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.
The Rookie
Running

The Rookie

The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.

The Studio
Running

The Studio

As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their own insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting, and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes movies, it's the job Matt's been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.

GenreComedy
True Detective
Running

True Detective

Touch darkness and darkness touches you back. True Detective centers on troubled cops and the investigations that drive them to the edge. Each season features a new cast and a new case.

True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created and written by Nic Pizzolatto. 

S.W.A.T.
Running

S.W.A.T.

Shemar Moore stars as a locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant newly tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, former Marine Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson has everything it takes to be an excellent leader and bridge the divide between his two worlds.

The Equalizer
Running

The Equalizer

A reimagining of the classic series, The Equalizer centers on enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.