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
David Jason panel games such as "The Impressionists" as well as his own series, "The Jason Explanation". In the early 1970s, he appeared in "Mostly Monkhouse". Jason appeared in variety shows in support of stars such as Dick Emery and his performances caught the attention of Ronnie Barker. Jason was recruited to appear in "Hark at Barker" (LWT, 1969), starring opposite Barker’s Lord Rustless, as Dithers, the hundred-year old gardener. There was also a sequel, "His Lordship Entertains" (1972) for the BBC. Jason played junior employee Granville in the first programme of the comedy anthology "Seven of One" (1973), called "Open All