Rising Damp: Series 1

Rupert Rigsby is truly laughable. Rude, bigoted and hailed as one of Britain?s all-time classic sitcom characters, Rupert is the UK?s answer to Archie Bunker, a character the whole country loved to loathe. Comic genius Leonard Rossiter (The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin) is unforgettable as the miserly and mean-spirited landlord of a rundown boarding house who is hilariously one-upped by his more enlightened but cash-strapped tenants, including love-starved administrator, Miss Ruth Jones, and a long-haired medical student. While Rigsby?s side-splitting, stammering small-mindedness isn?t recommended for fans of politically correct humor, one thing?s for sure: they don?t make shows like this anymore. Features seven episodes of the BAFTA?-award-winning series that ranks as one of Britain?s best.

If you?ve seen Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, you will notice Miss Jones?s remarkable resemblance to Madame Olympe Maxime, headmistress of Beauxbatons. It?s not magic: Frances de la Tour stars in both roles.