The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

Fantastically funny

Created by David Nobbs

On BBC One

1976–19964 seasons28 episodes30 min8.0 / 10

A darkly comic satire of suburban malaise and existential despair dressed in the costume of a sitcom, where a man's rebellion against meaninglessness becomes its own absurd trap.

Disillusioned after a long career at Sunshine Desserts, Reginald Iolanthe Perrin endures a midlife crisis and fakes his own death. Returning in disguise after various attempts at finding a 'new life', Perrin gets his old job back and finds nothing has changed. He is eventually found out, and later finds success with a chain of junk shops. However, it becomes so successful that he feels he has created a monster and decides to destroy it.

Questions people ask

  • Is The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin sad? Yes, very. More sad than 91% of series.

  • Is The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin violent? Barely. Less violent than 89% of series.

  • Does The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% of series.

  • Is The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of series.

  • Is The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 59% of series.

These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

59/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity93

How unlike any other series this one feels

Surprise42

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love48

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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