Answer: New Year's Eve
The episode "Prisoner and Escort", which was produced as part of a series of potential sitcom pilots starring Ronnie Barker called "Seven of One", is the first appearance of Norman Stanley Fletcher, who has been sentenced to five years for his most recent conviction for breaking and entering. The episode sees Mr MacKay and Mr Barrowclough assigned to escort Fletcher from Brixton Prison, where he has been on remand, to Slade Prison in Cumbria, where he will serve his sentence, on New Year's Eve, something that Mr MacKay in particular is put out about. Although Fletcher engineers circumstances that allow him to make an attempt to escape during the journey, this proves unsuccessful, and he is safely delivered to the prison to begin his stretch.
From Quiz: Little Victories - Life in Slade Prison
Answer: Brewing illicit booze
In this episode, an unstable prisoner, Reg Urwin takes Mr Barrowclough hostage and starts demanding a helicopter. Fletcher and Godber are held hostage too, with the governor's secretary.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: Pineapple chunks
In this episode, there is a thief in Slade prison. Fletcher is horrified - what is the world coming to when there is stealing inside a prison? This is a hilarious episode for me.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: New Year's Eve
In this episode, two prison wardens, Mr Mackay and Mr Barrowclough, are escorting Fletcher to Slade prison. The prison van mysteriously breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Mr Mackay goes for help, leaving Fletcher in the 'capable' hands of Mr Barrowclough. Fletcher manages to find an empty house to shelter from the storm. Fletcher makes his escape but ends up running round in circles.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Slade Prison
He was sent to do five years at slade prison after the judge told him, "you are a habitual criminal who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard and presumably accepts imprisonment in the same casual manner".
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Birmingham
Godber was from Birmingham and had a very strong brummie accent. Unfortunately, he supported Aston Villa. He was nicked in Smethick trying to rob the flat next door.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Pears
One of the ways Fletcher finds to make life inside slightly more bearable is the occasional purloining of something from the prison's kitchen pantry, acts that are helped by the fact that his cell-mate Godber works in the kitchen. In the episode "Just Desserts", Fletcher is appalled to find that someone has purloined his already purloined tin of pineapple chunks, and determines to find out exactly who has done so. Circumstances lead to the tin of pineapple being replaced, only for another tin to disappear at the same time, leading to Fletcher, who is technically innocent, finding himself in trouble.
From Quiz: Little Victories - Life in Slade Prison
Answer: Henry
Fletcher is the hero of the hour after disarming Urwin. When Mr Barrowclough telephones his wife, to say he will be late home, his wife thinks he is having an affair with Mrs Jameson, the governor's secretary. Mrs Jameson calls Mr Barrowclough by his first name. The prison wardens are even willing to overlook the illicit booze brewing.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: Mr Barrowclough
Mr Barrowclough found the tinned pineapple chunks in Fletcher's cell. He takes it home and has gammon steak Hawaii. Godber decides to make Fletcher happy by stealing another tin of pineapple chunks from the kitchens. This only complicates things further.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: Breaking and entering
In this episode, Fletcher meets the other new prisoners at Slade prison. There is Lennie Godber, who is in prison for the first time, and Cyril Heslop. Brian Glover played Heslop while Richard Beckinsale played Godber. Godber manages to get a single cell, while Fletcher is forced to share with Heslop and Evans, who enjoys eating light bulbs. Godber's new job is working in the kitchens, while Heslop is to work in the library. Fletcher is given a privileged job on the prison farm, after showing an interest in the prison governor's tropical fish.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Ingrid
Ingrid visits Fletcher in prison during a few episodes. Her visits also please Godber, who takes a liking to her.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: 107 Alexander Park Crescent
This is mentioned on Fletcher's arrival at Slade prison when giving his details. He checks in with Godber and Hislop. It was broadcast on 5/9/1972 and was the start of Series 1.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Denise
When Godber arrives at Slade Prison, one of the things that keeps him going during what is his first stretch inside is the thought of his fiancee, Denise. He often speaks of her to Fletcher during the long nights after lock-up, and looks forward to the day when they are reunited. So, in the episode "Heartbreak Hotel", his receipt of a "Dear John" letter from Denise, who tells him that she has in fact married another man, leads to Godber becoming disheartened, and causes him to assault another prisoner who had made fun of the situation. The mitigating circumstances convince the prison governor not to put him in solitary, while Godber himself perks up by starting a correspondence with Fletcher's daughter Ingrid.
