British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Yorkshire Television
Rising Damp

Rising Damp

  • TV sitcom
  • ITV1
  • 1974 - 1978
  • 28 episodes (4 series)

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. Stars Leonard Rossiter, Frances de la Tour, Richard Beckinsale, Don Warrington and Gay Rose

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See also

Yorkshire Television logo. Copyright: Yorkshire Television

Yorkshire Comedy Pilots

Yorkshire Television's 1974 run of comedy pilots was, unlike most other such seasons, untitled, but introduced the viewing public to two particularly notable characters: Rupert Rigsby and Selwyn Froggitt.

Navid And Johnny. Image shows from L to R: Johnny (Stephen K Amos), Navid (Omid Djalili). Copyright: BBC TV

Navid And Johnny

Sitcom about the residents in a North London guest house.

Tripper's Day. Image shows from L to R: Mr. Christian (Paul Clarkson), Norman Tripper (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Thames Television TV

Tripper's Day

Norman Tripper's best intentions as manager of a small London supermarket are constantly thwarted by the lazy, useless bunch of losers he employs.

Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Black Lion Films Film

Rising Damp

Film adaptation of the popular ITV sitcom. Middle-aged Rigsby plays landlord to college tutor Ruth Jones, medical student Philip and art student John.

Only When I Laugh. Image shows from L to R: Dr. Gordon Thorpe (Richard Wilson), Roy Figgis (James Bolam), Norman Binns (Christopher Strauli), Archie Glover (Peter Bowles). Copyright: Yorkshire Television TV

Only When I Laugh

Roy Figgis, Norman Binns and Archie Glover are long-term residents of the NHS. Despite this, they never fail to get themselves into trouble.

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

Porridge

Ronnie Barker stars as Norman Stanley Fletcher, trying to keep his nose clean and guiding his young 'roomie' Godber, whilst residing in HMP Slade.

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.

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.

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.

Home To Roost. Image shows from L to R: Matthew Willows (Reece Dinsdale), Henry Willows (John Thaw). Copyright: Yorkshire Television TV

Home To Roost

Henry Willows is more than happy with his life of almost solitude until Matthew, his 18-year old son turns up, and wants to move in permanently.

Our House. Copyright: Foster TV Productions TV

Our House

A disparate group pool their money to buy a large house and become forever entangled in each other's business.

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.

Ours Is A Nice House. Thora Parker (Thora Hird). Copyright: London Weekend Television TV

Ours Is A Nice House

Thora Parker runs a boarding house for showbiz folk and the comings and goings of her boarders cause her problems galore.

Vicious. Image shows from L to R: Violet (Frances de la Tour), Freddie (Ian McKellen), Mason (Philip Voss), Stuart (Derek Jacobi), Penelope (Marcia Warren), Ash (Iwan Rheon). Copyright: Brown Eyed Boy / Kudos Productions TV

Vicious

ITV sitcom with Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen as an elderly gay couple living in Covent Garden. Also stars Frances de la Tour.

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.

ITV1 logo. Credit: ITV TV

Misfits

A pair of misfits, Skinner and Oscar, get as far as Yorkshire when intending to venture to Kathmandu, and take up residence with free-spirit divorcee Liz.

Rising Damp Fovever. Copyright: Shiver Productions TV

Rising Damp Fovever

A two part documentary about the sitcom Rising Damp.

Kate & Koji. Image shows from L to R: Koji (Okorie Chukwu), Kate (Brenda Blethyn) TV

Kate & Koji

Sitcom about the owner of a seaside café, and an asylum-seeking African doctor.

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