Old Harry’s Game
Old Harry’s Game (1995-2012, United Kingdom)
Professor Richard Wittington dies in a card accident caused by Thomas Crimp, they both end up in Hell. Professor initially refuses to accept that fact, even though he is put in front of the Satan himself and he is surrounded by demons. Not discouraged by this new situation, he finds the new environment fascinating, which surprises Satan, who is not used to that kind of reaction from new arrivals. Thomas, on the other hand, is a hardly surprising addition to the Hell, he is one of the most despicable people, who ever lived, and till blames professor for the accident. Soon, they both will find their place in Hell, professor as adversary in almost-philosophical debates with Satan about human nature and Thomas as the constant punchbag for what he did while still on Earth.
Old Harry’s Game was written by veteran Andy Hamilton (who also played the part of Satan) and it is a masterpiece of radio comedy. The plot set in Hell and presented from the point of view of not only people, who ended up there, but also Satan and some of his demons, created a unique atmosphere and opened a lot of routes for the story to unfold. And basically, even though the series ran for 7 series (plus specials), each part of it is slightly different, each shows not only the funny parts, but genuinely intriguing questions about the human nature and who we really are.
After James Grout retired in 2002, his character of professor was replaced by Edith Cordelia Barrington (played by Annette Crosbie), historian, who would write the biography of Satan, the show gained a new perspective and new elements that refreshed the formula.
Old Harry’s Game was one of rate examples of shows that made you laugh and made you think, which is a rare combination. The writing was excellent, the cast was great, the episodes are a treat.
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add a commentEpisodes of Old Harry’s Game
Series 1 (1995)
1. Welcome to Hell
Professor Richard Wittington dies in a traffic accident, but does not realize that. Satan takes upon himself to make professor realize the truth.
2. Corruption
In order to prove that humans are corrupt by nature Satan tries to seduce Professor’s wife.
3. Hero Worship
Satan takes the Professor to meet his heroes in Hell to show him they are not what they seemed.
4. Appearances
Satan, frustrated that in Hell there is no concept of time, makes Gary count the passing time.
5. Rebellion
While Satan and the Professor search for the nature of happines, Thomas schemes to begin a putsch in Hell.
6. Redemption
Thomas accidentally summons God and Satan takes this opportunity to ask about his future or at least future of the Professor.
Series 2 (1998)
1. Assistant
While looking for an assistant to replace Gary, Satan stumbles upon a very keen candidate called Scumspawn.
2. Chuckles
Satan makes his assistant the most evil creature there ever existed - dolphin called Chuckles.
3. Nero
Satan tries different approach to his search for an assistant and reaches for a Roman emperor, Nero.
4. Computers
Thomas has to face his past again when his former assistant, Ms. Frobisher, turns up in Hell.
5. G.U.T.
To prove a point, Satan agrees to share with professor his in-depth knowledge of how universe actually works.
6. Too Far
The publication of professor’s book on Grand Unifying Theory goes awry.
Series 3 (1999)
1. This Thing Called Love
Satan reveals to The professor that his widow Deborah is going to be married again.
2. Another Country
The professor learns a thing about himself from his widow.
3. A Four-Letter Word
When a would-be film maker arrives in Hell, Satan allows him to make his movie in order to prove that humans are never satisfied.
4. The Reasonably Fantastic Journey
Satan take the professor on a trip to find the reason why Thomas is the way he is.
5. The Beautiful Game
Satan organizes a World Cup in Hell, to prove that people will always end up in chaos.
6. The Final Reckoning
The Professor pleads with Satan to help him make things right for his widow.
Series 4 (2001)
1. Knowledge & Ignorance
Satan attempts to prove to the professor that knowledge can be more dangerous than ignorance.
2. Beautiful England
Satan shows the professor how misguided his pride of being British is.
3. Health & Safety
Derek, a Health and Safety Inspector, arrives to Hell and brings a different kind of chaos with him.
4. Poets Corner
Satan sets out to find the meaning of a line in a poem by W.B. Yeats.
5. Sleep
The professor is convinced that sleep could fix a lot of Satan’s problems.
6. Beauty
Satan calls on Helen of Troy to prove his point about beauty.
7. The Roll of the Dice
Christmas Special - a Salvation Army worker who led a sinless life and believes in God, arrives in Hell and puzzles Satan.
8. Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Christmas Special - Satan, Scumspawn and Hope search for Death to try to get him to correct his mistake.
Series 5 (2005)
1. Moral Leadership
To stop the overcrowding of Hell, Satan tries to convince humans to stop committing sins.
2. The Crusade
Satan tries to use religion to stop people ending up in Hell.
3. Power Politics
Satan tries the political approach to solve the problem of overcrowding in Hell.
4. I Blame the Media
As the last resort, Satan turns to media.
Series 6 (2007)
1. Edith
Edith Barrington, Thomas’ former mother-in-law, arrives in Hell, but refuses to accept the fact she is dead.
2. Discoveries
Edith starts gathering materials for the biography of Satan.
3. Murderers
To find out who killed Edith, Satan turns to murderers for advice.
4. Psychiatry
Satan and Edith visit the famous crime writers, looking for clues to her death.
5. Investigation
Satan comes up with the prime suspect for murder of Edith, but she refuses to believe his theory.
6. Ginger
Satan sets out to find the final proof who killed Edith.
Series 7 (2009)
1. Scamp
When a dog arrives unexpectedly in Hell, Satan tries to find out what went wrong.
2. Satan
When a baby shows up in Hell, Satan is sure things are not going as planned.
3. Papoose
Satan attempts to identify the baby via the governmental database.
4. Persuaded
God makes the decision to move the dog and the baby to Heaven, but Satan gets persuaded it might not be the best idea.
5. Adoption
Satan is looking for people who could adopt the baby.
6. Return
The plan to move the baby back to Earth is in full swing.
Christmas specials (2010)
1. Christmas Spirit
Christmas special - Satan decides to ban Christmas.
2. Ring in the New
Christmas special - Satan decides he needs a holiday.
Olympics specials (2012)
1. Olympics special 1
Satan attempts to show Edith that the ancient Games were not what people think.
2. Olympics special 2
Satan is forced to take Edith to the 2012 Olympics.
Creators of Old Harry’s Game
Cast of Old Harry’s Game
Trivia about Old Harry’s Game
Why James Grout left Old Harry’s Game?
In 2002 James Grout, who played the professor, decided to leave Old Harry’s Game due to fact that he was retiring from showbusiness. In an interview he explained "When you have got two artificial knees, you find it difficult to walk the stage, you have to be in London to work, especially on TV, but it’s grey and I hate it. It has been a great life but I am glad the chasing of work is over. I am just getting old. I just want to have the time and enjoy life."
Old Harry’s Game quotes
Thomas Quentin Crimp:
Do you have narcotics?
Professor Richard Wittington:
They make you paranoid...
Thomas Quentin Crimp:
That’s what they want you to think!
Edith Cordelia Barrington:
[trying to recall the moment before her death] I was sitting in front of TV and watching "Midsomer Murders".
Satan:
What were you thinking?
Edith Cordelia Barrington:
Nothing, I was watching "Midsomer Murders".