Rising Damp

In the pilot of the classic comedy The New Lodger, Ruth talks Rigsby into renting his newly vacated room to a friend of hers, establishing the show’s premise. The episode stars Leonard Rossiter and Frances de la Tour, and introduces the characters’ dynamic.

The New Lodger is a television programme presented as a single episode, forming the pilot of a classic comedy series. Though brief in description, it establishes the format of a sitcom‑style narrative, introducing the main characters and setting the tone for what would become a recurring storyline. The production is listed simply as an episode, without further classification beyond its comedic genre. In the opening story, the character Ruth manages to convince her neighbour Rigsby to let a vacant room in his house be taken by a friend of hers. She persuades him to rent out the newly freed space, setting the stage for the interactions that follow. This simple premise – a new lodger moving in at the urging of a friend – drives the humour and situational dynamics of the episode. The pilot features the well‑known performers Leonard Rossiter and Frances de la Tour, who bring the characters to life. Their involvement marks the episode as part of a classic comedy tradition, anchoring the narrative in familiar British humour. As the inaugural instalment, it introduces the central premise that would shape subsequent episodes of the series. Overall, the episode sets up a comedic premise centred on household dynamics, with Ruth’s persuasion of Rigsby providing the catalyst for the ensuing humour.