Here's something wild: Dad's Army nearly got canned after just one series. The BBC wasn't convinced a sitcom about bumbling Home Guard volunteers would work, but they couldn't have been more wrong. Running from 1968 to 1977, it became one of Britain's most beloved comedies, with repeats still drawing millions of viewers decades later.

The show's genius lay in its affectionate mockery of British pride and pomposity. Captain Mainwaring's catchphrase "You stupid boy!" entered the national lexicon, while the chemistry between Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier was pure magic. What many don't know is that the cast were actually quite elderly during filming—several were in their 70s performing physical comedy that would exhaust actors half their age. Clive Dunn, who played the ancient Lance Corporal Jones, was ironically one of the youngest regulars at just 47 when the show started.

The authenticity came from creator Jimmy Perry's real experiences in the Home Guard, and he insisted on getting the details right—from the uniforms to the weapons. The famous theme song "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr Hitler?" was deliberately written to sound like a genuine wartime tune, and it worked so well that people assumed it actually was from the 1940s. Perhaps the show's greatest trick was making us laugh at Britain's darkest hour while simultaneously celebrating the very real courage of ordinary people facing extraordinary times.