Hi-de-Hi!
Hi-de-Hi! is a British sitcom set in Maplins, a fictional holiday camp, during 1959 and 1960, and was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, who also wrote Dad's Army and It Ain't Half Hot Mum amongst others. It aired on the BBC from 1980 to 1988. The series revolved around the lives of the camp's management and entertainers, most of them struggling actors or has-beens. The inspiration was the experience of writers Perry and Croft: after being demobilised from the army, Perry was a Redcoat at Butlin's, Pwllheli during the holiday season. The series gained large audiences and won a BAFTA as Best Comedy Series in 1984. In 2004, it came 40th in Britain's Best Sitcom and in a 2008 poll on Channel 4, 'Hi-de-Hi!" was voted the 35th most popular comedy catchphrase.
Seasons
1. Hey Diddle Diddle (Pilot)
Air Date: 1981-02-19
The staff of Maplin's Holiday Camp assembles for the new season to find a university professor as entertainments manager.
2. Desire in the Mickey Mouse Grotto
Air Date: 1981-02-26
Jeffrey is implicated when Ted is spotted entering a chalet with a girl camper.
3. The Beauty Queen Affair
Air Date: 1981-03-05
Jeffrey is called on to judge the Holiday Princess Competition. Meanwhile, Ted teaches Spike how to make the most of the campers' generosity.
4. The Partridge Season
Air Date: 1981-03-12
Mr. Partridge's drinking is getting worse, and Jeffrey's untimely decision to give him a pay rise doesn't help matters.
5. The Day of Reckoning
Air Date: 1981-03-19
Fred's past comes back to haunt him, causing the staff - Peggy and Spike in particular - several difficulties.
6. Charity Begins at Home
Air Date: 1981-03-26
Joe Maplin ordains that each Thursday should be Sunshine Smile Day, encouraging Ted to indulge in a money-making scheme.
7. No Dogs Allowed
Air Date: 1981-04-02
Jeffrey's marital problems start to interfere with his work, and scandalous rumours are soon circulating around the camp.
1. If Wet - In the Ballroom
Air Date: 1981-11-29
The alarming amount of rainfall is disrupting the Maplin's schedule endlessly.
2. Peggy's Big Chance
Air Date: 1981-12-06
Peggy's burning ambition to be a Yellowcoat may be realised when she is asked to take part in the latest pool wheeze.
3. Lift up Your Minds
Air Date: 1981-12-13
Jeffrey feels the 'Who's Got The Wrong Trousers On?' Competition is not catering for the cultural needs of the campers, and resolves to do something about it.
4. On With the Motley
Air Date: 1981-12-20
Ted feels his big chance has come when he is asked to perform some dates at the local golf club dinners.
5. A Night Not to Remember
Air Date: 1981-12-27
Jeffrey gets lead astray by some campers, and ends up a little worse for wear. Naturally, Gladys is eager to take advantage of the situation.
6. Sausages or Limelight
Air Date: 1982-01-03
Spike is forced to make an impossible decision when his girlfriend's father issues an ultimatum.
1. Nice People With Nice Manners
Air Date: 1982-10-31
Yvonne and Barry decide to hold a party in their chalet for the more distinguished among the staff.
2. Carnival Time
Air Date: 1982-11-07
It is time for the annual town carnival, and Jeff is looking to Ted for ideas for the Maplin's float.
3. A Matter of Conscience
Air Date: 1982-11-14
When Joe Maplin realises that the council's idea for a new hospital threatens his plans for the camp, he advises the staff of what action they must take.
4. The Pay-Off
Air Date: 1982-11-21
In spite of the staff's efforts, the local council remains unfazed by the prospect of having Joe Maplin as a neighbour for the proposed hospital, so Joe takes drastic action.
5. Trouble and Strife
Air Date: 1982-11-28
Ted's ex-wife is causing him grief by demanding her maintenance money. When she arrives at the camp in person, Ted is forced to act quickly.
6. Stripes
Air Date: 1982-12-05
Joe Maplin decides that Gladys should hold the newly-created title of Head Yellowcoat. However, someone who looks likely to threaten her new position arrives at the camp.
1. Co-Respondent's Course
Air Date: 1982-12-12
Jeffrey's wife is anxious to acquire a divorce. Unfortunately, he is not very co-operative when it comes to giving grounds.
2. It's a Blue World
Air Date: 1982-12-19
Ted arranges a special late-night showing of a blue movie for the male campers.
3. Eruptions
Air Date: 1982-12-26
Ted is fed up with his act being constantly interrupted, distracting his audience, and decides it's time Jeffrey did something about it.
4. The Society Entertainer
Air Date: 1983-01-02
A female camper captures Spike's heart, making him eager to impress her - even if his act suffers as a result!
5. Sing You Sinners
Air Date: 1983-01-09
The chaplain retires from his camp duties, leaving the Sunday Half-Hour in need of a replacement.
6. Maplin Intercontinental
Air Date: 1983-01-16
Joe Maplin is opening a new camp in the Bahamas, and decrees that the winner of the 'Most Popular Girl Yellowcoat of the Season Competition' will fulfil a post there.
7. All Change
Air Date: 1983-01-23
With the camp filled to capacity, Jeffrey is less than delighted to learn that he has to re-accommodate the entire entertainments staff to make way for the new Yellowcoat Supervisor.
1. Concessions
Air Date: 1983-11-27
Ted deceives Jeffrey in order to keep a private booking at a local function.
