Porridge

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

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

This show is without a doubt one of the funniest comedies ever made and it easily passes the test of time because the jokes do not date. The funniest line has to be this sequence between McKay (the head guard) and Fletcher. McKay: "Just don't let me catch you cheating" Fletcher: "I won't" McKay: "You won't what?" Fletcher: "I won't let you catch me!"

Easily one of the best sitcoms of all time with Ronnie Barker never better as the inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher, cocky inmate of Slade prison.

Richard Beckinsale was also superb as the wet-behind-the-ears Birmingham cook and Fulton McKay priceless as draconian Scots warder MacKay.

Each script by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais was a gem and the series became a firm favourite with Sean Connery who re-used one of the gags in Never Say Never Again.

(007 has to give a urine sample and is stood across the room) Doctor: I'd like a sample.

Bond: From here?

Barker's version is arguably a lot funnier.

Good support came from David Jason, Peter Vaughan and Brian Wilde and the big screen version (released in the States as Doing Time) was also a hoot.

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.