The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

Series Similar to The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

If you enjoyed The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, these series share similar themes, tone, and quality. Each recommendation is scored on genre overlap, tonal match, and critical acclaim.

1. Black Books

   2000 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8.4).

   Black Books is a second-hand bookshop in London run by an Irishman named Bernard Black. He is probably the planet's worst-suited person to run such an establishment: he makes no effort to sell, closes at strange hours on a whim, is in a perpetual alcoholic stupor, abhors his customers (sometimes physically abusing them) and is often comatose at his desk. Help comes in the lumpy shape of Manny Bianco, a hairy, bumbling individual who (almost by osmosis) becomes Bernard's assistant. Manny is not exactly great at the job either but he is a million times better than Bernard. Next door is Fran, an anxious, frustrated woman who runs a sort of new-age shop selling the most unlikely bits of arty junk. Fran is friends with Bernard and, through him, with Manny; together the trio become embroiled in escapades that are sometimes extreme or violent or fantastically ludicrous, and always bizarre.

2. One Foot in the Grave

   1990 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, also on BBC One.

   Curmudgeonly Victor Meldrew, forced to take early retirement from his job as a security guard, rails at the trials and tribulations of modern life as he tries to keep himself busy. His long-suffering wife, Margaret, is frequently exasperated by his misfortunes. Neighbours Patrick and Pippa Trench and family friend Jean Warboys are common witnesses to Victor's antics.

3. Yes, Prime Minister

   1986 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8.1), hidden gem.

   Continuing the struggle of Minster Jim Hacker to actually get something done in Whitehall politics, Yes, Prime Minister saw Jim achieve every politician's dream and slide up the greasy pole, right to the door of Number 10.

4. The Good Life

   1975 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8), also on BBC One.

   Tom and Barbara Good are a middle class suburban couple who on Tom's 40th birthday decide to turn their Surbiton home into a self-sufficient allotment. They grow their own food, keep farm animals and have sold or bartered all of their electrical appliances as they have no electricity. This creates friction with their best friends and next door neighbours, Jerry and Margo Leadbetter. But even though the Goods have lowered the tone of the neighbourhood in the Leadbetter's eyes they still can't help but be best of friends.

5. Fawlty Towers

   1975 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8.5).

   Fawlty Towers is set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay. The plots centre on tense, rude and put-upon owner Basil Fawlty, his bossy wife Sybil, comparatively normal chambermaid Polly, who is often the peacemaker and voice of reason, and hapless Spanish waiter Manuel, showing their attempts to run the hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding and eccentric guests.

6. Porridge

   1974 · Comedy, Crime · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8), hidden gem, also on BBC One.

   Classic comedy series about the inmates and wardens of HM Prison Slade.

7. Going Straight

   1978 · Comedy, Crime · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8), also on BBC One.

   Sitcom sequel to Porridge. Fletch is finally released from Slade Prison, will he be able to stop himself from going back?

8. Only Fools and Horses

   1981 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8.5), also on BBC One.

   Classic John Sullivan sitcom set in south London, centred on hapless market trader Del Boy, his brother Rodney, the rest of the Trotter clan and a host of Peckham characters.

9. Peter Kay's Car Share

   2015 · Comedy · ended

   Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8), hidden gem, also on BBC One.

   John and Kayleigh have been thrown together in a company car share scheme.

10. Are You Being Served?

    1972 · Comedy · ended

    Recommended for similar Comedy profile, highly rated (8.1), also on BBC One.

    This comedy series, which follows the exploits of employees at London's Grace Brothers department store, is full of sexual innuendo, slapstick, visual gags and double entendres. Much of the show's humor parodies Britain's class system, with the characters rarely calling their co-workers by their given names. Many of the show's characters are based on stereotypes, including the effeminate Mr. Humphries and the rich-but-stingy store owner.