All Gas and Gaiters
All Gas and Gaiters is a British television ecclesiastical sitcom which aired on BBC1 from 1966 to 1971. It was written by Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps, a husband-and-wife team who used the pseudonym of "John Wraith" when writing the pilot. At St Oggs Cathedral is a carefree bishop, an old tippling archdeacon, and an accident-prone chaplain, who all wish to live a quiet bachelor life, but this is continually threatened by the dean, who tries to bring by-the-book rule to the cathedral.
Seasons
1. The Bishop Gets the Sack
Air Date: 1967-01-31
BBC journalist Timothy Post arrives at St Oggs to film a documentary, and someone is required to go in front of the camera. The Bishop is keen to stop the Dean from taking on the role, and fancies doing it himself.
2. The Bishop Meets a Bird
Air Date: 1967-02-07
The Bishop has been sought to contribute an article on the Cathedral for a local paper, and he sets to with enthusiasm. His discovery of an old tradition called 'Pedlar's Right', and its subsequent publication, lead him into an embarrassing situation.
3. The Bishop Writes a Sermon
Air Date: 1967-02-14
With an impending visit to his alma mater to deliver a sermon for Founder's Day, the Bishop determines not to forget it – as he did the previous year. But in the end, he misplaces both his new sermon and the one Noote lends him as a replacement — is he ever to impress his old headmaster?
4. The Bishop Sees a Ghost
Air Date: 1967-02-21
There have been several sightings of a ghost in the Cathedral and attention turns to the Bishop, who is called upon to perform an exorcism. The Bishop, however, decides to hunt out the ghost by performing an all-night vigil in the cloisters.
5. The Bishop Turns to Crime
Air Date: 1967-02-28
When the Dean mistakenly entrusts the Bishop to look after his man-eating plant, he little realises the chaos that it causes. If the Bishop had not arranged for a removal of junk from his home, then the key to the Deanery wouldn't be lost and the Archdeacon wouldn't have had to enlist a reformed burglar in order to retrieve it!
6. Only Three Can Play
Air Date: 1967-03-07
The Bishop's normal Thursday night game with Noote and the Archdeacon is thrown into chaos when the Dean arrives. Only three people are allowed to play but the Dean wants in and he sends Noote on an errand. Noote has to persuade a young lady not to park in the close but, instead, he becomes enchanted with her and it looks as though the Dean has a regular place at the game after all...
1. The Dean Goes Primitive
Air Date: 1967-11-24
The Dean has promised the congregation that he is going to return St Ogg's to its primitive roots. He wishes to replace the Bishop's comfortable throne with a large stone and make life less cosy so that people will pay attention to the sermons. There's a mad frenzy from the Bishop and his cohorts as they try to squash the Dean's plans.
2. The Bishop Gives a Party
Air Date: 1967-12-01
Having endured one of the Dean's parties the previous night, the Bishop and Archdeacon are not over-pleased when Noote forces them to attend another. But they're in for a surprise when the Dean's delightful sister, Hilary, charms them both and suddenly there's a contest to win her affections.
3. The Bishop Gets a Letter
Air Date: 1967-12-08
When the Bishop receives a letter from the Archbishop inquiring about the poor clergy in the diocese, he's adamant that all parishes in his jurisdiction are poverty free. Noote advises him of a parish in Stagmarsh that he has never even visited, so the Bishop is stung in to to taking gifts of old clothes disguised as jumble for the 'poor' curate.
4. The Bishop Goes to Town
Air Date: 1967-12-15
In an effort to make his mark on the history of St Ogg's, the Bishop is encouraged to buy at auction the sermons of Bishop Gurdon, a 14th century notable. This would ensure the Bishop would get a brass plaque for his services but, as usual, nothing goes to plan.
5. Give a Dog a Bad Name
Air Date: 1967-12-22
The Dean has heard Noote whispering sweet nothings to a 'woman' in the old stables and complains to the Bishop. Turns out Noote has been looking after an Afghan hound and, to complicate things, it is also happens to be pregnant. The Dean's total ignorance of the situation leads to some peculiar misunderstandings.
6. The Bishop Gives a Shove
Air Date: 1967-12-29
After another row with the Dean, the Bishop decides he's tired of arguing and decides to play the bigger man. He is persuaded to recommend the Dean for the newly created diocese of Chelsea but then he has to find nice things to say about him – a very difficult task after ten years of bitter infighting.
1. The Bishop Learns the Facts
Air Date: 1969-01-08
It appears that Noote has finally found a girlfriend and the Archdeacon thinks the time is right for the Bishop to tell him the facts of life. But, in reality, Noote has been asked to perform a marriage service for the young lady in question who happens to be an old friend. Once again, the Dean causes chaos with his meddling and the misunderstandings abound.
