Beyond A Joke

How sitcoms of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s reflected the class system in the Britain of the time.

Actors, writers, producers and directors discuss the ways in which their popular sitcoms, including Duty Free, George and Mildred and Rings on Their Fingers, reflected current attitudes to love, sex and marriage in the 1970s and 1980s

Writers, actors and producers discuss the shift in values revealed by shows such as Love Thy Neighbour, 'Allo 'Allo! and Are You Being Served? With contributions by Edwina Currie and Tony Benn

Actors, writers, producers and directors discuss the ways in which their popular shows, including Only Fools and Horses, Hi-De-Hi and Duty Free, have responded to issues in society at the time

This final episode examines the legacy that the classic comedies left behind, and looks to the future and at how modern day sitcoms have both their inspiration and comedy roots firmly planted in the past. With clips from Benidorm, Dinner Ladies, Early Doors, Blackadder and The Young Ones, archive material, and interviews with Richard Briers, Don Warrington, the late Wendy Richard, Jean Boht and Sally Thomsett.