The Worst Episodes of The Brittas Empire
Every episode of The Brittas Empire ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Brittas Empire!
The Brittas Empire is a British sitcom created and originally written by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen. Chris Barrie plays Gordon Brittas, the well-meaning but incompetent manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. The show ran for seven series and 53 episodes — including two Christmas specials — from 1991 to 1997 on BBC1. Norriss and Fegen wrote the first five series, after which they left the show. The Brittas Empire enjoyed a long and successful run throughout the 1990s, and gained itself large mainstream audiences. In 2004 the show came 47th on the BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom poll, and all series have been released on DVD. The creators Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen often combine farce with either surreal or dramatic elements in episodes. For example in the first series, the leisure centre prepares for a royal visit, only for the doors to seal, the boiler room to flood and a visitor to become electrocuted. Unlike the traditional sitcom, deaths were quite common in The Brittas Empire.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "The Brittas Empire" is "Laying the Foundations", rated 7/10 from 104 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "Laying the Foundations" aired on 1/3/1991 and is rated 0.0 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "At the Double".
7.0/10 104 votes#1 - Laying the Foundations
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/3/1991
Gordon Brittas is the manager at Whitbury Leisure Centre. The builders are laying the foundations but Gordon is very rude to one of the workers and they go on strike. He causes more trouble when he upsets one of the staff members and he's in for it when he is having a meeting with the staff.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 55 votes#2 - At the Double
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 3/26/1996
Gordon invites members of the Ruthenian State Circus to perform at the center. A group of US evangelists want to baptize Gordon in the pool after reading of his coming back from the dead. (
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 51 votes#3 - Wake Up the Lion Within
Season 7 Episode 4 - Aired 1/27/1997
Brittas returns from a course which teaches executives how to release inner powers by roaring like a lion. He encourages his staff to try it out. The Leisure Center has been nominated for the 'European Award for Excellence
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10 57 votes#4 - Curse of the Tiger Women
Season 7 Episode 8 - Aired 2/24/1997
Brittas prepares to celebrate seven wonderful years since the center opened, but Druggett tells him he has been chosen for early retirement. Carole reveals he's the father of her twins!
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/10 50 votes#5 - The Disappearing Act
Season 7 Episode 5 - Aired 2/3/1997
The staff at the leisure center compete for Employee of the Month award though Brittas is not convinced of the wisdom of the competition; Colin brushes up his magic act for Julie's niece's birthday party; Helen holds dream workshop
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10 67 votes#6 - The Boss
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 11/28/1994
Gordon Brittas explains that Gavin will be taking over as trial manager for one day. Gavin is really excited and soon starts enjoying it. But then he is told about emergency situations like pregnences, marooned school buses and poisonous gas leaks. Gordon is testing out his abilities and Tim is not to pleased. Being tired and worried Gordon takes over when things start to go wrong. Meanwhile Carole is going out for the day but is shocked to discover that her friend is dead.
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.3/10 55 votes#7 - A Walk on the Wild Side
Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 4/2/1996
Brittas proves he's not always a walking disaster when his new campaign becomes a European Directive
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/10 51 votes#8 - The Elephant's Child
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 1/6/1997
Situation comedy. Brittas organizes a sponsored bungee jump and expects his staff to take part. Helen Brittas plans a burglary to fund her bid for the franchise for the sauna solarium and Carole returns from her assertion course. (44)
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/10 51 votes#9 - Snap Happy
Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 4/23/1996
When Brittas tries to organize a simple staff photograph, what can possibly go wrong? Last in present series.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/10 50 votes#10 - Reviewing the Situation
Season 7 Episode 2 - Aired 1/13/1997
Sitcom based in a leisure center with a manic manager, Gordon Brittas. He initiates a staff review which causes some antagonism; Julie is enjoying armed police protection after threats, which includes body searches
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/10 49 votes#11 - Gavin Featherly RIP
Season 7 Episode 6 - Aired 2/10/1997
Comedy set in a leisure center. Gavin is feeling depressed and is receiving therapy from Helen Brittas. He joins the rest of the staff on their annual weekend break to Burbidge-on-Sea and goes missing so Brittas arranges a funeral
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10 93 votes#12 - Opening Day
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/10/1991
I'ts Opening Day at Whitbury Leisure Centre and Gordon is getting ready to meet the Duchess of Kent. But things are going wrong when the electric doors aren't working properly and the water from the swimming pool is disappearing and the temperature rises. Will Gordon sort it all out before the Duchess of Kent arrives?
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.5/10 90 votes#13 - Underwater Wedding
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1/31/1991
While doing an interview with Beverly, Gordon realizes that the best man for the underwater wedding that is happening in the pool is in trouble. Gavin is asked to help and then a disabled man in a inveigle car ends up getting drunk and starts causing trouble. Gordon is ready to stop the drunk but his ends up sending Gavin to hospital. Will Gordon stop the drunk?
