Are You Being Served? was on for years; and, for good reason. It's filled with wonderful characters, played by incredibly talented actors, who were able to elevate some rather old jokes and repetitive plots. You could forgive the groaners because the cast had such impeccable timing.
The show features a microcosm of socio-economic status, via the pecking order of the staff. As such, it presents humor form several points of view, though its sentiments seem to be decidedly traditional and a tad conservative.
The show had a lot of great moments; but, it's real strength lay in the characters and actors. Molly Sugden is the haughty Mrs. Slocombe, who betrays her origins when she gets angry and via her malapropisms. She's a lonely woman who isn't adverse to a bit of fun, though she is more than a bit snooty (most likely out of jealousy). Wendy Richards is the cheeky Cockney Miss Brahms, the junior associate in the Ladies Department, forever the object of the male characters and more than a little sarky. Frank Thornton is the imperious Capt. Peacock, a man whose legendary military career is more fantasy than fact. He floats between the worlds of the workers and management, his allegiances constantly changing, depending on what he has to gain. John Inman is the improbable Mr. Humphries, who is neither one way nor another, though he is certainly not ordinary. Arthur Borough is Mr Grainger, the slightly grumpy head of the Men's Department. He tends to be there to react more than the rest of the characters and would eventually depart the series (and passed away soon after). Trevor Bannister is the less than stellar Mr Lucas, who lusts after the birds and avoids work as much as possible. Bannister would also depart the series and his loss was keenly felt. Nicholas Smith is the manager of the floor, Mr Rumbold, a rather ineffective leader, though he gets a few good moments, usually putting Capt Peacock in his place. he also gets a few sexy secretaries, from time to time. Harold Bennett was the wonderfully dirty old man who owns the store. Benentt was a late comer to acting and had tremendous comedic timing. His presence is greatly missed in the later series. In later years, the cast would be joined by James Hayter (Mr Tibbs), Alfie Bass (Mr Goldberg), Milo Sperber (Mr Grossman) and Benny Lee (Mr Klein) in attempts to replace Mr Grainger. They eventually gave up and made Mr Humphries the senior salesman, and added Mike Berry, as Mr Spooner, to be the junior and take up the role of cheeky young man.
The show probably stayed on too long; but, the characters became old friends and you tended to forgive the worn out jokes and plots. In fact, the characters became so familiar you could often anticipate the punchline. Regardless, you were happy to see your old friends.
The show became a staple on PBS, as it is genuinely funny, well acted, and not too adult or too juvenile. It's bawdy enough to give you a chuckle but never enough to really offend you, though a few of the more insulting elements are usually cut out in US broadcasts (such as a couple of episodes featuring actors in blackface).
This series is loads of fun and won't disappoint.
The show features a microcosm of socio-economic status, via the pecking order of the staff. As such, it presents humor form several points of view, though its sentiments seem to be decidedly traditional and a tad conservative.
The show had a lot of great moments; but, it's real strength lay in the characters and actors. Molly Sugden is the haughty Mrs. Slocombe, who betrays her origins when she gets angry and via her malapropisms. She's a lonely woman who isn't adverse to a bit of fun, though she is more than a bit snooty (most likely out of jealousy). Wendy Richards is the cheeky Cockney Miss Brahms, the junior associate in the Ladies Department, forever the object of the male characters and more than a little sarky. Frank Thornton is the imperious Capt. Peacock, a man whose legendary military career is more fantasy than fact. He floats between the worlds of the workers and management, his allegiances constantly changing, depending on what he has to gain. John Inman is the improbable Mr. Humphries, who is neither one way nor another, though he is certainly not ordinary. Arthur Borough is Mr Grainger, the slightly grumpy head of the Men's Department. He tends to be there to react more than the rest of the characters and would eventually depart the series (and passed away soon after). Trevor Bannister is the less than stellar Mr Lucas, who lusts after the birds and avoids work as much as possible. Bannister would also depart the series and his loss was keenly felt. Nicholas Smith is the manager of the floor, Mr Rumbold, a rather ineffective leader, though he gets a few good moments, usually putting Capt Peacock in his place. he also gets a few sexy secretaries, from time to time. Harold Bennett was the wonderfully dirty old man who owns the store. Benentt was a late comer to acting and had tremendous comedic timing. His presence is greatly missed in the later series. In later years, the cast would be joined by James Hayter (Mr Tibbs), Alfie Bass (Mr Goldberg), Milo Sperber (Mr Grossman) and Benny Lee (Mr Klein) in attempts to replace Mr Grainger. They eventually gave up and made Mr Humphries the senior salesman, and added Mike Berry, as Mr Spooner, to be the junior and take up the role of cheeky young man.
The show probably stayed on too long; but, the characters became old friends and you tended to forgive the worn out jokes and plots. In fact, the characters became so familiar you could often anticipate the punchline. Regardless, you were happy to see your old friends.
The show became a staple on PBS, as it is genuinely funny, well acted, and not too adult or too juvenile. It's bawdy enough to give you a chuckle but never enough to really offend you, though a few of the more insulting elements are usually cut out in US broadcasts (such as a couple of episodes featuring actors in blackface).
This series is loads of fun and won't disappoint.