Porridge 2017 on the BBC

**seivad** · November 4th, 2017, 05:20 PM

Any one else been watching the reboot of this classic series?

I've been delighted to find it differs from every other BBC comedy show of the last 10 - 15 years. It's funny, very funny.

It has the original writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais who also wrote The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. The current Fletch is Norman Stanley's grandson. As I say it's a reboot, not a remake so although the characters are familiar, they are not the same. This gives room for their development, although I have difficulty in believing Helen Brittas could be a prison governor.

Anyway I discovered this afternoon that the last episode is already available on BBC iplayer. So I thought I'd watch it ahead of time. There have been some nice homages to the past during the series, but the one in the last episode left me in fits of laughter and tears for a good 10 minutes.

The story is 35 years old, if you know your Pet think episode 1, tattoos and foxes tails. Told from a different perspective. I would recommend watching it.

Apologies to all none Brits out there who possibly have no idea about what I'm talking about.

Mags1234 · November 4th, 2017, 08:28 PM

AWP series 1 & 2, Likely Lads and WHTTLL and Porridge amongst the best ever telly in my humble opinion, Oz, Terry, Fletch and the rest all brilliant characters - new Porridge was good, better than expected, but the originals are gold standard. Cheers.

Sam Spade · November 5th, 2017, 12:14 AM

I tried watching the new series of Porridge, but just could not get past the Ronnie Barker original, for me probably the best British sit-com of all.

**pharoahegypt** · November 5th, 2017, 02:18 AM

Acclaimed TV legend, Sir David Jason, didn't call Ronnie B "The Guvnor" for no reason... He called him that as he truly was a master of everything; writing, timing, playing... Probably the one of all lost legends I miss the most.... modern legend Rik Mayall included.

**chris chunt** · November 5th, 2017, 07:48 AM

If Peter Kay was the star it would be fantastic .
He can do a London accent like he did in cradle to grave as Danny Bakers dad .

Ronnie Barker himself sent him a keep up the good work style letter in the style of Fletcher from HMP Slade prison who enjoys his TV nights when Peter Kay is on .

As for the recently re booted classic TV sitcoms by far the best was Simon Day as Alf Garnett .

That was marvelous .
But would they want to bring it back ?
Lefty BBC types
Probably not

**Grouchy** · November 5th, 2017, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris chunt

If Peter Kay was the star it would be fantastic .
He can do a London accent like he did in cradle to grave as Danny Bakers dad .

I like Peter Kay as a comedian but I have to disagree with your comment I'm afraid. The series "Cradle to Grave" was, in my opinion, dire...
I was very surprised when a comedian of Kay's standing put his name to it.
I had trouble finding the comedy.

As for the reboot of Porridge, I watched the first series (of the reboot) but didn't bother with the most recent one. I have trouble watching as I keep seeing Ronnie Barker and hearing the dialogue in "his" voice. Barker was the true master and there are very few who come close. I'm not saying the series isn't funny - it is just that I can't avoid the comparison between the lead role actors.

Same applies in my opinion, to the "Open All Hours" reboot. Jason is good but not a patch on Barker in the lead role.

I sometimes think that "reboots" aren't the best way to go. Comedy series are as much about the characters than the writing and new characters don't carry the weight of the originals. They may be great comedy actors but they should be given their own role, not thrust as add-on characters into rebooted scripts of old series. It may be better to let the old series rest in peace..

**Mal Hombre** · November 5th, 2017, 10:29 AM

I agree,The only reason for redoing old comedy shows is when the original has been lost.As is the case with a great many Tony Hancock episodes.

**steamjon** · November 5th, 2017, 10:17 PM

The reboot of Porridge is just a pale carbon copy of the original.

**Devius** · November 5th, 2017, 10:48 PM

I've heard of the "Porridge" reboot, but like everyone else who commented, I just can't get past Ronnie Barker's "Norman Stanley Fletcher" - Barker's "Fletcher" is simply one of the all-time great sitcom characters.

Another thing though...I only vaugely remember watching the spin-off series "Going Straight" even though the general opinion on the net is that "Going Straight" was almost as good as the original "Porridge".

pc12 · November 5th, 2017, 11:49 PM

Its watchable but as many have said, i just keep missing Ronnie Barker.
maybe if you had never seen the original series you would be ok.

