Are You Being Served?

Show generally

Continuity mistake: Sometimes Mrs. Slocombe has discretion over both inventory and displays and what they will and will not sell in the ladies department, other times its Captain Peacock, Mr. Rumboldt or others that have the final say.

luke f

Shoulder to Shoulder - S3-E7

Continuity mistake: At the end of the show, after they reveal the 'new' ladies department. Mr Grainger is not wearing his glasses, as Mrs Slocombe has them in her purse, the shot changes to Mrs Slocombe, then back to Mr Grainger he is wearing his glasses, and there is no way he could have got them from Mrs Slocombe.

No Sale - S4-E1

Continuity mistake: Mr. Lucas says the figures for the previous Monday were 325 pounds, and at that point in the day the departments combined (170 and 150) were up to 320, five pounds short. However, later when Mr. Rumbold is talking to Mr. Grace about the sudden drop in sales, he says they are "still 20 pounds short" of the previous Monday.

No Sale - S4-E1

Continuity mistake: Mrs Slocombe arrives with her hair in disarray, but once she walks away she only has time to put her coat away before she returns, by that time her hair is neat with no evidence of it being messy. She had to have returned quickly to hear Mr Humphries' story as she comments on it shortly after.

luke f

The Old Order Changes - S5-E4

Continuity mistake: In this episode, it is revealed that Mr. Lucas' first name is Dick; but way back in series 2 ("The Clock"), his first name is given as "James." This discrepancy takes place a few times over the course of the entire show run.

Front Page Story - S8-E3

Continuity mistake: In the ruined photo taken of Old Mr. Grace and his nurse and secretary, the secretary is looking away from the camera and her leg is raised. However, in the scene preceding, she was looking at the camera and raised her leg after the flash went off. Also in the photo, both of Mr. Humphries' feet are in the air, though one was on the floor when the picture was taken.

The Hold Up - S10-E3

Continuity mistake: When the robbers have nodded off and Mr. Spooner and Cpt. Peacock cut themselves out of the rope tying them to the cabinet, a clock outside is sounding the hour; if one listens it chimes nine times. But minutes later, after the rest of the group have come in and they make the call to Mr. Rumbold, the latter exclaims "It's after midnight." upon answering the phone even though less than ten minutes have passed.

More mistakes in Are You Being Served?

German Week - S3-E6

Miss Brahms: I think Mr. Rumbold should dress up as something.
Mrs. Slocombe: Yes. Wasn't Frankenstein a German?
Miss Brahms: That's right. With his nuts in his neck. [Makes twisting motions with her fingers near her neck.] Like that.
Mr. Rumbold: I wouldn't be able to take part, of course, in case I was summoned to a board meeting. But I see no reason why Captain Peacock shouldn't participate.
Captain Peacock: I can think of lots of reason why I shouldn't participate. Somebody has to have authority over the floor and these clothes that I wear symbolize that authority.
Mr Lucas: Why don't you dress up as Hitler?

More quotes from Are You Being Served?

Trivia: The "lift voice" heard during the theme song in each episode is that of Stephanie Gathercole, who played Mr. Rumbold's secretary in the earliest episodes.

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Oh What a Tangled Web - S4-E6

Question: Captain Peacock explained the real reason why he and Miss Hazelwood were late for work but, why did they both decide to hide the truth and make up a story as to why they were late? Why not just come right out and admit it? If they had, it would have been excusable.

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