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.5/10 72 votes#14 - Mums and Dads
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 1/30/1992
A concert is going to be held at Whitbury Leisure Centre. Also Gordon's dad Jim has come to the centre with a piano. But Gordon is expecting a different piano and it going to be a lot of trouble getting through to the Gymnasium. Petrov who is going to be playing the piano then encounters a problems when Jim drops his piano from the stairs. Who will play the piano now?
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.5/10 55 votes#15 - Back with a Bang
Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 2/27/1996
After being crushed to death Gordon Brittas has been returned to earth by St. Peter and rebuilt at a Swiss clinic. He returns a day early and misses the red carpet welcome prepared by his staff.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10 54 votes#16 - Body Language
Season 6 Episode 2 - Aired 3/12/1996
Gordon tries to explain benefits of matching and mirroring body language. Colin suspects alien invasion when a green block of ice crashes through the roof, and Helen mistakenly sells the house to a member of the U.S. military
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10 48 votes#17 - Exposed
Season 7 Episode 7 - Aired 2/17/1997
Investigative journalist, Roger Ferguson, is preparing to make a television expose of the goings on at Whitbury Leisure Center. Gordon is led to believe this will be a serious documentary. An outbreak of Bobula fever causes panic.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/10 89 votes#18 - Stop Thief
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/7/1991
Things have gone missing and Gordon has closed the centre for the day. He explains that there could be a thief about and sets a trap to catch the thief. The plan is to hide in a locker and sees who takes the bait (his wallet). Meanwhile Helen is suffering more stress then ever and takes Gordon to see the doctor leaving Colin to hide in the locker. That afternoon it turns out there isn't a thief but Colin is left hanging on the rail still in the locker.
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.6/10 73 votes#19 - That Creeping Feeling
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 1/14/1993
After the trial the Staff are ignoring Gordon and Laura explains why. Gordon decides to arrange an appointment with a phychologist. Meanwhile he also gets a parcel from and old rival which is strange because all there is is leaves and even Gavin discovers a half eaten spider. Linda goes to find out why and then she comes up with the answer. It gets worse when Colin gets bitten by a poisonous spider.
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.6/10 54 votes#20 - We All Fall Down
Season 6 Episode 5 - Aired 4/9/1996
Whitbury is celebrating World Peace and Hunger Day, Helen plans revenge on a nappy co that didn't use her children in a TV commercial and Tim discovers the rest of the staff earn more than him...
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/10 69 votes#21 - The Old, Old Story
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 10/31/1994
After the building was destroyed by a large fire. Gordon is now back as Manager of the centre. 'Songs of Praise' is going to be held at Whitbury Newtown Leisure Centre. Gordon is very excited and he and Helen are going for a review with the presenter of 'Songs of Praise'. But then trouble starts when a serial killer maybe on the lose after a few accidents happen. Gordon is determined that the recording of 'Songs of Praise' must go on. But then he ends up face-to-face when the verial killer turns out to be an ostrich.
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.7/10 54 votes#22 - Mr. Brittas Falls in Love
Season 6 Episode 6 - Aired 4/16/1996
Tonight Mr. Brittas falls in love. He believes that swimming with a dolphin at the leisure center will bring peace, relaxation and happiness to all the inhabitants
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/10 54 votes#23 - http://etc.
Season 7 Episode 3 - Aired 1/20/1997
The center enters the 21st century as Brittas has everything computerized, which causes huge problems. Drugget is convinced it is a waste of money and will be Brittas' downfall. Helen's therapy course seem only to appeal to staff
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/10 92 votes#24 - Bye Bye Baby
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/24/1991
Carole has heard that her husband Derek is coming back, after what happened a long time ago. After all these years she will not have to work, Ben will have a father and she will feel much better. Meanwhile her baby goes missing and reception is getting crowded. Gordon tries to help tells Colin to find the baby and return it. Unfortunately Colin ends up returning the wrong baby. Then Gordon sorts out a man who has escaped a lot of stress. Will everything go right?
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss
7.8/10 77 votes#25 - Temple of the Body
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 1/9/1992
Gordon explains to the staff about worshipping other peoples temples which he prefers to be another word for the human body. He then finds that a flat cupboard is being used when he finds a red bed duvet cover sticking out, then Gavin's hat turns up. Gordon tells Tim what he has found and gets very cross when he thinks that Gavin is sleeping in the centre with someone. Gordon decides to find out what Gavin is up to and lays a bug in Linda's top so he can hear what she is saying. Then Gordon gets a shock at who is using the cupboard.
Director: Mike Stephens
Writer: Richard Fegen, Andrew Norriss