In Praise of Porridge

Date October 12, 2009

I love British comedy. As far as I’m concerned, the sitcoms and sketch shows borne from this country represent the pinnacle of comedy. Yes, the Americans have their fancy, schmaltzy shows that ooze gloss; written, no doubt, by a galaxy of over-achieving writers, glassy-eyed and gunning for that next paycheck. But a majority of the comedy shows written and produced here are, to my mind, world leaders.

The heinous, arduous, marathon TV session that was ’100 greatest sitcoms’ put my personal favourite, Porridge, at number 7, and Only fools and horses at number one. Well, with The Vicar of Dibley in the top three, and Father Ted not even cracking the top ten, you can imagine what kind of quality that particular list represents.

1. Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) — 316,657 votes
2. Blackadder (1983-1989) — 282,106 votes
3. The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2007) — 212,927 votes
4. Dad’s Army (1968-1977) — 174,138 votes
5. Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) — 172,066 votes
6. Yes Minister / Yes, Prime Minister (1980-1984, 1986-1988) — 123,502 votes
7. Porridge / Going Straight (1974-1977, 1978) — 93,902 votes
8. Open All Hours (1973, 1976-1985) — 67,237 votes
9. The Good Life (1975-1978) — 40,803 votes
10.One Foot in the Grave (1990-2000)— 31,410 votes

Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale brought Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais’ scripts to life, setting their cell alight with fizz and testy harmony: it’s a joyous, collective achievement.

The final scene of Final Stretch (originally transmitted 25 Mar 1977), finds prison officer Mackay asking Fletcher to look after his new, incoming cellmate; just as he had for the recently released Lenny Godper.

And it is here, not amongst those dusty, aged pages of manuscripts so frequently misconstrued for religion that you’ll find the simplest, most coherent philosophy for life.

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Category Posted in Random

  • I don't get any of the contemporary sitcoms based on 'British' life, probably because I spent so many years living abroad.

    One Foot in the Grave, Porridge, Yes Minister, Only Fools, Vicar of Cadburys; none of these have any meaning or relationship to me or my life. Perversely all of the Blackadder products do connect but that's probably because they're not based in 'real life' (whatever that is), they're just comedy devices based on historical constructs.

    I do love the delicious irony of The Sun headline in your YouTube clip though, given the current MPs/Expenses hoo-hah.

    Plus ça change, eh?
  • ratnam
    i agree maybe becaues most sitcoms were/are oxbridge comedy types version of funny? only 'real' comedy i can remember is shameless - i can't really remember the first series but i do remember what a physical effect it had! no idea if the rest of the series were any good though!

    'two packets and a pint of chips' gets close to modernity no? also that comedy set in a high rise - 12 storeys? was great! oh yeah and biker grove - definitely comedy gold there!

    porridge; open all hours; mind your language; some mother's do have em; are what i remember from childhood
  • sheq
    It was an odd coincidence - amazing how it aligns to today. I spent summers away from England, but I always had videotapes taken from here. Dunno how I would've coped otherwise. Never really looked at it from your perspective, but I shall bear in mind next time. Maybe.
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