<P> Porridge originated with a 1973 project commissioned by the BBC Seven of One, which would see Ronnie Barker star in seven different situation comedy pilot episodes . The most successful would then be made into a full series . One of the episodes was "Prisoner and Escort", written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (who appear in one episode) about a newly sentenced habitual criminal, Norman Stanley Fletcher (Barker), being escorted to prison by two warders: the timid Mr. Barrowclough (Brian Wilde) and the stern Mr. Mackay (Fulton Mackay). It was broadcast on 1 April 1973 on BBC Two . Despite Barker's initial preference for another of the pilots, a sitcom about a Welsh gambling addict, "Prisoner and Escort" was selected . It was renamed Porridge, a slang term for prison; Barker, Clement and La Frenais actually came up with the same title independently of each other . </P> <P> In their research, Clement and La Frenais spoke to Jonathan Marshall, a former prisoner who had written a book, How to Survive in the Nick, and he advised them about prison slang, dress and routines . Struggling to think up plots and humour for such a downbeat, confined environment, a particular phrase used by Marshall--"little victories"--struck a chord and convinced them to base the series on an inmate who made his daily life in prison more bearable by beating the system, even in trivial ways . </P> <P> The BBC was forced to look around for locations because the Home Office refused permission for any production filming inside or outside a real prison . Instead the main gatehouse of the disused St Albans Prison (in the town's Victoria Street) was used in the opening credits . Exteriors were first filmed at a psychiatric hospital near Watford . However, after the completion of the second series, the hospital withdrew permission for more filming following complaints from patients' families . Another institution near Ealing was then used for the third series . Scenes within cells and offices were filmed at the BBC's London studios . But for shots of the wider prison interior, series production designer Tim Gleeson converted an old water tank, used at Ealing Studios for underwater filming, into a multi-storey set . </P> <P> The first episode, "New Faces, Old Hands", was aired on BBC One on 5 September 1974, attracting a television audience of over 16 million, and receiving positive reviews from critics . Two further series were commissioned, as well as two Christmas special episodes . The final episode of Porridge, "Final Stretch", was broadcast on 25 March 1977 . The producers and the writers were keen to make more episodes, but Barker was wary of being "stuck with a character" and also wanted to move on to other projects, so the series came to a close . Barker did, however, reprise his role as Fletcher in a sequel, Going Straight, which ran for one series in 1978 . A feature - length version of the show was made in 1979 and in 2003 a follow - up mockumentary was aired . </P>

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