Porridge (TV series) Essex. The opening credits consist of outside shots of Slade prison and of several doors and gates being closed and locked, which was intended to set the scene for the programme. In the first series, there were also shots of St Pancras railway station, which was changed in subsequent series to shots of Fletcher walking around Slade prison. Title music was thought unsuitable for a show set in prison, so instead there is a booming narration (performed by Barker himself) given by the presiding judge passing sentence on Fletcher: Subsequently, Barker is reported to have said that he regretted recording
The Hustler (Porridge) Fletcher has the last laugh, because he bet the entire landing that he will be in a single cell by Sunday, so he can pay Ives his winnings after all. The Hustler (Porridge) "The Hustler" is an episode of the BBC sitcom "Porridge". It first aired on 12 September 1974. In this episode, Fletcher and his friends hold an illicit gambling syndicate under Mr Mackay's nose. Fletcher is still working in the prison farm, and he and fellow inmate Horrible Ives are taking bets over which hen will lay an egg first. Ives loses and Fletcher describes him as such