The Desperate Hours (Porridge) The Desperate Hours (Porridge) "The Desperate Hours" is the second Christmas special of the BBC sitcom "Porridge". It first aired on 24 December 1976. In this episode, Fletcher and Godber are in trouble for brewing liquor in the lead-up to Christmas, but are caught up in a hostage situation in the Governor's office. It is nearly time for Christmas, and Fletcher has been making wine for the prisoners of Slade Prison. The Governor, who is strictly teetotal, has a zero tolerance on illicit drinking in Slade Prison. After Mr Barrowclough fails to discover alcohol in Fletcher and Godber's cell, Fletcher
Porridge (TV series) 1988 to 1991; later episodes of the Netherlands version were original scripts, the series also had a very successful Portuguese remake entitled "Camilo na Prisão" ("Camilo in Prison") Following the example of other sitcom crossovers, such as "Dad's Army", "Steptoe and Son" and "The Likely Lads", a feature-length version of "Porridge" was made in 1979. Barker again starred as Fletcher, and most of the supporting cast also returned. Unlike the television series, it was actually filmed at a real prison as HMP Chelmsford was temporarily vacant following a fire. Novelisations of the three series of "Porridge" and the film were