Rising Damp

Rigsby finds himself goaded into committing to a three‑day fast. As the hours pass and the stomach growls grow louder, he looks for any way to quiet the pangs of hunger. The only solution he can think of is to pilfer the cat food that belongs to Vienna. By taking the feline provisions, he hopes to stave off the gnawing emptiness that the fast brings. The act of stealing the cat food becomes his makeshift remedy, allowing him to endure the imposed period without succumbing entirely to the ache of an empty belly. He knows it isn’t his own food, but the desperation of the fast pushes him to take it anyway.

Once Rigsby's divorce is finally finalised, he doesn't waste a moment and immediately puts a ring on Miss Jones' finger. Eager to seal the new relationship, he asks his brother to stand beside him as best man, only to discover that the decision was a misstep. He hopes the gesture will cement his fresh start, yet the brother's involvement brings unexpected tension, highlighting how even well‑intended plans can go awry. The incident underscores the fragile balance between personal ambition and family dynamics.

After posting a personal advertisement in the local newspaper, Rigsby is taken aback by the reply he receives. He had expected little more than the usual responses, yet the answer that arrives is wholly unforeseen, catching him off‑guard. The unexpected nature of the correspondence forces him to reconsider the purpose of his advert and the motives behind the reply. Though the advert was intended as a straightforward appeal, the reaction he gets diverges sharply from his expectations, leaving him both surprised and intrigued by the turn of events. The reply, delivered through the same newspaper channel, catches him completely off guard and prompts a moment of bewilderment.

After posting a personal advertisement in the local newspaper, Rigsby is taken aback by the reply he receives. He had expected little more than the usual responses, yet the answer that arrives is wholly unforeseen, catching him off‑guard. The unexpected nature of the correspondence forces him to reconsider the purpose of his advert and the motives behind the reply. Though the advert was intended as a straightforward appeal, the reaction he gets diverges sharply from his expectations, leaving him both surprised and intrigued by the turn of events. The reply, delivered through the same newspaper channel, catches him completely off guard and prompts a moment of bewilderment.

Rigsby finds himself goaded into committing to a three‑day fast. As the hours pass and the stomach growls grow louder, he looks for any way to quiet the pangs of hunger. The only solution he can think of is to pilfer the cat food that belongs to Vienna. By taking the feline provisions, he hopes to stave off the gnawing emptiness that the fast brings. The act of stealing the cat food becomes his makeshift remedy, allowing him to endure the imposed period without succumbing entirely to the ache of an empty belly. He knows it isn’t his own food, but the desperation of the fast pushes him to take it anyway.

Within the episode, Rigsby confronts Philip with a direct challenge: a boxing match that will decide more than just a winner. Rigsby is convinced that if Philip manages to defeat him in the ring, Miss Jones will be so taken with him that she’ll literally throw herself at his feet, an outcome Rigsby anticipates eagerly. Both men prepare for the bout, aware that the physical contest carries an implied promise of admiration. The tension builds as the audience watches the two opponents size each other up, each aware that the result could sway Miss Jones’s affections. The episode also features the noted actor Leonard Rossiter, who appears as part of the cast, adding his recognised presence to the unfolding drama.

Once Rigsby's divorce is finally finalised, he doesn't waste a moment and immediately puts a ring on Miss Jones' finger. Eager to seal the new relationship, he asks his brother to stand beside him as best man, only to discover that the decision was a misstep. He hopes the gesture will cement his fresh start, yet the brother's involvement brings unexpected tension, highlighting how even well‑intended plans can go awry. The incident underscores the fragile balance between personal ambition and family dynamics.

In this episode of the series Under the Influence, a new tenant called Ambrose arrives at the boarding house and immediately declares himself a mystic. He insists that he possesses uncanny powers, and his confidence soon begins to affect the other lodgers, who find themselves caught up in a strange, hypnotic spell. His assertions are delivered with certainty that soon seems to ripple through the shared rooms, leaving the occupants uneasy yet strangely fascinated. The ambience of the house shifts as the influence spreads, creating tension among the residents. Leonard Rossiter leads the episode, playing the central figure whose presence drives the unusual events in the household. His performance anchors the narrative.

Within the episode, Rigsby confronts Philip with a direct challenge: a boxing match that will decide more than just a winner. Rigsby is convinced that if Philip manages to defeat him in the ring, Miss Jones will be so taken with him that she’ll literally throw herself at his feet, an outcome Rigsby anticipates eagerly. Both men prepare for the bout, aware that the physical contest carries an implied promise of admiration. The tension builds as the audience watches the two opponents size each other up, each aware that the result could sway Miss Jones’s affections. The episode also features the noted actor Leonard Rossiter, who appears as part of the cast, adding his recognised presence to the unfolding drama.