2. Save Our Heritage
Air Date: 1983-12-04
Joe Maplin commands Jeffrey to assist with the demolition of a nearby cottage, which stands in the way of the camp's new extension.
3. Empty Saddles
Air Date: 1983-12-11
Fred is in for a devastating blow when Joe Maplin makes a decision concerning the camp's horses.
4. The Marriage Settlement
Air Date: 1983-12-18
Jeffrey finally agrees to divorce his wife, but in order to do so, he will require the help of a highly improbable source.
5. The Graven Image
Air Date: 1984-01-08
The camp is all prepared for the unveiling of the new Joe Maplin statue. Alas, several factors, including Spike's uncharacteristic drunkenness, ensure that the ceremony does not run smoothly.
6. Peggy's Pen Friend
Air Date: 1984-01-15
Peggy raises a few eyebrows among the staff when she informs them she has a new boyfriend.
7. The Epidemic
Air Date: 1984-01-22
The staff are expecting a visit from Joe Maplin, when there is an outbreak of 'chads' - a form of graffiti. As an indirect result, Barry injures his back.
1. Together Again
Air Date: 1984-11-03
The Maplin's staff assembles at the start of the new season to find a few surprises awaiting them.
2. Ted at the Helm
Air Date: 1984-11-10
Ted is excited at the prospect of becoming the new entertainments manager, especially when he is summoned to Maplin's Head Office.
3. Opening Day
Air Date: 1984-11-17
The opening day of the season has arrived and the staff prepare to greet the first batch of campers at the station.
4. Off With the Motley
Air Date: 1984-11-24
When the post of Stores Supervisor becomes vacant, Peggy is promoted.
5. Hey Diddle Diddle, Who's on the Fiddle?
Air Date: 1984-12-01
Peggy and Spike uncover evidence that suggests Joe Maplin gave Clive a job in order to spy on the staff.
6. Raffles
Air Date: 1984-12-25
When Ted remembers that he has an old car "identical to Clive's" gathering dust, he comes up with a devious scheme to make some money.
1. The Great Cat Robbery
Air Date: 1985-12-25
When Peggy recognizes a picture of a recently-deceased cat burglar in the newspaper to be a former camper, Ted lets his imagination run wild.
2. It's Murder
Air Date: 1986-01-05
It seems the campers are no longer prepared to put up with Mr. Partridge's behaviour towards their children. So the staff are faced with a predicament when he goes missing.
3. Who Killed Mr. Partridge?
Air Date: 1986-01-12
Ted and Spike have discovered Partridge's dead body floating in the pool. They, and the rest of the staff, have to conceal his apparent murder from the campers.
4. Spaghetti Galore
Air Date: 1986-01-19
Gladys finds herself very much in demand on the night of her birthday, with two offers of dinner... that she knows about!
5. A Lack of Punch
Air Date: 1986-01-26
Head Office decides not to replace Mr. Partridge until the end of the season, and tells the staff that they are to stand in for him in the meantime.
6. Ivory Castles in the Air
Air Date: 1986-02-09
Gladys gets the wrong idea when Clive takes her to visit his family estate.
7. Man Trap
Air Date: 1986-02-16
Joe Maplin's press release angers its subjects, Gladys and Spike, whose relationships with Clive and April, respectively, look set to suffer.
1. Pigs Might Fly
Air Date: 1986-11-08
The shock departure of Barry turns his partner Yvonne into a recluse in her chalet, and leaves the entertainments programme one act short.
2. The New Broom
Air Date: 1986-11-15
The unexpected arrival of the new camp controller catches everyone off guard, and Alec Foster does not pull any punches...
3. Orphan of the Storm
Air Date: 1986-11-22
The staff rallies round when Alec Foster sacks Peggy. But it seems as though nothing can be done to save her job.
4. God Bless Our Family
Air Date: 1986-12-06
Fed up with Clive's irresponsible behaviour, his entire family turns up at the camp to try and talk some sense into him.
5. Only the Brave
Air Date: 1986-12-13
Spike thinks the staff should do something special for April's birthday. But with Ted organising the occasion, things are unlikely to go as intended.
6. September Song
Air Date: 1986-12-27
Ted has a new love interest: a young pianist whom he plans to marry. Elsewhere, Julian is hoping romance will blossom for himself and Yvonne, and takes her to visit his farm.
1. Tell It to the Marines
Air Date: 1987-12-26
A Royal Marines sergeant antagonises Ted, causing him to make a rash statement he may have cause to regret.
2. Marry Go Round
Air Date: 1988-01-02
The campers are complaining about how unfunny the camp comic is. Spike believes it's because his engagement to April is preying on his mind and attempts to find a cure.
3. The Perils of Peggy
Air Date: 1988-01-09
In spite of her coldness towards him, Clive is desperate to win Gladys back - but he requires the help of Ted and Peggy.
4. Let Them Eat Cake
Air Date: 1988-01-16
Alec Foster pays the camp another visit and Ted takes the opportunity to ask for a rise.
5. Wedding Bells
Air Date: 1988-01-23
As Gladys and Clive prepare to take the plunge, there is a sudden panic when Clive's family finds out about the impending marriage and attempts to put a stop to it.
6. The Wind of Change
Air Date: 1988-01-30
It's nearly the end of the season, and there are plenty of events scheduled. But when Dawn falls ill, the timetable is thrown into chaos and a replacement is needed.
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Rating
7.0/10
Release Date
1981-02-19
Episodes
58 (9 seasons)
Status
Ended
