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The Complete Porridge
Published for the first time in one paperback are the three books written to accompany the classic BBC comedy series by Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais. "The Complete Porridge" featuring Ronnie Barker as the crafty, witty, old lag Norman Fletcher, brings together "Porridge", "Another Stretch of Porridge" and "A Further Stir of Porridge".
- GenresComedyHumorNonfiction
480 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 1990
About the author
Dick Clement
32 books6 followersDick Clement, OBE (born 5 September 1937) is an English writer best known for his writing partnership with Ian La Frenais. They are most famous for television series including The Likely Lads, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Porridge, Lovejoy and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. (Wikipedia)
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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