Rigsby realises that Miss Jones has taken a new man into her life and, spurred by his feelings, resolves to tell her how he feels. He spends a restless evening rehearsing what he will say, convinced that honesty might still win her over. When he finally gathers the courage to approach her, he finds that his confession arrives far too late, the opportunity already slipped away. He feels a pang of regret as he watches the new couple, aware that his own hopes have been eclipsed. The scene underscores the bittersweet nature of missed chances. The episode features performances by Leonard Rossiter and Frances de la Tour.

Seymour, a tenant with a polished, smooth‑talking manner, puts on an aristocratic front that hides his true nature as a crook. Beneath the genteel façade, he is scheming to swindle Rigsby, aiming to lift the latter’s savings for himself. The plot centres on Seymour’s attempt to persuade Rigsby to part with his money, using his charming demeanour to mask the deception. In doing so, he reveals the contrast between his outward elegance and the dishonest intent that drives his actions, as he works to trick Rigsby out of his hard‑earned cash.

In this episode of Black Magic, Rigsby comes to the realisation that his romantic prospects are going rather poorly, so he seeks guidance from the recently‑arrived tenant, Philip. Hoping that Philip's fresh perspective might help turn his fortunes around, Rigsby asks for advice on how to revive his failing love life. The storyline unfolds in a classic comedic style, in a light‑hearted, witty manner, with Leonard Rossiter delivering his usual sharp performance. The interaction between the two characters drives the humour, as Rigsby navigates the awkwardness of soliciting help from a new house‑mate while trying to mend his personal affairs.

In the opening instalment of the series, Ruth manages to persuade Rigsby to let his vacated room over to a friend of hers. She convinces him that the space would be put to good use, and Rigsby eventually agrees to the arrangement. This pilot sets the tone for what would become a classic comedy, and it features the talents of Leonard Rossiter and Frances de Tour in the leading roles. Ruth's charm and Rigsby's compliance drive the humour of the scenario, establishing the character dynamics that will recur throughout the show. The episode introduces the audience to the quirky domestic setting that underpins the series' wit, while the performances of Rossiter and de Tour provide a foundation for the comedy's episodes.

Seymour, a tenant with a polished, smooth‑talking manner, puts on an aristocratic front that hides his true nature as a crook. Beneath the genteel façade, he is scheming to swindle Rigsby, aiming to lift the latter’s savings for himself. The plot centres on Seymour’s attempt to persuade Rigsby to part with his money, using his charming demeanour to mask the deception. In doing so, he reveals the contrast between his outward elegance and the dishonest intent that drives his actions, as he works to trick Rigsby out of his hard‑earned cash.

Rigsby, feeling desperate to win Brenda’s favour, splurges on a set of new furniture, hoping the fresh pieces will catch her eye and signal his good taste. He makes a poor choice, however, by deciding to finance the purchase on the “never‑never”, a deferred‑payment scheme that quickly proves to be a misstep. The very items meant to impress end up becoming a source of worry, as the credit arrangement undermines his original intention and leaves him regretting the decision.

Rigsby treats Miss Jones to a night out, enjoying wine and a meal while dressed in a suit he has quietly “borrowed” from the irritable wrestler Spooner. He hopes the borrowed outfit will add a touch of class to the evening, but the garment is clearly not his own. Halfway through the main course Spooner bursts onto the scene, his temper as fierce as his reputation. The sudden intrusion catches both diners off guard, adding tension to what had been a relaxed outing. He confronts Rigsby, intent on exacting revenge for the unauthorised use of his suit, turning the dinner into a showdown rather than a simple date.

In this episode of Black Magic, Rigsby comes to the realisation that his romantic prospects are going rather poorly, so he seeks guidance from the recently‑arrived tenant, Philip. Hoping that Philip's fresh perspective might help turn his fortunes around, Rigsby asks for advice on how to revive his failing love life. The storyline unfolds in a classic comedic style, in a light‑hearted, witty manner, with Leonard Rossiter delivering his usual sharp performance. The interaction between the two characters drives the humour, as Rigsby navigates the awkwardness of soliciting help from a new house‑mate while trying to mend his personal affairs.

In this episode, Rigsby decides to have a bit of fun with Alan, claiming the old house is occupied by a ghostly figure known as the ‘grey lady’. His teasing succeeds in unnerving Alan, who becomes genuinely spooked by the suggestion of a spectral presence. Alan's reaction is palpable; his eyes widen and his voice trembles as he pictures the grey lady gliding silently through the hallway. However, the tables soon turn: Rigsby finds himself confronting the very fear he tried to provoke, receiving a fitting dose of his own prank. The brief encounter leaves both characters rattled, as the joke backfires and the imagined haunt becomes all too real for the instigator.