About the Series
Genre: UK Sitcom
Series: 3
Episodes: 20
First Transmission: 1974-1977
Channel: BBC
Porridge is a British sitcom written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
The sitcom revolves around two prison inmates, Norman Fletcher and Lennie Godber, who are serving time at the fictional Slade prison. The show’s title is a slang for serving a prison sentence – “Doing porridge,” named after the traditional British breakfast.
The series was followed by a sequel in 1978, Going Straight, which followed Norman Fletcher after being released from prison.
Porridge was critically acclaimed and is widely considered to be one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time.
Ronnie Barker: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Richard Beckinsale: Lennie Godber
Brian Wilde: Mr. Barrowclough
Fulton Mackay: Mr. Mackay
Best Episode ( S2 Ep4 )
Happy Release – Fletch is in the prison hospital, where an unpleasant con called Norris, shortly to be released, has won the possessions of an elderly prisoner, Blanco. Fletch comes to Blanco’s rescue by hatching a plan involving a supposed treasure map which is handed over to Norris in exchange for Blanco’s things. Some days later Fletch and Blanco hear on the radio how Norris, now released, has been arrested for trying to dig up the buried treasure – on a football pitch!
Imdb Score [8.7]
Worst Episode ( S1 Ep5 )
Ways and Means – As a punishment, Fletch has to sew fishing nets with an aggressive prisoner. Fletch has a plan to talk down the prisoner from a roof-top protest after attempts by others fail. The plan works, but not quite in the way Fletch hoped.
Imdb Score – [7.6]
Full Episode List
Key:- Blue highlighted episodes rated in the top half, brown highlighted episodes rated in the bottom half.
Series One
New Faces, Old Hands (1974)
The Hustler (1974)
A Night In (1974)
A Day Out (1974)
Ways And Means (1974)
Men Without Women (1974)
Series Two
Just Desserts (1975)
Heartbreak Hotel (1975)
Disturbing The Peace (1975)
Happy Release (1975)
The Harder They Fall (1975)
No Peace For The Wicked (1975)
No Way Out (1975)
The Desperate Hours (1976)