Id class myself as a die hard fan of Are you being served, knowing every episode pretty much word for word, and I suppose for this reason I pretty much steered clear of Grace and Favour, but how wrong was I, it's an absolutely brilliant series, you get a true sense of the warmth shared amongst the actors, both new and old. The characters set off exactly where they left off in AYBS, great to see that the usual frustrations were still there, Captain Peacock forced to take orders from Me Rumbold, Mrs Slocombe still the butt of the jokes. Of the new characters i think Mavis was my favourite, so adorable and funny. Every single episode is hilarious, I particularly liked the one with the cat in the roof, the haunted house concept really suited the setting of this comedy. A huge amount of character development was done for Mrs Slocombe, we learn lots about the character's past and Mollie added a tonne of physical humour. I know many of us which just one more series had been made of our favourite show, but this definitely had more legs. A forgotten gem, and I am unanimous in that! 9/10
28 Reviews
Countryside Capers!
Rabical-9112 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft for many years had been keen on the idea of bringing back the characters from 'Are You Being Served?' since its conclusion in 1985. They realised however that they would need to take the characters from the original setting in the department store and put them in a new setting altogether ( as they recognised that they had went as far as they could in Grace Brothers ). It would not be until the early '90's that the idea would finally come to fruition. The new show was 'Grace & Favour'. Young Mr. Grace has been killed tragically in a scuba diving accident whilst on holiday with his secretary Jessica Lovelock ( Joanne Heywood ). His former Grace Brothers staff ( minus Mr. Lucas, Trevor Bannister having not been asked to return ) are gathered after his funeral to inherit each a share of his will. The thing is, his estate has been invested in a manor house in the English countryside named 'Millstone Manor'. Mr. Rumold currently is running the manor as a country hotel and takes on the ex Grace Bros staff as his new staff.
It was more or less business as usual for the team but spice was added by the inclusion of new characters such as farmer Morris Moulterd ( Billy Burden ) who once had a fling with Mrs. Slocombe when she was a land girl and his tomboy daughter Mavis ( sexy Fleur Bennett ) who seems to have a crush on Mr. Humphries.
It was a fish out of water show, but very amusing, even if not on the same level as its predecessor. The cast still bring the same energy to their characters, particularly Mollie Sugden, even if she was starting to look frail. Billy Burden was hilarious as Mr. Moulterd and the scenes between Fleur Bennett and John Inman were lovely. It would have been nice to see the two get married. They seemed such an ideal match. 'Grace & Favour' was a big hit over in America ( where it was retitled 'Are You Being Served Again?' ) and has now been released on DVD so fans not only of 'Are You Being Served?' but of Mollie Sugden can tune in and have a ball.
It was more or less business as usual for the team but spice was added by the inclusion of new characters such as farmer Morris Moulterd ( Billy Burden ) who once had a fling with Mrs. Slocombe when she was a land girl and his tomboy daughter Mavis ( sexy Fleur Bennett ) who seems to have a crush on Mr. Humphries.
It was a fish out of water show, but very amusing, even if not on the same level as its predecessor. The cast still bring the same energy to their characters, particularly Mollie Sugden, even if she was starting to look frail. Billy Burden was hilarious as Mr. Moulterd and the scenes between Fleur Bennett and John Inman were lovely. It would have been nice to see the two get married. They seemed such an ideal match. 'Grace & Favour' was a big hit over in America ( where it was retitled 'Are You Being Served Again?' ) and has now been released on DVD so fans not only of 'Are You Being Served?' but of Mollie Sugden can tune in and have a ball.
Time has been kind.
rocknrelics15 August 2020
Just watched this on DVD not having seen it since the original broadcast, and it has held up incredibly well, improved even.
I think the fact it hasn't been repeated as much as the original series makes it seems fresh, and the new characters fit right in too.
Plus it's a style of comedy that is no longer made sadly(perhaps with the exception of the earlier series of 'Benidorm'), so for oldies like me who want a real belly laugh, we have to go back in time!
