Open All Hours

What a wonderful comedy show this is, British comedy at its best. Ronnie Barker is undoubtedly one of our greatest ever comedians his timing and delivery is almost perfect and who can forget his role in that other gem of British comedy, the Two Ronnies. We lost a master of his craft when Barker died but can take great comfort in knowing that his legacy remains as we watch and remember his brilliance. David Jason is the perfect foil for Barker's comedy sketches. A wonderful actor in his own right, Jason delivers endless fun and nonsense in this wonderful comedy show. The whole cast is worthy of a mention, sadly many of them no longer with us. Thank you Messrs Barker and Jason and Co for the memories.

I fail to understand how anyone can watch even a single episode of 'Open All Hours' and label it 'quaint', 'gentle' or 'twee', yet I've come across these descriptions time and time again. Personally, I consider its humour, if not its situation, to be among the darkest (and the deepest) of any British sitcom. For example: ' She's a dear, frail old lady. Of course you can leave her. Just stick her on a park bench and run for it.' Or 'I wouldn't give you tuppence for his kidneys. How much is your boiled ham?' Or Arkwright's deducting the price of a crate of ale from the money he spends on his best friend's funeral wreath. Hardly sentimental, is it? In fact, it's downright callous at times, and all the more impressive for it.

Open All Hours has to be one of the best comedies ever made, along with Dad's Army, Fawlty Towers and Only Fools And horses.

This one is about a Northen shopkeeper, Arkwright and his nephew who works for him, Granville. His lover, Nurse Gladys Emmanual lives across the road. We get to see a variety of customers coming into the shop and also Granville's love for the milk woman. This series was filmed in Doncaster.

The brilliant cast includes the late, great Ronnie Barker as Arkwright, David Jason (Only Fools And Horses) as Granville and Linda Baron as Nurse Gladys. Others appearing as customers over the years include Kathy Staff (Last Of the Summer Winw) and Stephanie Cole (Waiting For God).

Open All hours is certainly a comedy classic and the BBC still regularly repeat episodes and is much better than any comedy made today. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

This is one of the best British sitcoms of all time and comes close to the likes of Porridge and Fawlty Towers.

It's basically about a shopkeeper, Arkwright, who is a tight fisted old miser and is constantly trying to seek great attention from nurse Gladys Emanuel, his neighbour and so-called fiancé. Arkright runs a grocers shop on a quiet little street, set in early 1970's Doncaster.

Each episode is mainly about the day-to-day running of the shop and Arkwrights' constant banter and disagreements with Granville, his nephew, employee and whipping boy. Granville is still a boy at heart, thanks to his uncle, who won't let him grow up. He is paid a pittance and is kept firmly at bay by his uncle from loose woman and any other form of socializing.

The funniest moments in the show are the lengths Mr Arkwright will go to sell his products. He will say just about anything to get his customers to spend their hard earned dosh in his shop. But the dialogue between all characters is superb and it's clearly a well written series.

As the viewer, you really get used to the regular customers in the shop, and it's hilarious to see them be minipulated into buying items they didn't come in for.

10 Out Of 10

This is a great comedy where all the characters are perfectly cast and the gags are inventive. It's a fantastic comedy! Ronnie Barker is really funny in this with his s-s-sss-s-stutter and David Jason is great as Arkwright's nephew Granville. Although overall I prefer Only Fools and Horses, this is light-hearted, down-to-earth, everyday fun with plenty of double-meanings and an overall bright sense of humour in which you'll really delight. Great fun!