Like many other people I was a little bit concerned when I heard that there was going to be a revival of Open All Hours. I wondered how well the premise would work in the modern age of supermarkets and online shopping. I also couldn't imagine it working without the great Ronnie Barker. But have no fear because with Roy Clarke still writing it, it's still proving to be a winning formula.
I mentioned that it retains a lot of the charm of the original and that's mostly because many of the characters from the original series have returned for this new series; we have Mavis, Mrs (Delphine) Featherstone & Nurse Gladys. I think it's great that Roy Clarke has retained so many of the original characters, but what I also think is great is that he has actually expanded on some of the original characters (Mrs Featherstone's character shift is probably the most surprising, but for this very reason it also made her one of the best and funniest characters in this new series). Mavis' character is perhaps a little less dizzy in this new series, but again we still get a few laughs from her character. Writing Nurse Gladys back into the new series was clearly the biggest challenge for Clarke as she was an integral part of the story in the original (as Arkwright's fiancée). In this new series, without Barker, she did feel like a bit of a spare part in this at times. Having said that, Clarke still manages to get a few laughs from her character so it's not a major criticism.
Clarke also introduces some new characters including Gastric, Eric & Cyril. Although sometimes we get a sense of 'deja vu' with their characters (they have certain traits of some of the original characters). Clarke still makes these characters funny in their own right and like the characters in the original series they are endearing and likable and they all have a certain charm and warmth about them.
It was always going to be a big ask for even a great comedy actor such as David Jason to fill the shoes of the arguably greater Ronnie Barker - this is something he does admirably and whilst I don't think he's quite as good, he comes damn close. Baxter is good as Granville's put upon son (he effectively is the new Granville). Whilst Baxter does a good job, he isn't as interesting as Granville was in the original series - Granville had a sort of quirky weirdness about him which made him a fun and interesting character on his own. Leroy isn't a particularly strong character, but again he was still funny and his interplay with David Jason was a joy to watch. Perhaps Leroy's character will expand and develop if they do another series - I really hope to god that they do!!!!
One of the things I loved the most about this series were the scenes where Granville was discussing Arkwright and talking to his picture; I'm assuming that Clarke wrote these scenes into the series more obviously for laughter, but I also thought that it was a really nice way to show a bit of homage and respect to the late Ronnie Barker - that really is what I call classy writing.
In some ways, that's why I thought that the last episode of the series was the best as not only was it laugh out loud funny, but it also felt that it showcased how much respect Clarke had for Ronnie Barker.
Whilst Still Open All Hours isn't quite as funny as the original (there are some sub plots that don't really go anywhere) it is a very funny series and it is much better than I expected it to be. If you loved the original series then you won't be disappointed. Roll on Series 2 hopefully....
I mentioned that it retains a lot of the charm of the original and that's mostly because many of the characters from the original series have returned for this new series; we have Mavis, Mrs (Delphine) Featherstone & Nurse Gladys. I think it's great that Roy Clarke has retained so many of the original characters, but what I also think is great is that he has actually expanded on some of the original characters (Mrs Featherstone's character shift is probably the most surprising, but for this very reason it also made her one of the best and funniest characters in this new series). Mavis' character is perhaps a little less dizzy in this new series, but again we still get a few laughs from her character. Writing Nurse Gladys back into the new series was clearly the biggest challenge for Clarke as she was an integral part of the story in the original (as Arkwright's fiancée). In this new series, without Barker, she did feel like a bit of a spare part in this at times. Having said that, Clarke still manages to get a few laughs from her character so it's not a major criticism.
Clarke also introduces some new characters including Gastric, Eric & Cyril. Although sometimes we get a sense of 'deja vu' with their characters (they have certain traits of some of the original characters). Clarke still makes these characters funny in their own right and like the characters in the original series they are endearing and likable and they all have a certain charm and warmth about them.
It was always going to be a big ask for even a great comedy actor such as David Jason to fill the shoes of the arguably greater Ronnie Barker - this is something he does admirably and whilst I don't think he's quite as good, he comes damn close. Baxter is good as Granville's put upon son (he effectively is the new Granville). Whilst Baxter does a good job, he isn't as interesting as Granville was in the original series - Granville had a sort of quirky weirdness about him which made him a fun and interesting character on his own. Leroy isn't a particularly strong character, but again he was still funny and his interplay with David Jason was a joy to watch. Perhaps Leroy's character will expand and develop if they do another series - I really hope to god that they do!!!!
One of the things I loved the most about this series were the scenes where Granville was discussing Arkwright and talking to his picture; I'm assuming that Clarke wrote these scenes into the series more obviously for laughter, but I also thought that it was a really nice way to show a bit of homage and respect to the late Ronnie Barker - that really is what I call classy writing.
In some ways, that's why I thought that the last episode of the series was the best as not only was it laugh out loud funny, but it also felt that it showcased how much respect Clarke had for Ronnie Barker.
Whilst Still Open All Hours isn't quite as funny as the original (there are some sub plots that don't really go anywhere) it is a very funny series and it is much better than I expected it to be. If you loved the original series then you won't be disappointed. Roll on Series 2 hopefully....