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)

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)

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But given that it exists in a strange rural upper class bubble and it was already out of date forty years ago, will it stand up to the rigours of a 2022 examination?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

It's Part 2 of our look at Extras and we continue to journey through the Patrick Stewart episode and look at all the things that changed in series 2. Was it for the better? No. But we'll go into a bit more detail than that.

Extras (Part 2)

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 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)

Our new series starts with eighties classic Hi-de-Hi!, which means we finally get to deal with Jimmy Perry and David Croft. We also look at the principal actors, including Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc.

Hi-de-Hi! (Part 1)

Chance in a Million is an early channel 4 sitcom that is today mostly only remembered for the central performance of Simon Callow. Allen says it's idiosyncratic, Gareth says it's a load of old toss. Is there anything to be said for revisiting this bizarre eighties show?

Chance in a Million (Part 1)

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)

We're back for part 2 of our look at the peak years of Red Dwarf. We're making a close inspection of The Inquisitor and having a peruse of the other work that the boys from the Dwarf did in the 90s. Spoiler - they're all crap.

Red Dwarf - The Peak Years (Part 2)

In 1971, the TV sitcom Please Sir! got itself a big screen spin off. We're joined by Sol Harris of Diminishing Returns Podcast to see if it makes the transition smoothly, despite a change in cast member and a distinct lack of Potter.

Please Sir! (film)

It's christmas! Time for cheer and good will to all men (or women). Unless you're Rigsby, in which case it's time to be a miserable git as always. But will he ruin the day for everyone else?

We look at the Rising Damp christmas special from 1975 and see how it measures up to our own miserable christmas experiences.

Rising Damp - Christmas Special

In this bonus episode, Gareth is a guest on The Modern British History Podcast. Harry White is the host and he generally looks at the modern (post war) British political scene. In this episode, he invited Gareth on to discuss the eighties sitcom Yes Minister and they discuss how it caricatures the civil service of the time. And have things changed forty years later?

Find more from Harry here:
https://www.modernbritishhistory.co.uk/

Yes Minister (Guesting on Modern British History Podcast)

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)

Today we go back to the eighties and Cold War paranoia with the relatively obscure Whoops Apocalypse. More interesting for its position in the history of comedy than for its actual content, could this show be the glue between the sixties satire boom and the alternative comedy of the eighties?

Whoops Apocalypse (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 2 of our look at Desmond's and this week we get up close and personal with the writer and creator Trix Worrell and of course we take a look at the (lesser) sequel/spin-off, Porkpie.

Desmond's (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)

Part 2 of our breakdown of Phoenix Nights as we continue to struggle with the urge to quote every single line. We do love it so  but we take time to look at the further careers of writers Dave Spikey and Neil Fitzmaurice as well as asking the question: Peter Kay - git?

Phoenix Nights (Part 2)

Thanks to a listener poll, this week we are taking on the relatively obscure seventies sitcom The Other One. Richard Briers teams up once again with the writers Esmonde and Larbey in the immediate aftermath of their biggest hit, The Good Life. Michael Gambon makes a relatively rare sitcom appearance to make up the odd couple who meet and become friends on a package holiday to Spain.

This is a fascinating show that has a weird second series so there's plenty to talk about!

The Other One (Part 1)

Part 2 of our look at The Other one in which we delve into the very odd second series and have a closer look at the comedy career of Michael Gambon.

The Other One (Part 2)

This week we are doing our most recent sitcom yet with Ghosts. They officially closed off the series with a christmas special in 2023 so now is our chance to look back at what is arguably one of the best mainstream sitcoms of the last twenty years.

Ghosts (Part 1)

Part 2 of our look at Ghosts, which we're classing as very recent history in the world of sitcom.

This week we are taking a look at some more of the actors such as Simon Farnaby and (spoiler alert) going all the way to the end and discussing how they closed it all off.

This is the end of our regular series for now but there will be a Christmas special next week so enjoy!

Ghosts (Part 2)

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

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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