I think it's surviving popularity is due to the fact it was superbly written and acted and its aforementioned gentleness because within that gentleness is a barbed message ridiculing the British class system. When such messages are delivered so politely you can't fail to at least listen to the message whereas if you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut (Rik Mayall's The Young Ones springs instantly to mind) then after the shock value has worn off you find the humour isn't funny as 'the shock' was the humour.

Dad's Army really benefits from the fact that it came when it did for the cast ensemble or that the cast were of their age when Dad's Army came along. Most were at the end of their's careers, had experience in abundance (not just of acting but of life itself including the remembrance of the 2nd World War) and could use that experience to make their characters real, authentic, flawed and all. That and they were all just so damm funny.

The genius of humour unfolds before your eyes. How can anyone not recommend such a treasure trove of fun?

1. THE MAN AND THE HOUR

Mainwaring's meeting to enrol Home Guard volunteers is curtailed when Air Warden Hodges commandeers the church hall.

2. MUSEUM PIECE

Unarmed, the platoon decides to equip themselves as a fighting force - with an ancient Chinese rocket gun.

3. COMMAND DECISION

Is Mainwaring willing to give up command to Colonel Square?

4. THE ENEMY WITHIN THE GATES

Godfrey answers the 'call of nature', loses the captured Nazi airmen and more importantly, the chance of a £20 reward.

5. THE SHOWING UP OF CORPORAL JONES

Lance-Corporal Jones' fitness is doubted. But a man who has served under Lord Kitchener isn't going to give up that easily...

6. SHOOTING PAINS

Mainwaring's men look unlikely to beat Eastgate Platoon in a shooting competition - until Walker has an idea.

1. OPERATION KILT

A training exercise pits the platoon against a regular army unit as they find out what the Highland Regiment keep under their kilts...

2. THE BATTLE OF GODFREY'S COTTAGE

As the church bells sound, the platoon naturally think the invasion has begun and hasten to the gun post at Godfrey's house...

3. SERGEANT WILSON'S LITTLE SECRET

Mrs Pike has told Frank that a little Arthur is on the way. Mainwaring insists that Wilson does the decent thing. "You can't go about behaving like Errol Flynn you know."

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