9. Porridge
BBCPorridges most commendable quality is the sitcom's soothing representation of humanity, which is extremely ironic considering its setting. The comedy follows prison inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker) as he undertakes a five year jail sentence for being a habitual offender. Barkers perfectly executed one liners and skilful ability to present the compassion and warm-hearted nature of a man serving time make this one of the greatest individual performances in TV history. Fletchers interaction with the limited few people the constraints of a prison will allow provides the platform for his entertaining characteristics and guarded affable interior. While the inmates sophistication and class is evident throughout the programme, it is demonstrated particularly well in the episode A Night In. This specific instalment is centred entirely on the freshly formed relationship between Fletcher and his anxious new cellmate and prison first-timer, Lennie Godber. As an expert on life in the pen, the veteran spends an entire scene comforting the concerned youngster through his pearls of wisdom and survival tips, while Godber offers Fletcher half a bag of liquorice sweets for his troubles. Porridge is a timeless piece of work with the majority of the gags used in the 70s sitcom still extremely relevant today particularly to those that have been amongst the prison environment.