Porridge reboot universally slammed by viewers for 'killing the memory of a classic' as prison sitcom returns to screens
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The reboot of Porridge has been universally slammed by viewers for 'killing the memory of a classic'.
The prison sitcom returned to screens tonight with Kevin Bishop starring as Nigel Norman Fletcher, the grandson of Ronnie Baker's iconic character, Norman Stanley Fletcher.
The modern-day revamp of the 70s hit has been commissioned for a full six episode run, following the success of the one-off special.
But fans of the original series were in agreement that the new series did not come close to living up to its predecessor.
(Image: BBC)
(Image: BBC)
The first episode, The Go-Between, saw Fletch helping his fellow inmates with appeals and letters home in his 'Friday clinic'.
But viewers couldn't understand why he appeared to be the only prisoner that could write.
Things got complicated for Fletch when Barry's girlfriend came to visit, but his escapades weren't as popular as his grandad's.
(Image: BBC Studios)
Porridge viewers took to Twitter to air their views on the new series.
One viewer said: "No no no BBC what are you doing. #porridge awful. Killing the memory of a classic. @BBCOne "
Another added: "Honestly a little disgusted they've tried to reboot #Porridge . What is this absolute shower?"
A third said: "A remake of #Porridge on @BBCOne - no, no, no and just no. Beckinsale and Barker were this show. This is a lame ghost of a brilliant comedy."
(Image: BBC)
Speaking last year, Kevin Bishop revealed this is a personal career highlight after the revamp was picked up for a full series.
He said: “It was an honour to be asked to play Fletch although I never thought it would go further than just the one off homage.
"To be welcomed back by Porridge fans and the BBC to make a full series, is one of the proudest moments in my career.
Speaking of the show's original creators, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, he added: "Dick and Ian are true sitcom masters and I know they're going to write a brilliant series."
(Image: BBC)
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The special episode saw Fletch just about manage to stay on the right side of prison hard case Richie Weeks, while narrowly escaping the attentions of wily Officer Meekie.
Whether he'll be able to keep them at bay for a whole series is another matter entirely.
BBC's Comedy Commissioner, Shane Allen, said: “The Landmark Sitcom Season was a big, celebratory moment for BBC comedy and signalled our unrivalled commitment to the art form. For the BBC One revivals, with the blessing of comedy writing royalty, we got to see some old friends in new guises, and by championing contemporary voices in the New On Two strand, we made new friends along the way.
“The audience reaction to the Season has been overwhelming, with well over 50 million viewers tuning in across the run, so I’m very pleased to announce three series commissions coming out of it, which demonstrate the range, ambition and quality of BBC comedy.
"With Porridge we have two writing legends putting a modern spin on their masterpiece, proving that their fingers are very much still on the comedy pulse.”
* Porridge airs on Fridays on BBC One at 9.30pm