Are You Being Served? (1972-1985)

Are You Being Served? is a BBC sitcom conceived and written by David Croft (who also directed several episodes) and Jeremy Lloyd, with assistance from Michael Knowles and John Chapman. The sitcom, set in London, depicts the escapades and blunders of the retail ladies' and gentlemen's clothes departments of the flagship department store of a fictional company named Grace Brothers. The BBC aired the program for 10 seasons, totaling 69 episodes between September 8, 1972, and April 1, 1985 - and featured five Christmas specials. There was also a 1977 film, a spin-off series Grace & Favor in 1991–1992, and a one-off episode with a fresh cast in 2016.

Few sitcoms have as many laughs as Are You Being Served? This hilarious parody of British class strife and stuffy 1970s department stores couldn't have come at a better time. The Rolling Stones were dominating the charts, Britain was experiencing a significant political shift, and the old ways appeared to be dying slowly.

Grace Brothers' workforce, on the other hand, was not ready to go down without a fight. To comic effect, they spent just as much time ripping on one other as they did ripping off their clients. Even today, the physical humor and hilarious sexual double entendres are comedic folklore.

Detailed information:
Directed by: David Croft, Bernard Thompson, Harold Snoad
Starring: Mollie Sugden, Trevor Bannister, Frank Thornton, John Inman, Wendy Richard, Arthur Brough
Running time: 30 minutes