BBC eyes Appearances, stirs Porridge

The BBC is developing new versions of some of its veteran comedies as part of a season of programming to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the genre on the UK pubcaster.

BBC comedy Keeping up Appearances

The Landmark Comedy season, marking the launch of comedy slot Hancock’s Half Hour, was first revealed in September and will “revisit loved classics alongside launching new shows.”

Shows being considered range from a one-off episode of Porridge, which originally starred Ronnie Barker as a loveable criminal serving time in Slade Prison, to a revamp of Keeping Up Appearances, which documents the life of a middle class British housewife suffering delusions of grandeur.

The Good Life, which followed a young couple trying to live from the land, and Are You Being Served? are also being considered for remakes according to UK press reports, although the pubcaster is yet to confirm which will make it to air.