[Susan Foreman]

Dad's Army: Series 1 - 9 (+ three Christmas specials) (1968–1977)

The comic misadventures of the hapless members of the Walmington-On-Sea Home Guard

When I got the box set, I was expecting to watch a handful of episodes, and then put it on the 'charity shop' pile. After all, it's on television every week, so I must have seen each episode dozens of times already, right? But no! A lot of episodes were either new to me, or I hadn't seen them since their first broadcast 40+ years ago. Being a period piece, it hasn't dated in the slightest, and in these days of Brexit, it seems just as relevant as it was in the 1940's. Catchphrases are many, instantly recognizable and still in use in everyday conversation: 'We're doomed', 'don't panic', 'they don't like it up 'em', 'permission to volunteer, sir' and, of course, 'stupid boy'. Very few television shows have lines that have stood the test of time, and become national institutes. 'Don't tell him, Pike' is one such line. There is none of the usual sexist humour from the period, and apart from the few racist comments – mentions of the 'Fuzzy-Wuzzys' and anti-German speech – there is absolutely nothing offensive about the programme. Quaint and gentile it may be, but 'Dad's Army' is a great show which is constantly entertaining and filled with more laughs per minute than 90% of other comedy programmes around

Rewatch value. Yes. This is something I can see myself revisiting many times in the future

Are You Being Served?: Series 1 - 10 (1973-1985)

The comic misadventures of the hapless staff of the ladies' and gentlemen's clothing departments at the London branch of the Grace Brothers store

Another show written by David Croft. It has dated hideously, and filled with rampant sexism and 'Carry On' humour. As the show went on, it was also noticeable that the 'gay/camp' humour was becoming more and more prevalent. Catchphrases are few, with the best remembered ones being 'I'm free' and 'you've all done very well' but Mrs. Slocomes pussy ultimately outstays its welcome – from the first mentions, followed by raucous and prolonged audience laughter, to the later episodes, which just have polite audience titters, it seemed to me that the cat was just being used to get cheap laugh, rather than an essential piece of the narrative.

Rewatch value: I possibly would have watched a few episodes, but probably not the whole thing. Also, with space being a premium at the moment, this is destined to return to the charity shop

It Ain't Half Hot Mum: Series 1 – 8 (1974-1981)

The comic misadventures of a Royal Artillery concert party based in Deolali, India and Tin Man, Burma

David Croft returned to the war with a series about an Army entertainment song and dance troupe in India during the tail end of WW2. It's a show I truly wanted to love, but in reality it left a really nasty taste in the mouth. This is the polar opposite of 'Dad's Army'. Offensive doesn't begin to describe it, and it's no wonder that the BBC don't repeat it. Catchphrases are mainly bullying put-downs 'Mr La-di-da Gunner Graham', 'you bunch of poofs' and 'shut up' being prime candidates, with only 'you've got a nice pair of shoulders there. Show 'em off, show 'em off' being something that would be acceptable today.

Racist and homophobic, this series is very much a product of its time, and should stay there

Rewatch value: None. I found it embarrassing and distasteful