Ronnie Barker same year, determined not to be remembered only as Fletcher, Barker opted to end "Porridge" after three series and instead focused on the second pilot "Open All Hours", alongside David Jason. Barker starred as Arkwright, a money-grabbing, stuttering shopkeeper. Arkwright's stutter was not in the script; Barker was inspired to use it by Melvyn's performance and use of a stutter in a 1955 play the two performed at the Palace Theatre called "Hot Water". "Open All Hours" aired one series in 1976 on BBC Two but was not renewed due to low ratings. As a result, Barker backtracked on his
The Magnificent Evans was written by Roy Clarke, who also wrote "Open All Hours" for Barker, plus successful sitcoms "Last of the Summer Wine" and "Keeping Up Appearances". However, only one series was made and neither Evans nor the premise had the chance to develop any further. The series is now available on Region One DVD and on Region Two DVD as part of "The Ultimate Ronnie Barker DVD Collection". The Magnificent Evans The Magnificent Evans is a 1984 BBC situation comedy written by Roy Clarke and starring Ronnie Barker, Sharon Morgan and Myfanwy Talog. Ronnie Barker played Welsh photographer Plantagenet Evans, a