starring Julia Davis.

The Kumars At No. 42. Image shows from L to R: Ummi (Meera Syal), Sanjeev Kumar (Sanjeev Bhaskar), Dad (Vincent Ebrahim), Mum (Indira Joshi). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

11:30pm: The Kumars At No. 42

Series 5, Episode 6, with Donny Osmond, Kelly Holmes and David Baddiel.

Friday 28th is Top Of The Pops repeats, so that's it for the comedy repeats for a while, but we understand repeats such as Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's Not Only... But Also... will be coming up on the channel later.