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
Are You Being Served?

Are You Being Served? (1972)

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1972 - 1985
  • 69 episodes (10 series)

Sitcom set in London department store Grace Bros., where the Ladies' Intimate Apparel and Men's Ready To Wear departments are forced to share a floor. Stars Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton, John Inman, Wendy Richard, Nicholas Smith and more.

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

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1972 - 1985
Channel
BBC One
Episodes
69 (1 pilot + 10 series)
Stars
Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton, John Inman, Wendy Richard, Nicholas Smith, Trevor Bannister, Arthur English, Arthur Brough and more
Writers
Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft
Directors
Bernard Thompson, Harold Snoad, Ray Butt, David Croft, Bob Spiers, Gordon Elsbury, John Kilby and Martin Shardlow
Producers
David Croft, Harold Snoad, Bob Spiers and Martin Shardlow
Company

The peace and arrangement of ages is thrown into disarray at London department store Grace Brothers when Ladies' Intimate Apparel is moved to the opposite side of the same floor already occupied by Men's Ready To Wear.

Stubborn ladies' manager Mrs. Slocombe is quickly thrown into direct conflict with Mr. Grainger and his staff: particularly cheeky junior salesman Mr. Lucas, who takes a near-instant shine to Slocombe's assistant, buxom young blonde Miss Brahms.

Between Lucas and Grainger is the outrageously camp Mr. Humphries; and above them all are Captain Peacock, the head of the floor; company executive Mr. Rumbold; and the co-founder of the store, positively ancient board chairman 'Young' Mr. Grace, complete with a never-ending stream of farcical sales and promotional initiatives.

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Additional details

Part of

Comedy Playhouse

Also known as
  • Comedy Playhouse: Are You Being Served?
  • AYBS? (Acronym)
Production
Studio
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 8th September 1972 at 9:30pm on BBC One
Next repeats
  1. Series 1, Episode 3: Today at 9:20am on Gold
  2. Series 1, Episode 3: Today at 3:20pm on Gold
  3. Series 1, Episode 4: Tomorrow at 9:20am on Gold
  4. Series 1, Episode 4: Tomorrow at 3:20pm on Gold
  5. Series 1, Episode 5: Thursday at 9:20am on Gold
  6. Series 1, Episode 5: Thursday at 3:20pm on Gold
  7. Series 2, Episode 1: Friday at 9:20am on Gold
  8. Series 2, Episode 1: Friday at 3:20pm on Gold
  9. Series 2, Episode 1: Saturday at 8:20am on Gold
Most recent repeats

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