Open All Hours — Specials

Mar 197330m

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.

Dec 19828m

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.

Dec 19993m

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.

3mNot yet aired

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.

Dec 19991m

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.