Porridge

Porridge
Richard Webber

The best jokes, gags and scenes from a true British comedy classic.‘Cheer up, could be worse. State the country's in, we could be free.’‘Doctor: I want you to fill one of those containers for me.Fletcher (other side of the room): What, from 'ere?’You can count the number of truly classic British sitcoms on one hand – well, perhaps two. But however many hands you use, Porridge will be one of the first programmes to register for inclusion. Undoubtedly one of the real gems, the prison-based show starring the late Ronnie Barker as the recalcitrant yet loveable rascal, Fletcher, transcends the generations; like any other classic, it remains as accessible and funny today as it did when first aired in the 1970s.Including the pilot, transmitted a year before the first series hit the screen, twenty-one instalments were made, attracting audiences of up to 20 million. Written by those prolific scribes Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and brought to life by an estimable bunch of actors, headed by the great Ronnie B as Fletch, a recidivist who spent most of his adult life behind bars, the sitcom quickly attracted plaudits and became a shining example of what good situation comedy is all about.The Best of British Comedy – Porridge includes:• The History: an overview of how Porridge was born and developed• Gags and Catchphrases: a collection of classic quotes• Did You Know?: snippets of info about the show, cast, etc.• Favourite scenes: the most memorable scenes in full• A Porridge quiz‘New Faces, Old Hands’FLETCHERMy beloved Isobel.The little woman. Well she aint so little.I said to her the other day, 'Isobel, I'll never get over you, I'll have to get up and go round.’

THE BEST OF BRITISH COMEDY

PORRIDGE

THE BEST SCENES, JOKES AND ONE-LINERS

Richard Webber

EPISODE LIST

Introduction

The Story in a Nutshell

Pilot

‘Prisoner and Escort’ (transmitted 1/4/73)

Series One

1. ‘New Faces, Old Hands’ (5/9/74)

2. ‘The Hustler’ (12/9/74)

3. ‘A Night In’ (19/9/74)

4. ‘A Day Out’ (26/9/74)

5. ‘Ways and Means’ (3/10/74)

6. ‘Men Without Women’ (10/10/74)

Series Two

1. ‘Just Desserts’ (24/10/75)

2. ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ (31/10/75)

3. ‘Disturbing the Peace’ (7/11/75)

4. ‘No Peace for the Wicked’ (14/11/75)

5. ‘Happy Release’ (21/11/75)

6. ‘The Harder They Fall’ (28/11/75)

Christmas Special

‘No Way Out’ (24/12/75)

Christmas Special

‘The Desperate Hours’ (24/12/76)

Series Three

1. ‘A Storm in a Teacup’ (18/2/77)

2. ‘Poetic Justice’ (25/2/77)

3. ‘Rough Justice’ (4/3/77)

4. ‘Pardon Me’ (11/3/77)

5. ‘A Test of Character’ (18/3/77)

6. ‘Final Stretch’ (25/3/77)

Test Your Knowledge

Acknowledgements

In the same series

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher

B (#ulink_22edf094-e639-5ddf-b37c-b62063cdc66c)

INTRODUCTION

You can count the number of truly classic British sitcoms on one hand – well, perhaps two. But however many hands you use, Porridge will be one of the first programmes to register for inclusion. Undoubtedly one of the real gems, the prison-based show starring the late Ronnie Barker as the recalcitrant yet loveable rascal, Fletcher, transcends the generations; like any other classic, it remains as accessible and funny today as it did when first aired in the 1970s.

Including the pilot, transmitted a year before the first series hit the screen, twenty-one instalments were made, attracting audiences of up to 20 million. Written by those prolific scribes Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and brought to life by an estimable bunch of actors, headed by the great Ronnie B as Fletch, a recidivist who spent most of his adult life behind bars, the sitcom quickly attracted plaudits and became a shining example of what good situation comedy is all about.

So, if you want to sample comedy writing at its best, find out how the series was conceived, discover some interesting facts concerning the programme and read about the writers’ and performers’ experiences, then put your feet up and keep turning the pages. Packed into this little volume are script extracts boasting some of the best moments from a superb comedy, an overview of the show’s history and much, much more. Happy reading!

RICHARD WEBBER

B (#ulink_22edf094-e639-5ddf-b37c-b62063cdc66c)

THE STORY IN A NUTSHELL

‘Norman Stanley Fletcher, you have pleaded guilty to the charges brought by this court and it is now my duty to pass sentence. You’re an habitual criminal who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard and, presumably, accepts imprisonment in the same casual manner. We, therefore, feel constrained to commit you to the maximum term allowed for these offences: you will go to prison for five years.’