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On Wednesday 5 June 2024, BBC Four broadcasts an episode of the series Roy Clarke Remembers… A Foreign Field!

Episode Summary

In this episode of “Roy Clarke Remembers… A Foreign Field” on BBC Four, viewers are treated to an intimate glimpse into the world of acclaimed writer Roy Clarke, the creative genius behind some of the BBC’s most beloved sitcoms. From the timeless humor of “Open All Hours” to the iconic characters of “Keeping Up Appearances” and the enduring charm of “Last of the Summer Wine,” Clarke’s contributions to British television have left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.

As Clarke reflects on his illustrious career, viewers are taken on a nostalgic journey through the making of his iconic sitcoms. With behind-the-scenes anecdotes and exclusive insights, the episode offers a rare opportunity to witness the creative process of one of television’s most prolific writers.

Tune in to BBC Four...

British veteran comedy actress Josephine Tewson, who found her biggest success in her sixties starring in one of the 1990s’ biggest TV sitcoms, has died aged 91.

Tewson was best known for playing Elizabeth, the living-on-her-nerves neighbour of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, from 1990 to 1995.

But she appeared in a string of other shows too, such as Shelley with Hywel Bennet and No Appointment Necessary with Roy Kinnear. Following the success of Keeping Up Appearances, the show’s writer Roy Clarke gave Tewson the role of Miss Davenport in Last of the Summer Wine, which she played from 2003 to 2010.

In a statement, her agent Jean Diamond said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Josephine Tewson.”

The actress died on Thursday at Denville Hall, a care home for actors and other members of the entertainment industry in north London.

Several decades before she enjoyed sitcom stardom,...

Josephine Tewson, star of Keeping Up Appearances and Last of the Summer Wine, has died at the age of 91.

She died on Thursday night (18 August) at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Northwood, northeast London, her agent said.

The Hampstead-born star trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1952.

She went on to play small parts in the Sixties TV series Z-Cars and The Charlie Drake Show, and appeared in sketches with comedians Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker in Hark at Barker and Frost on Sunday.

She also played Edna Hawkins in the first six series of the Eighties and Nineties ITV sitcom Shelley.

Tewson was best known for playing Elizabeth Warden, anxious neighbour and reluctant best friend of the stuck-up social climber Hyacinth Bucket in the adored Nineties BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

She collaborated with that show’s writer Roy Clarke again for...

BBC One has commissioned a full series of Still Open All Hours.

The sitcom revival - spun off from classic comedy Open All Hours - debuted with a special episode on Boxing Day 2013.

The episode, which saw David Jason reprise his role of Granville, was one of the highest-rated programmes of the festive period, pulling in a final figure of 12.2m viewers.

Still Open All Hours will return with six new half-hour episodes, with series creator and writer Roy Clarke said to be "delighted" by the news.

David Jason added: "I am so delighted that we are doing a series of Still Open All Hours as the feedback from our Christmas Special has been so rewarding and encouraging.

"We want to have more fun giving the audience the kind of show they seemed to appreciate. It goes to prove that the corner shop is still open all hours."

The new...

Death Comes To Pemberley: BBC One, 8.15pm

New series that serves as a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. The drama picks up six years on from the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy, as the couple prepare for the lavish annual ball at their magnificent home. However, the unannounced arrival of Elizabeth's sister Lydia brings the event to an abrupt halt when she screams that her husband, Wickham, has been murdered.

Still Open All Hours: BBC One, 7.45pm

David Jason returns as Granville in this one-off special of Roy Clarke's popular comedy - although he is no longer the dogsbody, having inherited the business from his miserly uncle Albert Arkwright. He is not alone in running the shop, though. Thanks to a one-night stand in Blackpool 25 years ago Granville now has his own assistant in the shape of his son Leroy, who proves more popular with the ladies than his dad ever did.

BBC

This Christmas we’re in for a real treat. On Boxing Day night the BBC are showing a brand new spin-off episode of Roy Clarke’s classic convenience shop comedy Open All Hours to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Several cast members – including Sir David Jason and Lynda Baron as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel – are reprising their roles from the original series for this Christmas special. The filming of this has also led to strong speculation Still Open All Hours will be given a full sequel series next year.

