Still Open All Hours

Still Open All Hours is a nostalgic British sitcom created by Roy Clarke that aired on BBC One from 2013 to 2019. The show is a sequel to the 1973-1985 BBC series titled 'Open All Hours', and carries forward the charm and wit of the original while capturing the changing character of Britain's small-town life.

At the heart of the series is the inimitable David Jason, who reprises his role as the luckless but good-hearted shopkeeper, Granville. He manages a small corner shop in Doncaster, a role he inherited from his late 'Uncle Arkwright,' the original series' main character played by legendary British actor Ronnie Barker. David Jason's acting prowess ensures Granville remains a cherished household name in Britain. The show reflects Granville's trials and tribulations as the shop's owner and his constant struggle to keep the shop profitable in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

James Baxter plays Leroy, Granville's son. Known for his charm and popularity among the local girls, he delivers newspapers for the shop, often on his bicycle which is a nod to the original series. The father-son dynamic between Leroy and Granville is a central element of the series and their engaging exchanges are poignant and humorous.

The cast also includes other big names like Lynda Baron, Stephanie Cole, Maggie Ollerenshaw, and Brigit Forsyth, each bringing a dash of British comedy craftsmanship to the mix. Lynda Baron reprises her role as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, Arkwright’s former flame and Granville's voice of reason. Stephanie Cole plays the whimsically mysterious Delphine Featherstone, fondly referred to as "the Black Widow."

Maggie Ollerenshaw is iconic in her portrayal of Mavis, a mildly nervous, shy woman who comes into her own through the series, while Brigit Forsyth plays her carefree best friend, Madge.

Other significant characters include Wet Eric, played by comedic heavyweight Johnny Vegas, who brings a fantastic combination of boisterous humor and charming naivety to the show. The diverse and fresh talent of Kulvinder Ghir, Nina Wadia, Sally Lindsay, and Tim Healy breathe life into the characters of Cyril, Mrs. Hussein, Kath Agnew, and Gastric respectively. Their performances introduce a new age flavor while reminding the viewer of the humble simplicity of the original series.

While Still Open All Hours is teeming with old familiar faces, it would be untrue to label it as just a blast from the past. The series skillfully blends the wit of the original with fresh humor to keep younger viewers engaged. It successfully preserves the tongue-in-cheek commentary on British life, the nostalgic pangs of a simpler time, and the timeless charm that made the original a classic.

The corner shop, an enduring symbol of British community, serves as the perfect backdrop for the ordeal-filled day-to-day life of Granville and his quirky customers. The show balances humor with an underlying sentimental tone. A clever mix of one-liners, slapstick comedy, and old-school British humor adds to the show's uniqueness.

Each character in Still Open All Hours has their narrative arc, an engaging tale of love lives, personal transformations, or amusingly unexpected tribulations. The hilarious exchanges, the play of eccentric personalities, and the nostalgic atmosphere bring a comforting sense of 'unhurriedness' that is hardly seen in modern sitcoms.

The Yorkshire landscape, the curious shop items, the rattling till - it's all just as fans remember, but with a fresh lick of comedic paint, courtesy of writer Roy Clarke’s genius. This is a show that proves you can still find gems of comedic gold in the most ordinary places and situations.

Still Open All Hours is a delightful continuation of a much-loved series, while also being a standalone treat for comedy lovers. It’s an invitation to travel back in time and participate in the joyous laughter that emanates from this iconic corner shop in a serene Yorkshire town. To sum it up, it is a testament to the endearing simplicity of everyday life and the colorful characters that inhabit it.