The Desperate Hours" is the second Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Porridge. It first aired on 24 December 1976. [1] In this episode, Fletcher and Godber are in trouble for brewing liquor in the lead-up to Christmas, but are caught up in a hostage situation in the Governor's office. It was the only episode of Porridge to air in 1976. So , every Christmas I always have things I watch almost as a ritual . Just a few are Hercule Poirot’s Christmas … The two Porridge Christmas Specials which are just perfection … At least one Royal Family Christmas Special … the 1971 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show … a QI Christmas Show ( with Stephen Fry ) … a Only Fools and Horses Christmas show . And for some reason old classic films like The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Three Muskateers ( both kept on my iPad ) . Albert Finneys Murder on the Orient Express I always watch . I guess a lot is memories of times past and nostalgia and just comfort viewing , but it’s like some things I have to watch and only watch at Christmas ( things that aren’t Christmas specific ) If you’re a quiz fan, then why not test your knowledge on all things Christmas movies hosted by comedian Alan Carr. What's your favourite sitcom Xmas specials? As you probably know by now My Family is my favourite sitcom, and my two favourite Xmas specials are the episodes Glad Tidings We Bring (the 2004 Christmas Special - this is the one where Janey gets married, Daniela Denby-Ashe looked really pretty in that wedding dress that she had to wear for filming that episode 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍) and 2039 : A Christmas Oddity (the 2009 Christmas special, because it's hilarious 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂). However, I also liked the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special from 2019 as well, and I like many others want to know what actually happened on THAT fishing trip! During the 1970’s festive editions of popular sitcoms were very popular, with both BBC and ITV running festive editions of their most popular sitcoms. Porridge was no exception.

BAFTA nominated eight-part drama series based on Winston Churchill's enforced political exile during the 1920s and 1930s, starring Robert Hardy and an all-star cast Following the example of other sitcom crossovers, such as Dad's Army, Steptoe and Son and The Likely Lads, a feature-length version of Porridge was made in 1979. Barker again starred as Fletcher, and most of the supporting cast also returned. Unlike the television series, it was actually filmed at a real prison as HMP Chelmsford was temporarily vacant following a fire. One Foot in the Grave-perhaps the Algarve one but another show that developed into a must see Christmas tradition.

The BBC was forced to look around for locations because the Home Office refused permission for any production filming inside or outside a real prison. Instead the main gatehouse of the disused St Albans prison (in the town's Victoria Street) was used in the opening credits. Exteriors were first filmed at a psychiatric hospital near Watford. However, after the completion of the second series, the hospital withdrew permission for more filming following complaints from patients' families. Another institution near Ealing was then used for the third series. [6] Scenes within cells and offices were filmed at the BBC's London studios, but for shots of the wider prison interior, series production designer Tim Gleeson converted an old water tank, used at Ealing Studios for underwater filming, into a multi-storey set. [7] The League of Gentlemen with the three characters visiting Rev. Bernice on Christmas Eve. Funny, creepy, silly, gross. Perfect. Porridge and Motherland earn full series on BBC". BBC News. 6 October 2016 . Retrieved 6 October 2016. Along with the festive offerings on the platform, there are some brilliant drama to be enjoyed on the platform. Mr Barrowclough is given the job of escorting Fletcher to hospital, although he finds the very edgy Fletcher's grumbling a dampener on his day. At the hospital, a young nurse gives Fletcher a "Christmas card", which turns out to be a fake passport for Tommy Slocombe. Grouty also asks that Fletcher and Godber help with the choir, but also insists that Fletcher provides him with a bicycle.

Meanwhile Fletch, has plans of his own for Christmas, namely getting himself a stay in the prison hospital for Christmas. I have to watch the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special every year its so good and just sums up a perfect family Christmas.My family watches TV a lot in general, but somehow we see very little if anything over Christmas. No idea why. Also because I'm such a fan of Aardman Animations and collect Wallace and Gromit memorabilia we will tend to watch Arthur Christmas and the Wallace and Gromits as well. As a family we will also always drop everything and sit down and shut up to watch (weird to say this now the Queen has left us) the King's speech.