Only When I Laugh

Only When I Laugh (1979-1982)

EndedScripted showComedy

Only When I Laugh is a British television sitcom made by Yorkshire Television for ITV. It aired between 29 October 1979 and 16 December 1982 and was set in the ward of an NHS hospital. The title is in response to the question, "Does it hurt?"

It starred James Bolam, Peter Bowles, and Christopher Strauli as patients Roy Figgis, Archie Glover, and Norman Binns. Mr. Gordon Thorpe, their consultant surgeon, was played by Richard Wilson; and Gupte, the staff nurse from Delhi, was played by Derrick Branche.

The show was one of many successes for writer Eric Chappell, and has been repeated onI TV3 since 2007.

Roy, Archie and Norman are long-term patients in a British hospital ward. Though they don't seem terribly ill, neither do they seem to be getting better and going home. So they pass their days side by side in the hospital ward, chatting and occasionally getting on one another's nerves.

Network
Scheduleevery Thursday (30 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S04E07The ReunionDec 16, 1982
S04E06When Did You Last See Your Father?Dec 9, 1982
S04E05EscapeDec 2, 1982
S04E04In Sickness and in HealthNov 25, 1982
S04E03All in the MindNov 18, 1982
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Only When I Laugh premiere?

Only When I Laugh premiered on October 29, 1979.

Who created Only When I Laugh?

Only When I Laugh was created by Eric Chappell.

What was the genre of Only When I Laugh?

Only When I Laugh was a sitcom.

Who starred in Only When I Laugh?

Only When I Laugh starred James Bolam, Peter Bowles, and Christopher Strauli.

What was the premise of Only When I Laugh?

Only When I Laugh followed the lives of three hospital patients who shared a room.

What was the name of the hospital in Only When I Laugh?

The hospital in Only When I Laugh was called the Nightingale.

Who played the character of Roy Figgis in Only When I Laugh?

Peter Bowles played the character of Roy Figgis in Only When I Laugh.

Who played the character of Norman Binns in Only When I Laugh?

Christopher Strauli played the character of Norman Binns in Only When I Laugh.

Who played the character of Archie Glover in Only When I Laugh?

James Bolam played the character of Archie Glover in Only When I Laugh.

What was the name of the nurse in Only When I Laugh?

The nurse in Only When I Laugh was named Sister.

What was the relationship between Roy and Norman in Only When I Laugh?

Roy and Norman were best friends in Only When I Laugh.

Who directed Only When I Laugh?

Vernon Lawrence directed Only When I Laugh.

How many episodes were there in the first season of Only When I Laugh?

There were seven episodes in the first season of Only When I Laugh.

Where was Only When I Laugh filmed?

Only When I Laugh was filmed at The London Studios in London, England.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Helluva Boss
Running

Helluva Boss

Follow Blitz, a classic demon Imp who sets out to run his own small assassin business with his weapons specialist Moxxie, his bruiser Millie, and his receptionist hellhound Loona. Together they attempt to survive each other while running a startup in Hell.

The Sandman
Running

The Sandman

A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic — and human — mistakes he's made during his vast existence.

The Bold and the Beautiful
Running

The Bold and the Beautiful

They created a dynasty where passion rules, they are the Forresters, the first name in Fashion. The Bold and the Beautiful, a world of fashion, glamor and romance. A place where power, money and success are there for the taking in a city where dreams really do come true. Follow the lives and loves of the Forresters on The Bold and the Beautiful...

Grimsburg
Running

Grimsburg

Marvin Flute may be the greatest detective ever to catch a cannibal clown or correctly identify a mid-century modern armoire. But there's one mystery he still can't crack - his family. Now that he's back in Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three, Flute will follow every lead he's got to redeem himself with the ex-wife he never stopped loving, even if it means hanging out with the son he never bothered to get to know.

LEGO Masters
Running

LEGO Masters

Based on the hit British reality-competition series of the same name, LEGO Masters brings imagination, design and creativity to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Teams of two will compete against each other in ambitious brick-building challenges to be crowned the country's most talented amateur LEGO builders. In each episode, the competing pairs who most impress the judges will progress to the next round, until the finale, during which the top teams will face off for a cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGO Masters.