2. The Bishop Has a Flutter
Air Date: 1969-01-15
The Archdeacon offers the Bishop a chance to make some money by selling him tickets for an OAP raffle. The Bishop is going to the point-to-point horse racing and is encouraged by the Archdeacon to have a bet. But the question of gambling is given a positive spin by the Archdeacon — after all, raffle tickets are technically gambling. The Bishop is now convinced that having a flutter is not real gambling and determines to 'have a bit of fun without losing control'.
3. The Bishop Is Hospitable
Air Date: 1969-01-22
The Dean agrees with St Paul that 'a Bishop should be given to hospitality' but he's taken by surprise at the outcome.
4. The Bishop Pays a Visit
Air Date: 1969-01-29
The Bishop is stung by the Dean's accusation that his visits to the diocese are out of date. In an attempt to teach the Dean a lesson, he decides to visit St Ogg's, in his official capacity, and make the Dean account for every item in the Cathedral's inventory.
5. The Bishop Takes a Holiday
Air Date: 1969-02-05
There is evidence that the Methodists are poaching Anglican congregations so the Bishop decides to fight fire with fire.
6. The Affair at Cookham Lock
Air Date: 1969-02-12
There is great anticipation at St Ogg's when the final episode of a TV thriller is about to be broadcast – but the Dean does not share their enthusiasm and his presence is unwelcome.
7. The Bishop Keeps His Diary
Air Date: 1969-02-19
Keeping a diary should be a very private affair but the Bishop is having trouble keeping his from the Dean.
1. The Bishop Buys a Car
Air Date: 1970-04-15
When it comes to car shopping, the Bishop can only see one model suitable for him, but the Dean disapproves.
2. The Bishop Gains a Reputation
Air Date: 1970-04-22
There's concern for the Archdeacon when he isn't feeling himself, and his trip to Harley Street makes the Bishop fear the worst.
3. The Bishop Loves His Neighbour
Air Date: 1970-04-29
The Dean has planned a "Good Neighbour Week" but the enthusiasm is muted because it coincides with the Test cricket.
4. The Bishop Beats the System
Air Date: 1970-05-06
When the Bishop receives a substantial offer for St Ogg's cloak, he sees it as an ideal way of raising funds for clergy widows. However, the Dean is opposed and the Bishop must get past the Cathedral's new security system.
5. The Bishop Buys a Mug
Air Date: 1970-05-13
The Bishop shows his ruthless streak when he looks to add a much desired piece to his art collection.
6. When in Rome
Air Date: 1970-05-20
It's the Bishop's birthday and he should be happy but, as usual, the Dean has managed to rob it of its charm.
7. The Bishop Takes Up Business
Air Date: 1970-05-27
When the Bishop decides to become a bit more enterprising, he finds it more difficult than he thought...
1. The Bishop Warms Up
Air Date: 1971-05-13
Now that the Dean has replaced the annual hymn service with a music festival, there is a need to house the boys' choir. Due to local bylaws, it is down to the Bishop to put them up in his home but he has just had a new central heating system fitted and it makes for a sleepless night for all!
2. The Bishop Entertains
Air Date: 1971-05-20
It's St Ogg's annual garden party, and the Bishop has received a letter from an old friend, Mrs Arnold. After meeting her again recently, he's keen to do what he should have done thirty years ago — propose!
3. The Bishop Gives a Present
Air Date: 1971-05-27
The Dean's silver wedding anniversary is approaching, and he's been dropping rather a lot of hints around St Ogg's as to what he would like as a gift. However, it seems he's got something else for himself...
4. The Bishop Shows His Loyalty
Air Date: 1971-06-03
The Bishop stews in envy as the Dean announces his invitation to preach for at Windsor. When the Dean has an accident in the garden, the Bishop sees an opportunity too good to pass up.
5. The Bishop Has a Rest
Air Date: 1971-06-10
When the Bishop is awoken from his afternoon rest by the sound of the cathedral bells, he's confused as they haven't rang for years. His confusion turns to anger when he hears that the Dean has had the bells restored and intends to hold bell-ringing practice every Saturday afternoon.
6. The Bishop Loses His Chaplain
Air Date: 1971-06-17
When the Bishop decides to spend his money on a new colour television instead of a typist, an overwhelmed Noote resigns. But Noote decides to stay when the Dean's precocious niece is employed to help him!
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Rating
5.5/10
Release Date
1967-01-31
Episodes
32 (5 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Production Companies
BBC