Anyone familiar with Ronnie Barker's work will undoubtedly be able to name his two most popular sitcoms - 'Porridge,' and 'Open All Hours.' But a sitcom made right at the end of his career in 1988 - 'Clarence,' - is often overlooked. To be honest, it didn't strike the nation in the same way the … Continue reading FILMING LOCATION – Ronnie Barker ‘Clarence’
Porridge Episode 1; The Go-Between So, I'll start by saying - this isn't Porridge as we know and love. There's no Ronnie Barker, there's no Richard Beckinsale. This is a new Porridge, a different Porridge. It's 2017 and a lot has changed since 1974. Gone are the dark gloomy walls of Slade Prison, and the … Continue reading New Porridge – Episode 1 Review
BBC has announced the air date for the new series of Porridge, starring Kevin Bishop. The first episode 'The Go Between,' will air on Friday 6th October, at 9:30pm on BBC1. We'll be live-tweeting during the first episode - so make sure you give us a follow on Twitter.
I was very fortunate to be invited to the Service Of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life and work of Ronnie Corbett on Wednesday 7th June 2017 at Westminster Abbey. (inside Westminster Abbey before the ceremony started) It was a very emotional event - full of laughter, sadness and song. The abbey was filled with around … Continue reading Ronnie Corbett Service Of Thanksgiving EXCLUSIVE
Welcome to the first of what I hope will become a semi-regular feature - Locations! Whilst in the area, I recently visited the St Albans Register Office. Known to millions as the front gate of HM Prison Slade in 'Porridge.' A location I've wanted to visit in person for many years, I was very pleased when … Continue reading Porridge: Filming Location
The BBC have commissioned an annual series of lectures aptly titled ' The Ronnie Barker Talk.' Filmed for release on BBC One each talk with consist of a well known comedy actor / writer discussing a topic of their choice. It sounds a wonderful way to honour Ronnie B. Full info can be found here … Continue reading The Ronnie Barker Talk
I recently discovered an advert I'd not seen before. Apparently made in 1985, the advert for Castella Cigars features Ronnie Barker in somewhat of a role-reversal to his Porridge character Fletcher. The advert leans quite heavily on Porridge, with Ronnie Barker basically being an older, free-er Fletcher. Ronnie B visits his friend Arnie - 'the … Continue reading Ronnie Barker ‘Castella’ Advert
On March 23rd I was one of the few lucky people to be invited to watch the final episode of the NEW Porridge series currently being filmed. It was a fascinating experience, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Note: this will contain NO SPOILERS as to the plot of the episode / other episodes in the … Continue reading Porridge Filming – A Diary
Unless another advert exists that I am not aware of, Part 5 signals the end of our look back through the Hertz campaign. Advert six - which we'll call 'The Weekend' can be watched here. All the Hertz adverts are in the 'grumble & grunt' style favoured by Ronnie B, but THIS advert has to … Continue reading Hertz Advertising Campaign (Part 5)
Part Four of my look over the Two Ronnies Hertz Advertising Campaign deals with the advert that I will call 'Toys.' You can watch it here. It sticks very much with the British-ness of the 'Football' advert I looked at earlier in the series. This advert sees both Rons portraying executives racing to the London … Continue reading Hertz Advertising Campaign (Part 4)
The Two Ronnies Appreciation Society 