David Croft
Director
Are You Being Served? (1972)
Series 1
This comedy series, which follows the exploits of employees at London's fictional "Grace Brothers" department store, is full of sexual innuendo, slapstick, visual gags, and double entendres. Much of the show's humor parodies Britain's class system, and many of the show's characters are based on stereotypes of the period, including the effeminate Mr. Humphries and the rich, but stingy, store owner.
Released Sept. 8, 1972
Episode 30 min
13+
Genres: Comedy
Keywords: tmdb.department-store, tmdb.camp, tmdb.sitcom, tmdb.workplace-comedy, imdb.faux-posh-accent, imdb.malapropism, imdb.cockney-accent + 52 more, imdb.sexual-innuendo, imdb.innuendo, imdb.retail-employee, imdb.retail, imdb.british-sitcom, imdb.traditionalism, imdb.old-fashioned, imdb.customer, imdb.unseen-character, imdb.department-store-salesgirl, imdb.wit, imdb.rich-old-man, imdb.male-chauvinism, imdb.insult, imdb.clothing-store, imdb.class-system, imdb.raunchy-comedy, imdb.store, imdb.department-store, imdb.double-entendre, imdb.workplace, imdb.workplace-comedy, imdb.london-england, imdb.womanizer, imdb.stereotype, imdb.sexism, imdb.satire, imdb.irony, imdb.england, imdb.breaking-the-fourth-wall, imdb.old-man, imdb.satire-comedy, imdb.laugh-track, imdb.1970s, imdb.1980s, imdb.gay-actor-plays-a-gay-character, imdb.sitcom-comedy, imdb.punctuation-in-title, imdb.senility, imdb.catchphrase, imdb.clothing, imdb.are-you-being-served, imdb.gay-stereotype, imdb.employer-employee-relationship, imdb.coworker-coworker-relationship, imdb.gay-interest, imdb.20th-century, imdb.farce, imdb.title-spoken-by-character, imdb.gay-actor-gay-character, tmdb.lgbt, tmdb.gay-theme
Watch Providers: BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel, Britbox Apple TV Channel
Production Companies: BBC
Network: BBC One
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
S1E1 - Are You Being Served? (Pilot)
A reorganization within the store forces the staff of the gentlemen's ready-to-wear department to share their floor space with the Ladies' Department. Mrs. Slocombe, head of the Ladies, and Mr. Grainger, head of the Gents, immediately come to loggerheads over control of the center floor display. Mr. Grainger refuses to take down his trousers and put Mrs. Slocombe's underwear in its place. Undaunted, she goes over his head to Captain Peacock, and then to Mr. Rumbold.
Sept. 8, 1972, midnight
S1E2 - Dear Sexy Knickers...
Mr. Lucas attempts to send Miss Brahms a love letter suggesting an after-work "get it together". Confusion on who sent the letter and to whom it was intended sets the stage for a lot of misunderstanding. There's also the customers to contend with and Mr. Lucas has a devil of a time fitting them into clothing.
March 21, 1973, midnight
S1E3 - Our Figures Are Slipping
The Department figures have taken a dive and so Mr. Rumbold decides to convene a sales conference amongst the staff. Since the meeting is taking place after hours and off the clock, no one is very motivated to provide any solutions. If something isn't done, someone might lose their job, and that someone is clearly Mr. Lucas.
March 28, 1973, midnight
S1E4 - Camping In
A transport strike leaves the staff stranded at the store, so Young Mr. Grace offers to let them spend the night on the floor. Tents are set up, but Mr. Lucas has trouble keeping his up. A "campfire" sing along leads to talk of the last World War and the experiences some of them had.
April 4, 1973, midnight
S1E5 - His and Hers
Mr. Grainger's trousers are missing, along with the central display. The staff learns that the space was freed up for the "His & Hers" fragrance display. Mrs. Slocombe is outraged that they went her to take down her underwear and put perfume there in its place. The glamorous salesgirl causes stirrings in the trouser department. When it's discovered that free stockings and ties are given out with every scent purchase, both departments formulate a plan to oust the intruder.
April 11, 1973, midnight
S1E6 - Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend
It's pay day at Grace Brothers and the staff realize that their money just doesn't go very far. An opportunity for a bonus arises when a customer loses a diamond and offers a £100 reward. Greed gets the better of everyone, except Mr. Grainger, and soon they're conspiring behind each others backs. Mr. Mash throws a wrench in the search after he damages a jeweled dress, causing a multitude of "diamonds" within the department.
April 18, 1973, midnight
Network: BBC One
Episode Runtime: 30 min.
Season Runtime: 2070 min.
Released: Sept. 8, 1972
Last Air Date: April 1, 1985, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-PG
Common sense age: 13+
Rate this show
Add {Movie} to static lists