Shark Bytes

Arthur Brough, the actor for Mr. Grainger, lost his wife in 1978, so he retired. A few weeks later, he himself passed away. The show was definately not the same without him. RIP, Arthur.

One of my all time favorite shows beyond a doubt. But not really the same after the loss of Mr. Grainger. I know he died so he couldn't very well help it but after he left, and Mr. Lucas decided to chuck it in, the show seemed to lose its heart.

I really like this show too. I've seen just about every episode of it by now. the "Dear Sexy Knickers" one that someone mentioned before is one of my favorites. also the one called "Do you take this, man?" (I think that's the title of it?) I especially thought it was funny when they would get into weird costumes. and even though I have a hard time understanding British accents, I always somehow manage to grasp things even without understanding all the dialogue. (because of the slapstick, pratfalls, misunderstandings, etc.) that's true on any of the British sitcoms on PBS - especially "Keeping up appearances" and "One Foot in the grave"

Obviously, Ed, you have no culture or class. This is one of the BEST shows ever. It still makes me laugh out loud, and the fact that it's still as funny now as it was when it was originally broadcast, speaks volumes. Perhaps, Ed, you're happier with American Gladiators, or Spike TV? That seems more your speed.. As well as mental capability? And.. I'm not 90.. I'm more than half that age!

Ed Whitson:
What you have posted is quite possibly the DUMBEST comment I heard on this forum. PBS should be canned because cable has "better" shows? Where else are we going to listen to classical music and watch educational programming such as nature documentaries? Or are you just a shill for the cable companies who happens to hate public access television? You are further proof that society is losing respect for culture. It's truly saddening.

What's the matter, Ed? Is British humor too sophisticated and not extreme enough for you? Relax. If you feel that AYBS is too icky for you, just change the channel from PBS to some reality show where an unfaithful spouse attached to a polygraph tells everyone with a TV set that she cheated on her one and only. Or, maybe you could watch a sitcom that has gone bad, since it's been forced to air for too long. There's even lots of shows that are poorly written, since they exist only to be disgusting or offensive. If that fails to tickle your fancy, there's lots of shows out there that are anything but sophisticated.

And by the way, I'm not 90...I'm in my mid 20's.

Oh, my God, is this an awful show! This one of those terrible 'Britcoms' PBS bought as a package in the 1980s because they were cheap filler. 'Are You Being Served?' seems determined to linger around like a bad smell.

The fact that this show is STILL being broadcast is further proof that, in this age of cable, PBS is no longer necessary.

Anyone who likes this show has to be at least 90 years old.

Hilarious! Comes very close to matching the hilarity of Monty Python. Love the double entendres.

I thought the show had a series of little JTS's beginning w/ Mash leaving, but I never saw them as really that bad. Only the 1981 season where half the cast changes in front of your eyes felt really forced. It's still a great show, and even though it had dropped down a few levels since the beginning it was still o.k. in my book at the end.

I really like this show. "A glass of water for Mr. Grainger". "Are you free?" Mr. Humphreys sporting a deep voice when he'd answer the phone to say, "Menswear". Mrs. Slocomb's many hair colors. It was a funny show. It definitely jumped the shark with Mr. Lucas left and young Mr. Grace was replaced by old Mr. Grace. It just didn't have that same appeal to me.

This will always be one of my all time favorite shows!

I have no favorite episode, as each episode is my favorite.

I bought the complete series on DVD, and they get played to death.

I give this series 5- thumbs up!!!!

This used to be a neat site to come read what people think about shows I remember from my childhood, and some I watch today.

The "invasion" of all the adverts is disappointing. But I guess you have to pay the hosting bills somehow. Still, is it really necessary for people to stick ads with web links for airline tickets and what not into the comments?!

One of the best comedy series ever! Especially seasons 1-4. Such memorable episodes: Coffee Morning, German Week, Forward, Mr. Grainger, Camping In.
Loved Grainger, Humphries (God bless John Inman) and Mr. Mash. The sex pot caravan of "dumb blond" secretaries were all easy on the eyes. And the double entendre lines, especially about Mrs. Slocum's cat, were pricless. Great fun!

I absolutely love "Are you being served?" british sitcom. Even though it ran from 1972 to 1985, there are only 69 episodes. While each episode is funny, I must say that for me the departure of Mr. Lucas and Mr. Grainger made the show jump the shark. Virtually every episode with Mr. Lucas is priceless. There was no smooth transition between the actors but rather abrupt change. Mr. Spooner was awful, he did not belong in that show at all. I think that they wanted to make him Mr. Lucas but his character just wasn't funny at all. Various replacements for Mr. Grainger were not bad actors but they just didn't live up to the level of Mr. Grainger. And, of course, the departure of Young Mr. Grace didn't help either. I think part of the problem with this sitcom is that they only made 5 to 6 episodes a year which can be tough for the cast to get back into their characters after such long breaks between each episode.

hey just new and wanted to say hi.

all have a great day!

Nic