"Richard Beckinsale Richard Arthur Beckinsale (6 July 1947 – 19 March 1979) was an English actor, who played Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"" (along with its sequel series ""Going Straight"") and Alan Moore in the British ITV sitcom ""Rising Damp"". He is the father of actresses Samantha Beckinsale and Kate Beckinsale. Beckinsale was born in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, to an Anglo-Burmese father, Arthur John Beckinsale, and an English mother, Maggie Barlow. He left Alderman White Secondary Modern School at 15 with ambitions to become an actor, so while working in numerous manual jobs he enrolled at a Nottingham adult"
"Ingrid Fletcher Ingrid Rita Godber (née Fletcher) was a character in the BBC sitcoms ""Porridge"" and ""Going Straight"", played by Patricia Brake. Ingrid is Fletch's eldest child (allegedly conceived against Karl Marx's tomb). She often visited her father in Slade Prison, oblivious to her appeal to the other inmates, much to her father's despair. It was on one of these trips that she met Fletch's cell-mate Godber. Upon Godber's release the two met up, and by the time Fletch was released, three years later, the two were engaged. They were married in the final episode of ""Going Straight"" and are"
"seen to be still married 25 years later in the spoof documentary, """", with one son. Ingrid Fletcher Ingrid Rita Godber (née Fletcher) was a character in the BBC sitcoms ""Porridge"" and ""Going Straight"", played by Patricia Brake. Ingrid is Fletch's eldest child (allegedly conceived against Karl Marx's tomb). She often visited her father in Slade Prison, oblivious to her appeal to the other inmates, much to her father's despair. It was on one of these trips that she met Fletch's cell-mate Godber. Upon Godber's release the two met up, and by the time Fletch was released, three years later,"
"Cyril Heslop Cyril Heslop is a character in the popular BBC sitcom ""Porridge"" portrayed by Brian Glover. Heslop is prominent in Season 1 of the show and was briefly Fletcher's cellmate. He was also one of the three new arrivals, along with Fletcher and Godber, into Slade Prison in the first episode of the series, having been given three years for breaking and entering. Heslop is quite dim and slow-witted, once being described by Mr. Mackay as ""thick as two short planks."" This is also demonstrated in the fact that he is always several minutes behind every conversation, such as"
"that Fletcher is fond of. Godber also briefly took up a career as a boxer in the prison, although this was short-lived when he became involved in match fixing. Godber appears in all but four episodes of Porridge. He is absent from the pilot (Prisoner and Escort) series 1 episodes Ways and Means and Men Without Women, and series 2's No Peace for the Wicked In the sequel ""Going Straight"", Godber is engaged to Fletcher's daughter Ingrid, having met her whilst she was on a prison visit. In the 2003 mockumentary """", they are still married, and have a son."
"subject of an episode of ""This Is Your Life"". Beckinsale quit ""Rising Damp"" in 1977, the same year that ""Porridge"" was brought to an end with his character of Godber being released from his prison sentence in the final episode. He subsequently starred alongside Barker in ""Going Straight"", a spin-off of ""Porridge"" in which the two criminal characters are seen on the outside rebuilding their lives. In 1977, he starred in a radio comedy series called ""Albert and Me"" with Pat Coombs and John Comer. At the beginning of 1979, Beckinsale made a film version of ""Porridge"". It was to"
"Godber left and that a new inmate called Nicholson is moving in with Fletcher. Fletcher tells Mackay he intends to tell the inmate three things, but only shows Mackay two fingers, before showing three fingers. This was another opportunity for Fletcher to stick the fingers at Mackay and get away with it. The episode ends on a freeze frame of Fletcher showing Mackay three fingers. Final Stretch (Porridge) ""Final Stretch"" is the final episode of the BBC sitcom Porridge, the sixth episode of the third series. It first aired on 25 March 1977. Godber's upcoming parole hearing is threatened by"
"carnal thoughts about women, because this would only depress him. Before he goes to sleep, Godber prays out loud much to Fletcher's chagrin. The next morning, the cells are opened again for the day. Godber swaps his Liquorice allsorts for a squeeze of Fletcher's special toothpaste. Godber thanks Fletcher for helping him to get through the night. Fletcher replies that they could have another quiet night in that evening. The episode ends with the prisoners going out onto the landing to start their day. A Night In ""A Night In"" is an episode of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first"
