More British Sitcoms Trivia Quiz

Answer: 'Three Up, Two Down'

'Three Up, Two Down' was a British sitcom from the 1980s that followed the chaos when two very different grandparents were forced to share a basement flat. Nick and Angie, a young couple with a new baby, decide to rent out their downstairs space, but both Nick's cockney dad, Sam (Michael Elphick) and Angie's posh mum, Daphne (Angela Thorne), want it. The only solution? They both move in. Cue the bickering. Sam's laid-back and rough around the edges, while Daphne's snobbish and sharp-tongued, making their daily life a comedy of clashing personalities.

It ran for four seasons and became popular for its witty dialogue and the slow-burning tension between Sam and Daphne, which eventually turns into something more tender. It also featured a gloomy zoo-keeper friend, a dodgy love interest, and a nosy neighbour. It was all about family, friction, and finding common ground in the most awkward of living arrangements.

Answer: 'Citizen Smith'

'Citizen Smith' was a British sitcom from the late 1970s that followed the misadventures of Wolfie Smith, a wannabe revolutionary from Tooting, South London. He's loud, idealistic, and convinced he's the next Che Guevara, but really, he's just an unemployed dreamer with a scooter and a small gang of mates called the 'Tooting Popular Front'. Their motto was 'Power to the People!' However, most of their plans fell apart before they even got started.

Wolfie lives with his girlfriend Shirley (Cheryl Hall) and her disapproving parents, which adds to the chaos. The show had a dig at politics, rebellion, and everyday life, with Wolfie constantly clashing with authority and getting into trouble. It was written by John Sullivan, who later created 'Only Fools and Horses', and starred Robert Lindsay as Wolfie in the role that made him famous.

Answer: 'As Time Goes By'

'As Time Goes By' aired from 1992 to 2005, and starred Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer. It was about Jean and Lionel, two former lovers who lost touch after the Korean War due to a mislaid letter. Decades later, they meet again by chance when Lionel hires a secretary from Jean's agency, and sparks slowly reignite. The show focuses on their second chance at love, with lots of dry humour, awkward moments, and warm-hearted scenes.

The charm of the series lay in its quiet pace and believable characters. Jean is sharp and independent, while Lionel is reserved and a bit grumpy, but their chemistry is undeniable. Supporting characters, like Jean's daughter Judith and Lionel's eccentric publisher Alistair, add extra flavour. It's about love, ageing, and the funny side of everyday life.

Answer: 'Duty Free'

The 1980s sitcom 'Duty Free' was about two couples who met while on holiday in Spain. David and Amy Pearce are a working-class pair from Northampton, while Robert and Linda Cochran are a posh couple from Oxfordshire. Things get messy when David starts falling for Linda, and they try sneaking around behind their spouses' backs. Most of the show's comedy comes from the awkward situations and misunderstandings that follow.

Even though it was set in sunny Marbella, the show was mostly filmed in a studio in Leeds. The clash between the couples, especially in class and politics, adds extra tension and laughs. Amy, David's wife, often steals the scene with sharp one-liners and a no-nonsense attitude. The show ran for three seasons and became a big hit with viewers.

Answer: 'Open All Hours'

'Open All Hours' was a classic British sitcom that aired from 1976 to 1985. It starred Ronnie Barker as Arkwright, a tight-fisted shopkeeper with a stammer and a love for old-fashioned values. He runs a small corner shop with his long-suffering nephew Granville, played by David Jason. Most of the comedy comes from Arkwright's penny-pinching ways, his awkward attempts to woo Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron) and Granville's constant frustration with his dull life and oddball customers.

In his shop, Arkwright's old till is practically a character itself, snapping shut with a vengeance! Despite the simple setting, the writing is sharp and the characters are memorable. It was so popular that it got a sequel, 'Still Open All Hours', decades later. It had humour, eccentric characters, and a bit of British nostalgia.

