A comedy that doesn't fail to deliver on any episode of a series deserves full marks! Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais excellently, it must be said, provided the nation with a fine prison-comedy, that especially excelled with Ronnie Barker at the helm, aided by the other great comedy actor of the decade, Richard Beckinsale. Fletcher 'Fletch' (Barker) and Godber (Beckinsale) are at odds naturally with the system that incarcerated them. Godber's the nice, innocent 'first-timer' under Fletch's wing, though this sometime puts them at odds, but mostly they're the best of buddies. The main battle of course, is getting one over on the 'screws' - the Prison Chief, Mr McKay (the brilliant Fulton McKay) and the nervous, spineless, but respected (probably because of those qualities!) Mr Barrowclough, (The equally great, late, Brian Wilde). Always on the make and keeping ahead of the latter two, the 'lags' are ably supported in capers by some other small-time inmates, dumb-ish 'Bunny' Warren, hard Scot, McLaren, and 'horrible' Ives. Occasional support also from the great David Jason as 'Blanco' surfaced well. A special mention too, of the 'Mr Big' character, 'genial' Harry Grout (Peter Vaughan), who's less than that. Fletch makes an attempt to disuade 'Grouty' from 'persuading' Godber to 'throw' the boxing match he's in: "Oh, Harry, not the lad," says Fletch in vain to Grouty, "...he's Got scruples." "Well," says 'Grouty', "if he doesn't throw the match, tell 'im 'e won't 'ave 'em any longer!" An excellent comedy that never failed to please.
Porridge
(1974–1977)
Another ten-out-of-ten British comedy classic we do best!
2 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers