American Reacts to Rising Damp S01 E01

[@garyrichardson8934]

When I watch this and Porridge I can't help reflecting on the tragedy of Richard Beckinsale's passing at the age of just 31.

[@Seagull6819]

Agreed. When I think about David Jason working with Ronnie Barker and how much he learnt from that brilliant man, I also think of Richard Beckinsale having not only worked with Ronnie, but the superb Leonard Rossiter as well. I genuinely think Richard would have had a career as great as David’s, maybe even better. How proud too would he have been of his daughter, Kate.

[@juliadoherty83]

@@Seagull6819 Also his eldest daughter, Samantha. She's her Dad's doppelganger.

[@mermaidman1985]

@Tony Halsall She's definitley got his sense of humour.

[@mariahoulihan9483]

I am the same. Everytime I see something with him in. He was a lovely actor.

[@Suve35967]

@Tony Halsall We grew up watching him

[@thebolsta]

Shows like this were scripted to highlight the stupidity of racial prejudice. They were never intended to promote those opinions. You find 100% of the time that the character flaws are ridiculed by the rest of the cast, and that the protagonist always falls foul, one way or another.

[@garyrichardson8934]

@Sam Shroom ~ Love thy neighbour was very similar. The wives got on well together, but the two men couldn't stand each other. Eddie was ridiculed in every episode for being racist and bigoted. Every week he was the one left with egg on his face

[@StuartJ]

Alf Garnett springs to mind. Another great show.

[@loafersheffield]

I've just started to read a book. "On race and culture" - Thomas Sowell. It was recommended to me. Very thought provoking.

[@KeplersDream]

Warren Mitchell, while playing Alf Garnett, once remarked about an incident when some idiot passed him in the street and basically congratulated him for taking the piss out of the (racial slurs). Warren cut him down by saying "No, mate, you missed the point. I'm taking the piss out of people like you".

[@Tyrconnell]

@@KeplersDream And that was eventually why Mitchell started to hate playing Alf. He ended up being a hero for the racists he was aiming to lampoon. It's a fine line to tread and sadly audiences missed the point far too often.

[@bpfromowc]

Rising damp is very funny. The comedy timing of Leonard Rossiter (Rigsby) is the stuff of legend. ✌️🙂

[@mariahoulihan9483]

my favourite and a MUST SEE is Rigsby boxing.. lol.. it was comic genius.. that and him thinking he had thrown Vienna into the boiler. lol.

[@bpfromowc]

@@mariahoulihan9483 Yes, the boxing episode is golden.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

Rigsby and Reggie Perrin were 2 of the funniest comedy characters of the 70’s.

[@tinamiles9328]

Brilliant actor loved him in the two episodes of Steptoe HE WAS IN and of course The life and times of Reginald Perrin , but he will always be LOVINGLY remembered as RIGSBY . LEONARD AND RICHARD worked so well together and each had total respect for each other

[@TheHandsomeman]

Coz, he's scouse!

[@Uvray]

This show gets better and better as the series went on. My favourite 70s sitcom of all time. Some of the kids these days consider these shows to be racist - what they don't seem to get is no one was laughing at the racism - we were laughing because Rigsby the racist is the idiot. But the writing by Eric Chappell and the acting is superb. Leonard Rossiter and Richard Beckinsale both died young but Frances de la Tour (Ruth) and Don Warrington (Philip) have both gone on to highly successful careers in television. They're both fantastic actors.

[@twatinahatsmith7428]

Same with Love Thy Neighbour.

[@booth2710]

You';re right. It does get better as it goes along, Hilarious in fact, The first episode is just a settling in episode,

[@Soccerates]

In Sickness and in Health, same thing. Warren Mitchell was a genius actor.

[@ghughesarch]

@@twatinahatsmith7428 No, Love Thy Neighbour was never clever or funny.

[@KnightmareUSA]

The only wild reactions I ever hear of are online.. on social media, who sometimes quote the main media (a media that may match their consumer base with similar political opinions and disgust at certain content, themselves quoting loud online opinion). It's a never ending cycle of influence that conditions younger generations. People may not care what the intention or context is within a tv show. Some would rather it was cancelled and considered taboo purely because it might influence the worst of society by being interpreted in the wrong manner. Either that or because the sense of power and satisfaction in being able to influence what a public and main news find acceptable by gaining sheep like followers who agree with you may be a great one. A great ego booster. No company wants negative press about a show they've developed or aired. The loudest online however are probably the same people who required toddler like safe spaces and teddy bears at university (read an article on the latter recently). The same people who claim certain shows as dated, are themselves not progressive in any way when they cannot discuss uncomfortable topics or allow opposing or questionionable views, real or fictional.

[@LaPOLEA]

Richard Beckinsale is the father of Kate Beckinsale best known for the underworld films, you will love this rising damp is a pure classic with brilliant actors and it's so well written.

[@goldylocks3904]

Also of the actress Samantha Beckinsale

[@LaPOLEA]

@@goldylocks3904 Yes, but I thought he wouldn't know who she was .

[@rosiehutchinson9333]

This reflects the bedsit land we had in the 1970's. One room that had bed, living and cooking in and the house had a shared bathroom. It is of course exaggerated but a lot of us have lived in places like this :)

[@eamonnclabby7067]

So true, Rosie !I had an awful bedsits in Dacre Hill in RockFerry ,here on the Wirral, ironically a stone's throw from where Leonard Rossiter grew up in Bebington...E

[@stephensmith4480]

@@eamonnclabby7067 I didn`t know he lived in Bebington, he was born in Smithdown Lane in Wavertree and he attended Granby Street school in Toxteth before he went to the Liverpool Colliegiate.

[@Muckylittleme]

My low came when looking for a flat in N Wales around 1980 when I was skint. It was a one room bedsit with an ancient stove and one very low watt bulb over a dozen small flies were circling. I passed. Even the homeless can have standards.

[@russcattell955i]

I lived in one also, just my father was the landlord. I called him Rigsby.

[@Muckylittleme]

@@russcattell955i LOL

[@daviddwyer5568]

If anyone other than Leonard Rossiter had played Rigsby then this show wouldn't have worked. He was a genius. If you watch any further episodes you will see how the others (but especially Phillip) use Rigsby's prejudices against him at every opportunity.

[@shadoman7682]

I would be interested to know what black Africans & Caribbean's thought of this show at the time, as back in the 1970's their were not many black people on TV. Then to have a show where one of the 4 main cast members was not only black African, but was smart, charismatic, witty & always came out on top. I know I look at this show through white eyes, but I don't ever remember any malice in the show, only jovial banter from all sides. You will get people today watch the show and probably be shocked and horrified, but if it were not for such comedies would public opinion be what it is today?

[@nekite1]

Philip (Don Warrington) absolutely owns Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter) throughout this series. Great writing for the time showing the absurdity of racism.

[@malcolmsleight9334]

Don Warrington play in Death in Paradise, a detective series set on a fictional island in the Caribbean.

[@thelastoftheanglosaxons.3724]

The same with Warren Mitchell as Alf garnet. You can see him on TV talking about his Jewish roots, playing a racist character. He was solely doing it to highlight the issue, something the younger generation can't understand today and instantly call it racist 🤷‍♂️

[@karenblackadder1183]

@@thelastoftheanglosaxons.3724 The P.C kids today seem to have had their chuckle muscles removed at birth. They will never understand that people were laughing AT the bigotry - NEVER with it!!!

[@thelastoftheanglosaxons.3724]

@@karenblackadder1183 Yep, my son is 13 and I show him this. He doesn't really laugh at that age because the comedy is really aimed at adults, but he understands how out of date it is.

[@paulmaxey6377]

Richard Beckinsale, such a sad loss of great talent. He is the father of Kate and Samantha Beckinsale and sadly died aged 31 from a massive heart attack. He starred in comedies such as this, The Lovers and Porridge.

[@CEP73]

Far far too young to go. Such a loss to his family and the acting profession.

[@markbelsom3174]

Not many comedy shows can beat Rising Damp, absolute classic.

[@musiclover9361]

Rising Damp was just brilliant. The Rigsby character was superbly delivered by the outstanding Leonard Rossiter.

[@DoctorAkikoFukuwara]

I love this show so much and how it deals with sensitive subjects. Rigsby is your typical "Little England" Tory who sees himself as a well-bred, well-educated, charismatic ladies man....even though he is nothing if the sort. Then Philip moves in, a man who embodies everything that Rigsby admires in an Englishman: • Well-educated • Well-spoken • Well-dressed • Well-connected • Charismatic • A hit with the ladies BUT....he just happens to be black. This forces the very prejudiced Rigsby to totally reasses his viewpoint on life, and a real bond of mutal respect is formed. It is a fantastic show, with a stellar cast of the most talented actors. Easily one of the best sitcoms the UK ever produced.

[@marklehuray1091]

He did some legendary Cinzano adverts with Joan Collins.

[@susanashcroft2674]

'Getting your head down sweetie' kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzNmpd7Zbyhd6s

[@henryhartley9993]

One of my all time favourite comedy's, it gets better every episode, the comic timing of Leonard Rossiter ( Rigsby) is incredible....

[@Maesterful]

This in my top 5 UK comedies of all time, glad you're watching it. Rigsby is a legend, RIP Leonard Rossiter he was amazing in the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

He did a short film called Le Petomaine, about a real 19th century music hall act who did anal impressions. Nobody else could have imbued such a ludicrous story with the dignity and pathos that Rossiter did.

[@stevenbrindley2469]

Another great comedy, great cast & characters, we were so lucky in the UK.

[@michaelcullen5308]

This comes from a time when television challenged people's attitudes, and acknowledged their flaws. Unfortunately TV creators now think you can solve problems by pretending everyone is perfect.

[@chrisparti]

In case you didn't know, Richard Bekinsale is Kate Bekinsale's (the actress) father..

[@MuckMan_Movies]

One of the best sitcoms of all time. Leonard Rossiter was a genius comedy actor. Did you know Richard Beckinsale was Kate Beckinsale's father but tragically died at a young age

[@themanftheworld8439]

Rising Damp first appeared on UK screens in the mid 1970s.Very funny.Classic comedy series.

[@watchreadplayretro]

Leonard was in 2001: A Space Odyssey lol playing a straight faced scientist near the start. After knowing this fact I burst out laughing at that serious point in 2001 each and every time! :D Great show and great reaction, thank you!

[@jemmajames6719]

Rising Damp is brilliant, your meant to laugh at Rigsby, Phillip always gets the better of him.

[@Handlebar-MustDash]

These are the shows that helped my young generation back then to realise the absurdity of racism, the writers did very well in showing that. Leonard Rossiter (Rigsby) and Don Warrington (Phillip) were very good friends and Don was devastated when 1st Richard Beckinsale died very young and then not long after, Leonard died relatively young in his 50's. The racism was the punchline not the comments.

[@martinhutton66]

Stick with it, it gets alot funnier, and less near the knuckle, Peace and Love ❤️🙏❤️

[@JohnGolf123]

Rising Damp is probably up there in the top five of greatest British sitcoms. Leonard Rossiter acting is on another level, and the chemistry between the characters gets better and better as it goes on. Basically, Rigsby spends all his time trying to woo Miss Jones, Whilst Alan and Philip become best friends, great characters come and go from the house, which leads to some classic comedy moments. I think you'll enjoy it seeing the characters develop.

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

It's a fascinating relationship between Philip and Rigsby. You can tell Rigsby envies so much about Philip but uses racist comments to disguise it.

[@andrewroberts299]

As you’ve probably realised by now, the actor playing Alan, is Richard Beckinsale, who also played Lenny Godber in Porridge!

[@StuartJ]

RIP died so young.

[@cgb1505]

And Kate Beckinsale's dad

[@leewot]

Geoffrey bobbles Bon- Bon

[@tripledistilled2822]

@@cgb1505 And Samantha Beckinsale!

[@cgb1505]

@@tripledistilled2822 very true

[@littlecente1133]

Mmy Dad told me how astonished he and his mates were to see a black man when they were kids - just astonished not hateful or any of that nonsense. The ironic thing is that Rigsby is the type of man who would have stood up for the black GIs at the battle of Bamber Bridge

[@highpath4776]

At school we had a smattering of mostly Africans, some from the West Indies, a whole variety from the clever to thick. If there was any racism, it tended to be from them, and as result of seeing how the black actors were scripted in these comedy shows. Didnt 'Roots' also air at the same time ? I cannot remember many when I was in college, maybe they did different things, though I met plenty over the years doing roles from nursing to art. My family moved to a mining village in the 1990s and my son, when he visited his grandma in London would say - 'There's a lot of black men in London', ( he also told me ' they talk funny in Liverpool' when we did a trip to that city for some shopping. !

[@1ofnone299]

Classic comedy series, I grew up watching this in the 70's & still watch the repeats every time they show them. Each episode has me in stitches, I can't say I have a favourite episode out of them all. They are all worth watching, enjoy...🤣😂🤣

[@jimcook1161]

Another classic UK sitcom EB! In the 70s there were landlords like Rigsby, who treated their properties as if it were their own kingdom and their tennants as if they were serfs (servants of a medieval feudal lord). When Alan says Rigsby was jilted on his wedding day and lives with the remains of the cake, that's a reference to Miss Haversham, a very bitter character from the Charles Dickens novel Great Expections.

[@StuartJ]

Rising Damp is brilliant. Sadly most versions have been heavily cut for mild racism. Which is a shame, because It showed how bigoted Rigsby was.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Leonard Rossiter remarked that he based Rigsby on people he knew here on Merseyside..

[@shadoman7682]

Rigsby just hated everyone because he was a grumpy old man. It was never really bigoted. As you see when he finds out Philip is a Prince, something he plays on a lot he very much changes.

[@Actingskint]

Which is quite ironic really . Idiots of the sensitive brigade not understanding the shows main strength, the ability to shed light on bigotry. Everytime they poke their noses in , and edit history , the lesson that could be learned , isn't . Pretty soon everything that's shown on Tv will be so censored, that nothing of any interest will be shown . Drama is built through many factors , conflict through race, religious views , gender . Now many of these are being constantly scrutinized so closely , and being sanitized so intensely , that little will remain of the greatest shows of the era . Fawlty Towers German sketch , in which Basil makes an arse of himself , will rarely if ever be seen on our screens now . This is the tragedy of modern life . Everybody is out to be offended , because they can . And no one will ever be able to reason with them , that to take offence is to miss the point , original intent of the characters . We have wound the adult clock back so far , that every script or idea , will have to go through ten sets of lawyers , in case it offends someone . And because of this , many intelligent shows will fail to get commissioned , simply because they won't conform to these new requirements to be bland and non thought provoking .

[@Torthrodhel]

@@Actingskint you're falling for a scam. "Sensitive brigade" that's not who's making those edits. You think ordinary folk have anything to do with censorship? I don't know a single person who agrees with the parameters of censorship, even just broadly. You're not talking about who you think you're talking about. You're picturing, probably some college student or something, and thinking that's what you turn into if you dare have feelings or normal human compassion. No. That's what you turn into if you're some kind of executive, completely disconnected from any normal way of living life. Those are the people making those decisions - money chasers. Capitalists. Like it or not, this is the end result of that class of person, absolutely no connection to reality at all. They don't go through ten sets of lawyers because they're worried it might offend someone. They go through ten sets of lawyers because their lawyers told them to. They're fucking idiots, and I hate catching their bullshit on the back-end just because I'm not too scared to have feelings or give damns about things. NOBODY likes those cunts who go around cutting shit. They do everyone a disservice. If they wanna make a remix, an alternate version? Fine sure that's no problem, maybe even a good thing. I saw a heavily cut-down fan version of the Hobbit movies and they were much better without all that trilogy padding, for instance. But the problem comes when something's replaced, when the original's lost. Can something be better than the original, without some of those scenes? Yes, potentially. I don't think so here, but certainly in some other shows. But does that mean the original should just be wiped over with the new version? Hell no! These corporate monkeys need to stop deflecting the consequences of their own crappy system onto the leftists standing against it. Our hair colouring or sexuality types aren't destroying your old media, stupid executives sitting in boardrooms looking at profit margins are. Blame them, and stop them. That's how you solve this, not by lumping it on us when we can't do a damn thing about it either, BECAUSE MONEY. That's the whole bloody problem. Profit motive! Fuck off with basing everything on profit motive, and say goodbye to these exact problems! Sorry to get heated but it really gets on my tits with all this false blame. "Everybody is out to be offended because they can" fucking bollocks mate. Fucking bollocks. "Tragedy of modern life" plenty of tragedies of modern life out there more worth complaining about than this one, you soft twat. Again I'm sorry to get cross but by hell it grinds my gears. You don't like the sound of whining, listen to your own self. Pandemics, wars, widespread murder, all this shit caused by a lot of these exact attitudes (no matter how they're presented) and what your big grand concern is, is the integrity of a television program? I don't think a position like that's anywhere to be shouting "don't sweat the small stuff" from! I'm not saying the small things aren't important. They're more important than people generally give them credit for, since when you boil it down all of it tends to stem from the same shit, so fighting it also tends to be fighting the right enemy. I'm just saying, don't be taking that "all these pansies with their whining" attitude when that's the situation. That's all I'm saying. And don't be so quick to buy into such an obvious decoy, either. Capitalism always wants everyone to be gentle on it and kinda-ignore it and talk carefully around it and all that shit, and mostly out of a basic sense of futility more than anything, people comply. Like, I don't wanna be the "that guy" person or I don't wanna sound overly political or whatever so I'll make some language excuse and nothing gets ultimately solved. But if it wants a fight? If it's actually saying "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough" at us? Then I'm gonna bloody well call it out on its bullshit! Red mode activated, about fucking time. Screw you and your nonsense, greedmongers! And we should all have all of our TV shows, past and present, in all of their glory and shame, warts or whatever, to be viewed by anyone. And it's absolutely right that it's not all bad either. Hope I've jostled you out of a narrative a bit, sorry again for the rough language. Feelings, y'know. Nobody likes being insulted for something their enemies are behind.

[@shadoman7682]

@@Actingskint That's it. If people look at this show with today's snowflake eyes they don't understand this show was not racist or bigoted. If Rigsby was that racist he would never have rented the room to Philip. Also look at the cast, 4 main members one of them black & he was shown to be intelligent and from a good background, well educated & spoken, goes to university etc.. I was brought up with shows like this with black Africans doing well within society. Rigsby was old school, dislike the modern youth, long hair and so on. Rigsby hated change and new ideas etc. People are obsessed in bringing everything down to race today when it's not. Rigsby was a miserable old sod & that is where the comedy is.

[@ggenie7489]

The brilliance of these shows is that the bigot never wins. Rigsby thinks he's clever but the students just give him the run around.

[@EastonUlster]

Hi ,great to see you featuring programmes I grew up with. Leonard and Richard died far to soon.This show had such great scripts and brilliant acting and comedy timing. Leonard played a great character in the rise and fall of Reginald Perrin.Richards Daughter Kate Beckinsale followed in her dad's footsteps into acting.Take care.Easton

[@goldylocks3904]

I had a landlord that kept coming in to my flat when I lived with my first husband years ago. '' Oh sorry, I thought nobody was in'' he used to say. We moved out within a month, couldn't cope with it.

[@DazzleMonroe]

Leonard Rossiter was previously in Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. An incredible actor.

[@slowerthinker]

Not to mention _Barry Lyndon_

[@denisemeredith2436]

He was in the Campari adverts with Joan Collins too.

[@glastonbury4304]

@@denisemeredith2436 ...Cinzano 😉

[@richardfurness7556]

I watched 2001 in the cinema around 1976 - I was too young to catch it on its initial release. When Leonard Rossiter appeared all you could hear were members of the audience muttering 'Rigsby' to one another.

[@johnbrereton5229]

@@glastonbury4304 The power of advertising, we remember the advert but not the product ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@denisemeredith2436]

Richard Beckinsale was also brilliant in Porridge alongside Ronnie Barker. It was a sad loss to acting when Richard died aged 31 from a massive heart attack.

[@rachelbirchall4630]

The guy who played philip said the writers would ask him about the scripts before shooting so he would feel convertible doing the show.

[@tinamiles9328]

i heard that to ,makes sense

[@PHDarren]

As he was filing Porridge at the same time Richard Beckinsale's trendy long hair was a wig.

[@highpath4776]

Long hair reminded me of the Son in Bless This House.

[@babycakes8918]

Miss Jones is played by the same actress who played Madame Maxime in Harry Potter!

[@Robbie3004]

This was based on writer Eric Chappell's stage play "The Banana Box" which had starred Leonard Rossiter, Don Warrington and Frances de la Tour. It's interesting that this episode is called "Rooksby" as that was the name of the Rigsby character in the original play.

[@cogidubnus1953]

Rising Damp is very much a product of its time...but remains very funny indeed... There's nothing between Rigsby and Miss Jones, though Rigsby would very much like there to be!

[@DazzleMonroe]

The non-relationship between Rigsby and Miss Jones continues to very final episode.

[@scottwebb1978]

George and Mildred is another classic comedy husband and wife scenario 😆

[@jamesbuckingham.2935]

Hard to think that the suave Don Warrington is the same person playing the Commissioner in Death In Paradise.

[@lynette.]

This is another beautifully written comedy. Richard Beckinsale was one of the best comedy actors,he was in Porridge but he died young of a heart attack it was such a shock and a sad loss,he was so talented.

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

He was just breaking into serious drama when he died. It had been his dream to "be taken seriously" as an actor.

[@ConstantSorrow]

Rising Damp, fantastic! Rossiter and Beckinsale is another one of those on-screen partnerships that just worked. Both amazing comedy actors and an amazing show but I do think The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin was Leonard Rossiter's best work. Rising damp is definitely a show of its time and like It's ain't half hot mum, it shouldn't be judged by today's standard. Shows like this often show racism but often poke fun at the bigot something that is overlooked.

[@Isleofskye]

"Love Thy Neighbour" and "'Til Death Us Do Part" being prime examples...

[@treacadelic]

Absolutely incredible social commentary and hilariously funny. Seeing the dynamic change over the series was superb. And Leonard Rossiter is as good as it gets as a comic actor.

[@paulbanks223]

This show has a lot of twists and turns over the complete series. Rigsby is basically a slum landlord who lives in his own basement and rents the rest of the rooms out as a living. Wont spend money on repairs and has hopes of some sort of relationship with Miss Jones who in turn has hopes of finding something far better. Alan is your typical student constantly chasing girls without much success and Philip is supposedly the son of a chieftain and supposedly very wealthy, just what Miss Jones is looking for. Don't fret too much it is not as racist as it first seems and you will enjoy it and find it very funny, it is in a way a bit like a poor mans yes Minister.

[@DavidJohnson-wu6kf]

Over time you see how rigsby wants Phillips approval and friends. He secretly admires Phillip and always ask his advice. You see them bond and become friends. Rigsby sticks up for him a few times and Alan also.

[@eddhardy1054]

8:34...That EB is the mighty Vienna, part Persian Tabby, part Polar Bear part Siberian Sloth 🦥

[@sarakirk9542]

I believe Leonard Rossiter hated that cat

[@eddhardy1054]

@@sarakirk9542 In LR's defence I believe Vienna could be quite a selfish co-star

[@stevebinning977]

Leonard Rossiter once appeared in a TV play called "Le Pettomane" in which he played a French music hall performer whose stage act was based around his ability to fart at will. He was able to fart musically and play tunes. It was supposed to have been based on a true story. It is many years since I saw it but I remember it as being very funny.

[@jamesbuckingham.2935]

It was a true story.

[@georgedavis-stewart4225]

Shallow and duplicitous: a fool in a great comedic tradition. Thanks for taking us back to observe how society moves through cycles of tolerance and intolerance, EB.

[@Larkstream]

I mentioned this the other day in a comment but you really need to try the fall and rise of Reginald Perrin. Same actor as rising damp but I really don't know what to compare it to.

[@maninchair6648]

I didn't get where I am today without knowing what to compare it to.

[@Seagull6819]

@@maninchair6648 Great ….. super!

[@Larkstream]

Love it. Such a great show haha

[@Larkstream]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/joSah4qHm8qfr68 they're on KZbin btw. "Time and motion wait for no man"

[@highpath4776]

the office crossed with the good life ?

[@citizen..X]

I think a lot of credit has to go to the script writer Eric Chappell. If you take notice, these scenes last for minutes on end... no quick fire, snappy comedy, but carefully thought out and excellently executed by the cast... just superb to watch and listen to.

[@andyblogger1]

Richard Beckinsale was the Dad of Kate, who you will know from her appearance in several Hollywood films. He died tragically young - in 1979 at the age of just 31 from an undiagnosed heart condition. 😞

[@wanderingsoul7935]

If you like old British comedy you can't go wrong with in sickness and in health, one of the funniest comedies ever.

[@damianleah6744]

This is so funny because Rigsby beautifully played by Leonard Rossitor always comes unstuck all 4 main actors in this show are brilliant.

[@trevorhope8447]

So glad that you are discovering Rising Damp. My favourite ITV comedy ever. The genius of Leonard Rossiter and Richard Beckinsale, supported by the rest of the cast. Oh yeah, and the amazing writing.

[@Cryten1974]

Thing is about British humour back then. It wasn't so much about the racist jokes, but more about how ridiculous people who think like that look. That is what was funny about the whole thing. How dumb Rigsby looks for having those views, that is what most of us laughed at. I think Warren Mitchell who played Alf Garnett who was famous for racial derogatory remarks on his comedy (In Sickness and in Health) said it best in an interview. He brought up a time he was walking through town and a guy came up to him and said, "I love how you take the piss out of (derogatory remarks for Africans and Indians), to which he replied "We're not taking the piss out of them, We're taking the piss out of people like you". This is what is lost today and those of us who still like these shows end up lumped in with the real idiots.

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

With Rigsby it was always apparent that he hated everybody and used whatever insults he could think of to justify it. He accused Alan of all sorts of things. Rigsby was a disappointed, bitter man who envied Alan his youth (and probably his full head of hair) and Philip his cultured, suave attitude.

[@nedrasellayah9314]

Hilarious!! Lovely to see this old series again.🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@rogerbillings5081]

Classic comedy! Great writing, great acting, great timing, wonderful stars. Leonard Rossiter was in 2001: A Space Oddessy. Dr Crippen was a notorious wife murderer! It's old England meets the Empire that fought for it in WW2 and helped rebuild it after. " Remains of the cake" joke is a Miss Havisham thing from a Charles Dickens novel. Another theme is class deference.

[@Ashamanic]

I’m pretty sure Phillip was lying about being a chief to take advantage of Rigsby, but I don’t think it was ever said outright in the series.

[@benhamilton5692]

Filmed in Leeds on Stage /Theatre Set in front of live TV audience - Beckinsale wore a wig as playing in Porridge at same time.

[@palantir135]

Another great British series. When I was young, my whole family watched this series. Keeping up appearances The good life George and Mildred Are you being served Some mothers do ‘ave ‘em

[@jbob2331]

B and B’s would say no blacks, Irish or dogs, so this is in keeping for the time, bloody good show..

[@MerryOlSoulGigglesmith]

4 legends in this show

[@CliveBilby]

The long haired Richard Beckinsale was Kate Beckinsale's father. 'Porridge' which saw Richard Beckinsale in a cell with Ronnie Barker was another classic.

[@jjcustard6378]

I'm hoping someone sends you Steptoe and Son now, you'll have the full set of classic comedy's, oh and Porridge and maybe Are you being served lol and definitely The Good Life

[@ojonasar]

On its way.

[@Larkstream]

Another fantastic sitcom.

[@Seagull6819]

Not forgetting One Foot in the Grave 😂😂😂😂

[@Larkstream]

@@Seagull6819 I don't believe it!! The crossover with father ted was brilliant

[@shaunbyrne9037]

Some Mothers Do Ave Them , On The Buses and Porridge.

[@redf7209]

This is still shown as repeats on British tv . Today, Don Warrington is a mainstay actor of the slightly humorous, tv detective series 'Death in Paradise' playing the Caribbean police chief. A very underrated actor i think. Do you get this series in the US? Its about a British detective being trapped on a semi french /british colonial island working for the local police struggling to adjust his British ways to the island climate and people. The actors playing the actual detective and his colleagues have changed several times in its 10 seasons but Don has been the constant. One of these detectives was played by Ardol o Hanlon ( 'Dougal' from Father Ted).

[@Muckylittleme]

Once the dynamic of the characters becomes established this is a wonderful series.

[@BigyetiTechnologies]

This us very true to form for British sitcoms. The put upon protagonist always trying to better themselves. They might seem to get a break but always end up back where they started.

[@corringhamdepot4434]

Archie Bunker was based on Alf Garnett in the TV Series "Till Death Us Do Part" Alf Garnett was the typical racist parent that many of us grew up with it in the late 1970s. It was very funny making fun of Alf, but would never get repeated again today. There was also a series called "Love Thy Neighbour", where a black couple moved in nextdoor to a white couple. The white couple was a lovely friendly wife, but not so the husband.

[@robsmith6281]

Rising Damp is a personal favourite of mine the movie was a riot.😅although it was some episodes remade into said movie.

[@Lumibear.]

The conversation about damp and cold at the start, that really was normal life in 70/80s England. In winter frost formed inside your windows, windy out meant breezy in, hot water required planning and affordable heating was making an actual fire. Mind you, £4 rent!

[@highpath4776]

See North East England under Private Electricty Storm whatever this year for the frozen internals.

[@Lumibear.]

@@highpath4776 we do seem to be retreading a lot of old ground lately.

[@lynneivison5773]

Leonard Rossiter was in a great sitcom in 70s. Reginald Perrin. It is excellent

[@loungejay8555]

The Alan character was played by Richard Beckinsale, the father of Kate Beckinsale.

[@annettemoore7264]

My favorite comedy series of the 70s , Leonard Rossiter (Rigsby) is from Liverpool and a fine actor 😍 the guy with the long hair? Richard Beckinsale is Kate Beckinsale dad, she played the British nurse in pearl Harbour Don Warrington was the son of a politican, Trinidad and Tobago, he moved over here as a kid in the 50s, all four of them actually speak in their own voice as well...

[@anitahargreaves9526]

So excited to see your reactions to this. One of my favourite 70s show. It improves each time I see it.

[@brianmason8059]

The young Lad Allen is Kate Beckinsale dad. Unfortunately he died very young. He made one Hollywood film. Where he played a boxer who dies young and gets sent back to live cos the angel took him before his time

[@paladin5163]

Watched the series from start to finish, brilliant. I never tire of this kind of humour.

[@Naylte]

There's some brilliant moments in upcoming episodes where Philip plays on Rigsby's prejudice.

[@robpritchard5657]

The long haired guy's real name is Richard Beckinsale . Hollywood actress , Kate Beckinsale's father . Died , tragically young .

[@AntOn-nf9fi]

Don Warrington is a fantastic actor!

