List of Man about the house episodes

Man About the House is a British sitcom starring Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy. First broadcast on ITV on 15 August 1973, the series ran for 39 episodes over six series until 7 April 1976.

Written by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke, the series follows the lives of three flatmates and the couple who sublet the church commissioned property. The series which was made by Thames Television and recorded at their Teddington studios was considered rather risque when it was first broadcast as it focused on a man sharing a flat with two single women.

Man About the House led to two spin-off series, George and Mildred and Robin's Nest.

Episode list

Series 1 (1973)

Episode No.	Series No.	Title	Writers	Producer/Director	Original airdate
1	1	"Three's a Crowd!"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	15 August 1973
Chrissy and Jo need a new flatmate. Unimpressed with talkative prospective flatmate Gabrielle (Helen Fraser) they decide Robin Tripp is ideal as he can cook, but George the landlord does not think it's morally appropriate. Chrissie allays his fears by falsely telling George that Robin is gay.
2	2	"And Mother Makes Four"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	22 August 1973
Chrissy's mother (Daphne Oxenford) comes to stay, so Jo and Chrissy try to hide the fact that their new flatmate is a man. It turns out George has already told her and she doesn't mind, reasoning that she won't have to worry about them since there's a man about the house.
3	3	"Some Enchanted Evening"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooker	Peter Frazer-Jones	29 August 1973
Jo has her boyfriend, who is very reticent romantically, round for the evening. Robin is talked into preparing the meal. To give Jo some space, Robin and Chrissy visit the Ropers and get embroiled in a game of French Monopoly.
4	4	"And Then, There Were Two!"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	5 September 1973
Jo is going to her sister's for the weekend. Chrissy worries that Robin will make advances towards her. But later on, when he brings his girlfriend Liz (Jenny Hanley) back to the flat, Chrissy ruins his evening. First appearance of Larry Simmonds (Doug Fisher).
5	5	"It's Only Money!"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	12 September 1973
Robin and Chrissy return home to find their front door open and the rent money that was on the sideboard missing. They frantically try to raise the money, avoiding Mr. Roper, but run into problems.
6	6	"Match of the Day"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	19 September 1973
George has a nasty cold and gives it to Robin, who's annoyed, as he has a football match at the weekend. So Chrissy and Jo try to make him better using a range of home-made remedies. Featuring: Duncan Lamont as Dr. Macleod
7	7	"No Children, No Dogs"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	26 September 1973
Larry has three puppies he is trying to get rid of. Robin tells him that the landlord of their local pub is looking for a dog. At Larry's request, Robin takes one of the dogs round to the landlord, but when he arrives Larry has already sold him one, leaving Robin stuck with a puppy. No pets are allowed in the flat. Will the Ropers find out?

Series 2 (early-1974)

Episode No.	Series No.	Title	Writers	Producer/Director	Original airdate
8	1	"While the Cat's Away"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	9 January 1974
When George and Mildred go to stay her wealthy sister's house the flatmates plan a party. Chrissie invites self centred actor Mark (Ian Lavender) who she is infatuated with, and Robin invites Liz (Jenny Hanley). Mark moves in on Liz, so Robin tries to seduce Chrissie. When George delights over his brother-in-law's conviction for drink driving they are asked to leave. They come home early and are invited to the party. Later, when moving his car, the breathalyser catches up with George.
9	2	"Colour Me Yellow"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	16 January 1974
Robin brags about his proficiency at judo, but when Chrissy is harassed by an intimidating man (Peter Angelis) at the pub, Robin defends her using words and the man backs off. However Robin worries he came off as a coward and is eager to prove otherwise.
10	3	"In Praise of Older Men"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	23 January 1974
Chrissy's new boyfriend Ian Cross (Norman Eshley) invites her along to a "business trip" in Bournemouth. Mildred tells Robin and Jo that Ian is married and they inform Chrissy, but Ian says he's divorced. Robin subsequently finds out otherwise and devises a plan to convince Chrissie. George tries to sell Robin his defective car.
11	4	"Did You Ever Meet Rommel?"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	30 January 1974
Chrissy invites the Ropers up for a meal, not realizing that Robin has invited his friend Franz Wasserman (Dennis Waterman), who is German. The meal doesn't go well, as George won't stop taking about the war.
12	5	"Two Foot Two, Eyes of Blue"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	6 February 1974
Jo is going on a date, but has forgotten that she is meant to be babysitting for Philip (Karl Howman) and Podge (Jo Kendall) - who is also nine months pregnant. Chrissy agrees to take her place and persuades Robin to come with her as the house has a color TV. When they arrive, it looks like Robin is going to regret his decision, as the TV is being repaired and the drinks cabinet is locked.
13	6	"Carry Me Back to Old Southampton"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	13 February 1974
Robin fails his cooking exams and feels he has to go back to Southampton and join his father's business. However, his father (Leslie Sands) admits Robin isn't suited to the family business and more suited to cooking, and agrees to fund Robin to re-take his course. Larry believes he will take Robin's place in the flat and burns his bridges with his fussy landlord.

