Porridge

One of the UK's greatest sitcom's,PORRIDGE has perpetually been repeated in innumerable re-runs on British TV since it's debut in the 1970's,and issued on Video and DVD to always eternal delight and acclaim,and deservedly so.The superb scripts by Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais contained possibly the cleverest plots,funniest dialogue and most vivid characterisations ever witnessed in any sitcom arguably both in the UK and US.It is very doubtful whether or not any comedy series has possessed such an outstanding cast,even in relatively minor roles;Peter Vaughan both funny and menacing as Harry Grout;Sam Kelly as the illiterate Warren;Christopher Biggins as the gay Lukewarm;Tony Osoba as the Scottish black orphan McLaren;Ken Jones as the sneaky scouse thief Ives;David Jason as the elderly Blanco;Michael Barrington as the ineffectual governor Venables;Brian Wilde as the gentle-mannered prison warder Barrowclough;Fulton Mackay as his harder,but not totally unlikable superior Mackay,and the brilliant Richard Beckinsale (who died so tragically young) as the naive Brummie Godber.Above all these very distinguished princes was a peerlessly outstanding king:Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher.It is the ultimate tribute that Barker was always unselfish in letting other talented performers get laughs in PORRIDGE,but his unending brilliance in the lead role of 'Fletch' was vital to the series' enduring appeal,which is still evident to this day.The premise of the series (the day to day existence in a prison) was perhaps not natural-sounding comic material,and indeed the show had sometimes a serious and thoughtful side to it amongst the innumerable laughs,which it handled with equal skill and intelligence.

Thanks to the immense talents involved,PORRIDGE will always be one of Britains most fondly regarded sitcoms/TV programmes.Ronnie Barker apparently thought PORRIDGE the pinnacle of his dazzling comic career,and that is truly saying something.Shows like this,THE TWO RONNIES and OPEN ALL HOURS ensure he will never be forgotten.

I'm not going to go on about why this is the greatest sitcom ever and what are the funniest lines ever; its up to whoever is reading this to go discover that for themselves and encourage you to do so.

I do want to comment on how this is a sitcom with exceptional timing of both visual gags and one liners, some so blatant that they are funny because you can't belive they stuck them in!

Possibly the best aspect of this programme though was the humanity.

Fletcher might sometimes seem heartless towards godber, but it is all about surviving a harsh environment intact. For evidence about this watch the episode "a night in" which revolves around godbers first night in prison. The episode takes place in their cell and never really features anyone but the two principle characters. But this is still one of the funniest episodes of any sitcom anytime, containing a few throw-away one liners, but mainly the episode is about the subtle humour of how to survive in stir and not forget the outside.

Ronnie Barker is possibly the greatest comic actor of all time, who provides perfect comic timing on every joke, but you will always believe that fletcher is real and you can see the emotion pouring out of every episode of porridge.

Richard Beckinsale as godber was the perfect foil for fletcher and again his timing was immaculate for the restraint on the delivery of his lines. He always held his own with ronnie and will always be fondly remebered by so many for this role after he died so young.

The two principles were also supported so well by other characters in the prison who came from all spectrums of life (well male life, sorry ladies)

One of the most interesting features was that they represented the two opposites of attitude from the prison guards. Mackay was load, coarse and brutal, but you could always see that underneath he was a man trying to do his job to the best of his ability. Mr Baraclough is more interesting as a "screw" who just wants to help the prisioners and be their friends whilst trying to not to hurt either side. Some people found him unbelievable; but i actually know a guy who had to leave his job as prison guard as he identified more with the inmates than the guards he was supposed to work with!

To be honest i don't care if anyone else has this as their favourite programme; it is mine and if i have persuaded just one person to go watch and love this as much as i do then i will be satisfied.

The 1970's was a great time for British comedy. A lot of the most loved and popular stuff came out here like Steptoe and Son,Dads Army and Monty Pythons Flying Circus. However the one show that comes to mind the instant classic comedy is mentioned is Porridge.

Porridge is simply one of the most quotable and funny pieces of media I have ever watched. It is packed with wit and many jokes referring to 1970's pop culture (Even Kid shows like Magic Roundabout and politics get mentioned). It stands the test of time very well and has lovable characters like Warren and Mr Mackay. And watch out for the 1976 Christmas Special which is easily the best Christmas special I've ever seen.

Shows like Porridge demonstrate why British Humor was the best. I say was because British comedy has fallen hard since 1997 and rarely have there been anything good.

10/10. A masterpiece

Very funny. I have been watching this since I was a child (early 90s reruns) and it makes me laugh every time. this has to be ronnie barkers best outing (which tells you something). richard beckinsale is great and went too soon. Wilde and Mackay are perfect in their roles and the 'backup cast' like McLaren and Ives really polish it off to leave it the perfect specimen of British comedy along with Only Fools and Horses and the Blackadder collection.

Easily one of the best sitcoms of all time with Ronnie Barker never better as the inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher, cocky inmate of Slade prison.

Richard Beckinsale was also superb as the wet-behind-the-ears Birmingham cook and Fulton McKay priceless as draconian Scots warder MacKay.

Each script by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais was a gem and the series became a firm favourite with Sean Connery who re-used one of the gags in Never Say Never Again.

(007 has to give a urine sample and is stood across the room) Doctor: I'd like a sample.

Bond: From here?

Barker's version is arguably a lot funnier.

Good support came from David Jason, Peter Vaughan and Brian Wilde and the big screen version (released in the States as Doing Time) was also a hoot.