It's series 2 and we're opening with a true classic. Can farce work on TV? Is it as good as you remember it?  Come with us as we check in for a couple of weeks at Fawlty Towers.

Fawlty Towers (Part 1)

Here it is, the big one. Too big actually so we've had to break it up for parts. Here we tackle Only Fools and Horses - The Grandad Years, encompassing the first three series of John Sullivan's British institution.

Only Fools and Horses - The Grandad Years (Part 1)

It's Part 2 of our look at the first three series of Only Fools and Horses and this time we'll be looking at the early years of Nicholas Lyndhurst and continuing our dissection of The Long Legs of the Law.

Only Fools and Horses - The Grandad Years (Part 2)

To round out series 2, we're taking on a modern classic. The Inbetweeners seemed to speak to every 6th former in the country and spawned new catchphrases with every episode. But does it still hold up after ten years?

The Inbetweeners (Part 1)

This week we tackle the enormous Red Dwarf. In fact, it's so big that we've had to break it up a bit. So here we deal with just the first two series. The awkward growing years when it was still figuring out what it was. We take a deep dive on a specific episode and have a look at the brief pre-Dwarf careers of the main cast.

Red Dwarf - Series 1 and 2 (Part 1)

It's Part 2 of our look at just one slice of the epic Red Dwarf. Here we continue to break apart episode 3, Balance of Power, and we look at the early work of Danny John-Jules and Chris Barrie.

This is a really personal one for us but will the series live up to our fond memories?

Red Dwarf - Series 1 and 2 (Part 2)

To the Manor Born starred Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles and was the smash hit of the late seventies and has stayed in the national consciousness as the classic "will they, won't they" story.

But given that it exists in a strange rural upper class bubble and it was already out of date forty years ago, will it stand up to the rigours of a 2022 examination?

To the Manor Born (Part 1)

This week we're looking at Extras, the Gervais/Merchant follow up to global sensation The Office. So what do you do after you've changed the world of comedy? And how badly has it aged in just fifteen years?

Extras (Part 1)

We're back and we're starting the new series with an absolute classic. Clement and La Frenais' Porridge was a vehicle designed for Ronnie Barker but is just as well remembered for its stellar supporting cast. Part one takes a look at the careers of Barker and Fulton Mackay and we start to comb through one of the episodes.

Porridge (Part 1)

This week it's part 2 of our look at Porridge in which we go a bit deeper on Brian Wilde and his wife's gammon steak hawaii. We also continue our look at the episode Just Desserts and then throw cheap shots at Kevin Bishop.

Porridge (Part 2)

This week we start our look at Victoria Wood's dinnerladies. In many ways it is classic sitcom in its purest form but does it also break the rules occasionally?

dinnerladies (Part 1)

In part 2 of our look at Victoria Wood's dinnerladies, we take a closer look at Julie Walters and Maxine Peake and see how the series came to an end.

dinnerladies (Part 2)

This week we begin an epic journey through centuries of English history with the first series of Blackadder. The Black Adder sees Rowan Atkinson as spare to the throne and we're looking at episode four, where he is forced to marry the Infanta of Spain.

The Black Adder (Part 1)

Part 2 of our look at the first series of Blackadder includes closer inspections of Miriam Margolyes and Jim Broadbent as well as the original unaired pilot.

The Black Adder (Part 2)

For the last show of our series, we're looking at modern classic Miranda, from the mind of Miranda Hart. Can a 21st century audience empathise with a posh protagonist? Can a sitcom that ended eight years ago already feel out of date?

Miranda (Part 1)

In part 2 of our review of Hi-de-Hi!, we have a look at some of the supporting actors, consider the changes that came in the later series, and ask the usual question of, "is it healthy to watch 60 episodes of a show in three weeks?"

Hi-de-Hi! (Part 2)

We're back in deep space for our second visit to the Jupiter Mining Corp vessel Red Dwarf. The computer's different and now there's an android doing the ironing; what's all that about?

We take a look at the significant changes that turned Red Dwarf from a quirky space based sitcom into a sci-fi cult classic.

Red Dwarf - The Peak Years (Part 1)

Maybe it's just our age but it feels like Keeping Up Appearances was almost ever present when we were growing up. But how does it hold up in the cold light of day? Could it be a timeless classic or is Hyacinth Bucket a true britcom villain?

Keeping Up Appearances (Part 1)

Part 2 of our look at Keeping Up Appearances and we do our best not to be too negative!

Keeping Up Appearances (Part 2)

Part 1 of our take on Phoenix Nights, a personal favourite for both of us so prepare yourself for some nostalgia and laughter but also we try and take an in-depth and completely speculative look at the psychology of Peter Kay.

Phoenix Nights (Part 1)

For this year's christmas special we are venturing back to the Garnett household in 1966 where the family are upholding all the christmas traditions such as falling out and throwing stuff at the wall.

Till Death Us Do Part (Christmas special)

Just a quick bonus as we prepare for the new series. Allen has been immersing himself in the world of comedy and going to a few live events and meeting the big nobs from the world of light entertainment. Here he shares his experiences.

In this episode we talk about Su Pollard: Fully Charged; An Afternoon with Gloria ( Melvin Hayes); Why We Love Steve Brown; and Hambledon Productions take on Hancock's Half Hour. With a quick bonus meeting with Marks and Gran.

Bonus Episode - Live Comedy Events 2024

We had so much to talk about when we watched Ghosts that we've come back for more. In this bonus episode, we take a deep dive on the timeline of the Ghosts and get a bit of contextual history around their specific time periods.

Bonus Episode - Ghosts Timeline

Are You Being Served? is an absolute classic of British sitcom and part of the very large catalogue of work from David Croft. As such, it has way too many characters and goes on about five years longer than it should have... but does it hold up for today's sophisticated audience or is it as wet as Mrs. Slocombe's pussy?

Are You Being Served? (Part 1)

Part 2 of our look back at Are You Being Served? including an attempt to understand the strange and wonderful life of writer Jeremy Lloyd.

Are You Being Served? (Part 2)

No Job for a Lady may not be the best remembered show but it is a fascinating snapshot of the world of British politics in the early nineties. Here we get up close and personal with George Baker and ask the important questions, such as "How posh is Penelope Keith?"

No Job for a Lady (Part 1)

Part 2 of our look at No Job for a Lady. Expect thirty year old political references and inevitable comparisons to Yes, Minister.

No Job for a Lady (Part 2)

After a disappointing first series, Blackadder was reborn with the help of Ben Elton and became one of the iconic pieces of British sitcom. Here we discuss how Blackadder got sexy and the evolution of the characters.

Blackadder II (Part 1)

It's Part 2 of our look at the second series of Blackadder, in which we take a closer look at Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson. Plus, Gareth refreshes his hot take on Rik Mayall.

Blackadder II (Part 2)

In this episode of the British Sitcom History Podcast, we take a look at the origins of Steptoe and Son and the early days of writers Galton and Simpson. We look at a specific episode to break down what made the show so popular.

Steptoe and Son (Part 1)

Looking back at the wonderful world of British sitcoms.
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