Hats off to the cast who have a ball throughout, and this comes across on screen, making this hilarious viewing.
Highly recommended to all.
I think the fact it hasn't been repeated as much as the original series makes it seems fresh, and the new characters fit right in too.
Plus it's a style of comedy that is no longer made sadly(perhaps with the exception of the earlier series of 'Benidorm'), so for oldies like me who want a real belly laugh, we have to go back in time!
Hats off to the cast who have a ball throughout, and this comes across on screen, making this hilarious viewing.
Highly recommended to all.
UPON RETIREMENT: GRACE BROTHERS LOSS IS OUR GAIN...
renfield5415 August 1999
I thoroughly enjoyed the original series, "Are You Being Served?", but I LOVED the re-union series commented on here. It's good to see the old gang from Grace Brother's Department Store in such fine fettle (retired now, of course). The show is funny, charming, and in many ways superior to the original. The added cast members are marvelous and memorable. The new setting, a country inn (run for profit by our inexperienced cast)is far removed from their familiar city life and provides a greater range of backdrops for their mis-adventures. And, as always, the double entendre and mis-use of language are expertly used.
A thoroughly enjoyable show and I am "UNANIMOUS" in that!!!!!
PS--I dare you not to be charmed completely by Fleur Bennett's character Mavis. She's a scene stealer... (so's her dad)...
A thoroughly enjoyable show and I am "UNANIMOUS" in that!!!!!
PS--I dare you not to be charmed completely by Fleur Bennett's character Mavis. She's a scene stealer... (so's her dad)...
The best Team of fun for all time
ggiansanti10 February 2020
How said all the original characters of Are you being Served have past. For 20 years I've been watching the repeats of this human nature of ordinary folk. Especially when I'm down ...and tired of the 21st century's deadly virus of fear , hate and greed. The Are you being served AGAIN brings back a breath of fresh air and a hope that the ordinary can hold on to its past.
Funnier than the original series!
pkichinko7 July 2006
I have watched these episodes many times, and I think they are funnier than the original "Are You Being Served?" which I love. Don't get me wrong - the original "Are You Being Served?" is hilarious. Maybe I have seen them so many times that I am tired of them. The show continues on the premise that was set up in the original series - the retirement fund into which they had all contributed during their time at Grace Brothers. The new cast members are terrific! I only wish they had made more episodes. Fleur Bennett as Mavis is delightful, and Joanne Heywood as Miss Lovelock is terrific. Billy Burden is so funny as Mavis's father, and the setting, the old manor house is beautiful. I would be happy to be a guest at their home!
Almost As Good As The Original Series
Rainey-Dawn19 August 2022
Grace & Favour (American title: Are You Being Served? Again!) is a spin-off of the long running, hit show: Are You Being Served? The cast reunites and is now running a hotel with their same odd-ball blunt humor.
It's a shame this show only lasted 12 episodes and I haven't a clue as to why this show was canceled. Anyway, the short lived series is full of laughs and almost as good as the original series.
9/10.
It's a shame this show only lasted 12 episodes and I haven't a clue as to why this show was canceled. Anyway, the short lived series is full of laughs and almost as good as the original series.
9/10.
good old days!!
hasancan119 April 2020
Better than first I thought
mouserd8 March 2023
When I heard about a sequel to Are You Being Served I didn't think it would work, pleasantly it mostly does.
So what works, the cast which the writers clearly wanted to put up a tree and throw rocks at and they do here in a fish out of water way.
They are all retired and have known each other most of their working lives but what to do? Fortunately dear old (young) mister Grace has just passed away and left them a manor house/farm to live in.
As a country bumpkin I can definitely see how the city slickers in a country setting would be fertile ground for comedy and it works as the Grace Brothers store setting had been going for ten years and was near the end running out of steam.
What didn't work, the music is terrible and kept taking me out of the show but that is the only thing other than more episodes where needed, two seasons are definitely not enough.
