Sign in

Only When I Laugh

1979·Show
29Episodes in4Seasons
67
GoodGoodWatch score

Watch

Set your services

Only When I Laugh fingerprint

Funny, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace4
  • Tension3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Wholesome6
  • Nostalgia6
  • Pathos5

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and dark humor

  • Situational Comedy9
  • Dark Humor8
  • Wit & Wordplay7

World

Everyday modern life

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances and dialogue

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in Friendly

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8

About

Only When I Laugh is an ITV1 sitcom broadcast from 29 October 1979 to 16 December 1982 for four series with seven episodes each, and a Christmas special in 1981. The title is the answer to the question, "Does it hurt?" A naïve middle-class man is admitted to an NHS hospital ward, shared with a working-class layabout and an upper-class hypochondriac. The trio never fail to cause a nuisance for the poor, unsuspecting staff.
British SitcomHospital SettingDarkly HumorousCharacter-DrivenObservational ComedyWitty DialogueEveryday LifeNostalgic TelevisionComedic Drama

Crew

Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Only When I Laugh

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Only When I Laugh worth watching?

67
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 6.8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Only When I Laugh rated?

Strong language

Content advisories: strong language.

How many seasons does Only When I Laugh have?

4 seasons

It has 4 seasons with 29 episodes of about 30 minutes each.

When did Only When I Laugh air?

It ran from 1979 to 1982 and has ended.

What language is Only When I Laugh in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Only When I Laugh?

2CAUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Only When I Laugh in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.