Godber put up a photograph of Denise when he was first moved to Fletcher's cell in the episode "A Night In". This photograph was of Judy Loe, the wife of actor Richard Beckinsale, who played Godber.
From Quiz: Little Victories - Life in Slade Prison
Answer: Pills
In this episode, Fletcher has to deal with disappearing tablets and Harry Grout. Harris drops the pills into Fletcher's teacup when Mr Mackay catches him. The pills are actually for a dog's bad breath - something Fletcher only learns after swallowing them!
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: Denise
In this episode, Godber is in trouble, after attacking a prisoner. He had just had a letter from his girlfriend who tells him she has got married to a sailor. Fletcher is horrified to realise Godber is now setting his sights on Ingrid, his daughter.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: Snakes and Ladders
In this episode, gambling is rife in Slade Prison. The illicit game is being held in the coke house, where the coal is stored. Ives, a prisoner, tells the prison warders where it is going to happen. Fletcher is removed from his farm job and moved to a single cell - which is what he wanted in the first place.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Fulton Mackay
Fulton Mackay superbly played the role of Mr. Mackay, the Scottish Prison Officer. Brian Wilde played Mr. Barrowclough, Peter Vaughan played Harry Grout and Ronnie Barker, of course, played Fletcher.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Just over 27
Ken Jones played Ives in three episodes and Porridge the Movie despite being linked as a main character. He appeared in episodes two, three and four but sadly died in 1999.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Prison officer
In this episode, Fletcher gets a new cellmate. It is none other than the judge the sentenced him. Fletcher is not pleased, as he could have bribed the judge and got a lighter sentence. The judge is in jail for bribery and corruption.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: Brixton
In this episode, Mr Mackay, the prison warden, is going on a course. Fletcher thinks it is going to be easier at Slade prison. This is until his replacement arrives. None of the prisoners like Mr Wainwright and Mr Barrowclough manages to calm down a rebellion.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: 2 years
In this episode, during the long night, Fletcher helps his young cellmate, Godber, come to terms with the prison life. All he has to do is pretend he is just having a quiet night in. Godber darns Fletcher's socks for him.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Last of the Summer Wine
Brian played Foggy in "Last of the Summer Wine", but both Foggy and Barrowclough were light years apart but both hilarious in many different ways.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Stealing the exam paper for Godber to see in advance
Godber is determined to make use of his two-year stretch inside by improving himself. One of the ways he tries to do this is to obtain more qualifications to add to his O-Level in Geography. The one he is most successful at his O-Level History, the exam for which he is preparing for in the episode "A Test of Character". Fletcher is convinced that Godber's efforts are a waste of time, but, if he is determined to go through with it, he should have as much help as possible, including access to the exam paper itself. Despite Fletcher's efforts alongside his comrade Bunny Warren to steal the paper, Godber is able to succeed, both on his own merits and through the fact that the illiterate Warren purloined the wrong exam.