Still I'm glad to have seen this and yes its not as good as Are You Being Served at its best, its a better send off for the Gents & Ladies ready made.
So what works, the cast which the writers clearly wanted to put up a tree and throw rocks at and they do here in a fish out of water way.
They are all retired and have known each other most of their working lives but what to do? Fortunately dear old (young) mister Grace has just passed away and left them a manor house/farm to live in.
As a country bumpkin I can definitely see how the city slickers in a country setting would be fertile ground for comedy and it works as the Grace Brothers store setting had been going for ten years and was near the end running out of steam.
What didn't work, the music is terrible and kept taking me out of the show but that is the only thing other than more episodes where needed, two seasons are definitely not enough.
Still I'm glad to have seen this and yes its not as good as Are You Being Served at its best, its a better send off for the Gents & Ladies ready made.
Wonderful to see the cast back together
anaraciean12 July 2021
It's wonderful that after are you being served I'd finished had finished but they were able to make a sequel it's a sequel even if it was 10 years later 10 years later the humor and chemistry is still as amazing as it was.
Needs a Visit from the Cash in the Attic Team!
P_Cornelius1 December 2006
Where is Alistair Appleton, Jonty Hearnden, and Paul Hayes? They and the rest of the Cash in the Attic team should have paid a visit to the set of Are You Being Served Again/Grace and Favour. Because I always find it fun to look in background and among the props for the goldmine of antiques and collectibles the set decorator used in this series. Loads of Cornishware, that large Gibsons teapot around which everyone always gathers, the classic Staffordshire spaniel figurine over Mr. Humphries' bed, the large Jasperware pitcher/vase, and a host of other items outfit the scenes. The manor/hotel is sure an improvement over the polyester nightmare that was Grace Bros.
But if the quality of the setting of this follow up series is better than Grace Bros., the overall quality of the series is not. Alas, Mollie Sugden is just too sweet and nice in this series, except for the bits where she cries like a little girl and then ends up muttering "rotten bitch" at the end. We needed more of THAT Mollie. Otherwise, the petty tyrannies and struggles for hierarchical dominance that fueled much of the original series was simply missing from this "more democratic" version of AYBS. I did like the additions of Fleur Bennett and Billy Burden. Not so much the inclusion of Joanne Heywood's Jessica Lovecock, er, uh, I mean Lovelock.
But if the quality of the setting of this follow up series is better than Grace Bros., the overall quality of the series is not. Alas, Mollie Sugden is just too sweet and nice in this series, except for the bits where she cries like a little girl and then ends up muttering "rotten bitch" at the end. We needed more of THAT Mollie. Otherwise, the petty tyrannies and struggles for hierarchical dominance that fueled much of the original series was simply missing from this "more democratic" version of AYBS. I did like the additions of Fleur Bennett and Billy Burden. Not so much the inclusion of Joanne Heywood's Jessica Lovecock, er, uh, I mean Lovelock.
Yes, it was lovely seeing them again
ApolloBoy1091 February 2024
I hope this 2-season attempt to capture a beloved series gave one of the greatest casts of all time a little more lolly in their old age.
The set-up is that the remaining Grace brother spent his employees pension fund and then gave them a country manor instead of money.
Excuse me?
There must have been over at least 100 more Grace brothers employees between the cafeteria staff, the service staff, secretaries and other departments. How many country estates did the firm own??
From the first episode forward logic is "dead on arrival"
BTW What happened to Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Rumbold's wife, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Spooner?? And the beloved Mr. Harmon????
Mr. Humphfries' Mother does ring-up once. The woman must be a 100. One episode features Mrs. Slocume's estranged husband from 30 years prior tracking her down. To that I say ... BULL!
Before I go on, I must comment on the costumes. Lovely and totally inappropriate. They are all in their finery (dressed for an evening function) and this is before they turn the manor into a hotel. On that subject at the start of the show they are all sleeping in the servant's quarters rather than the rooms the guests will eventually occupy. Why?
