Gentle Comedies

RickAns said:
I don't remember much of the last few seasons of ATGB. A few things I do recall of the later parts with lukewarmness. More on me I guess because a plot line or two did not play out as I would have liked.

One episode I do recall with a chuckle was when the ladies thought Lionel was losing his hearing and encouraged him to see a doctor about it. I also really liked Lionel's Dad Rocky and Madge plus Mrs. Bale with her weather reports on the Channel. Lol Ferris the gardener, Penny and Stephen added some humor.

A neat bit of trivia is that Dench's real life daughter and Palmer's son are in some pictures during the opening title sequence. Both appearing as a younger Jean and Lionel. A nice touch of detail, I think.

Wow, I had overlooked that there are 10 series of the show. Sorry Barry, thought it was shorter than that. Oops.
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How would you have finished things differently given the chance? (Private message me not to spoil for Barry).
 
In one episode they play the train game where they have to basically memorize or look up train times having drawn a card which states they need to travel from A to B and they have to assimilate the trains and times that will allow them to make that journey. I always thought it would be something that could be refined and made into a game for real, especially for train buffs . It is not dissimilar to the fictional game of Mornington Crescent from I'm Sorry I haven't a clue . Its a gentle comedy I bought the DVD last year having had my interest sparked again by listening to the the radio version on BBC Sounds but its sadly not on there at the moment.
 
Marianna said:
@RickAns I seem to recall that Roy Clarke would have liked to continue the series, but the period settings and costumes made it too expensive.
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Even though they could have kept the sets at the end of each series, and borrowed costumes from previous period dramas and other series that would have been somewhere?
In the UK at least, it was policy to destroy most studio sets at the end of each individual series - to save money on storage, and create employment for carpenters, painters, and set designers the following year.
 
wstol said:
Even though they could have kept the sets at the end of each series, and borrowed costumes from previous period dramas and other series that would have been somewhere?
In the UK at least, it was policy to destroy most studio sets at the end of each individual series - to save money on storage, and create employment for carpenters, painters, and set designers the following year.
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It's not just the studio sets, all the location filming had to be closed sets and all the extras needed to be in period costume, cars and other vehicles needed to match the period. Things like modern street signs, tv aerials and receiver dishes have to be removed, modern street furniture - post box, phone kiosk, waste bins, street lamp poles - all need moving or disguising. The list is practically endless...
For a contemporary production, it general does not matte who or what is in the background as they are automatically 'correct' for the current period.
Sets are (often / sometimes) retained for ongoing series, and some parts of studio sets are hired in like staircases, fireplaces, etc.
 
Even street paving had to be "corrected" by rolling out a cobblestone effect over the blacktop and scattering some manure-effect over it. I read somewhere that the folks in charge of dressing the locations had warned everyone that they could think of about the changes, but they forgot about the milkman. When he arrived for his next delivery, he must have thought that he had entered a time warp!
 
Can I ask what people make of "Still Open All Hours"?, I am new to the series and I can't help comparing it to its predecessor, I am not warming to it as easily, Granville seems to be turning into a clone of Arkwright, and its is not sitting with me as well as "Open All Hours", in your opinion is it worth persevering?
 
Hi Denton,

It did take a little time for me to warm to the new series. I think you will find mixed responses to your question. Some on here like it and others not so much. I am part of those that like it. I know it at times is not the same or as good as when Ronnie B was on it. I watch it for the nostalgia of the original show and the cast members I am fans of.

David Jason as Granville, Stephanie Cole as Mrs. Featherstone, Brigit Forsyth as Madge, Maggie Ollernshaw as Mavis, Tim Healy as Gastric, Lynda Baron as Nurse Gladys to name a few all make it more than worth the watch for me. Yes, some skits are rehashed from the previous series. It is still watchable and many times better than a majority of the stuff that make it onto TV these days. :)

True that Granville has taken over the position of Arkwright. He is family and I feel he would have taken over the shop eventually. Leroy is now where Granville was. Cycle of life. Ronnie had some big shoes to be filled at the shop. Not always an easy thing to do.

There are some really hilarious sub plots carried out in the show. Madge and Gastric matchmaking, Mrs. Featherstone and Mr. Newbold matchmaking, Granville being his mischievous money making self.

Added:
Maybe try looking at it this way: If you were a fan of Ronnie B in 'Porridge.' Then you start watching 'Going Straight.' You realize it may not be as good a spinoff but you still really like Ronnie, Patricia Brake and Richard Beckinsale then enjoy it for them even if the show is not on the same tier.

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I also like that they often give a respectful nod to Mr. Arkwright throughout the show.
 
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I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer Still Open ... . Leroy's character is much more age-appropriate for a young man than Granville's was at the same age. The whole thing is believable. The first series was just silly.
 
My biggest issue with it is Mrs Featherstone romantically chasing Granville when in OAH nothing could be father from that scenario . It didn't warrant a remake becomes very predictable as the series progress and lacks the quality OAH had in the writing. I think personally they should have left it alone and even if they decided to some sort of follow up then it didn't warrant 6 series , just astounding.
 
Marianna said:
I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer Still Open ... . Leroy's character is much more age-appropriate for a young man than Granville's was at the same age. The whole thing is believable. The first series was just silly.
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Leroy is the level-headed strait man to his uncle yet seems to be the opposite juggling Beth and his other lady friends : )
 
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