As delightful as that future prospect sounds, it got us wondering at WhatCulture about what made the original show so great and laugh out loud funny? Many younger viewers may not be aware of Ronnie Barker’s comic genius, but he starred both in Open All Hours as the money-grabbing Albert Arkwright and loveable lag Norman Stanley Fletcher in prison sitcom Porridge.

BBC One has released new images from its festive offering Still Open All Hours.

The revival of classic sitcom Open All Hours - which aired on BBC Two between 1973 and 1985 - will see David Jason reprising his role of Granville.

In the new one-off special, viewers will meet an older Granville, who has inherited the grocer's shop from his late Uncle Arkwright, played by Ronnie Barker in the original show.

He now runs the business with his son Leroy (James Baxter), a cheerful and good-looking lad who attracts many female admirers.

Still Open All Hours - which will also star Lynda Barron and Stephanie Cole - has been written by original series creator Roy Clarke.

The comedy is scheduled for Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26) at 7.45pm on BBC One.

Sir David Jason to star in Open All Hours Christmas special

Catch up on all the latest TV and Movies releases...

BBC One has released a first-look image of David Jason reprising his Open All Hours role.

The 73-year-old will return to the role of Granville for Still Open All Hours, a revival of the classic sitcom which first aired on BBC Two between 1973 and 1985.

In the Christmas special, viewers will meet an older Granville, who has inherited the grocer's shop from his late Uncle Arkwright, originally played by Ronnie Barker.

He now runs the business with his son Leroy (James Baxter), a cheerful and good-looking lad who attracts many female admirers.

Still Open All Hours - which will also star Lynda Barron and Stephanie Cole - has been written by original series creator Roy Clarke.

"This has been fun - a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today," said Clarke.

Other comedy highlights on BBC One this...

From the Nutcracker to American Psycho, from Mary Poppins to Kurt Vile, our critics pick their must-sees of the festive season

If you wish it could be Christmas every day

Nutcrackers, various

You know it's Christmas in the ballet world by the number of Nutcrackers touring the world's stages. In the UK alone, there are close to a dozen doing the rounds, but the top three remain the Royal Ballet's exquisitely traditional version, the sparky family friendly production by Birmingham Royal Ballet, and English National Ballet's – with the best snow scene of them all. Royal Opera House, London (020-7304 4000), 4 December to 16 January; Birmingham Hippodrome (0844 338 5000), to 12 December; London Coliseum (020-7845 9300), 11 December to 5 January.

Father Christmas

Does Father Christmas use the loo? Does he secretly long for summer? Does he have strong views on the size of chimneys? You bet he does. Raymond Briggs's gorgeous picture book gets a heartwarming makeover for under-sixes.

Sir David Jason had always wondered what happened to his 'Open All Hours' character. The 73-year-old actor is reprising his role as Granville for the first time since 1985 in a one-off Christmas special, 'Still Open All Hours', and says the idea for the show - which is penned by original writer Roy Clarke - came from an ''innocent'' remark in a meeting. David - who starred with the late Ronnie Barker in the original series - explained: ''It all came about from a very innocent meeting with the BBC's Head of Comedy. ''I just happened to say, 'Whatever happened to Granville?'...

Sir David Jason is to star in an 'Open All Hours' Christmas special. The 'Only Fools and Horses' actor will reprise his role of Granville in the BBC One sitcom - which originally ran from 1973 to 1985 - and will see David's alter-ego, along with his character's son, run the back-water grocery store he has since inherited from Albert Arkwright, who was played by the late Ronnie Barker. The show's original writer Roy Clarke will return to pen the 30-minute festive episode, which will be called 'Still Open All Hours', and Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as...

Sir David Jason will reprise his role of Granville for an Open All Hours Christmas special.

Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as nurse Gladys Emmanuel and Mavis in the 30-minute one-off episode Still Open All Hours.

"I'm really excited to be bringing back Open All Hours," said Jason. "I am sure there is an audience out there who would like to see what Granville has been getting up to in the corner shop.

"It will be a great family show for Christmas, and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Arkwright."

Granville will be seen running the grocery store with his son, having inherited it from his uncle Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker).

Roy Clarke, who wrote the original series, will return for Still Open All Hours.

"This has been fun - a great opportunity to work with David Jason again and to suggest how things at that corner shop might look today,...

Sir David Jason is to star in an 'Open All Hours' Christmas special. The 'Only Fools and Horses' actor will reprise his role of Granville in the BBC One sitcom - which originally ran from 1973 to 1985 - and will see David's alter-ego, along with his character's son, run the back-water grocery store he has since inherited from Albert Arkwright, who was played by the late Ronnie Barker. The show's original writer Roy Clarke will return to pen the 30-minute festive episode, which will be called 'Still Open All Hours', and Lynda Baron and Maggie Ollerenshaw will also return as...

Welcome to the first edition of Comedy Corner, What Culture’s new fortnightly column about various aspects of both modern and classic comedy. The focus of this week’s piece is the debate around BBC One’s latest sitcom Citizen Khan.

It seems these days that making a comedy centred around a minority group is a real minefield. On the one hand, you may find yourself being praised to the hilt for doing something new and different. But on the other hand, you run the risk of coming under fire from the political correctness brigade and the especially humourless members of the minority in question. The bulk of the media attention surrounding new BBC One sitcom Citizen Khan seems to be the latter.

The character of Sparkhill’s self-proclaimed community leader Mr Khan first appeared in Radio 4’s spoof phone-in show Down The Line in 2008. Following this, the character migrated...

The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)

I’m going to go as far as to say that my favorite film last year was Chris Morris’s brilliant balance between satire, comedy, and drama - Four Lions (Magnolia, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.98 Srp) - which focuses on a motley quartet of English Jihadi suicide bombers. Yes, you heard me. Not since Dr. Strangelove has comedy been so dark, so relevant, and so pitch-perfect. Bonus materials include interviews,...

Thundercats

Cartoon Network has commissioned a new series from Warner Bros. Animation based on 1980's animated classic "ThunderCats".

According to The Live Feed, the series follows the grand origin story of Prince Lion-o’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost.

As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-o and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality.

Walking Dead

AMC has released the first images from Frank Darabont's zombie apocalypse drama along with an interview with Darabont himself about the project.

Last of the Summer Wine

After 37 years, the long-running BBC comedy "Last of the Summer Wine" is to be axed reports BBC News.

The final series is set to be shown this summer and will be a "fitting farewell" to the well-loved characters.

Series creator...

The BBC has confirmed that it is axing comedy series Last Of The Summer Wine after 37 years. BBC One controller Jay Hunt promised that the last series, which will air this summer, will provide a "fitting farewell" for the Roy Clarke-penned sitcom. Following the adventures of characters such as Compo (Bill Owen), Nora Batty (Kathy Staff) and Edie Pegden (Thora Hird), the programme has survived for nearly four decades, despite a large number of the cast members passing away and frequent rumours that the show would be pulled off air. The final run will feature long-time cast member Peter Sallis as Norman Clegg, alongside Russ Abbott (Hobbo) and Brian Murphy (Alvin). "It is a testimony to the wit and warmth of the characters (more)...

The late Oscar-winning director Stanley Kubrick held high esteem for years while he was still alive, and now that he has since passed, Hollywood isn’t ready to let his genius slip away. Philco Films is prepping three properties based on scripts by Kubrick, according to Screen Daily, and they seem to reflect the late film-maker’s varied career. The first will be a large-scale Civil War film entitled Downslope. The second, Lunatic At Large, will star Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, and the third is a TV series called God Fearing Man that revolves around a famous bank robber in the early 20th century.

Philco Films isn’t aiming low with any of these properties either, as they are targeting A-list casts and crew to bring these three pieces to life. For a more detailed look at each project and the plans behind them, hit the jump.

The staple...