User reviews

Timeless bbc brit com from that era that the beeb wish hadn't happened now. But fear not no nasty men in this just good old fun and great one liners . The very sad part is that not long after these and the film young Lenny died . Leaving behind his beautiful daughter Samantha Beckinsale. He would have gone on to be a huge star I'm sure.

One half of the famous 2 Ronnie's and many other very young mega famous brit icons star in this. Show of it's time but many jokes still work now.

Dont die without watching

I like this programme Mr McKay does a good nasty prison officer Ronnie barker is good as fletcher Richard beckinsale is good as godbar just good old 70s tv where nobody complained about the language of the day and just had a laugh instead.

Porridge is one of the greatest sitcoms ever made starring comedy legend Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher a repeat offender in for another stretch for robbery he knows the officers and how to con them and his fellow prisoners a smart man on the wrong side of the fence he knows how to play the game and get what he wants out of it.

This show is one of the funniest shows you will ever watch the writing is whitty and sarcastic with funny plot stories Ronnie Barker makes every line comedy gold give Porridge a watch you won't regret it you will laugh till your sides hurt.

This is easily the funniest comedy ever made.The characters are very strong - Mackay the harsh scottish guard with his neck 'twitch', Barrowclough the well-meaning and gullible guard, bumbling around pathetically, Godber the innocent and naive prisoner, and of course Norman Stanley Fletcher. Ronnie Barker's acting is superb - his expressions and timing are perfect.

The script by Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais is one of the wittiest and sharpest ever written. For example:

(A prison inspector has just entered Fletcher's cell, and Fletcher has just made spoken to him.) Inspector: He's very articulate Mackay: Yes, like a lorry

I've seen some great sitcoms in my time - and some not so great. But this is definitely one of the great ones. The very idea of a comedy set in prison doesn't sound like it can work. But it does - and how!

Ronnie Barker is perfect as Fletch. He's nobody's fool, and doesn't suffer other people who are fools, but underneath is a heart of pure gold - he just doesn't show it very often. This is to his credit when it is displayed, for Godber (Richard Beckinsale) or Blanco (David Jason). As with everything, Barker's timing is superb, and the simplest little line can have the viewer in stitches. This man will always be the guv'nor!

Richard Beckinsale as the first-offender Lennie Godber is just as wonderful. He takes it at a slower pace, highlighting the contrast between the two characters. A gentler man for the role it is hard to envisage. And who would want to!

Not forgetting Fulton Mackay (Mr Mackay) and Brian Wilde (Mr Barrowclough) - similarly fast and slow-paced. There is never any doubt that Mackay is an authority figure over them, and can make their lives hell if he chooses to, whereas the long-suffering Barrowclough is the perfect foil, like Sgt Wilson to Cpt Mainwaring.

This is of course due first to the wonderful writing of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, whose names grace the credits of many wonderful shows. They have created a masterpiece. A wonderful with believable characters. Everything fits together perfectly. Not one line needs changing.

Great cast, great writers. 12/10! The best sitcom ever!

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.

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

I do like sit-coms in general. Some are great, some are good with hit and miss moments and some are lacking. Porridge is for me one of the great ones. It has everything a great comedy series should have and more, and it never ceases to entertain me. The stories are well written with a touch of humanity about them, while the writing is superb. Some of it is very sharp and always hilarious. The series is nicely filmed too, and the acting is first class. And of course I love the characters, Fletcher especially is a wonderful character, naughty yet there is something charming about him. And who better to play him than the late great Ronnie Barker. He is perfection in the role, the delivery of the lines, the comic timing and the priceless facial expressions are just brilliant. Richard Beckinsale is also suitably earnest, and I love Brian Wilde too as Barrowclough. So all in all, wonderful, really one of the best comedy series there is. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I sometimes waiver on what I consider our greatest sitcom but as soon as I settle down with Porridge, there really is only one. The writing, as always from this legendary duo, is immense and the great Ronnie Barker plays what he himself says was his best character. The tragic Richard Beckinsale as the lovable Godber, the vulnerable Mr Barrowclough and, my favourite of the lot, Mr Mackay. When I watch Fulton Mackay's performance closely, I see what a top actor he was. His asides, facial tics, use of the language is all a masterclass of an actor creating his own character. Add to all this the great ensemble of Jock, Warren, Lukewarm and the Governor makes for the greatest sitcom.

I have always been a massive fan of Ronnie Barker, but Porridge, like so many people including himself, agree that Porridge was special and unique. Turning an un-funny situation into a sitcom where EVERY episode was a no disappointment. The funniest sitcom Britain has ever produced for television.

As well as Ronnie Barker's magnificent performance as Fletcher, there's also the sadly short lived Richard Beckinsale who plays Lennie Godber splendidly, a magnificent Mr Mackay portrayed by Fulton Mackay and Mr Barrowclough, played perfectly by Brian Wilde.

