Still Open All Hours

As a lifelong fan of the original series I was delighted when they announced this was being made. I can't lie and say I find it scream out loud humour, but it is funny enough, it's the kind of show that fills the void left by Last of the Summer Wine. A nice floaty light, humorous show to have chicken sandwiches and cheesecake while watching. It has glimpses of the original magic, there are times when it's quite funny, the true laughs come from the original cast members, Lynda Baron and Stephanie Cole are still great. Maggie Ollerenshaw still manages to inject a bit of magic as Mavis.

I think the first episode remains the funniest, since then we've had a few duffs, and a few good ones, it's one of those shows I'm glad is still on.

It's watchable enough, but it's massively missing Ronnie Barker. 6/10

Roy Clarke had a chance here to write another winner, unfortunately he chose to simply re-hash the original. What was needed was a completely new approach. How about Granville inheriting a fortune from his mysterious father who actually was a Hungarian count, and starting a string of supermarkets and finding himself up against Arkwrights son by Nurse Gladys , who has inherited the corner shop. This series is a very pale copy of the brilliant original.

Open All Hours still stands as one of my favourite TV comedy shows. I had never really been interested in even checking out the rerun series. And I can't believe that its actually run now for 5 series. Curiosity however finally got the better of me, and I have now seen a couple of episodes. I can't believe that David Jason is trying to emulate Ronnie Barker, in his portrayal of the mature Granville. But it's like a rerun of their original dynamic, with Granville acting towards the young assistant, as Arkwright had towards him. I hope this is not the case, as with the best will in the world, David Jason is no Ronnie Barker. In the rerun we have some of the same characters from the original series. Granville of course, with Wavy Mavis, as uncertain as ever. And the Black Widow as predatory as ever, now with a glint in her eye for Granville. I can't really speak that much of the rerun as I have not watched that many episodes. But here goes anyway, it seems to have become something of a Mecca for comedy actors. With a range from the older through to the younger, that I can't help but recognise. It always makes for an entertaining view for someone my age, in remembering actors, and what they have appeared in. But this hardly compensates for what should be there anyway, and its not to my mind as funny as the original. Even the peerless Roy Clark has his work cut out, to hope to emulate his previous success.

I am from Oz and have been a fan of Ronnie Barker and David Jason in man if not most of their respective series. I find British humor the best the yanks would not know how to make comedy, yes some is just passable but most is great, Open all hours was a very matter of fact comedy and I have seen every episode, I love it as do many Australians (who have a sense of humor). The rehash is great, I do not agree with the previous comments, written by a cretin obviously, this is funny and especially if you can relate to the old characters, I found it so very entertaining I could watch as many episodes as they make, keep it going, Jason is great as are the old characters they brought back, I will be disappointed if no more are made as you have definitely whet my appetite, go British comedy never let it die, and David Jason well done, from 'Only fools and horses' to 'Frost', you were great and still are.....

Like I'm sure a lot of Open All Hours fans I was dubious about this revival,but it is reassuring to see it hasn't been something that has been just cobbled together to fill a slot in the Christmas schedules - Still Open All Hours not only stands up as strongly as the original but also begs the questions as to why this sort of comedy isn't on our screens more regularly.

Yes, it's not all perfect and some of the jokes don't do a lot for me (though the studio audience seem to get them) but with the great Sir David Jason back as Granville (but with a hint of Arkwright) and the welcome sight of some old faces combined with the lovely gentle humour of Roy Clarke's writing I see no reason why this show shouldn't return for a full series. Stay open a bit longer Granville.