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Porridge: The Complete Scripts and Series Guide
Regarded by many critics as Britain's best sitcom, Porridge is set to become even more popular following the sad death of Ronnie Barker in October 2005. His portrayal of Fletch, the experienced, cynical old lag, won the nation's heart when the series first hit our screens in 1973. This complete companion is the only book to tell the behind-the-scenes story of how the series came to be made and is packed full of never-before-published photographs and interviews with the cast and crew. It is also the only book to bring together the original scripts from all three series, making this the essential souvenir for all the millions of Porridge fans.
- GenresComedyHumorNonfiction
656 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 1, 2020
An interesting history of the development, characters and performers of the '70s sitcom. There is a lot of good stuff in there that I didn't know about (I hadn't realised that Clement and La Frenais had written quite so many UK shows, nor how hard that tried and failed to crack the US market).
It's written in an engaging style, and doesn't try to character assassinate any of the contributors to the series, which books like this can often stoop to in an effort to stir up interest.
It's written in an engaging style, and doesn't try to character assassinate any of the contributors to the series, which books like this can often stoop to in an effort to stir up interest.
February 7, 2013
If you loved the television series you will certainly love this book. You can easily imagine the characters and relive these excellent scripts.
March 28, 2020
Fascinating insight, although some of the biographical details of minor actors don't really add to the interest, this is a fully comprehensive guide to all things 'Porridge' especially Norman Stanley Fletcher, alumnus of HMP Slade.
Each episode is documented with accompanying production details; there are character biographies and profiles as well as an insight into both the writing and filming procedures. Above all, there are the scripts, perhaps a little dated, but they should be taken in their appropriate historical context, and remain, like Galton and Simpson's classic Hancock and Steptoe series, a wondrous mix of both high comedy and pathos. But perhaps most important of all, is that its star, Ronnie Barker comes over as a highly decent, kind and clever actor, never greedy for the spotlight and considerate of the lesser lights in the production.
Enjoyable.
Each episode is documented with accompanying production details; there are character biographies and profiles as well as an insight into both the writing and filming procedures. Above all, there are the scripts, perhaps a little dated, but they should be taken in their appropriate historical context, and remain, like Galton and Simpson's classic Hancock and Steptoe series, a wondrous mix of both high comedy and pathos. But perhaps most important of all, is that its star, Ronnie Barker comes over as a highly decent, kind and clever actor, never greedy for the spotlight and considerate of the lesser lights in the production.
Enjoyable.
January 3, 2020
The complete scripts from the classic television series - a great book to dip in from time to time. So many laughs.
June 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, it was great reading the scripts and learning facts about the great comedy.
January 7, 2023
Fantastic. Hilariously funny and so, so clever. With loads of extra stuff about the series and some great insights into what life was ike making this classic programme.
October 25, 2007
magnificently funny, scripts packed with laughter and characters. funniest thing I've read in ages.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews