The Harder They Fall (Porridge) The Harder They Fall (Porridge) "The Harder they Fall" is an episode of the BBC sitcom "Porridge". It first aired on 28 November 1975. In this episode, Godber takes up boxing. However, Fletcher is threatened by the prospect of fight fixing. Godber has taken up boxing, much to Fletcher's displeasure, as their cell "smells like a Turkish wrestler's jockstrap". Mr Mackay, however, believes boxing to be a noble sport, as he boxed for the army. Mackay gives Godber his encouragement. Later, Fletcher is summoned to meet 'Genial' Harry Grout (aka Grouty), a rich prisoner who unofficially runs Slade Prison. Grouty's
Porridge (TV series) 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