The programme was a direct sequel to the sitcom Porridge, which all four were involved in, with its premise surrounding the exploits of Barker's character Norman Stanley Fletcher following his release from prison and his attempts to not commit another crime for the sake of his family, despite the allure that crime brings. The programme also featured the appearance of Patricia Brake, reprising her role in Porridge, and Nicholas Lyndhurst. Both Fulton Mackay and Tony Osoba guest starred in the first episode, also reprising their earlier roles.
Six episodes of Going Straight, all written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, were produced for the BBC. The show began airing on 24 February and ended on 7 April 1978. All episodes had a running time of approximately 30 minutes.
Production
A single series of six episodes was made and aired across 1978, attracting an audience of over 15 million viewers[1] and winning a BAFTA TV Award for Best Situation Comedy in March 1979.[2] In addition, the series was featured on the front cover of the 18 February 1978 edition of the Radio Times.[3] Plans for further episodes were allegedly shelved after the premature death of Beckinsale in 1979, although in an interview published in Porridge: The Complete Scripts and Series Guide (2001), the writers stated that only one series was ever planned as Ronnie Barker would only agree to do the six episodes.
The theme tune, sung by Ronnie Barker, detailed Fletch's determination to go straight, an ambition first laid out in the Porridge episode "Men Without Women":[4] This was released as 7-inch single by EMI records. The B-side is a track called "The String Bean Queen".
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