Answer: 'Just Good Friends'

'Just Good Friends' revolved around the unexpected reunion of Penny Warrender (Jan Francis) and Vincent Pinner (Paul Nicholas). Years earlier, Vincent left Penny at the altar, leaving her heartbroken and furious. When they cross paths again, their lives are drastically different, but the unresolved feelings between them make things complicated.

Despite her initial resentment, Penny finds herself drawn to Vincent's charm, and Vincent still carries regrets and wants a second chance. Their relationship swings between moments of tenderness, tension, and humorous misunderstandings as they try to navigate the possibility of rekindling their romance.

It showed the messy reality of reconnecting with someone from the past.

Answer: 'Hi-de-Hi!'

'Hi-de-Hi!' was set in a 1950s holiday camp called Maplins, where the staff are meant to greet guests with a cheerful 'Hi-de-Hi!', even when they're anything but cheerful themselves. The show followed a group of entertainers, cleaners, and a manager trying to keep things running while chasing their own dreams.

There's Ted, the camp comic always scheming for extra cash, Peggy the chalet maid desperate to become a Yellowcoat, and Gladys, who's hopelessly in love with her boss. It's full of mix-ups, awkward romances, and seaside humour.

The camp was a mix of faded glamour and hopeful ambition, with staff ranging from washed-up performers to young dreamers hoping for a big break. The show had a laugh at British class divides, showbiz struggles, and the chaos of group holidays.

Answer: 'Are You Being Served'

'Are You Being Served?' Ran from 1972 to 1985 and was set in the fictional Grace Brothers department store in London. The show followed the staff of the men's and women's clothing departments, where class clashes, innuendo, and absurd customer service rules create endless comedy. Mr. Humphries (John Inman) with his famous 'I'm free!' catchphrase, Mrs. Slocombe (Molly Sugden) with her ever-changing hair (and her pussy), and Captain Peacock, the pompous floorwalker, are just a few of the unforgettable characters.

The humour is cheeky and very British, mocking workplace hierarchies, gender roles, and social manners. Most of the action happens behind the counters, with staff gossiping, scheming, and trying to avoid actual work. It was created by David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd, and became a cult hit both in the UK and abroad, even spawning a film and a spin-off series called 'Grace & Favour'.

Answer: 'You Rang, M'Lord?'

'You Rang, M'Lord?' was set in the late 1920s and created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the same duo behind 'Hi-de-Hi!' It followed the lives of the wealthy Meldrum family and their downstairs staff in a grand London house. Lord Meldrum is a rubber factory owner with a tangled love life, while his brother Teddy prefers chasing maids to marrying socialites. Upstairs, the family's full of secrets and quirks; downstairs, the servants juggle gossip, grudges, and class tensions with plenty of dry humour.

What made the show stand out was its longer episode format (50 minutes), which let the stories unfold more like a drama than a typical sitcom. Characters like Alf Stokes (Paul Shane), the smart butler with a shady past and a knack for bending the rules, Ivy the maid (Su Pollard), and Lady Lavender, who throws food and talks to her parrot, bring a mix of chaos and comedy. It looks at British class divides, with a cast full of familiar faces from other Croft/Perry shows. It's like 'Downton Abbey' with more laughs and less decorum.

Answer: 'The Good Life'

'The Good Life' was a sitcom that aired from 1975 to 1978, starring Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal as Tom and Barbara Good, a couple who decide to ditch the rat race and live off the land in their suburban home in Surbiton. After Tom has a midlife crisis on his 40th birthday, he quits his job designing plastic toys and turns their garden into a mini farm, complete with chickens, a pig, and homemade everything. Barbara's all in, even when things get muddy and chaotic.

Next door are their posh neighbours, Margo and Jerry Leadbetter, who are horrified by the noise, smells, and general lack of decorum. Margo's snobbery and Tom's stubbornness spark plenty of laughs, while Jerry mostly tries to keep the peace. The show mixed humour with a bit of social satire, poking fun at class, consumerism, and the dream of self-sufficiency. It's still loved decades later.