British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Porridge. Fletch (Kevin Bishop). Copyright: BBC
Porridge

Porridge (2016)

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 2016 - 2017
  • 7 episodes (1 series)

Reinvention of the classic Ronnie Barker sitcom Porridge. Fletch's grandson, Fletch, is imprisoned for cyber crimes. Also features Kevin Bishop, Dave Hill, Mark Bonnar, Dominic Coleman, Jason Barnett and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 2 - The Cake

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Aziz (Harman Singh), Officer Braithwaite (Dominic Coleman), Fletch (Kevin Bishop), Shel (Jason Barnett), Joe Lotterby (Dave Hill). Copyright: BBC
Prison bad boy Dougie Parfitt wants a favour and there is a new prison officer on the block, which spells double trouble for Fletch and his crew.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 13th October 2017
Time
9:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Kevin Bishop Fletch
Dave Hill Joe Lotterby
Mark Bonnar Officer Meekie
Dominic Coleman Officer Braithwaite
Jason Barnett Shel
Harman Singh Aziz
Harry Peacock Dougie Parfitt
Ricky Grover Scudds
Colin McFarlane Judge (Voice)
Guest cast
Moyo Akande (as Moyo Okande) Officer Gemmell
Jan Anderson Sharon
Ben Clark Luke
Writing team
Dick Clement Writer
Ian La Frenais Writer
Production team
Dominic Brigstocke Director
Richard Webb Producer
Steven Canny Executive Producer
Tarquin Gotch Executive Producer
Lauriel Martin Line Producer
Nigel Williams Editor
Jo Sutherland Production Designer
Tracey Gillham Casting Director
Orla Smyth-Mill Costume Designer
Martin Hawkins Director of Photography
Clare Golds Make-up Designer
Max Harris Composer
John McNabb Inserts Editor
Kate Daughton Commissioning Editor

Press

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais have opted to replicate the gentle humour of their original comedy rather than update it, but they're sailing perilously close to the fluffy and cliched here. Tonight's story involves the switching of cakes, one belonging to Fletch (Kevin Bishop), the other - baked with magic mushrooms - to the jail's cartoon heavy. When an officious new staff member helps herself to the latter, zero hilarity ensues. Viewing through rose-tinted glasses may be wise.

Sharon O'Connell, The Guardian, 13th October 2017

TV review: Porridge, Episode 2, The Cake, BBC1

You know what? I still think it's an odd decision to reboot this classic, but this second episode isn't too bad at all.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 13th October 2017

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