"Sam Seder Samuel Lincoln Seder (born November 28, 1966) is an American comedian, writer, actor, film director, television producer, and progressive talk radio host. His works include the film ""Who's the Caboose?"" (1997) starring Sarah Silverman and Seder as well as the television shows ""Beat Cops"" (2001) and ""Pilot Season"" (2004). He also appeared in ""Next Stop Wonderland"" (1998). Seder also made guest appearances on ""Spin City"" (1997), ""Sex and the City"" (2000) ""America Undercover"" (2005), and ""Maron"" (2015). He voices Hugo on the animated comedy series ""Bob's Burgers"". Seder was born to a Jewish family in New York City,"
"A Night In ""A Night In"" is an episode of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first aired on 19 September 1974. This episode is mostly set in the confined space of Fletcher and Godber's cell. Fletcher has been informed that Godber is to become his new cellmate. Understandably, Fletcher is not too happy because he had just been given a single cell. Godber explains that it is not his fault, because there was a riot on his block, and his cellmate Banksy set fire to his own bed as well as Godber's. Godber soon finds out that Fletcher has rather"
"Ives collects money for non-existent charities, Godber is now a lorry driver and still married to Ingrid, and Fletcher runs a pub with his childhood sweetheart, Gloria. On Sunday 28 August 2016, a one-off sequel to the original series, also titled ""Porridge"", was broadcast on BBC One. It starred Kevin Bishop as Nigel Norman Fletcher, Norman Stanley Fletcher's grandson, who is serving five years in prison for computer hacking. The special was written by the original creators and writers of ""Porridge"", Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. It gained praise from both viewers and TV critics, with many calling for"
"The episode ends with Fletcher offering Godber his favourite chocolate bar Fruit and Nut. The Harder They Fall (Porridge) ""The Harder they Fall"" is an episode of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first aired on 28 November 1975. In this episode, Godber takes up boxing. However, Fletcher is threatened by the prospect of fight fixing. Godber has taken up boxing, much to Fletcher's displeasure, as their cell ""smells like a Turkish wrestler's jockstrap"". Mr Mackay, however, believes boxing to be a noble sport, as he boxed for the army. Mackay gives Godber his encouragement. Later, Fletcher is summoned to meet"
"Norman Stanley Fletcher Norman Stanley ""Fletch"" Fletcher is the main fictional character in the popular BBC sitcom ""Porridge"", and the spin-off, ""Going Straight"". He was played by Ronnie Barker. He was sentenced to serve the particular stretch of 'porridge' detailed in the series due to a long and failing attempt to steal an articulated truck. The truck was full of alcohol. His plan was to drive the truck to a nearby field where he would leave the truck and make off with some of the booze. But he had no idea on how to drive the truck and ended up"
"series which went into production in January 2017. The show contains a number of affectionate references to the original series. For instance, the character of Joe Lotterby is named after Sydney Lotterby, a British TV producer and director, who was involved with producing the original series. Seven episodes of ""Porridge"", all written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, were produced for the BBC. The show began airing on 28 August 2016 and ended on 10 November 2017. All episodes had a running time of 30 minutes. Porridge (2016 TV series) Porridge is a British television sitcom, starring Kevin Bishop,"
"grabbing Godber, ready to punch him. A Day Out ""A Day Out"" is an episode of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first aired on 26 September 1974. In this episode, Fletcher and some of his fellow prisoners are allowed out for the day to dig drainage ditches for the local council. Godber is excited as he and some fellow prisoners are going out of prison as part of a work party. Fletcher, however, is less than excited because of the nature of the work. The two men argue over Fletcher's bad habit of eating with his mouth full. Fletcher is"
"Porridge (2016 TV series) Porridge is a British television sitcom, starring Kevin Bishop, written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, and broadcast on BBC One. The show is a sequel to the original 1974 series of the same name, which both Clement and La Frenais wrote. The sitcom focuses on prison inmate, Nigel Norman Fletcher (played by Bishop), the grandson of Norman Stanley Fletcher, who is sent to Wakeley Prison to serve a five year sentence for cyber crimes. The programme's creation came about when the BBC decided to air a one-off special of ""Porridge"" as part of its"
"Peter Vaughan Peter Vaughan (born Peter Ewart Ohm; 4 April 1923 – 6 December 2016) was an English character actor, known for many supporting roles in British film and television productions. He also worked extensively on the stage. He was best known for his role as Grouty in the sitcom ""Porridge"" (despite appearing in only three episodes and the 1979 film) and also had a recurring role alongside Robert Lindsay in ""Citizen Smith"", written by John Sullivan. He also had parts as Tom Franklin in ""Chancer"" (1990–91), playing the father of Anthony Hopkins's character in ""The Remains of the Day"","
