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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? (1972)

BBC One sitcom about a department store. 69 episodes (pilot + 10 series), 1972 - 1985. Stars Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton, John Inman, Wendy Richard and others.

Series 2, Episode 4 is repeated on Drama on Monday 28th October at 6pm.

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?

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

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1972 - 1985
Channel
BBC One
Episodes
69   (1 pilot + 10 series)
Starring
Mollie Sugden, Frank Thornton, John Inman, Wendy Richard, Nicholas Smith, Trevor Bannister, Arthur English, Arthur Brough and others
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

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.

Production Details

Part of

Comedy Playhouse

Production company
Also known as
  • AYBS? (Acronym)
Laugh track
Live audience

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 8th September 1972 on BBC One at 9:30pm
Last new broadcast
Monday 1st April 1985 on BBC One at 8:30pm
Length of episodes
30 minutes
Upcoming repeats
  1. Series 2 Episode 4: Monday 28th October at 6pm on Drama
  2. Series 2 Episode 5: Tuesday 29th October at 6pm on Drama
  3. Series 3 Episode 1: Wednesday 30th October at 6pm on Drama
  4. Series 3 Episode 2: Thursday 31st October at 6pm on Drama
  5. Series 3 Episode 3: Friday 1st November at 6pm on Drama

Website links

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