Series 3 (late-1974)

Episode No.	Series No.	Title	Writers	Producer/Director	Original airdate
14	1	"Cuckoo in the Nest"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	9 October 1974
Having been thrown out of his flat, Larry is staying with Robin, but the flat is too crowded. So when the Ropers decide to convert the attic into another flat it should be ideal for Larry. Featuring: Norman Chappell as Mr. Morris
15	2	"Come Into My Parlour"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	16 October 1974
Robin plots to seduce his naive new girlfriend Angie (Caroline Dowdeswell) over dinner in the flat. Chrissy objects in a mix of jealousy and concern. When Angie arrives she is revealed as Chrissie's former school chum. Angie insists Chrissie stays for dinner angering Robin, so he plans a second dinner and a contrite Chrissie is stuck with an evening looking at George's holiday snaps.
16	3	"I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me..."	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	23 October 1974
Chrissy and Jo are going to their staff dinner dance and Chrissy hasn't got a partner, so she decides that Robin should accompany her. All he needs now is dancing lessons from Mildred and a dinner jacket from George.
17	4	"Of Mice and Women"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	30 October 1974
Jo sees a mouse in her bedroom and refuses to sleep in there. Much to Chrissy's dismay Jo swaps with Robin while the mouse is on the loose. Meanwhile, Larry manages to kill the mouse, but will Chrissy find out?
18	5	"Somebody Out There Likes Me!"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	6 November 1974
Chrissy keeps getting flowers and chocolates from a secret admirer but she can't think who's sending them. She gives them to Mildred and George gets jealous assuming that Mildred has a secret admirer. It turns out that the admirer had meant the presents for Jo but had mistaken her name.
19	6	"We Shall Not Be Moved"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	13 November 1974
When Mildred is away visiting her sister George attempts to evict the tenants so that he and Jerry can convert the flat into several units to increase the rental income. When Mildred comes home early and discovers the plan, George had better watch out!
20	7	"Three of a Kind"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	20 November 1974
While Robin is in hospital having his tonsils removed, Chrissy takes his place at the weekly card game. She claims that a woman can play cards just as well as a man, even although she hasn't got a clue how to play poker. Meanwhile George steals the money that Mildred has been saving for a new coat so he can join the card game. Featuring: Duncan Lamont as Dr. Macleod

Series 4 (early-1975)

Episode No.	Series No.	Title	Writers	Producer/Director	Original airdate
21	1	"Home and Away"	Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	6 March 1975
Robin and Chrissy have borrowed the Roper's car to drive to Southampton for the Arsenal match, but the car breaks down and they miss the game. Meanwhile George has bought himself a toupee which becomes the talking point of the pub.
22	2	"One for the Road"	Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	13 March 1975
Chrissy is practising for her driving test and is getting lessons from Robin. Meanwhile George has started making home brew liquor which turns out rather stronger than expected. He offers a glass to Robin who is about to take Chrissy out for a driving lesson.
23	3	"All in the Game"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	20 March 1975
George thinks the upstairs flat has woodworm and gets Jerry to investigate. Jerry soon realizes it's not woodworm but dart holes. However, he tells George that the room needs fumigation which will cost him dearly. It also means that the flatmates will have to spend the night with the Roper's board games.
24	4	"Never Give Your Real Name"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	27 March 1975
Larry has been going around calling himself Robin Tripp, so when a girl turns up at the door saying she's pregnant Chrissy and Jo think Robin is a real bounder. Will Larry own up?
25	5	"The Tender Trap"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	3 April 1975
George is trying to sell tickets for the British legion concert at which he will be singing, but nobody is interested. Chrissy has the best excuse as she's going to a christening in her home town, taking Robin with her. But when things get strained at her parent's home they return to London and the concert
26	6	"My Son, My Son"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	10 April 1975
The Inland Revenue are investigating George for tax irregularities and come round talk to him and his son. George tries to persuade one of his tenants to pretend to be his fictitious son, but which one of them will agree? Featuring: Anthony Sharp as Mr. Matthews

