Michael Crawford created a uniquely funny yet sad character called Frank Spencer in 1973. Frank Spencer is a kind, well-meaning man, but he is incompetent and clumsy, and he makes a lot of problems for everybody he meets. Somehow, his …
Eastenders is a soap opera set in East London. The programme started in 1985, and has continued ever since. It is focused around a pub called The Queen Vic, in Albert Square, a fictional location but based on East London …
Porridge is a 1970s sitcom by Ronnie Barker (1929-2005) set in a prison. The word ‘porridge’ is slang to mean a prison sentence. The character, Fletcher, is in prison for theft, but he’s not such a bad man. He’s trying to …
Fawlty Towers ran for only 12 episodes, but it is remembered as one of the greatest shows from one of Britain’s most popular comedy actors, John Cleese. Cleese became famous in the 1970s with his comedy team Monty Python. Fawty …
The Vicar Of Dibley is a popular easygoing sitcom starring Dawn French (in Harry Potter she is the singing Gryffindor door keeper) playing the role of a female vicar in the male-dominated Christian church. It shows some of the problems …
Everybody knows Rowan Atkinson, but it may surprise Japanese to hear that Mr Bean is not his most popular character in Britain. Before Mr Bean, he created the character Blackadder. There were 4 series (1984-1989), each of which was set …
This is the most popular British sitcom, and my favourite. It stars David Jason (b.1940), who has been a very popular actor – comedy and straight – since the 1970s, though his career goes back to the 1960. Only Fools …