British Comedy Guide
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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.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1 - New Faces, Old Hands

It's New Year's Day, and Fletch enters Slade Prison, along with two fellow prisoners, returning resident Heslop and new boy Godber. Fletch introduces Godber to the ways of survival inside - "little victories" over the warders and other staff - although his scheming doesn't quite have the desired effect.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 5th September 1974
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Ronnie Barker Fletcher
Richard Beckinsale Godber
Fulton Mackay Mr Mackay
Brian Wilde Mr Barrowclough
Michael Barrington Governor Venables
Brian Glover Heslop
Guest cast
John Bennett Medical Officer
Edward Cogdale Prison Officer
Ronald Musgrove Prison Officer
Keith Norrish Prison Officer
Writing team
Dick Clement Writer
Ian La Frenais Writer
Production team
Sydney Lotterby Director
Sydney Lotterby Producer
Geoffrey Botterill Editor
Tim Gleeson Production Designer
Max Harris Composer

Press

Porridge is not particularly about prison, and if it were it might be distasteful or intolerable. It is about Barker, in shape and content an all-round bad egg, resisting to the last wriggle and wangel and back answer, the pressure of the system. So instinctively awkward that he lies about his height merely to deceive the doctor.

Nancy Banks-Smith, The Guardian, 22nd February 1975

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