Fractured Britcoms Trivia Quiz

Answer: Porridge

Other titles originally suggested were "Stir" and "Bird", which, like porridge, are both nicknames for serving a prison sentence. This seventies British classic set in a prison was said to be quite popular in real prisons.

It was written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais who helped adjust the scripts for the less successful US version, called "On the Rocks".

Answer: Fawlty Towers

When "Fawlty Towers" first aired in 1975 it did not get a universally warm response. The viewing figures took time to rise, and some reviews were scathing. It wasn't until its repeat showing in 1976 that it was a big hit. Despite this, it spent the next few decades topping various 'Best Comedy' lists and viewers' polls, and is often cited by comedy writers as a masterclass in sitcom writing.

In retaliation to one bad review, John Cleese and Connie Booth named a guest after the reviewer: Richard Ingrams. Ingrams-the-guest was the one who was caught in his room with an inflatable doll.

Richard Ingrams had written in The Spectator: "I've been bellyaching, ever since I started writing this column, about the low standard of the programmes. I have been told by friends and acquaintances, 'Ah! But have you seen Fawlty Towers? You'll enjoy that!'...Well, last Sunday I finally watched the bally thing and I am gratified to report that I didn't laugh once. What is more I found Fawlty Towers, like its predecessor Monty Python, rather nasty...When Cleese is involved I detect traces of sadism. The continuing battle between Mr and Mrs Fawlty is obsessive and the sound of a man shouting at the top of his voice for half an hour is bound to become boring..." and "Mr John Cleese and his comedy series Fawlty Towers returned to our screens on Monday. Once again I sat through it all stony-faced."

Answer: Butterflies

This sitcom ran from 1978 to 1983 and during that time it sat consistently on top of the BBC's 'most watched' list. It was written by Carla Lane who also wrote the hit sitcoms "The Liver Birds", "Bread" and "Bless This House".

The main storyline was a will-she-won't-she epic, with Ria (devoted but bored housewife and under-appreciated mother) meeting Leonard (wealthy single businessman) for secret walks in the park and temptation. Ria would then chastely or guiltily rush home to serve dinner to her grown-up family, always with unerring inability to cook. Her husband and sons would usually have to ask what the food on their plates was, and her sauces never flowed, or as her son put it, "Another slice of gravy, Dad?"

Answer: Waiting for God

The BBC originally broadcast this for five series from 1990-94. Set in a retirement home, it starred Stephanie Cole and Graham Crowden as the unwilling residents who refused to 'act their age', and took every chance to rebel against the home and their families. The title is a twist on Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot".

Veteran actor Graham Crowden made a career of playing eccentric characters and was offered the role of the fourth Doctor Who (eventually played by Tom Baker) but turned it down; he appeared opposite Baker as a chilling villain instead. He also appeared briefly in "Porridge" as a doctor.

Also a veteran actor, Stephanie Cole first became well-known for the drama series "Tenko" but she also starred as a regular difficult customer in the sitcom "Open All Hours" as well as starring in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom "Cabin Pressure" alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.

Answer: To The Manor Born

"To The Manor Born" was commissioned by the BBC as a vehicle for its star Penelope Keith who was then playing Margot in "The Good Life". It originally ran for three series from 1979 to 1981.

The writer, Peter Spence, already had a rough idea for a displaced lady of the manor comedy, but it was only when he saw Keith playing Margot that he was able to start writing it. He says: "My thought was, what would Margot be like if she actually was all she pretended to be? The answer was, of course, Audrey fforbes-Hamilton."

Answer: Goodnight Sweetheart

Originally broadcast from 1993 to 1999 on the BBC, this sitcom was about a man who discovered a time portal by mistake and was able to travel between modern day London and World War II London.

Nicholas Lyndhurst starred. He most famously played Rodney in "Only Fools and Horses", but also was one of the sons in "Butterflies", Fletch's son in "Going Straight" (the sequel to "Porridge"), and has several other sitcoms under his belt as well as lead roles in TV dramas.

Answer: Citizen Smith

Originally shown between 1977 and 1980, "Citizen Smith" was about a young would-be Marxist rebel, Wolfie, who set up his own revolutionary group (the Tooting Popular Front), which met in his bedroom or local pub, and only had two other members, his best friends. Most of the comedy came from their hilarious ineffectual attempts at revolution.

The writer, John Sullivan, got a job moving scenery backstage at the BBC just to learn the business and so that he could find the right contact to read his scripts. Unlike Wolfie, his plan worked perfectly, and Sullivan went on to write the enormously successful "Only Fools and Horses".

Answer: Keeping Up Appearances

Originally broadcast between 1990 and 1995, this comedy about the socially pretentious Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) was written and created by Roy Clarke whose other writing projects include (amongst others) "Last of the Summer Wine" and "Open All Hours".

The decision to stop making the show came down to Patricia Routledge who played Mrs Bucket (pronounced Bouquet!). She wanted to avoid being remembered for one role only. Routledge has had a long and distinguished theatre career, winning a Tony award in 1968, and an Olivier award in 1988, as well as a varied and successful screen career in drama and comedy. After Hyacinth, she went on to play the title role in the detective series "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates".

Answer: Father Ted

This comedy about three Irish priests was originally broadcast from 1995 to 1998 on Channel 4. It ended after three series when both Dermot Morgan (Father Ted) and the writers (Matthews and Linehan) decided they wanted to stop on a high and they were all eager to move on with other projects. Tragically, Dermot Morgan died of a heart attack just one day after filming the very last episode. His funeral was attended by the President of Ireland as well as many other Irish dignitaries and there is a memorial to him in Merrion Square, Dublin.

"Father Ted" has a strong fan-base, some of whom run the Friends of Father Ted festival, also known as Ted Fest. The festival began in 2007 and takes place on the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway, in the West of Ireland. Past festival events have included Hide-a-Nun-and-Seek, a Lovely Girls competition, Ludo Aerobics, and Buckaroo Speed Dating!

Answer: Bottom

Broadcast on BBC between 1991 and 1995, this sitcom was written by and starred Ade Edmondson and Rik Mayall who have worked together throughout their careers, starting as "The Dangerous Brothers", then as Vyvyan and Rik in "The Young Ones" as well as their other sitcoms "Filthy Rich and Catflap" and "Mr Jolly Lives Next Door".

All their work presents variations on the same two comedic characters with varying degrees of violence, rudeness and depravity. In Spain the programme title ("La pareja basura") translates as "The Trash Couple".