The episode, "A Night In", was definitely unique for being one of the few sitcoms to set an entire episode in just one scene with limited characters and this case, it was set in a very small cell with only two people and a prison officer (who pops in and pops out and the beginning and towards the end of the episode).

Surprised that it only came 7th in the BBC pool, Britain's Best Sitcom, true Only Fools and Horses is a classic comedy also, but it has been repeated countlessly which is why it is hard to ever forget it whereas Porridge I have hardly seen been repeated on either BBC1 or BBC2.

However, thank god for the DVD collection and the brilliant people who have downloaded the episodes on YouTube.

A fantastic cast and fantastic crew behind a fantastic sitcom!!!!

Ronnie Barker is without a doubt one Britain's greats, up there with David Jason, John Cleese, Peter Kay. Porridge is one of his Masterpieces where British Prison life is given humour and honesty.

I am 37 and rank this as one of my favourite British comedies to me it simply doesn't age but matures like a fine wine.

I would recommend it to any generation

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.

Have watched possibly all the episodes of each series and just re-visited the whole of the first series (comprising of six classic situations behind bars. The way each of the characters are introduced gave a strong foundation to the the two series (+ film) that followed. It's funny today that if 'Porridge' plays on T.V, they warn you about the outdated language but it's exactly this biting prison slang, that keeps it sharp, highly funny and in many ways endearing to the time. The real 'Porridge' prison, is actually located in St Albans (which was closed in 1914). The interiors were a cleverly designed set and the audacious opening credits (of the cell doors slamming) were filmed at the police station at Ealing (West London).

It's hard to believe that there were only ever twenty episodes of this classic British comedy ever made. Ronnie Barker ("Fletch") is fantastic as the habitual criminal sent to Her Majesty's Prison "Slade" - perched in the northern reaches of England - for five years. His cellmate is the honest, but supremely naive "Godber" (Richard Becksinsale) and the series depicts their antics surviving the authoritarian regime of "Mr. Mackay" (the outstanding Fulton Mackay) in his uniform, and "Grouty" (the comically menacing Peter Vaughan) on the inside. Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais have created a wonderfully pithy, cynical and enjoyable observation of their determined struggle not to be ground down by the system. A superb ensemble cast led by the wonderfully hapless prison officer Brian Wilde ("Mr. Barrowclough") introduce us to different themes for each of the editions ranging from pinching a tin of (much sought after) pineapple chunks; their own kangaroo court with the thief amongst thieves "Warren" (Sam Kelly) and an almost constant battle to keep control of the supply of toilet rolls! The humour is dark and potent, flighty and flimsy - but there is always a wonderful spirit about the characters, an integrity, that keeps these half hour comedic adventures as funny now as they were when penned almost 50 years ago. A bit like Croft and Perry's contemporary "Dad's Army", this is another inspired example of a BBC sitcom that you can watch over and over again...

I know that's its always open to being subjective, but just by nose if I had to pick one, I think that Porridge might have been the best British situational comedy of the 1970's. There was a lot of competition but the 20 episodes from 1974 to 1977 just hit the mark. It had the best comedy writers in the business and probably the most likable character in Norman Stanley Fletcher played brilliantly by the talented Ronny Barker. We were first introduced to him in a 1973 comedy special "Prisoner and Escort" which was followed up in 1974 for a two-season series, a Christmas special in 1976 and a last series in 1977.

Ronny Barker steels the show with his cockiness, sarcasm, his ability to the mickey and his attitude of trying to get one over on the system just to make life a lot easier inside. I mentioned that he was probably the most likable character in a sit com because despite being a prison comedy, he wasn't violent but just a petty crook who not only was funny but deep down was quite a kind person particularly to the decent members of the prison and although was a chancer and a slacker had good morals overall.

As the lead role he was supported by the good natured and boyish first timer Lenny Godber who Fletcher took under his wing and showed him the ropes. There was the gullible and easily manipulated prison officer Mr. Barrowclough who deep down harbored hopes that the prisoners could be rehabilitated. The fourth wheel on this series was Fletchers main protagonist the stiff ex-army officer and chief prison guard the straight backed and dignified Mr. McKay. Despite taking a lot of lip and back chat from Fletcher, McKay was tough but fair and although many of the laughs on Porridge were at the expense of McKay, on a few occasions he got some laughs over on Fletcher.

Characters and fellow prisoners in support were Warren, McLaren, Lukewarm, Blanco (an early appearance David Jason) "horrible Ives" and Slade prisons top dog the intimidating Harry Grout brilliantly played by Peter Vaughn.