Moving on to the new cast members. So Miss Brahms is no longer the "cute chick" and is replaced by Miss Lovelock who "entertained" the last Grace brother to his death and she gets a slice of the Manor too? Really?? Makes no bloody sense. I guess Mr. Peacock needed someone to drool over.
You would have thought the running of a manor hotel by an inexperienced staff would offer enough episode content each week. BUT NO! It's also a working farm run by just two people, Mr. Moleturd and daughter Mavis. He's an unfunny creep and she's a clueless hick - stereotypes.
Which brings me to the producer's big mistake to continue the sexual indecision of Mr. Humphries. I understood it in the 70s and early 80s but not in 1992. Sharing a bed with Mavis is not funny. It is creepy and insulting to us loyal fans. He should have "come out" that could have been laced with so much humor especially if all the lady guests and town women fell for him making Mr. Peacock very jealous. That's humor!!
Yes, it was lovely seeing them all again, even if most of the episodes were poorly written. You can't go home again.
Best episode: The Haunting of a dead Cat.
The set-up is that the remaining Grace brother spent his employees pension fund and then gave them a country manor instead of money.
Excuse me?
There must have been over at least 100 more Grace brothers employees between the cafeteria staff, the service staff, secretaries and other departments. How many country estates did the firm own??
From the first episode forward logic is "dead on arrival"
BTW What happened to Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Rumbold's wife, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Spooner?? And the beloved Mr. Harmon????
Mr. Humphfries' Mother does ring-up once. The woman must be a 100. One episode features Mrs. Slocume's estranged husband from 30 years prior tracking her down. To that I say ... BULL!
Before I go on, I must comment on the costumes. Lovely and totally inappropriate. They are all in their finery (dressed for an evening function) and this is before they turn the manor into a hotel. On that subject at the start of the show they are all sleeping in the servant's quarters rather than the rooms the guests will eventually occupy. Why?
Moving on to the new cast members. So Miss Brahms is no longer the "cute chick" and is replaced by Miss Lovelock who "entertained" the last Grace brother to his death and she gets a slice of the Manor too? Really?? Makes no bloody sense. I guess Mr. Peacock needed someone to drool over.
You would have thought the running of a manor hotel by an inexperienced staff would offer enough episode content each week. BUT NO! It's also a working farm run by just two people, Mr. Moleturd and daughter Mavis. He's an unfunny creep and she's a clueless hick - stereotypes.
Which brings me to the producer's big mistake to continue the sexual indecision of Mr. Humphries. I understood it in the 70s and early 80s but not in 1992. Sharing a bed with Mavis is not funny. It is creepy and insulting to us loyal fans. He should have "come out" that could have been laced with so much humor especially if all the lady guests and town women fell for him making Mr. Peacock very jealous. That's humor!!
Yes, it was lovely seeing them all again, even if most of the episodes were poorly written. You can't go home again.
Best episode: The Haunting of a dead Cat.
Wonderful spin-of
studioAT6 May 2020
7 years after the end of 'Are You Being Served?' the gang reunited for this spin-off/sequel that is well worth a watch.
While it perhaps ran out of steam in terms of plots by the end of its short 2 year run it should not be classed as a flop.
This is a warm, charming sitcom with excellent moments and reunites the classic team from the original.
If you are a fan of 'Are You Being Served', this is essential viewing.
While it perhaps ran out of steam in terms of plots by the end of its short 2 year run it should not be classed as a flop.
This is a warm, charming sitcom with excellent moments and reunites the classic team from the original.
If you are a fan of 'Are You Being Served', this is essential viewing.
I enjoyed it
hillsofark15 January 2006
I thought this was a nice continuation of the original series. Inman and Sugden just really make this work. I wish there were more of their work available. The rest of the cast also grew into their parts from the original. The addition of Fleur and Bennet opened up a whole new set of story side lines.
I thought the writing was superior to the original series. The quality of the production was also superior to the original.
With the exception of the last two episodes, the scripts were also superior to the original.