Series 5 (late-1975)

Episode No.	Series No.	Title	Writers	Producer/Director	Original airdate
27	1	"The Last Picture Show"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	4 September 1975
It's Chrissy's birthday and she receives a cine camera and projector from her boyfriend Neil. But it's not long before Larry plans to use it to watch a red hot movie.
28	2	"Right Said George"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	11 September 1975
George's car fails its M.O.T. and he needs twenty Pounds to get it fixed. so he sells his piano to Robin. But how will they get it upstairs? Featuring: Roy Kinnear as Jerry.
29	3	"A Little Knowledge"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	19 September 1975
George needs help finding the answers for all the competitions he's entering. Which is just as well, because Robin has just got a new job selling encyclopedias and is looking for his first buyer. Featuring: Peter Jones as Mr Morris.
30	4	"Love and Let Love"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	25 September 1975
While the flatmates compete to get the flat to themselves to entertain friends, George is trying to find jobs to avoid Mildred.
31	5	"How Does Your Garden Grow?"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	2 October 1975
When Mildred enters a flower arranging competition Chrissy offers her a plant found in the garden for her display. When Larry sees the rest of the plants removed from the garden he thinks it's a cannabis plant. Will Mildred get away with it?
32	6	"Come Fly with Me!"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	9 October 1975
Chrissy receives two tickets for a Frank Sinatra concert, but doesn't want them. Instead, she enjoys being pampered by Jo and Robin as they compete for the tickets. Meanwhile George buys Mildred a budgie for their wedding anniversary. He gives it to the tenants to look after but it escapes, so they give him the concert tickets as a replacement present.

Series 6 (1976)

Episode No.	Series No.	Title	Writers	Producer/Director	Original airdate
33	1	"The Party's Over!"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	25 February 1976
George is not happy that the tenants are having a party, but Mildred is delighted as she is invited. However, George spoils the party by placing a "party cancelled" sign on the front door. When Mildred finds out, she leaves home. George is lonely without her and starts to pester the flatmates. Will they manage to persuade Mildred to return? Featuring: Hilda Braid as Mrs Hollins Note: Sally Thomsett (Jo) does not appear
34	2	"One More for the Pot"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	3 March 1976
The lease is up on the flat and George wants to increase the rent. The flatmates decide that the only way to raise the money is to get a fourth tenant to share but they can't decide on a suitable person.
35	3	"The Generation Game"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	10 March 1976
Mildred is going to the Floral Society annual dinner dance. George doesn't want to go and locks himself in the bathroom to avoid Mildred's protests. Robin agrees to accompany Mildred to the dance leaving George rather jealous.
36	4	"The Sunshine Boys"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	17 March 1976
George needs some money so he sells Mildred's sun lamp to Larry for £5. He then sells it to Robin for £10. Later when Mildred is upstairs she sees her lamp and thinks Robin has stolen it. Will George own up before he's found out?
37	5	"Mum Always Liked You Best"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	24 March 1976
Robin's brother Norman comes to stay for two days and takes a shine to Chrissy which is reciprocated, so Robin does his best to discourage Norman. When the three of them go out to dinner and Robin gets food poisoning, Norman says he'll stay for a week till he gets better. Featuring: Norman Eshley as Norman Tripp
38	6	"Fire Down Below"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	31 March 1976
George has received a £40 gas bill and has decided to open up his chimney, but it needs to be swept so he gets a gadget from Jerry to suck out the soot. Meanwhile, things have moved on considerably with Norman and Chrissy, - "Chrissys going to show me a few places I haven't seen", he tells a jealous Robin - but just when Norman proposes, they get covered in soot. The music featured in this episode - 'Chabadabada' from the film Un homme et une femme, (A Man and a Woman) - plays as Norman and Chrissy go sight-seeing around famous London landmarks including The Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. Featuring: Norman Eshley as Norman Tripp
39	7	"Another Bride, Another Groom"	Johnnie Mortimer & Brian Cooke	Peter Frazer-Jones	7 April 1976
It's the day before Norman and Chrissy's wedding and Mildred is upset that she has not received an invitation. However, when she delivers their wedding present she discovers that they have been invited and that George has hidden it from her because he wants to go to a darts match. Featuring: Norman Eshley as Norman Tripp

References

• British TV Comedy Guide for Man about the house