Original title
The Smoking Room
Released
6/29/2004
Origin country
GB
Genre
Comedy
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
2
Number of episodes
16
The Smoking Room is a British television sitcom written by Brian Dooley, who won a BAFTA for the series in 2005. The first series, consisting of eight episodes, was originally transmitted on BBC Three between 29 June and 17 August 2004. The Christmas Special was first transmitted on 20 December 2004. A second series of eight episodes began airing on 26 July 2005. The first series, including the Christmas Special, was released on DVD by the BBC on 6 February 2006 and on CD in a four-disc set on 4 April 2005. The second series was released on 16 October 2006; a boxed set containing both series was released on the same date. There will not be a third series; in an interview for the BBC News website on 30 November 2006, the actor Robert Webb who plays Robin, said in passing, "...there is no more Smoking Room". England's smoking ban, which prohibits indoor smoking in workplaces, came into force on 1 July 2007, as a result of which internal smoking rooms, like the one in which the series is set, became illegal.
Janet is in charge of organising a Christmas Variety Show for the old folks. Strangely, Sharon is in favour of the idea even though it means nobody is working. The old folk prove to be a tough crowd and Barry forgets his one line in the nativity. This leads to the son of God being named, 'Spencer'. "It's a nice name", according to Heidi.
Barry believes his interview will be a walkover against Alcky-Malcky - until external candidate Monique turns up.
Death visits the regulars of The Smoking Room. Martin [a colleague] has dropped dead in Asda and more importantly (to Annie), so has her pet rabbit. No reason to close the office ealry though, according to Sharon.
There is a distinct lack of enthusiasm amongst the smokers for Sharon's paintballing trip. Janet doesn't seem that keen either, maybe that's why she's written 'pantball' on the posters. Lilian finds out that her night in the Nags' was caught on camera.
To the annoyance of a Japanese client, nobody in the smoking room has a lighter. To the annoyance of Janet, the Japanese client is annoyed! She's not too impressed with Clint's Yoda impression either. Worse still for Sally, Annie has come to work wearing the same top.
It's Valentines Day and a box of chocolates has been left in the smoking room, but an ambiguous and badly spelt note left with them makes the identity of the recipient unclear. Clint thinks they are for him, Robin hopes they are for him. Meanwhile Heidi has returned from maternity leave, trouble is, nobody seemed to notice she had gone.
It's lunch-hour and it's raining. Janet is supposed to be getting Sharon's lunch, but she's more concerned about keeping her hair dry. A magazine questionnaire reveals more about the smokers than they want to know. While Janet considers rebelling against Sharon, Annie is trying to get Barry's lunch. Then their peace is disturbed by Gordon - a non-smoker.
A new temp has arrived and she has already managed to get Barry out of his trousers. Barry is smitten with her, but Len dreams only of Mickey Mouse. Lilian is back from her holiday, with cheap cigarettes and tales of 'Aristotle'.
It's Lilian's birthday: Yvonne and Lois are organising nibbles, Annie is trying to chat Robin up and Sharon's attempts to mix with her workforce succeed only in driving Gordon to drink. Robin is hoping Ben from the post room will finally turn up.
Janet's nephew Dominic shadows Robin for the day for his university thesis.
A severe snowstorm has brought the roads to a gridlock and trapped everyone at work after hours.
Robin discovers photographs from the 1987 company brochure, bringing back mixed emotions of everyone's past portrait.
The smoking room has been vandalised during a break-in. The smokers try to identify the culprit and end up suspecting everyone. Barry has even drawn up a list of possible suspects; Which brings us to, Robin - Just how did he get that black eye?
It's April Fool's Day and instructions have come from head office to mark the occasion with practical jokes to boost staff morale. Sharon - predictably is against the idea, but that doesn't stop Janet distributing the suitable props she has been issued around the building. The smokers are not in the least bit interested; they feel that life plays enough cruel jokes on you.
Despite being a smoker herself, Sharon is concerned about the amount of time being taken by the smokers for smoking breaks. So she has organised an anti-smoking seminar and attendance is compulsory. Naturally, the mood of the smokers isn't good. Derek, the man who is holding the seminar, is dressed as a cigarette... he sings too.
After saving an old lady from a mugger, Sally is front page news. Clint and Len are a little star-struck by the now famous Sally, which leaves Robin wondering if it might be going to her head. Gordon can see an opportunity though and offers his advice on how to exploit her new found fame.
The fact that Janet has a boyfriend is surprising enough, but the fact that he has proposed and she had accepted is even more surprising. Most of the smokers are delighted for her, especially as she has brought champagne to the smoking room to celebrate, but Robin is concerned: is she rushing things?
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