7 of 1

A showcase for the acting range of Ronnie Barker. Its title is somewhat obscure – the result of initially intending to call the series Six of One and follow it up with Half a Dozen of the Other. Second installment Prisoner and Escort, introducing Norman Stanley Fletcher, inspired Clement and La Frenais to develop the premise into Porridge. Likewise the strength of first programme Open All Hours, with Barker as Arkwright, prompted Roy Clarke to pen the series of the same name.