Are You Being Served?

10 Worst Episodes of Are You Being Served?

Are You Being Served? is a British sitcom created and written by executive producer David Croft (Croft also directed some episodes) and Jeremy Lloyd, with contributions from Michael Knowles and John Chapman, for the BBC. Set in London, the show follows the misadventures and mishaps of the staff of the retail ladies' and gentlemen's clothing departments in the flagship department store of a fictional chain called Grace Brothers.The series was broadcast on the BBC for ten seasons, totalling 69 episodes between 8 September 1972 and 1 April 1985 – and included five Christmas specials. There was also a 1977 film, a spin-off series Grace & Favour with some of the same main cast in 1991–1992, and a one-off episode with a new cast in 2016. Since its original release, all 69 episodes, the restored pilot, the Christmas specials, the sequel and the film have been released on DVD.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 26, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Are You Being Served? - S2E4

#10 - Big Brother (Season 2 - Episode 4)

There's trouble afoot at Grace Brothers! Someone's been lifting Mrs. Slocombe's skirts and putting their hands in Mr. Grainger's drawers. Shoplifting has struck the store and Mr. Rumbold installs a store detective and a video surveillance system. It goes off track for awhile, as Mr. Rumbold turns into a voyeur and the staff act like they're on television. Ultimately, the staff decide to do in the scheme and prey on Mr. Rumbolds hypochondria to accomplish it.

The episode was rated 7.73 from 66 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S7E8

#9 - The Punch and Judy Affair (1979 Christmas Special) (Season 7 - Episode 8)

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When the staff of the Ladies' and Gents' departments don't participate in a strike, relations between them and the rest of the store's employees become understandibly bitter. In order to improve the mood, the staff presents a life-size Punch and Judy show for the other employees' children.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 39 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S8E1

#8 - Is It Catching? (Season 8 - Episode 1)

The staff contract a strange tropical illness, Marine's Disease, from Mr. Humphries. They are quarantined in the basement until the disease has passed.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 60 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S10E5

#7 - The Night Club (Season 10 - Episode 5)

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When Old Mr. Grace decides to allow the staff to use the store for after-hours money-making, they decide to open a nightclub. However, the advertising campaign has some rather unexpected results.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 35 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S8E5

#6 - Heir Apparent (Season 8 - Episode 5)

Old Mr. Grace becomes convinced that Mr. Humphries is his long-lost son.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 42 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S2E5

#5 - Hoorah for the Holidays (Season 2 - Episode 5)

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The Store's redecoration plans threaten to interfere in the staffs vacations. Everyone is now expected to take the same two weeks off and there's disagreements on how to handle it. Grace Brother's Tour Group Company offers some package deals, but they are far from First Class.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 67 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S7E6

#4 - Anything You Can Do (Season 7 - Episode 6)

The standard of the canteen food of Grace Brothers is rapidly going from bad to worse. After confronting the catering workers with their complaints, the staff are told to get on with the food preparation on their own.

The episode was rated 7.67 from 49 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S1E2

#3 - Dear Sexy Knickers (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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Mr. Lucas attempts to send Miss Brahms a love letter suggesting an after-work "get it together". Confusion on who sent the letter and to whom it was intended sets the stage for a lot of misunderstanding. There's also the customers to contend with and Mr. Lucas has a devil of a time fitting them into clothing.

The episode was rated 7.67 from 107 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S4E2

#2 - Top Hat and Tails (Season 4 - Episode 2)

Mr. Humphries' background as a dance instructor is called upon when the Ladies' and Gents' Wear departments form a team to compete in the inter-store ballroom dancing competition.

The episode was rated 7.62 from 55 votes.

Are You Being Served? - S8E8

#1 - Roots? (1981 Christmas Special) (Season 8 - Episode 8)

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The staff decide to obtain a coat-of-arms for Old Mr. Grace's 90th birthday, but problems arise when they're unable to figure out exactly from where his ancestors came.

The episode was rated 7.50 from 36 votes.

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