British Sitcoms Trivia Quiz

Answer: 'Absolutely Fabulous'

"Absolutely Fabulous" started as a sketch in the "French and Saunders" sketch show with Dawn French playing the part of Jennifer Saunders' daughter, a role later played by Julia Sawalha. The show is set in the world of fashion magazines and PR. The show was first broadcast in 1992.

Answer: 'Are You Being Served?'

"Are You Being Served?" is an unusual British sitcom in that it is also very popular in USA. It is set on the fictional Grace Brothers store and its undoubted star is John Inman as the camp menswear assistant, Mr Humphries. It also starred Molly Sugden as Mrs Slocombe. The show ran from 1972 to 1984 and a movie was released in 1977.

Answer: 'Rising Damp'

"Rising Damp" was set in a northern boarding house and told the story of obnoxious landlord Rigsby and his tenants, most of whom he hated. The only one he had a soft spot for was Miss Jones. His many attempts at wooing her always failed miserably. The show ran from 1974 to 1978.

Answer: 'Till Death Us Do Part'

One of the most monstrous TV characters ever was the star of "Till Death Us Do Part", the truly horrendous Alf Garnett. He was a bigot, sexist and foul mouthed. His son-in-law was played by Anthony Booth who is the father of Cherie Blair, wife of Tony Blair.

The series crossed over to USA and was turned into "All in the Family", Archie Bunker being the American Alf Garnett. It ran from 1966 to 1974.

Answer: 'The Young Ones'

Only 12 episodes of this show were made and it was very much a product of the alternative comedy movement in the early 80's. It was anarchic and a lot of the time made little sense. The show was about four students, Rick, Vyvyan, Neil and Mike who shared a house. It ran from 1982 to 1984.

Answer: 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'

This series starred Leonard Rossiter as Reggie Perrin, a middle aged man living a suburban life but heading for a mid life crisis. C.J. was his boss and seemed to have a saying for every eventuality! Doc Morrisey was the doctor where Reggie worked, but he didn't seem to know much about medicine! An American version was made, "Reggie" starring Richard Mulligan. "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" ran from 1976 to 1979.

Answer: 'Fawlty Towers'

Only 12 episodes of this show were made and it took John Cleese and his then wife, Connie Booth, who played waitress Polly, six weeks to write each episode. The show was set in a hotel in the English seaside town of Torquay and Cleese played the truly awful hotel owner/manager. The Spanish waiter Manuel, who didn't understand much English, was played by Andrew Sachs.

Answer: 'Father Ted'

20 shows were made in this series. It was set on Craggy Island somewhere off the Irish coast. It featured the adventures of three priests who lived together and were looked after by their housekeeper, Mrs Doyle. Father Ted was the leader of the house, Father Dougal was the naive, silly priest and Father Jack was always the worse for drink! Sadly Dermot Morgan, who played Father Ted, died at the age of 45.

The show ran from 1995 to 1998.

Answer: 'Hi De Hi'

One of many shows written by David Croft and Jimmy Perry. This was set in the great British institution of holiday camps in the 1960s. Ted Bovis was the camp host and was always doing dodgy deeds. My Partridge was the childrens entertainer, but he hated kids. The show ran from 1980 to 1989.

Answer: 'It Ain't Half Hot, Mum'

A David Croft and Jimmy Perry show set in steamy India during the Second World War, it featured the adventures of a Royal Artillery Concert Party. Lofty Sugden and Gloria Beaumont were both members of the party, Gloria being so called because he always dressed as a woman for the shows! The series ran from 1974 to 1981.