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

Porridge (1973)

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 1973 - 1977
  • 21 episodes (3 series)

Ronnie Barker stars as Norman Stanley Fletcher, trying to keep his nose clean and guiding his young 'roomie' Godber, whilst residing in HMP Slade. Stars Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde, Michael Barrington and more.

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See also

Seven Of One

Series of seven TV comedy pilots starring Ronnie Barker.

Minder. Image shows from L to R: Arthur Daley (George Cole), Terry (Dennis Waterman) TV

Minder

Long-running comedy drama about the London criminal underworld, focusing on dodgy entrepreneur Arthur Daley and his 'minder', Terry.

Going Straight. Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker). Copyright: BBC TV

Going Straight

Freshly released from Slade Prison, Norman Stanley Fletcher struggles to adapt to the changes of late 1970s Britain whilst holding down his first job.

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Oakes (Barrie Rutter), 'Bunny' Warren (Sam Kelly), Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker), Rudge (Daniel Peacock). Copyright: WitzEnd Productions Film

Porridge

Feature film based on the TV sitcom of the same name, featuring Ronnie Barker and the regular cast in the classic prison comedy.

Porridge: Inside Out. Image shows from L to R: Tony Osoba, Sam Kelly, Christopher Biggins. Copyright: Phil McIntyre Entertainment TV

Porridge: Inside Out

Documentary series looking at classic BBC prison-set sitcom Porridge on its 40th anniversary.

Porridge. Fletch (Kevin Bishop). Copyright: BBC TV

Porridge

Reinvention of the classic Ronnie Barker sitcom Porridge. Fletch's grandson, Fletch, is imprisoned for cyber crimes.

Thick As Thieves. Image shows from L to R: Stan (John Thaw), Annie (Pat Ashton), George Dobbs (Bob Hoskins). Copyright: London Weekend Television TV

Thick As Thieves

Dobbs is in for a shock when he is released from prison after serving 3 years. He finds his wife is living with his old friend and fellow thief, Stan.

The Visit. Image shows from L to R: Officer Mark Bamford (Darren Tighe), Blind Pete (Vincent Davies). Copyright: BBC TV

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Sitcom based in the visiting room at HMP Radford, a low-security prison.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation TV

The Ultimate Sitcom

Alexander Armstrong presents the results of a poll of those in the comedy industry to name the best sitcoms ever made.

Sex And The Sitcom. Copyright: Crocodile Media TV

Sex And The Sitcom

Documentary examining how society's attitudes towards sex and sexuality since the 1950s have been reflected in sitcom.

I'll Fly You For A Quid. Image shows from L to R: Evan Owen (Ronnie Barker), April Owen (Beth Morris), Mr. Simmonds (Emrys James). Copyright: BBC TV

I'll Fly You For A Quid

Comedy pilot starring Ronnie Barker. A Welsh family mad on gambling try to find a winning betting slip.

The Two Ronnies Spectacle. Image shows from L to R: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett. Copyright: North One Television TV

The Two Ronnies Spectacle

A three part documentary series about the TV work of double-act The Two Ronnies.

Crims. Image shows from L to R: Luke (Elis James), Jason (Kadiff Kirwan). Copyright: BBC TV

Crims

Sitcom series about a young man sentenced to two years in prison with his girlfriend's idiot brother.

Mann's Best Friends. Image shows from L to R: Henry Mann (Barry Stanton), Hamish James Ordway (Fulton Mackay), Dolly Delights (Patricia Brake). Copyright: Thames Television TV

Mann's Best Friends

Comedy about the misfit residents of a lodging house, their landlord, and the ex-water board official who moves in to try to bring some order.

BBC Three TV

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Sitcom set in a women's prison. Features unrequited love, lesbianism, drug running and racial disharmony.

The Cracksman. Ernest Wright (Charlie Drake). Copyright: Associated British Picture Corporation Film

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Comic crime caper starring Charlie Drake as a naïve and unwilling safe-cracker, jail-breaker and home-breaker.

Bloomers. Image shows from L to R: Dingley (David Swift), Stan (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: BBC TV

Bloomers

Richard Beckinsale's final sitcom. He plays an actor who turns to the soil and a blooming new career.

My Hero: Hugh Dennis On Ronnie Barker. Hugh Dennis. Copyright: BBC TV

My Hero: Hugh Dennis On Ronnie Barker

Hugh Dennis presents a look at the life and work of comedy legend Ronnie Barker.

Water. Governor Baxter Thwaites (Michael Caine). Copyright: Hand Made Films Film

Water

Comedy about the inhabitants of a small British Caribbean island whose world is changed when an American oil company strikes mineral water.

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

Open All Hours

Mean-yet-loveable northern shopkeeper Arkwright is allergic to spending money - much to the trouble of his put-upon nephew and sole employee Granville.

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

The Two Ronnies

Hugely popular and long-running sketch show that established Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker as two of the biggest names in British comedy.

The Magnificent Evans. Image shows from L to R: Plantagenet Evans (Ronnie Barker), Rachel (Sharon Morgan). Copyright: BBC TV

The Magnificent Evans

Ronnie Barker stars as a larger-than-life Welsh photographer.

Clarence. Clarence Sale (Ronnie Barker). Copyright: BBC TV

Clarence

Comedy about Clarence, a short-sighted removal man who meets and falls in love with housemaid Jane Travers.

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

The Likely Lads

Bob and Terry are two lads from the North East with contrasting desires and ambitions - except when it comes to chatting up girls.

Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?. Image shows from L to R: Terry Collier (James Bolam), Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes). Copyright: BBC TV

Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?

Colour sequel to the hit 1960s sitcom, The Likely Lads. Terry returns from the army to discover his friend Bob is now engaged and looking to better himself.

Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute. Image shows from L to R: David Jason, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett TV

Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute

A one-off gala tribute celebrating the remarkable career of Ronnie Barker.

Dead Boss. Helen Stephens (Sharon Horgan). Copyright: BBC TV

Dead Boss

Sitcom set in Broadmarsh Prison, featuring a murder mystery element. Starring Sharon Horgan and Jennifer Saunders.

Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Yorkshire Television TV

Rising Damp

Rupert Rigsby is the grubby landlord of a seedy boarding house. His put-upon tenants include students Philip and Alan, and the glamorous Miss Jones.

The Lovers. Image shows from L to R: Beryl (Paula Wilcox), Geoffrey (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: Granada Television TV

The Lovers

Young and inexperienced couple Geoffrey & Beryl have differing views on what is acceptable before marriage.

David Jason: My Life On Screen. David Jason. Copyright: Shiver Productions TV

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A revealing, highly personal insight into the life and career of Sir David Jason, told in his own words.

Two Way Stretch. Image shows from L to R: Ethel (Liz Fraser), Dodger Lane (Peter Sellers), George 'Jelly' Knight (David Lodge). Copyright: STUDIOCANAL Film

Two Way Stretch

Prisoner Dodger Lane plans a heist that will involve slipping out of incarceration to steal some diamonds.

Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead Radio

Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead

Sketch show starring Ronnie Barker.

BBC Two TV

Life Beyond The Box

Mockumentaries about the lives of two of British sitcom's greats, Margo Leadbetter (The Good Life) and Norman Stanley Fletcher (Porridge).

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