Not only were the stories well-constructed but of course the dialogue was excellent and delivered well by all the actors in the show. Despite the series coming to an end in 1977 a well put together film was released in the summer of 1979 which was an appropriate finale because it had the same feel as the shorter half hour episodes and complimented the series unlike other sit com films.

All the episodes were very strong because after it's initial run in the 1970's Porridge was often broadcasted throughout the 1980's and beyond. A special episode worth mentioning was "No Way Out".. It was a Christmas special from 1975 which had Harry Grout and a short appearance by the gorgeous Carol Hawkins and an added bonus of one of the best ever endings on a comedy. Fans of this should check out the film and a sequel to the series "Going Straight". I'd highly recommend this show.

Brilliant comedy. Great characters just hilarious antics. Excellent.

Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker) is one of the greatest tv comedy characters to ever grace British tv. His daily battles with Mr Mackay are hilarious at times as he tries to beat the system in anyway that he can while doing time. I have watched this show since I was young and can still happily place this on my tv today as it still makes me laugh even though I am at the stage where I pretty much know every episode word for word. The cast including the prison officers and fellow prisoners all offer unique personalities and traits which add to the fun on show in this sitcom of the 70's. Some of the comedy in here is simple and offers cheap laughs with often overly simple one liners which could be spotted a mile away, but that said this show has great heart and a cast of people as said before which offer so much over the course of the series. I feel anyone looking for a nice simple comedy to binge to look no further, get this classic from the vault and sit back, relax and take it all in. You will not regret it ! 9/10

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.

Norman Stanley Fletcher is a career criminal and a regular guest of Her Majesty's Prison Service. He is about to start a five year stretch. In prison his cellmate is a young first-offender, Lenny Godber. It's up to Fletcher to teach Godber the ropes. Hijinks ensue.

A classic British comedy. Some great comedic plots and dialogue plus a wonderfully sentimental, dramatic side that adds a nice balance to proceedings.

These aspects are just the start though. The series is made by the performance of the great Ronnie Barker as Fletcher. He uses the great dialogue to fantastic effect with some great one-liners and put-downs and perfect comedic timing.

My wife wonders why I keep watching "Porridge" - "you must know every word of the script by now!" - true enough.

I give it a 10 which is rare. But it is a complete lesson in comedy timing - and script. There are several characters who demonstrate this perfectly, led naturally by the King himself, Ronnie Barker. Close beside him is Fulton MacKay, who apparently nearly drove the floor crew crazy with his practicing beforehand - but watch him as Fletch shakes the bag of "chicken grit" virtually in his face early on in the series, shouts "face the front" at Fletcher but right in the face of the prison Governor, etc., etc - wonderful. Sam Kelly, Brian Wilde, David Jason, & Richard Beckinsale.

Then follow each actor into what they did next. David Jason (who Barker tipped for the future, anyway) in "Only Fools & Horses". Brian Wilde with imagined PTSD in "Last of the Summer Wine". And Sam Kelly as the not completely sane Captain Hans Geering in "'Allo 'Allo" - the series started to go down when he left, although Jack Haig carried the lunacy on for a while.

Finally, it's difficult to imagine the script by Ian la Frenais and Dick Clement being written in anywhere else but a pub. The humour content probably increased in line with the number of pints downed. Later on the same two boys (together with the Author, Roddy Doyle) showed their versatility by writing a hilarious Dublin script for "The Committments".

Every episode, even "A night in", has been crafted and done by comedy royalty - and it's still widely shown (over here in Europe, anyway) - so on with the lessons.

I had forgotten how good this was as I've just starting watching episodes I've not seen for many years. The scripts are a masterclass in how to do comedy writing and the casting is also perfect.

There are more laughs in one episode than can be found in a whole series of some other sitcoms. Fletcher's brief comments are always very sharp and are not dwelt upon, out they come and then move on rapidly, no padding at any time.

Fletcher is a genius at taking advantage of any situation that he finds himself in or of any useful information that comes his way.

A strong contended for the best ever UK situation comedy.

Ronnie Barker is pure genius as Norman stanley fletcher but then we cant expect anything less from this comedy legend. Alongside Richard beckinsale and Fulton mackay I love prisoner and escort '' I read a book once green it was''

The best thing of British. So good even America didn't try to copy it.

Never to be repeated or revived.

No one could mimic the late great Ronnie Bakers super comedy acting.

The entire cast couldn't have been better. Not one person out of place. From Mackay to Horrible Harris.

Ronnie Barker was pure perfection making what could have been an uncomfortable subject for comedy a inciteful look into an often ignored area of life and introducing a marvelous young actor called Richard Beckinsale. It gave him a roll that brought him to the forefront of comedy before his sad and untimely death. It wil in my opinion. Outweigh every other comedy show ever.