A little while ago, as part of my exploration into truly classic comedy, I hailed Open All Hours as one of the greatest television shows this country has ever seen in terms of the sitcom. My only niggling worry was that there were plans to bring it back this Christmas; I was worried it might not live up, and that all the love and wonder for the original series would come crashing down. Although I did say, or I rather hoped that whatever happened nothing would dent the original show too much. Well, Still Open All Hours graced our screens on Boxing Day, and by and large, I was pleasantly pleased and amused for half an hour.
I'm not the only one it seems. Still Open All Hours topped the Boxing Day viewing figures, not too far away from 10 million, and most hailed it as an affectionate look back at a true gem. However others make out that the show was way behind it's time, and that David Jason looked lost and feeble trying to fill the void left by Ronnie Barker's Arkwright. And that is me paraphrasing politely.
As for me, I did rather like it, and I was pleasantly surprised by how funny it still was. I confess some of this talk of "lost causes" and "old relics" did seep into my subconscious. However they, and I couldn't be more wrong. For me the laughs still came at just the right places, and even though in some cases they were just where you expected them to be, it did not make the wordplay, the occasional cheeky innuendo, and the sheer comedy value any less real. And as for these people who claim Sir David Jason has lost it somewhat; how dare they! I did glance over "established" critic's views of Still Open All Hours, and some made out that the wonderful David Jason was well past it, that he hadn't had a hit in years (that one is a quote from a certain Telegraph critic, kid you not - the charlatan! ) almost hinting that he doesn't deserve to be there. How utterly outrageous. Apologies for lowering the tone, but they are talking absolute bollocks. Anyone who talks like that is most likely the sort of person who is only ever obsessed with the next big thing, the sort of person who is constantly hounding Twitter and Snapchat and God knows what else for what other idle twits are talking about for the next five minutes, and people who think that the only thing worth while on TV is the sort of inane drivel that can be summed up in a pathetic T-shirt catchphrase. Sorry to rant, but with David Jason that is simply not the case.
I might not mind if they were having a go at someone who used to be celebrated but is now clearly trying too hard and failing, but that is plainly not happening here. Alright, Still Open All Hours isn't to everybody's taste (what ever is?) and yes of course, David Jason is older now than when he first donned Granville's pinny. Who cares? The laughs still came in abundance, the charm was still surely there, David Jason, along with all the other cast members, still delivered, and the viewers still tuned in, in their millions.
OK, critiquing the critics over, let's get back to the programme. For me as a fan and a comedy lover generally, this 30 minute return to Arkwright's was a joy to watch. From the moment we got the exterior shot of that hallowed Doncaster corner shop, and that melodic and mournful brass band started to play, it was if we'd never left. But of course, changes had occurred, chief among which was the sad absence of Ronnie Barker's Arkwright. Yet at no point did those left behind ever try to replace him, I don't think they ever wanted to try, but his presence was surely felt, not just from his picture hanging on the wall. Some old gags from the show were re-hashed and used again, but they were moments that truly were classic; they still made us giggle. From the dog-shopper, to a man being taken for a walk by his dog (this time played by a certain Chuckle brother!) they were recognised and celebrated. We had a lot of old faces resurfacing, led by the magnificent Jason as Granville, but also featuring Lynda Baron as the renowned Gladys Emmanuel (who it transpired never did walk down the aisle with Arkwright - bless!) and other warmly welcomed faces like the lovable Mavis and Mrs "Black Widow" Featherstone.
We also had a lot of new to mix in with the old. Chiefly there was Granville's son Leroy, the new young blood on the block, and new errand boy-come IT manager. For me there was also a brilliant, and incredibly amusing star performance from Johnny Vegas, who played the incomparably named "Wet" Eric.
All this and more made Still Open All Hours a wonderfully pleasant and charming take on a classic sitcom that more than proved its metal today. Yes, we can never replace nor forget the legendary Ronnie Barker as Arkwright, but at least he can happily know that his beloved shop can still generate the interest, and deliver all the laughs in abandon. Thank you (Still) Open All Hours. Now...G-Granville! Fetch yer cloth!
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