From Quiz: Little Victories - Life in Slade Prison
Answer: His watch
In this episode, the prisoners hold a 'Kangaroo Court' in Fletcher's cell, to work out who stole the Judge Rawley's watch. The chief suspect is Harris.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: Chewing gum
All the prisoners are watching the prison football match. Fletcher takes the opportunity to have a peaceful afternoon in his cell. However, he is constantly being disturbed. The prison chaplain pushes Fletcher too far.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: Church
In this episode, the prisoners - Fletcher, Godber, Ives, Dylan the hippie and 'Navy Rum' - get a rare day out by digging ditches. Fletcher thinks it is going to be easier than it turns out. Mr Barrowclough is left in charge of the prisoners while Mr Mackay goes into the village. An insect stings Ives so Fletcher goes into the village for ointment.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Leeds United Football Ground
Fletcher and Blanco hatched a plan to get back Blanco's possessions back from Norris. The plan involved giving Godber a fake map and fooling Norris into swapping it for Blanco's possessions. It also put Norris in trouble when he was caught digging up Leeds United's football pitch after being released.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Scotland
One of "Porridge"'s best loved characters. Fulton Mackay (real name) was a stereotype prison officer in the '70s, very unforgiving and strict. He and Fletcher had a slight personality clash which helped make "Porridge" a success.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: 17 years
In this episode, Blanco, the old prisoner, has his parole refused. Fletcher sets up an appeal committee to get the decision reversed. Even Mr Barrowclough signs the petition - apparently.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: Ankle
In this episode, Fletcher is in the hospital wing. Mr Mackay thinks Fletcher is pretending. The old prisoner, Blanco, is also on the hospital ward, as well as Norris, who isn't very popular. Norris takes some of Blanco's belongings when they gamble at cards. Blanco tells Fletcher a story of stolen goods, and where it is buried. This is another very funny episode.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: McLaren
In this episode, Fletcher has lost his 'cushy' job on the farm and has been reassigned to making fishing nets. He tries to think of getting in the Governor's good books again. Tony Osoba played McLaren. Fletcher talks McLaren off the roof, and also gets his dream job, working in the prison library.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Fletcher
Fletcher tries to lead Mackay into falling into the tunnel below, but ends up becoming the victim himself. Fortunately for Fletcher, he ends up in the prison hospital where he had been trying to get too earlier by falsely claiming he had a bad knee.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: 2lb tin of Pineapple Chunks
Fletcher accuses everyone on his cell block of pinching his 2lb tin of pineapple chunks, but later finds out that Mr Barrowclough has taken them home for a Gammon Steak Hawaii!
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: The judge who sentenced him to his stretch at Slade
At the start of each episode of "Porridge", in place of a theme tune, the ominous tones of the judge sentencing Fletcher are heard over the titles. The short speech was originally recorded for the pilot episode "Prisoner and Escort" by Ronnie Barker, and was first heard as we see the prison van taking Fletcher to St Pancras railway station. In the later episode "Poetic Justice", we get to meet the man who passed sentence on Fletcher, when the Honourable Justice Stephen Rawley is sent to Slade Prison pending an appeal for his conviction on charges of accepting bribes. Fletcher is stunned to find himself sharing a cell with the man who put him there in the first place, but, having realised that Rawley is an old friend of the prison governor, Mr Venables, decides to make sure nothing happens to him, as it could prove of use having good relations with such a man. Rawley appeared in two episodes of the series, and was played by actor Maurice Denham.
From Quiz: Little Victories - Life in Slade Prison
Answer: Murder
Blanco has always said he never did the crime he was jailed for. Blanco's wife was having an affair so Blanco killed her and put her in his deep freezer. Blanco is released on parole, and admits to Fletcher that he did kill his wife - and his wife's lover too.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
Answer: David Jason
David Jason and Ronnie Barker will later star together in 'Open All Hours'. Christopher Biggins played 'Lukewarm'; Sam Kelly played Warren and Ronald Lacey as Harris. Blanco appeared in three episodes of "Porridge" - 'No Peace for the Wicked', 'Happy Release', and 'Pardon Me'.
From Quiz: Double "Porridge" Part 2
Answer: Ingrid
In this episode, Fletcher helps the other prisoners with affairs of the heart. He helps some of the prisoners write letters to their loved ones at home. Fletcher's daughter brings bad news from home, so Fletcher is allowed to go home to sort out his domestic problems. Fletcher's wife's name is Isobel.
From Quiz: "Porridge" Part 1
Answer: Boxing
Godber and Nesbitt are fighting for their respective wings, but have both been told to take a dive by different prisoners. The outcome being that on the first punches thrown, both fighters take a dive and pretend to be out for the count. Fortunately for Fletcher, he was the only one who bet on a draw.
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: Miss Jameson
Miss Dorothy Jameson was the govenor's secretary and was held hostage by prisoner Reg in her only episode appearance. It was later revealed that she was having an affair with Barrowclough who was also hostage. June Wenham also appeared in "An Inspector Calls."
From Quiz: Porridge
Answer: History
In this episode, Fletcher and some other prisoners try to help Godber by stealing the exam papers. Warren steals the Biology papers instead of the History ones.
From Quiz: Third Serving of "Porridge" Part 3
