Porridge

Watch Porridge

  • TV-14
  • 1974
  • 3 Seasons
  • 8.3  (6,700)

Porridge is a classic sitcom that aired on BBC One between 1974 and 1977. It stars Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, a seasoned and resourceful criminal serving a prison sentence in HMP Slade. The show is set in the confined environment of the prison, and its characters are predominantly inmates and prison staff, including Mr. Mackay (played by Fulton Mackay), a strict and authoritarian Scottish prison officer, and Lennie Godber (played by Richard Beckinsale), a naive and affable young inmate who becomes Norman's fellow co-conspirator.

The show takes its name from the British prison slang for oatmeal, which was a mainstay of the prisoners' diet. Porridge is full of wit, humor, and satire, deftly using the microcosm of prison life as a metaphor for wider society. Norman, played to perfection by Barker, embodies a kind of roguish charm and world-weary experience that make him an immediately compelling character. He is a wise and wily veteran whose humor and quick thinking are always at odds with Mr. Mackay's stern principles.

One of the key strengths of the show is the brilliant ensemble cast, which delivers outstanding performances across the board. Richard Beckinsale's Lennie Godber is the perfect foil to Barker's Fletcher, and his character's innocence and naivety are a constant source of charm and pathos throughout the series. Mackay, played by Fulton Mackay, is a superbly drawn caricature of the strict and authoritarian figurehead of the prison institution, whose efforts to maintain order and discipline are continually undermined by the prisoners' cheeky antics.

The humor of Porridge is clever, never losing sight of the fact that it is set in a prison, yet also never forgetting that it is fundamentally a comedy. The show's writers take the bleak, oppressive reality of prison life as a starting point, but their real genius lies in subverting expectations and turning these conditions into a springboard for absurdist storytelling. The humor is often bittersweet, with the characters finding ways to inject humanity and compassion into their otherwise bleak circumstance.

Porridge is full of memorable moments, from the iconic opening sequence featuring the theme song "The Prisoner's Song" to the various scams and schemes that Norman and his fellow inmates get up to. The show is also noteworthy for its use of slang and jargon, which adds a level of authenticity to the depiction of life behind bars.

The show's setting provides fertile ground for social commentary and satire, with the characters offering sly observations on everything from politics to class to celebrity. Yet what really sets the show apart is its humanity. Porridge never loses sight of the fact that its characters are real people with flaws and foibles, who are often just trying to get by in a harsh and unforgiving world. And while the humor is often farcical, there is always a sense of empathy and compassion beneath the surface.

In summary, Porridge is an absolute classic of British television. Its wit, humor, and irreverence have made it one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, and its influence can be seen in countless shows that have followed in its wake. With its timeless characters, indelible humor, and sharp social commentary, Porridge is an enduring masterpiece that stands the test of time.

Porridge is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (34 episodes). The series first aired on September 5, 1974.

Porridge
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Seasons
Final Stretch
6. Final Stretch
March 25, 1977
Finally Godber is released on Parole and Fletch is going to miss him, even though he is worried about the subtle hints Godber is throwing out about Fletch's daughter. In an uncharacteristic fit of rage, Godber almost loses his parole, but Fletch selflessly comes to the rescue and Godber is free to leave.
A Test of Character
5. A Test of Character
March 18, 1977
Godber is taking a history O Level much to the annoyance of Fletch. Even so, Fletch tries to help Godber by getting Warren to steal the exam papers, even though Godber isn't convinced that cheating is a good idea. As it turns out, the stolen exam papers are for a different test, as the dyslexic Warren couldn't tell what he was stealing.
Pardon Me
4. Pardon Me
March 11, 1977
Old Blanco is doing time for the murder of his wife and swears he isn't guilty. Now he's up before the Parole Board and it looks as if he's sure to be released. Blanco surprises everyone by turning down parole when it's offered to him. He explains that, if he accepts parole, he'll also be admitting that he was guilty of a crime for which he was wrongly convicted. He insists that he'll only leave prison if he's offered a full pardon. Fletch and his fellow felons form an appeal committee to win Blanco a pardon from the home office. They eventually win an appeal, only to find that while Blanco didn't kill his wife, he should be serving time for another murder.
Rough Justice
3. Rough Justice
March 4, 1977
The judge loses a watch and a kangaroo court is set up to convict Harris, who is known for "this despicable kind of thievery." Once found not guilty, Harris then agrees to give up the booty. Meanwhile, the judge is released on bail pending his appeal, and Fletcher is worried that the judge will endanger his "business" of writing letters for illiterate inmantes.
Poetic Justice
2. Poetic Justice
February 25, 1977
Fletcher's new cellmate is none other than the judge who sentenced him to stay in Slade. The inmates have a few scores to settle, but wily Fletch ends up protecting the judge, however, when he realizes that the Judge Rawley has the ear of the Governor.
A Storm In a Teacup
1. A Storm In a Teacup
February 18, 1977
Once again Fletch is trying to get some peace and quiet but his attempts are futile. When some drugs go missing, Harry Grout thinks that Fletch has them. On Grouty's orders, Fletch has to find some replacement ones quickly, as not to lose any of his privileges when prison authorities begin an investigation. Fletch then goes to Harris, who he doesn't know was the cause of all the upset in the first place.
Description
Where to Watch Porridge
Porridge is available for streaming on the BBC One website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Porridge on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    September 5, 1974
  • IMDB Rating
    8.3  (6,700)
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