"Tony Osoba Tony Osoba (born 15 March 1947) is a Scottish actor best known for his role as Jim 'Jock' McClaren in the popular 1970s British sitcom ""Porridge"". He also appeared in its sequel ""Going Straight"". Osoba was the first black Scottish actor to appear on primetime television when he appeared in the series. Since then, he has appeared twice in ""Coronation Street"", first as Wesley McGregor in 1982, and secondly as Mike Baldwin's boss Peter Ingram for a few episodes in 1990, before the character was killed off. Born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland, he had an early ambition to"
"Vaughan was partially blind in his old age. He died peacefully at 10:30 AM (GMT) on 6 December 2016 at the age of 93 from natural causes. Vaughan appeared in the following films and television series: Peter Vaughan Peter Vaughan (born Peter Ewart Ohm; 4 April 1923 – 6 December 2016) was an English character actor, known for many supporting roles in British film and television productions. He also worked extensively on the stage. He was best known for his role as Grouty in the sitcom ""Porridge"" (despite appearing in only three episodes and the 1979 film) and also had"
"New Faces, Old Hands ""New Faces, Old Hands is the first episode of a series of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first aired on 5 September 1974. In this episode, Norman Stanley Fletcher, Lennie Godber and Cyril Heslop arrive at Slade Prison. The episode opens with Mr Mackay showing the mugshots of Heslop, Godber and Fletcher to his colleagues. Mackay explains that Heslop is not too much of a threat, as he is ""thick as two short planks""; Godber is young and naive, but Mackay comments that he may be corrupted by the older Fletcher, who has been in and"
"East London Cemetery and Crematorium. Michael Barrington Michael Barrington (3 July 1924 – 5 June 1988) was a British actor best known for his television work. His best remembered role is as the ineffectual Governor Venables in the popular sitcom ""Porridge"" which featured Ronnie Barker in the lead role. Born in Shropshire, both his parents died when he was 16. His plans to train as a veterinarian were interrupted by Second World War service in a munitions factory and the Royal Engineers. After the war he decided to become an actor and trained at the Birmingham School of Drama. He"
"of both lawyers and journalists, when his application for membership came up. Lord Goddard was portrayed by the actor Michael Gough in the film ""Let Him Have It"" in 1991. In ""Prisoner and Escort"" the first episode of the popular 1973 sitcom ""Porridge"",Norman Stanley Fletcher says about strict and authoritarian Prison Officer Mackay: ""I bet he's the secretary of the Lord Chief Justice Goddard appreciation society"". A remark referring to strict views on criminals, society and justice which Mackay and Goddard largely shared. Rayner Goddard, Baron Goddard William Edgar Rayner Goddard, Baron Goddard, (10 April 1877 – 29 May 1971)"
"have it developed into a full series that followed the fortunes of Fletcher and his fellow inmates. Again starring Ronnie Barker, it became the much-loved claustrophobic prison-based series ""Porridge"". George Dobbs is released from a three-year sentence but no-one welcomes him at the prison gates. He seeks out his best mate, the womanizing Stan, to have a drink with, only to be told that Stan has moved on. The truth is that Stan moved in with Annie eight months ago, originally for company but they became romantically involved. George does not duff up Stan as expected but tells his friend"
"Utkarsh Ambudkar Utkarsh Ambudkar ( ; born December 8, 1983) is an American actor. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. He is a former VJ for MTV Desi. He has appeared in the comedy film ""Pitch Perfect"" as the character Donald, and in the television shows, ""The Mindy Project"" and ""The Muppets"". He is set to star in the Fox series, ""Eat, Pray, Thug"". Utkarsh originated the role of Aaron Burr in the developmental readings of ""Hamilton"". Utkarsh was also seen"
"Michael Barrington Michael Barrington (3 July 1924 – 5 June 1988) was a British actor best known for his television work. His best remembered role is as the ineffectual Governor Venables in the popular sitcom ""Porridge"" which featured Ronnie Barker in the lead role. Born in Shropshire, both his parents died when he was 16. His plans to train as a veterinarian were interrupted by Second World War service in a munitions factory and the Royal Engineers. After the war he decided to become an actor and trained at the Birmingham School of Drama. He then appeared in repertory theatres"
