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.

Press clippings

'Great sitcoms are missing from our TV screens and our lives - we need them in these times'

Even if "we're all doomed" under the Tories, as Dad's Army's Pte Frazer would say, shows like George And Mildred, Are You Being Served?, Robin's Nest and Three's Company still make us laugh.

Siobhan McNally, The Mirror, 24th January 2024

British comedy's US disasters

As media continues to become more globally inclusive (largely thanks to the rise of streaming services) the idea of remaking anything to fit another culture is gradually becoming more of an outdated concept. But in the past, American TV producers have repeatedly tried and failed to remake many beloved British sitcoms with terrible consequences.

Jazzy Janey, The Comedy Blog, 2nd September 2023

The 25 funniest Christmas comedy TV specials of all time

The comedy special is as much a part of British Christmas as a family row and mountains of sprouts. This year, comedy shows from Motherland and The Detectorists to Mrs Brown's Boys and Ghosts are returning with festive specials to round off 2022. To celebrate, we countdown the greatest 25 Christmas comedy specials of all time.

Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 23rd December 2022

The greatest Christmas TV moments of all time ranked

The greatest Christmas TV moment of all-time is the Only Fools And Horses 'Batman and Robin' episode.

A poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found the hilarious moment from 1996 where Del Boy and Rodney unknowingly prevent a crime - while dressed as the dynamic duo - is top of the tree.

Jake Penkethman, The Sun, 30th November 2022

BBC Four to repeat comedy classics

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.

British Comedy Guide, 14th October 2022

The re-evaluation game: Porridge - A Night In

The whole thing is shot through with melancholy in a manner which we rarely see in sitcoms these days, and while I can't say it's a series that I'm any more passionate about given its questionable elements, having rewatched this episode it's certainly given me more respect for it.

Alex Finch, Comedy To Watch, 7th July 2021

Legendary sitcom producer/director Sydney Lotterby dies

Producer and director Sydney Lotterby, whose credits include Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Porridge, The Liver Birds and As Time Goes By, has died at the age of 93.

British Comedy Guide, 30th July 2020

Poll reveals the best sitcom Christmas specials

The finale of The Office has been voted as the best TV Christmas sitcom special by readers of Radio Times.

British Comedy Guide, 11th December 2019

Clement & La Frenais to publish memoir

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais - the creators of sitcoms including Porridge and The Likely Lads - are to publish a memoir in September.

British Comedy Guide, 29th May 2019

Fawlty Towers tops Radio Times greatest British sitcom list

Fawlty Towers has come out top of a list of the greatest British sitcoms, as compiled by Radio Times magazine.

British Comedy Guide, 9th April 2019

Share this page