English humors sometimes don't do well in this US. But this one made the transition better then most, and even took advantage of some of the differences, IE, Mrs Slocum's cat.
I wouldn't mind seeing more.
It will often make you smile, and occasionally make you laugh out loud.
I thought the writing was superior to the original series. The quality of the production was also superior to the original.
With the exception of the last two episodes, the scripts were also superior to the original.
English humors sometimes don't do well in this US. But this one made the transition better then most, and even took advantage of some of the differences, IE, Mrs Slocum's cat.
I wouldn't mind seeing more.
It will often make you smile, and occasionally make you laugh out loud.
Terrible.
plan992 February 2024
I've only seen series 1 episode 4 and I won't be watching any others as it was terrible. Nowhere near as funny as the earlier series of Are You Being Served, the final two series of AYBS were very bad and as bad as this poor effort.
Terrible script and the added characters don't add anything to the comedy, it could have done with Mr mash and the canteen lady from AYBS in it.
Spin offs are seldom successful and if you want to see one of the worst then watch this failure, one episode is more than most will be able to bear to watch. A very pale shadow of the going ons at Mr Grace's department store.
Terrible script and the added characters don't add anything to the comedy, it could have done with Mr mash and the canteen lady from AYBS in it.
Spin offs are seldom successful and if you want to see one of the worst then watch this failure, one episode is more than most will be able to bear to watch. A very pale shadow of the going ons at Mr Grace's department store.
I love it!
red-siren8 February 2006
It's true that it's not the same as the original, and I also wish that Trevor Banister had joined, (it would have been great to see him as a hen pecked husband, kind of to make up for his being such a "ladies man") but it was still a great show. It's too bad they didn't continue. I would have loved to see Mr. Humpfries bop Malcom in the hooter! I loved how they showed Mrs. Slocomb's "humble beginnings." Corpral Pompus looked like a bit of a dirty old man, but it was in the name of comedy. And Mr. Rumbold was just as irritating as in the original. Did anyone else notice that some of the guest stars were in the original. Mr. Slocomb was the store detective in Big Brother. Malcom's dad was one of the robbers. Can't remember the name of that episode.
It Didn't Work
bigverybadtom31 August 2013
Take a successful series from the past, bring in as much of the old cast as possible, come up with an updated scenario and a few new characters, and...you guessed it, you get a bunch of older actors going through the motions who fail to entertain the audience like they had done in the past. This was also the case with the 1995 "Get Smart" and "Life With Lucy".
The old Grace Brothers department store had closed, and with little in the way of retirement money, the old employees from the men's and women's departments are given an old country manor house to reside in and try to make money off of, and there are problems such as obnoxious locals to deal with, and episodes such as retrieving a 200-year-old cat from the property to put into a museum.
The whole scenario, besides being contrived, lacks the elements that made "Are You Being Served?" funny, such as dealings with various customers, having automated store displays malfunction, trying to sell inferior merchandise ("It will ride up with wear!") and so forth. It was a matter of reassembling the old cast and not having anything good for them to do.
The old Grace Brothers department store had closed, and with little in the way of retirement money, the old employees from the men's and women's departments are given an old country manor house to reside in and try to make money off of, and there are problems such as obnoxious locals to deal with, and episodes such as retrieving a 200-year-old cat from the property to put into a museum.
The whole scenario, besides being contrived, lacks the elements that made "Are You Being Served?" funny, such as dealings with various customers, having automated store displays malfunction, trying to sell inferior merchandise ("It will ride up with wear!") and so forth. It was a matter of reassembling the old cast and not having anything good for them to do.
older and funnier
checotah13 January 2004
I loved the series.Yes the group is several years older and yes some of the lines seem strained but the magnitude of the actors and actress'personalities make them work.Mr.Lucas would have been perfect in this setting,i can just imagine some of the one liners he would have used.He is missed in this series.I enjoyed the addition of the molturds.I had to watch the series through one time before i really began to understand the change of venue and the interactions of the new cast additions.My favorite episode is when Mr.Rumbold is wandering around the house after the electricity is knocked out by a storm and is scaring everyone simply by his sillouette accented by candle light.
