The BEST episodes of Are You Being Served?
Every episode of Are You Being Served? ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Are You Being Served?!
This comedy series, which follows the exploits of employees at London's fictional "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, and many of the show's characters are based on stereotypes of the period, including the effeminate Mr. Humphries and the rich, but stingy, store owner.
#2 - Strong Stuff, This Insurance
Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/26/1979
The staff must take physicals to get insurance. Listening through the door of Mr. Grace's office, they hear Mr. Harman describing the state of the furniture, which they misunderstand as being the results of their physicals.
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#4 - Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/18/1973
It's pay day at Grace Brothers and the staff realize that their money just doesn't go very far. An opportunity for a bonus arises when a customer loses a diamond and offers a £100 reward. Greed gets the better of everyone, except Mr. Grainger, and soon they're conspiring behind each others backs. Mr. Mash throws a wrench in the search after he damages a jeweled dress, causing a multitude of "diamonds" within the department.
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#7 - Camping In
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/4/1973
A transport strike leaves the staff stranded at the store, so Young Mr. Grace offers to let them spend the night on the floor. Tents are set up, but Mr. Lucas has trouble keeping his up. A "campfire" sing along leads to talk of the last World War and the experiences some of them had.
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#8 - The Punch and Judy Affair (1979 Christmas Special)
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/26/1979
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.
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#10 - His and Hers
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/11/1973
Mr. Grainger's trousers are missing, along with the central display. The staff learns that the space was freed up for the "His & Hers" fragrance display. Mrs. Slocombe is outraged that they went her to take down her underwear and put perfume there in its place. The glamorous salesgirl causes stirrings in the trouser department. When it's discovered that free stockings and ties are given out with every scent purchase, both departments formulate a plan to oust the intruder.
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#13 - Dear Sexy Knickers
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/21/1973
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.
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#15 - Take-Over
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/25/1977
The staff prevent another firm's hostile takeover of Grace Brothers by impersonating the shareholders. Mr. Harman gives a rousing speech, and Grace Brothers is saved.
#16 - Friends and Neighbours
Season 10 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/25/1985
When traveling to and from work becomes difficult, the staff threaten to resign unless they receive a travel allowance. Old Mr. Grace offers them the empty apartments on the top floor as living space, but they soon discover cohabitation isn't what it's cracked up to be.
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#17 - Memories Are Made of This
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/6/1983
When the sports goods are temporarily relocated to the mens & ladies floor, Captain Peacock tries out some golf equipment and accidentally hits Mrs. Slocombe. She then thinks she's a little girl, wrecking havoc on the store as she cavorts around the department.
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#20 - German Week
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/3/1975
Grace Brothers hosts a week long sales event by selling only German goods. The staff, however, find that the German customers they are getting only want British goods. Captain Peacock objects to the "uniform" he's expected to wear and Mrs. Slocombe gets into the German wines.
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#22 - Coffee Morning
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/6/1975
Mr. Grainger is 5 minutes late coming back from his coffee break and this sets in motion a management scheme to monitor all breaks. The staff must sign in and sign out when they leave and return to the department. The department staff revolt and union action is taken
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#23 - Up Captain Peacock
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/13/1975
Captain Peacock is celebrating his 20th year at Grace Brothers, and while his request for a raise has been turned down, he has been given a key to the Executive Wash Room and the privilige of eating in the Executive Dining Room. He lords this over the department staff and Mr. Grainger decides to make some trouble.
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#24 - Hoorah for the Holidays
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/11/1974
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.
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