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The Best Episodes of Only When I Laugh

Every episode of Only When I Laugh ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Only When I Laugh!

Only When I Laugh is a British television sitcom. It is set in the ward of an NHS hospital. The title is the answer to...
Genre:Comedy
Network:ITV1

Best Episodes Summary

"The Rumour" is the best rated episode of "Only When I Laugh". It scored 7.6/10 based on 33 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 11/12/1979. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Is There A Doctor In The House?".

  • The Rumour
    7.6/1033 votes
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    #1 - The Rumour

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/12/1979

    Thorpe is waiting for an important call from his wife as Victor, their dog, is seriously ill. Gupte misunderstands, thinking Victor is the Thorpes' son (actually named Tarquin); Figgis, smoking in a lavatory cubicle, overhears the resultant conversation and assumes that they are talking about him and that he is going to die. As the situation develops, both Norman and then Glover think they are under the shadow of death. When Gupte tells Glover he may be sent home at the end of the week, Glover decides to phone his hated boss and tell him exactly what he thinks of him.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Is There A Doctor In The House?
    7.4/1029 votes
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    #2 - Is There A Doctor In The House?

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/10/1979

    Fed up with lying in bed all day, Figgis gets hold of his outdoor clothes and sets off for a wander around the hospital. Naturally, he is mistaken for a doctor.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Whatever Happened To Gloria Robbins?
    7.4/1028 votes
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    #3 - Whatever Happened To Gloria Robbins?

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 4/29/1980

    The trio get into a lather when a glamorous film star arrives on the ward.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Conduct Unbecoming
    7.4/1022 votes
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    #4 - Conduct Unbecoming

    Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 11/11/1982

    Dr Thorpe examines a female patient without a nurse being present. Figgis, Glover and Norman try to make sure he doesn't take advantage

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Reunion
    7.4/1022 votes
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    #5 - The Reunion

    Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 12/16/1982

    Figgis, Glover and Norman are about to be discharged from hospital. They consider holding a reunion.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Operation Norman
    7.2/1032 votes
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    #6 - Operation Norman

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/5/1979

    Norman's due for his appendix operation and is rather upset about it. He turns to Figgis for comfort in his hour of need...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Let Them Eat Cake
    7.2/1028 votes
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    #7 - Let Them Eat Cake

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/26/1979

    There's a lot of disatisfaction with the food being served in the hospital. The trio can stand the daily menu no longer and go on hunger strike. What they hadn't bargained for, however, was how hungry they would get...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Postman's Knock
    7.1/1023 votes
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    #8 - Postman's Knock

    Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 9/23/1981

    Agony Aunt Clare Butterfield receives a letter from Worried of Ward 3, but her reply only confuses things...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Cosmic Influence
    7.0/1027 votes
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    #9 - The Cosmic Influence

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 5/20/1980

    Much to the despair of the others, Figgis becomes preoccupied with signs & portents.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Blood Brothers
    7.0/1021 votes
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    #10 - Blood Brothers

    Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 11/4/1982

    Glover refuses to have a blood transfusion. He's worried that the donor will be from a lower social class.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Escape
    7.0/1020 votes
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    #11 - Escape

    Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 12/2/1982

    A convicted prisoner is moved into the ward. Glover, Figgis and Norman worry in case he tries to escape.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Bed With A View
    6.9/1043 votes
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    #12 - A Bed With A View

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/29/1979

    Norman arrives at the ward and is given the bed next to the window. A game of musical beds ensues as Figgis and Archie want it too...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Last Tango
    6.9/1025 votes
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    #13 - Last Tango

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 6/10/1980

    The "regulars" plan a party, but unexpected guests turn up...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Tangled Web
    6.8/1027 votes
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    #14 - Tangled Web

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/3/1979

    Norman is reading a book about a pretty nurse when one actually comes onto the ward.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Visitors
    6.8/1024 votes
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    #15 - The Visitors

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 5/27/1980

    It's visiting day and Norman's mother has another dreary girl lined up for him, much to the others' amusement!

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Accident
    6.7/1022 votes
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    #16 - Accident

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 9/30/1981

    Norman has to decide whether to testify against Dr. Thorpe about an accident he witnessed.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • In Sickness And In Health
    6.7/1022 votes
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    #17 - In Sickness And In Health

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 11/25/1982

    Norman is planning to marry Deirdre. He wonders if three years is long enough to be engaged.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Man With The Face
    6.6/1028 votes
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    #18 - The Man With The Face

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/19/1979

    Archie's lothario-like tendencies are coming back to haunt him when he's convinced he's being stalked by a Greek madman for besmirching his fiancée...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • It Can Damage Your Health
    6.6/1027 votes
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    #19 - It Can Damage Your Health

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 5/13/1980

    Despite being warned on a frequent basis, the patients are undeterred by the risks of smoking.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dear Diary
    6.5/1026 votes
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    #20 - Dear Diary

    Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 10/7/1981

    When Norman keeps a diary about life on the ward, everyone is anxious to get their hands on it.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • All In The Mind
    6.5/1021 votes
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    #21 - All In The Mind

    Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 11/18/1982

    Figgis becomes interested in psychiatry and sets about psychoanalysing Glover and Norman.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Lost Sheep
    6.4/1024 votes
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    #22 - The Lost Sheep

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 6/3/1980

    Figgis admits he's not been christened but sees the light when he meets a vicar.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Right Honourable Gentleman
    6.4/1022 votes
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    #23 - The Right Honourable Gentleman

    Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/9/1981

    An MP concerned with the spiralling costs of the NHS is admitted for treatment, but refuses to sign a petition to save the hospital.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Adam's Rib
    6.4/1022 votes
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    #24 - Adam's Rib

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 9/16/1981

    The new young female doctor on the ward gets a mixed reception...

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • These You Have Loved
    6.4/1024 votes
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    #25 - These You Have Loved

    Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 10/14/1981

    Fed up with hospital radio, the patients try to do better themselves.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A