"to work."" Richard Dean Anderson Richard Dean Anderson (born January 23, 1950) is an American actor and producer. He began his television career in 1976, playing Dr. Jeff Webber in the American soap-opera series ""General Hospital"", then rose to prominence as the lead actor in the television series ""MacGyver"" (1985–1992). He later appeared in films such as ""Through the Eyes of a Killer"" (1992), ""Pandora's Clock"" (1996), and ""Firehouse"" (1997). In 1997, Anderson returned to television as the lead actor of the series ""Stargate SG-1"", a spin-off of the 1994 film ""Stargate"". He played the lead from 1997 to 2005"
"spawned a film version. Soon after, he appeared in two of British TV's most successful sitcoms at the same time. On ITV, he was playing naive medical student Alan Moore in ""Rising Damp"" (voted ITV's best-ever sitcom in the ""Britain's Best Sitcom"" poll in 2004) while also starring alongside Ronnie Barker in the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"" as prison inmate Lennie Godber. He also appeared in the films ""Rentadick"" (1972) and ""Three for All"" (1975) and made appearances in several other television series such as the ""ITV Playhouse"" episode ""Last Summer"" in 1976. Shortly after his 30th birthday, Beckinsale was the"
"Dokes in ""The Bill"". In 2011 Osoba made a brief appearance in an episode of ""The Shadow Line"". Osoba has also appeared in one radio series, ""Space Force"" (1984–85), as Loderick Sincere. Tony Osoba Tony Osoba (born 15 March 1947) is a Scottish actor best known for his role as Jim 'Jock' McClaren in the popular 1970s British sitcom ""Porridge"". He also appeared in its sequel ""Going Straight"". Osoba was the first black Scottish actor to appear on primetime television when he appeared in the series. Since then, he has appeared twice in ""Coronation Street"", first as Wesley McGregor in"
"The Harder They Fall (Porridge) ""The Harder they Fall"" is an episode of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first aired on 28 November 1975. In this episode, Godber takes up boxing. However, Fletcher is threatened by the prospect of fight fixing. Godber has taken up boxing, much to Fletcher's displeasure, as their cell ""smells like a Turkish wrestler's jockstrap"". Mr Mackay, however, believes boxing to be a noble sport, as he boxed for the army. Mackay gives Godber his encouragement. Later, Fletcher is summoned to meet 'Genial' Harry Grout (aka Grouty), a rich prisoner who unofficially runs Slade Prison. Grouty's"
"anger. Heartbreak Hotel (Porridge) ""Heartbreak Hotel"" is an episode of the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". It first aired on 31 October 1975. In this episode, Godber receives a Dear John letter from his fiancée, Denise. Meanwhile, Fletcher receives a visit from his daughter, Ingrid, who tells him the news from home. Godber asks Fletcher why the BBC never plays prisoners' requests on the radio. Fletcher explains it's because the system is open to abuse, where songs may be a message for someone to help with an escape. Mr Mackay comes in and says it's because it would cause embarrassment to families"
"Christopher Biggins Christopher Kenneth Biggins (born 16 December 1948) is an English actor and television presenter. He is best known for his role as Lukewarm in the BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". Biggins was born in Oldham, Lancashire, and brought up in Salisbury, Wiltshire, where he took elocution lessons and participated in local drama groups. His first lead stage role was at the age of 17 in a Stage '65 production of Molière's ""Le Médecin malgré lui"", leading to work with a local repertory theatre company. Biggins appeared as the regular character Lukewarm in the situation comedy ""Porridge"" (1974–1977) starring Ronnie Barker."
"Jeffrey Tambor Jeffrey Michael Tambor (born July 8, 1944) is an American actor, voice artist and comedian. He is known for his television roles such as Hank Kingsley on ""The Larry Sanders Show"" (1992–1998), George Bluth Sr. and Oscar Bluth on ""Arrested Development"" (2003–2006, 2013, 2018) and Maura Pfefferman on ""Transparent"" (2014–2017). His film roles include Jay Porter in ""...And Justice for All"" (1979), Jinx Latham in ""Mr. Mom"" (1983), Sully in ""There's Something About Mary"" (1998), the Mayor of Whoville in ""How the Grinch Stole Christmas"" (2000), King Neptune in ""The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie"" (2004), Tom Manning in ""Hellboy"""
"starred in the revival of classic 1970s BBC sitcom ""Porridge"". He played the role of Fletch, grandson of Ronnie Barker's original main character, locked up for cyber-crime. Originally a one-off, the show was commissioned to full series in October 2016. The first series was broadcast in October 2017 on a 6 week run on BBC1 as well as the full series being released at the same time on the BBC iplayer. The BBC has yet to confirm if there will be a Second Series. In 2016 Bishop played Nigel Farage in a one-off BBC2 comedy entitled ""Nigel Farage Gets His"