Only When I Laugh – official series poster, ITV1

Only When I Laugh

ITV1 Ended Comedy

4 Seasons · 28 Episodes · Premiered October 2, 1982 · Ended December 16, 1982

Only When I Laugh is a British television sitcom made by Yorkshire Television for ITV. It aired between 29 October 1979 and 16 December 1982 and was set in the ward of an NHS hospital. The title is in response to the question, "Does it hurt?"It starred James Bolam, Peter Bowles, and Christopher Strauli as patients Roy Figgis, Archie Glover, and Norman Binns. Mr. Gordon Thorpe, their consultant surgeon, was played by Richard Wilson; and Gupte, the staff nurse from Delhi, was played by Derrick Branche.The show was one of many successes for writer Eric Chappell, and has been repeated on ITV3 since 2007.Roy, Archie and Norman are long-term patients in a British hospital ward. Though they don't seem terribly ill, neither do they seem to be getting better and going home. So they pass their days side by side in the hospital ward, chatting and occasionally getting on one another's nerves.

Where to Watch: ITV1

Official Site

Next Air Time: No upcoming air date

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1

7 episodes
E01
A Bed with a View
Mon, Oct 29 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
Norman arrives at the ward and is given the bed next to the window. A game of musical beds ensues as Figgis and Archie want it too...
E02
Operation Norman
Mon, Nov 5 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
Norman's due for his appendix operation and is rather upset about it. He turns to Figgis for comfort in his hour of need...
E03
The Rumour
Mon, Nov 12 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
Figgis overhears Doctor Thorpe telling Gupte that his dog may not live much longer. Unfortunately, Figgis didn't hear the 'dog' bit and thinks it's about him...
E04
The Man with the Face
Mon, Nov 19 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
Archie's lothario-like tendencies are coming back to haunt him when he's convinced he's being stalked by a Greek madman for besmirching his fiancée...
E05
Let Them Eat Cake
Mon, Nov 26 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
The trio can stand the daily menu no longer and go on hunger strike. What they hadn't bargained for, however, was how hungry they would get...
E06
Tangled Web
Mon, Dec 3 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
Archie is craving female company and is heartened to see an attractive new nurse. So is Norman...
E07
Is There a Doctor in the House?
Mon, Dec 10 1979 12:00 PM GMT+0000 30 min
Tired of sitting in bed all day, Figgis disguises himself as a doctor and goes for a walk. Unfortunately, he's mistaken for a real doctor...

Season 2

7 episodes

Season 3

7 episodes

Season 4

7 episodes

Cast

James Bolam
James Bolam as Roy Figgis
Peter Bowles
Peter Bowles as Archie Glover
Christopher Strauli as Norman Binns
Richard Wilson
Richard Wilson as Dr. Gordon Thorpe
Derrick Branche as Gupte
View all 5 cast members →

Similar Shows

Top Rated Shows

More on ITV1

User Reviews

Rate this show

Your star rating (required)