Porridge

I just can't comprehend people rating this poor excuse of a comedy higher than 1. I love the original porridge. It didn't force the jokes and the characters were believable, but the remake is just a travesty. Do yourself a favour. Don't watch this.

While looking for an alternative TV Comedy, I decided to check out TV Gold and saw Porridge.

Mistakenly I assumed it was the original TV series, which is one of my absolute all time favourite shows.

But it turned out to be the latest programme, so I thought I'd give it a go.

I don't know how this excruciating garbage ever got a Pilot Episode, let alone commissioned into a regular show.

At the very least Auntie finally called time after just 1 Series, a heartfelt relief for all us fans of the original show.

And the dear departed Ronnie Barker, can finally have peace, and stop spinning in his grave.

Generally I prefer the classics to be left alone, and this is a little dated in its format and of course no prison was ever like it.

But there was enough to make me smile and laugh a few times. The thing I do dislike is Kevin Bishops delivery, its too reminiscent of Ronnie Barker and I understand why, I just find it annoying.

Firstly, this is not a remake, as this is set now and Fletch is the grandson of Norman Stanley Fletcher. Obviously it draws inspiration from the 70s sitcom, and Kevin Bishop does a fantastic impression of Ronnie Barker, which works as the similarities running in the family would be plausible. Also Mark Bonnar is brilliant too I think and looks like he revels in the role of the modern day Mackay.

It's far too easy to quickly judge this and dismiss it, as I almost did, but glad I didn't as considering the giant shadows that were cast before them and footsteps they had to fill, I think the 2 leads were an inspired choice of casting, and couldn't imagine anyone else pulling it off nearly as well.

I notice Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais are credited with writing these new episodes as well, so the humour is obviously similar, but the scripts we know are nothing without the perfect delivery and I think everyone in this series delivered.

Really impressed, and grateful that the wonderful world of Norman Stanley Fletcher and Fulton Mackay lives on.

I need not make any further comment about this remake of an iconic sit-com, other than a pilot episode was made as part of a celebration of great British sit-coms. I'm just wondering where the sense was in making a whole series, which nobody wanted or asked for?