TV Times

[Oldsmobile-88]

8th September 1972...A one off pilot in the Comedy Playhouse Series.The start of Are You Being Served,which ran for 69 episodes(inc 5 Xmas Specials)in 10 Series.

This pilot episode was shown as a filler on BBC1 when the Munich Olympics were temporary suspended after the terrorist hostage taking & subsequent massacre.

The episode was shown again at the start of the first series in March 1973.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1435636284005965831

 

[Oldsmobile-88]

Any excuse to bring up this gem

 

[Grecian2K]

Although through the entire 69'episodes we never (mercifully perhaps) were actually given the merest glimpse of Mrs Slocombe's feline companion.

On the plus side though we were quite often given a good sideways glance at Miss Brahms's "Christmas specials"

 

[Rosencrantz]

 

[DB9]

It's a shame comedies like this are consigned to the bin because they're "Un PC" I realise different times but they were and are still funny.

 

[Oldsmobile-88]

It's a shame comedies like this are consigned to the bin because they're "Un PC" I realise different times but they were and are still funny.

Yep...The past is a different country

 

[Alistair20000]

Yep...The past is a different country…

….they do things differently there

 

[DB9]

Yep...The past is a different country

Too bloody true Olds, I'm not saying all was great back then but back then comedies like AYBS were watched by millions, Had inuendo jokes, A camp salesperson but it was comedy, Watched by the WHOLE family, Not a social documentary that some think was all bad.

 

[Rosencrantz]

Comedy, much like any art form, has always evolved. Much like every art form though, whilst fashions and tastes come and go, quality endures. But comedy, much like everything else is a product of it's time.

As for a comedy with innuendo that the whole family can watch, they are still out there, such as Ghosts for example. If anything, it isn't so much comedy that has changed, but TV itself. What used to be important was mass ratings. With so much channel choice now, it's as much what demographic rather than how many watch which goes for all genres.

 

[DB9]

Comedy, much like any art form, has always evolved. Much like every art form though, whilst fashions and tastes come and go, quality endures. But comedy, much like everything else is a product of it's time.

As for a comedy with innuendo that the whole family can watch, they are still out there, such as Ghosts for example. If anything, it isn't so much comedy that has changed, but TV itself. What used to be important was mass ratings. With so much channel choice now, it's as much what demographic rather than how many watch which goes for all genres.

You're right Rosey things do evolve but these and other comedies of the 60's/70's/80's are castigated by people for being "Un-PC" Other art forms are loved like music genres, fashion, Art itself but with TV shows people are quick to put down them. Understand people do not watch TV as i did when younger and 20 million viewers for a comedy is unheard of today but the way these shows are seen as bad is so unfair.