Open All Hours is a British television sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke, starring Ronnie Barker as penny-pinching corner-shopkeeper Albert Arkwright, and David Jason as his nephew and assistant Granville. The programme originated as a 1973 episode of Barker’s comedy anthology Seven of One, and later ran for 26 episodes; the first series broadcast on BBC2, the remaining three series broadcast on BBC1.
Open All Hours (Season 0)
Open All Hours (Pilot) (Episode 1) 10.0
Writer: Roy Clarke
Air date: 1973-03-25
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Episode 1 of the Ronnie Barker anthology series of pilots, Seven of One. Stammering shopkeep Albert Arkwright runs a tight little corner shop in a Doncaster suburb. Certainly he's tight when it comes to cost-saving and his put-upon nephew Granville, whose mother apparently gave birth to him after a fling with a Hungarian, bears the brunt of Arkwright's doomed money-making schemes. The lad has to ride a delivery bike when he'd rather impress the girl at the garage with a van. Meanwhile, Arkwright lusts after district nurse Gladys Emmanuel.
Open All Seasons (Episode 2)
Air date: 1982-12-27
Runtime: 8 min
Overview: One of numerous short sketches from various sitcoms and sketch shows of the time, each interspersed with the repartee of host Frank Muir in this one-off special, The Funny Side of Christmas. It is Christmas morning, and we learn that Granville and Arkwright are invited to Nurse Gladys's house for dinner. Granville is looking forward to it, but Arkwright's anticipation is tempered by the knowledge that Gladys's mother will be there.
Shaggy Dog Story - Cricket (Episode 3)
Air date: 1999-12-25
Runtime: 3 min
Overview: A short story for Children in Need 1999, and first aired on Christmas Day, Shaggy Dog Story featured various comedians and comic actors (some in character, others as themselves) telling a long-winded shaggy dog story or yarn, beginning with Ronnie Corbett in his infamous chair. Look out for nine brief appearances from Arkwright.
Shaggy Dog Story - Cricket (Extended) (Episode 4)
Runtime: 3 min
Overview: A short story for Children in Need 1999, this slightly extended version was never aired. Shaggy Dog Story featured various comedians and comic actors (some in character, others as themselves) telling a long-winded shaggy dog story or yarn, beginning with Ronnie Corbett in his infamous chair. This version has ten brief appearances from Arkwright, rather than nine in the aired version.
Shaggy Dog Story - Mammals vs Insects (Episode 5)
Air date: 1999-12-26
Runtime: 1 min
Overview: A shorter shaggy dog story for Children in Need 1999 first aired on Boxing Day. Shaggy Dog Story featured various comedians and comic actors (some in character, others as themselves) telling a long-winded shaggy dog story or yarn, beginning with Ronnie Corbett in his infamous chair. Look out for two brief appearances by Arkwright.
Seasons
Episodes 6
Episodes 7
Episodes 6
Episodes 6
Episodes 2