Ep 2. Boiled Ham and Inflatable Underwear

Boiled Ham and Inflatable Underwear is the second episode of the second season of the popular British sitcom Still Open All Hours. The show follows the daily operations of Arkwright's grocery store in the fictional town of Balby, Doncaster, and the antics of its quirky staff.

In this episode, Granville, the shop owner and nephew of the original proprietor, is up to his customary shenanigans. He starts by trying to persuade his trusty sidekick, Cyril, to purchase some inflatable underwear, but Cyril isn't convinced. Meanwhile, Mavis, the local gossip and nurse, visits the shop to buy some boiled ham for her poorly cat. Granville seizes the opportunity to ask her out on a date, but she rebuffs him with a less-than-flattering comment about his aging appearance.

Undeterred, Granville continues with his matchmaking efforts and sets his sights on Mr. Newbold, a shy customer who has been pining after Mavis for years. Granville concocts a plan to invite them both to a secret rendezvous at the back of the shop, under the pretense of picking up some smoked kippers. However, when Mavis arrives, she is upset to discover that Mr. Newbold has not joined them.

Meanwhile, Granville's arch-nemesis, Wet Eric, pays a visit to the shop and accuses Granville of tampering with his tinned pineapple. The two engage in a hilarious exchange of insults, with Wet Eric coming out on top thanks to his cunning use of wordplay.

As always, the shop's regular customers provide plenty of laughs. Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (originally played by Lynda Baron, who sadly passed away in July 2019) makes a cameo appearance via a photograph on the shop's wall. Others include the excitable Mrs. Featherstone, who can't resist Granville's dodgy deals, and the elderly Mr. Beesley, who is constantly on the lookout for bargains.

The episode also touches on some more serious topics, such as the prevalence of loneliness among the elderly. This is illustrated by the character of Mr. Beesley, who is revealed to be living alone after his wife passed away. Granville and Cyril take it upon themselves to invite him to a game of dominoes, providing him with some much-needed company.

Overall, Boiled Ham and Inflatable Underwear is a quintessential episode of Still Open All Hours, full of charm, warmth, and humor. The stellar cast, including comedy legend Sir David Jason in the role of Granville, delivers flawless performances that will leave viewers laughing and smiling from start to finish.