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

Porridge (1973)

BBC One and BBC Two sitcom about the inmates in a prison. 21 episodes (pilot + 3 series), 1973 - 1977. Stars Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde and others.

The Desperate Hours is repeated on Gold on Thursday at 1:35pm.

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

Regular 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
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