[@vallee3140]

Rigsby got on well with Phillip really. You need to see the one where Rigsby threw his cat down , saying he would land on all feet but instead he thumped to the ground.

[@TheCrusader1000]

I use to love this show as a kid. Such a good laugh. I remember the film version of Rising Damp.

[@thelastoftheanglosaxons.3724]

Having also watched this growing up, I already knew what was coming 😁 and the reactions here haven't let me down!

[@davidrowlands441]

Brilliant comedy series. I remember when it first came out. Richard Beckinsale (long hair) was brilliant comedian who died young, before he was 30. His daughter Kate is in Hollywood. I'm not sure you got the comedy though but the again it is of it's time. I still find it entertaining. Good post.

[@Sara_Kane]

I think it should also be noted that Philip was written as being very intelligent, and well educated. Which for a sitcom back in the mid-70's was groundbreaking, and refreshing. Rigsby's ingnorance is simply ridiculous, and that's how it was written and portrayed. If anything, Rising Damp was anti-racist, rather than racist. Eric Chappell's writing on this was just superb.

[@Sara_Kane]

Rising Damp is one of my all time favourite comedy sitcoms. The show wasn't racist, as Rigsby's ignorance was clearly supposed to be laughed at, rather than laughed with. Philip always had the upper hand with Rigsby. Eric Chappell's writing on this show was impeccable, and the acting was wonderful, and of a high quality. It was great to see your reaction to this classic show, and I hope you'll react to the rest of the series. Although in recent years, I've seen edited episodes of the show, the episodes uploaded to KZbin tend to be the full, unedited versions.

[@abestm8]

When I was younger and in fact it's the same today. Some folk like Rigsby lived in a big old (sometimes Victorian) houses. To be able to afford the rates or taxes or just to make more income. They would rent out each of the three, four or even five floors as flats or bedsits (you would understand apartments or Studio Lets easier). I used to live in one in Cheltenham and the Land Lady was a lovely old old retired Lady. Rising Damp is a term used when the damp course on a brick building has failed and damp rises up the walls. Fist layer or so of bricks had a membrane laid along it to stop moisture climbing up the bricks above it. Just saying so you can relate to the title and atmosphere more. Keep on laughing. Peace Boss.

[@jasonfazackarley6556]

So glad you chose this to watch / react as another classic series and one of my favorites. Enjoy! Try the Young Ones if you get the chance sometime

[@gavingiant6900]

I haven't seen this for awhile. It never gets old. I think its still on ITV3.

[@pgmetcalf]

It's great when you get to know the characters a bit

[@alanjay5974]

Hi EB. Did U notice a reference to Dr Cripping at the beginning. There is one HELLUVA story of this American Homeopath working in England. He killed his wife, cut her head off,cut her arms & legs off & buried her in the cellar. He made a run for it with his Mistress who was his typist who cut her hair short wore a cap & pretended to be a boy & fled to Canada on a ship SS Montrose.How they got caught made History.If U can find the time check it out. There's a lot more to this, including the trial.There are documentaries out there, even a film was made of it.I don't think any other reactors have done it, but it is truly an Amazing story.All the best

[@pyrotenax472]

A great British sitcom. You will enjoy alot 👍

[@jennymckinnon9528]

an all-time classic. Leonard Rossiter was a legend. We lost Richard Beckinsale'(also in Porridge, with Ronnie Barker) far too soon - he was the father of Kate Beckinsale, from the Underworld movies

[@Insperato62]

This is long before British housing had central heating or air conditioning (we still don't have the latter much to the horror of Australians). We still have damp from the outside and condensation. My central heating has just broken and it's December! My bedlinen is damp but two hot water bottles and a set of thermals is seeing me alright. I'm 74, so I remember ice on the inside of the bedroom windows in my childhood. Ha ha. Engineer coming next week.The young man was the father of Kate Beckinsale.

[@Isleofskye]

Leonard Rossiter was a comedic genius HOWEVER being an absolute perfectionist meant he was a little intolerant and did not suffer fools gladly :)

[@mrjohn.whereyoufrom]

The topless pictures in Alan’s room were usually of Page 3 girls. The Sun daily newspaper used to have topless models on page 3. Some of them became household names in the U.K.

[@steveoutdoorsuk1788]

I have just found your channel and found it really interesting watching your reactions whilst watching this tv show from the 70s. Looking forward to watching more from you. Thanks for sharing. Take care. 👍

[@Rog5446]

Does anyone remember Leonard Rossiter (Rigsby) as Captain John Quin, in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon? Rossiter also appeared in the classic Kubrick film 2001 A Space Odyssey, as a Russian Scientist.