November 4th, 2017, 05:20 PM	#1
seivad Vintage Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 3,171 Thanks: 28,057 Thanked 35,014 Times in 3,168 Posts	Porridge 2017 on the BBC Any one else been watching the reboot of this classic series? I've been delighted to find it differs from every other BBC comedy show of the last 10 - 15 years. It's funny, very funny. It has the original writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais who also wrote The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. The current Fletch is Norman Stanley's grandson. As I say it's a reboot, not a remake so although the characters are familiar, they are not the same. This gives room for their development, although I have difficulty in believing Helen Brittas could be a prison governor. Anyway I discovered this afternoon that the last episode is already available on BBC iplayer. So I thought I'd watch it ahead of time. There have been some nice homages to the past during the series, but the one in the last episode left me in fits of laughter and tears for a good 10 minutes. The story is 35 years old, if you know your Pet think episode 1, tattoos and foxes tails. Told from a different perspective. I would recommend watching it. Apologies to all none Brits out there who possibly have no idea about what I'm talking about.

November 4th, 2017, 08:28 PM	#2
Mags1234 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 305 Thanks: 3,196 Thanked 5,598 Times in 297 Posts	. AWP series 1 & 2, Likely Lads and WHTTLL and Porridge amongst the best ever telly in my humble opinion, Oz, Terry, Fletch and the rest all brilliant characters - new Porridge was good, better than expected, but the originals are gold standard. Cheers.

November 5th, 2017, 12:14 AM	#3
Sam Spade *Administrator* Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 139,848 Thanked 303,378 Times in 15,466 Posts	I tried watching the new series of Porridge, but just could not get past the Ronnie Barker original, for me probably the best British sit-com of all. __________________ We recommend you use a variety of hosts for your pictures Read and follow the To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. and everything will be sweet. Use the To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. button to show appreciation. Use the To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. facility or the A-Z's before starting a new thread. Play nice. If you find any dead images in any of my celebrity posts, please PM me with details.

November 5th, 2017, 02:18 AM	#4
pharoahegypt Vintage Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle England Posts: 4,491 Thanks: 10,176 Thanked 43,619 Times in 4,154 Posts	Acclaimed TV legend, Sir David Jason, didn't call Ronnie B "The Guvnor" for no reason... He called him that as he truly was a master of everything; writing, timing, playing... Probably the one of all lost legends I miss the most.... modern legend Rik Mayall included. __________________ Arguing with a intelligent person is hard; but arguing with a stupid person is impossible!

November 5th, 2017, 10:29 AM	#7
Mal Hombre El Super Moderador Join Date: May 2009 Location: Adoptive Monkey Hanger Posts: 58,144 Thanks: 772,791 Thanked 855,865 Times in 57,575 Posts	I agree,The only reason for redoing old comedy shows is when the original has been lost.As is the case with a great many Tony Hancock episodes. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. If in doubt, Just ask Yourself What Would Max Do ? It is a porn site,But its a Classy porn site. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

November 5th, 2017, 07:48 AM	#5
chris chunt Vintage Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,805 Thanks: 7,946 Thanked 36,406 Times in 2,765 Posts	If Peter Kay was the star it would be fantastic . He can do a London accent like he did in cradle to grave as Danny Bakers dad . Ronnie Barker himself sent him a keep up the good work style letter in the style of Fletcher from HMP Slade prison who enjoys his TV nights when Peter Kay is on . As for the recently re booted classic TV sitcoms by far the best was Simon Day as Alf Garnett . That was marvelous . But would they want to bring it back ? Lefty BBC types Probably not

November 5th, 2017, 10:17 PM	#8
steamjon Vintage Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,109 Thanks: 6,188 Thanked 22,399 Times in 1,260 Posts	The reboot of Porridge is just a pale carbon copy of the original.

November 5th, 2017, 10:48 PM	#9
Devius Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: It's a London Thing.... Posts: 23,517 Thanks: 142,139 Thanked 228,376 Times in 23,551 Posts	I've heard of the "Porridge" reboot, but like everyone else who commented, I just can't get past Ronnie Barker's "Norman Stanley Fletcher" - Barker's "Fletcher" is simply one of the all-time great sitcom characters. Another thing though...I only vaugely remember watching the spin-off series "Going Straight" even though the general opinion on the net is that "Going Straight" was almost as good as the original "Porridge". __________________ "I've had it with them, I've had it with you, I've had it with ALL THIS - I WANT ROOM SERVICE!* I want the club sandwich, I want the cold Mexican beer, I want a $10,000-a-night hooker!"* Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

November 5th, 2017, 11:49 PM	#10
pc12 Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 14 Thanks: 45 Thanked 134 Times in 14 Posts	Its watchable but as many have said, i just keep missing Ronnie Barker. maybe if you had never seen the original series you would be ok.