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) "Porridge", a slang term for prison; Barker, Clement and La Frenais actually came up with the same title independently of each other. 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