Editing Ronnie Barker (section)

===''Porridge'', ''Open All Hours'' and other work===
Following the success of ''The Two Ronnies'', the BBC let Barker decide what he wanted to do.<ref name=timesobit/> ''The Two Ronnies'' took up one third of a year to produce, allowing time for Barker and Corbett to do a solo project each.<ref>{{harvnb|Corbett|Nobbs|2007|pp=148–149}}</ref> Barker opted to produce some sitcom pilots shown as part of 1973's ''[[Seven of One]]''. Two of these pilots, ''Open All Hours'' (written by [[Roy Clarke]]) and ''Prisoner and Escort'' (written by [[Dick Clement]] and [[Ian La Frenais]]) became series. ''Prisoner and Escort'' became ''[[Porridge (1974 TV series)|Porridge]]'', airing from 1974 to 1977, with Barker starring as the cynical and cunning prisoner [[Norman Stanley Fletcher]]. ''Porridge'' was the first sitcom to take place in a prison; ''[[The Times]]'' said the show "was about what it took to survive in prison, the little day-to-day triumphs over the system that kept the prisoners sane."<ref name=timesobit/>

The opening sequence of the programme showed Fletcher being directed to his cell, as prison doors are locked behind him, all the while the judge can be heard pronouncing judgement and sentence. The judge's voice was performed by Barker. The show became a huge success, attracting 15 million viewers and earning what the BBC described as "a chorus of critical acclaim and public adoration for what remains one of the most classic British sitcoms ever produced."<ref name=bbcporridge>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/porridge/index.shtml|title=Porridge|publisher=BBC|access-date=13 April 2010}}</ref> ''The Times'' called Fletcher his "finest creation".<ref name=timesobit/> Barker privately regarded the series as the finest work of his career.<ref name=bbcobit/> He won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance in 1975 for his performance.<ref name=bafta/>

In 1976, Barker played [[Friar Tuck]] in the film ''[[Robin and Marian]]'', directed by [[Richard Lester]].<ref name=indobit/> The 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.<ref name=timesobit/> 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, London|Palace Theatre]] called ''Hot Water''.<ref name=M32/> ''Open All Hours'' aired one series in 1976 on [[BBC Two|BBC2]] but was not renewed due to low ratings.<ref name=timesobit/> As a result, Barker backtracked on his earlier decision and produced a third series of ''Porridge'', as well as a [[Porridge (film)|film adaptation]]. It was followed by the spin-off sitcom ''[[Going Straight]]'' which focused on Fletcher after his release from prison. While not as popular as ''Porridge'', Barker again won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance.<ref name=bafta>{{cite web|url=http://www.bafta.org/awards-database.html?pageNo=1&sq=Ronnie+Barker|title=Awards Database|publisher=BAFTA|access-date=13 April 2010}}</ref>

Further plans for the show were ended when Barker's co-star [[Richard Beckinsale]] died of a heart attack in 1979, aged 31.<ref name=timesobit/><ref name=bbcporridge/>  With repeats of ''Open All Hours'' earning high ratings on BBC1, the BBC commissioned a further series of the show in 1981, with another two made as well as the show continued its ratings success.<ref name=timesobit/><ref name=indobit/>  Both shows placed in the top ten of the 2004 poll to determine [[Britain's Best Sitcom]]; ''Porridge'' finished seventh and ''Open All Hours'' eighth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sitcom/winner.shtml|title=Britain's Best Sitcom|access-date=13 April 2010|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

Barker was the first actor originally considered for the role of Frank Spencer in ''[[Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em]]''. However, he turned the role down and it went to [[Michael Crawford]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/somemothers/|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 February 2019}}</ref>

Barker's next sitcom, ''[[The Magnificent Evans]]'', which was about a Welsh photographer and aired in 1984, was not successful.<ref name=timesobit/>  His final sitcom, ''[[Clarence (British TV series)|Clarence]]'', in which he played Clarence Sale, a removal man with failing sight, aired in 1988. Barker wrote the show himself, again using a pseudonym, this time as "[[Bob Ferris (Likely Lads)|Bob Ferris]]", <ref name=indobit/> the name of a character in [[The Likely Lads]].