The BEST Episodes of Are You Being Served?
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Aug 31, 2020
Network: Channel 5 (UK)
Are You Being Served? is a British Sitcom that ran from 1972-1985. The show revolved around "Grace Brothers Department Store" and in particular the goings on within the "Gentlemen's Ready-To-Wear" and "Ladies' Separates and Underwear" Departments. A store reorganization forced these two departments to share floor space, and the conflicts that this created set the tone for most episodes. Are You Being Served? showcases a bygone period of time in which the class structure was still very much alive. There was a strict hierarchy within Grace Brothers. Everyone knew their "places" and remained in them, unless, of course, there was a chance for advancement and then it was every man and woman for themselves. A spin-off series of Are You Being Served? was released, called Grace and Favour. Although in the U.S, it was named Are You Being Served? Again!
#1 - Christmas Crackers (1975 Christmas Special)
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired Dec 22, 1975
Mr. Grace has an idea to improve Christmas sales--all the staff are to wear novelty costumes, much to their annoyance.
8.43 
#2 - A Personal Problem
Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired Apr 16, 1981
Captain Peacock's wife works at Grace Brothers, as Mr. Rumbold's secretary. He is intensely jealous and is absolutely convinced that the two of them are having an affair.
8.11 
#3 - Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired Apr 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.
8.08 
#4 - Strong Stuff, This Insurance
Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired Oct 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.
8.05 
#5 - Take-Over
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired Mar 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.
8.04 
#6 - Calling All Customers
Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired May 13, 1983
The staff perform a play on CB radio to advertise Grace Brothers.
7.95 
#7 - Memories Are Made of This
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired May 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.
7.95 
#8 - The Junior
Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired Oct 19, 1979
Mr. Goldberg is hired as a junior after having recently run his own small tailoring business. To Captain Peacock's chagrin, the staff learn that Mr. Goldberg had served under the Captain but recalls those army days differently.
7.92 
#9 - Sit Out
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired Apr 30, 1981
The staff go on strike after being threatened with a pay cut or being moved to the bargain basement. They stage a protest on the roof which doesn't go as plannedc.
7.92 
#10 - The Punch and Judy Affair (1979 Christmas Special)
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired Dec 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.
7.91 
#11 - The Agent
Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired Nov 30, 1979
Mr. Goldberg runs an agency to get the staff better jobs. After Captain Peacock and Mr. Rumbold become aware of this, Mr. Humphries and Mrs. Slocombe are given raises, and decide to stay with the store.
7.91 
#12 - Camping In
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired Apr 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.
7.90 
#13 - His and Hers
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Apr 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.
7.89 
#14 - Monkey Business
Season 9 - Episode 5 - Aired May 20, 1983
Bad news. Grace Brothers may be bought by the Japanese. The staff take their problems to Number Ten, where they contact President Reagan by the phone. Mrs. Thatcher gets fashion tips from Mr. Humphries.
7.86 
#15 - Closed Circuit
Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired May 21, 1981
Grace Brothers has decided to enter the video age and display advertisements on closed circuit television throughout the store. Meanwhile, there is a new face in Menswear.
7.86 
#16 - Friends and Neighbours
Season 10 - Episode 6 - Aired Mar 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.
7.85 
#17 - Cold Store
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired Mar 20, 1975
Illnesses strike the Department, and Mr. Lucas decides to fake his to get the day off. His plan backfires as he is assigned to the Ladies Counter as a sort of "quarantine".
7.83 
#18 - Up Captain Peacock
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired Mar 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.
7.82 
#19 - Wedding Bells
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired Mar 27, 1975
Naughty sayings on her underwear push Mrs. Slocombe to the brink of giving her notice, but then it's discovered that Old Mr. Grace plans to ask a member of the staff to marry him. When he calls for Mrs. Slocombe, everyone assumes she's the one.
7.80 
#20 - German Week
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired Apr 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.
7.79 
#21 - Oh What a Tangled Web
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired May 13, 1976
Rumors fly when Captain Peacock gets too friendly with Mr. Rumbold's secretary at the Christmas party, and things get really out-of-hand when it seems they might have spent the night together.
7.78 
#22 - Happy Returns (1978 Christmas Special)
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired Dec 26, 1978
It is Young Mr. Grace's birthday, and the staff sing the traditional birthday song for him and enjoy the traditional free lunch. They later rehearse their cabaret performance for Young Mr. Grace's birthday party, a ballet called The Ballet of the Toys. A professional cabaret troupe will also be performing at the party, and when the troupe arrives, it turns out they themselves will be performing The Ballet of the Toys, which forces the staff to go to Plan B.
7.72 
#23 - Is It Catching?
Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired Apr 9, 1981
The staff contract a strange tropical illness, Marine's Disease, from Mr. Humphries. They are quarantined in the basement until the disease has passed.
7.72 
#24 - Shoulder to Shoulder
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired Apr 10, 1975
The Ladies Department is temporarily closed due to refurbishing, so Mrs. Slocombe and Miss Brahms are given counter space over in the Gents. However, the men aren't very happy at having to share their area and do their best to make them unwelcome.
7.72 
#25 - Founder's Day
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired Mar 11, 1977
To celebrate Mr. Grace's 80th birthday, the staff organize This is Your Department, a spoof of This is Your Life.
7.72