Are You Being Served? (1972)
The classic BBC sitcom that turned a fictional London department store into one of television comedy's most beloved and enduring institutions.
Are You Being Served? - Series Information
- Original Title: Are You Being Served?
- First Air Year: 1972
- Last Air Year: 1985
- Created by: David Croft, Jeremy Lloyd
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 10
- Number of Episodes: 69
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 8, 1972 (United States - TV-PG), September 8, 1972 (Canada - PG), September 8, 1972 (United Kingdom - 12), September 8, 1972 (Australia - PG)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, Netherlands
Are You Being Served? - Plot
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.
Are You Being Served? - Trailer
Check out a clip from the series to get a taste of the comedy at Grace Brothers.
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Are You Being Served? - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- David Croft
- Jeremy Lloyd
Main Cast
- Frank Thornton
- John Inman
- Mollie Sugden
- Wendy Richard
- Nicholas Smith
- Harold Bennett
- Arthur English
- Trevor Bannister
- Arthur Brough
- Vivienne Johnson
Writers
- David Croft
- Jeremy Lloyd
Are You Being Served? - FAQs
What made Are You Being Served? so popular?
The show's irresistible mix of double entendres, slapstick, and affectionate class satire gave it a broad, multigenerational appeal. Characters like the flamboyant Mr. Humphries and the imperious Mrs. Slocombe became genuine British icons, and the ensemble's comic chemistry kept audiences coming back across 13 years and 10 series.
Is Are You Being Served? based on a true story?
Co-creator Jeremy Lloyd drew directly from his own experience working on the shop floor at Simpson's of Piccadilly and Selfridges in London. The rigid staff hierarchies, eccentric colleagues, and departmental rivalries he witnessed there became the raw material for Grace Brothers and its unforgettable cast of characters.
Where can you stream Are You Being Served?
You can stream Are You Being Served? on BritBox, available directly or through the BritBox Apple TV Channel and the BritBox Amazon Channel, all on a subscription basis. It's a great destination for fans of classic British comedy looking to revisit or discover the series.
Who played Mrs. Slocombe and what was her catchphrase?
Mollie Sugden played the magnificently coiffed Mrs. Betty Slocombe, senior saleswoman in the ladies' department. Her running gag about her cat — always introduced with the line "And I'm unanimous in that" — became one of British sitcom's most quoted and fondly remembered recurring jokes.
How was Are You Being Served? received by critics?
Critical opinion was famously divided. Some reviewers dismissed the show's reliance on innuendo and stereotypes, while audiences voted with their remote controls, making it one of the BBC's most-watched comedies of the 1970s and 1980s. Its enduring international syndication — particularly in the United States — cemented its cult status.
Did Are You Being Served? win any awards?
The series was nominated for BAFTA awards during its run, reflecting its prominence in British television comedy. While it didn't accumulate a trophy cabinet to rival some contemporaries, its lasting cultural footprint — including a 2016 BBC revival and decades of international reruns — speaks to an influence that outlasted many award-winning rivals.
Are there any spin-offs or related series to Are You Being Served?
Yes — the Grace Brothers staff headed to the countryside in Grace & Favour (1992–1993), a direct sequel series. The BBC also produced a one-off revival episode in 2016 as part of its sitcom revival strand. A stage musical adaptation has toured the UK, keeping the brand alive for new generations of fans.
What shows are similar to Are You Being Served?
Fans of the show tend to enjoy Still Open All Hours, the spiritual successor to another classic BBC retail comedy. Barney Miller and Bosom Buddies offer a similar workplace ensemble warmth from across the Atlantic. For a modern take on department store comedy, the NBC series Superstore captures much of the same chaotic charm.
More About Are You Being Served?
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.