Re: Grace and Favour
lotdfan4ever5 September 2005
I've been a long time fan of AYBS and have recently been watching Grace and Favour on one of my PBS stations. It was wonderful to see the cast again, and the addition of the beautiful and talented Fleur Bennett. Her accent and charm really made this show that much better. I recently bought the DVD and watch it often, mostly selecting the scenes where Mavis interacts with Mr. Humphries and the other cast. Chavenage House, where the show was filmed, was a much better setting than the old department store, and I plan to visit next fall and have a good look around. I wish they would've continued the series.
Joe
Joe
They needed Mr. Lucas!
shrek20041 September 2003
This was an alright show. It was still funny but I think it didn't work because the jokes had been done before and there weren't enough cast members from the original. But some of the episodes were really good and I liked the new continuing subplots that the other show just didn't have. But I guess people got tired of Are You Being Served. I wish they had gotten Trevor Bannister on to guest-star as a guest in the hotel: that would have been really something!!!
NOT HALF AS GOOD AS THE ORIGANAL, BUT I LIKED IT!
Mark-3715 March 2000
I REALLY liked this show! My favorite character is that old english Hillbilly. He's hillarious! I can see the many ways how this TV series is a disapiontment to the fans of the origanl, but it wasn't a let down for me! I was glad to see the Grace Bros. employees back together. ONE THING dissapionted me! Where was MR. LUCAS? HE WAS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER! I wish I knew the reason why he left the origanal in 1979.Still, this series is very humorous. My 2 favorite episodes are : The episode where this young black haired guy wants to fight Mr Humpries because that old Hillbillie's daughter has a crush on Mr Humpries and not himself. I understand that there were many episodes like this but i remember at the end, the cast is playing a game of CRICKET. My 2nd fave episode is where Mrs. Slocome EX-HUSBAND wants to buy the Motel. I remeber Mrs Slocome hides behind a liquor cabinet, where they used to hide people during the war! Thats was my absoulte favorite episdoe of this series! Enough said!
Very weird, but fun!
palcatin19 November 2001
Much different than the original series, although certainly worth a look if you liked the original. Would have been better with Mr. Lucas, and maybe Mr. Harmond, but quite enjoyable none the less. Since the show has been off the air since 1993, one would expect they could make a reunion special of the cast, for which I'd certainly tune in.
FUN, even if...
cheznonsequitur27 March 2002
Even though the show is maybe half as fun as the 18 Carat gold fun of AYBS -because the plot is more contrived or whatever, many of the strengths of AYBS remain.
Brilliant Timing Baby. Nice new cast additions.
I admit to being a bit prejudiced because I love AYBS, but 9 Carat gold is still a fine thing. So Hallmark this.
Brilliant Timing Baby. Nice new cast additions.
I admit to being a bit prejudiced because I love AYBS, but 9 Carat gold is still a fine thing. So Hallmark this.
BBC Productions
eric-dittman17 March 2006
I don't understand why the BBC only makes a few (15 - 20) episodes of very popular sitcoms and then never makes anymore. Examples are Are You Being Served, Again?, Black Adder, and Vicar of Dibley. Here in the U.S., sitcoms are made until the audience doesn't tune in anymore with some very rare exceptions (Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith Show). Unfortunately, by the time a sequel to some of these programs is thought of, many of the original characters have passed on or aren't interested anymore. I would sure like to see more episodes of many of these shows. I see that many of these actors appear in other productions and must still be popular in England. Their characters can't be played by others and carry the impact that the originals do. One exception may be Mary Millar as "Rose" in Keeping Up Appearances.
Not Up To Par
Tereza27 December 1999
The reunion series was a somewhat of a letdown for me. I especially loathe most of the new characters - the Moulterds and Miss Lovelock in particular. And the English hillbilly farm setting is dull, dull, dull! The new series just couldn't keep my interest as the old one did.
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