David Jason gives it plenty, as do the regular flows of regulars who call into the shop, and at times he verges so close to the old character formed superbly by the late Ronnie Barker that you expect to hear him begin to stutter.
But there is a spark missing.
The situations are often basic and silly, as they were in the original, but it just doesn't quite make the target, and I think a fair bit of that has to do with the fact that Arkwright himself is no longer in the picture.
But hey, they try, and if they can elicit one or two smiles then I guess all is not lost.
However...it's just not the same.
I guess it's kind of like the latter days of Last of the Summer Wine after the original wandering trio of old lads morphed into a revolving gaggle of lads...of ever-changing faces.
Only old Cleggy, Peter Sallis, endured but as age intruded through the years he too saw less and less of the landscape.
Those early ones with Michael Bates as the leader of the pack, and then Brian Wilde, and with Compo and Cleggy of course, were classics.
It will not be re-made, I'm sure.
Nor will comedies like 'Allo 'Allo! and Dad's Army because time and attitudes and television tastes have moved off in other directions, although a feature film of Dad's Army was created but it failed to raise much enthusiasm, let alone accolades.
Over in the US though they seem prepared to crank up old ideas, and we currently have Hawaii Five-O running...somewhere, as well as a new series of trouble-shooter MacGyver which I have only briefly glimpsed...but long enough to determine that the main man appears to be about 13-years-old.
I may have said it earlier, I can't remember, but it's just not the same.
John Cleese got it right...roll out about a dozen brilliant episodes of Fawlty Towers then put it away.
As did Jerry Seinfeld when he pulled the curtain on his show.
However, (there's always a however), not all old storyline concepts have been put to bed and we are on the eve of the next contender for the 'Should They or Should They Not Have' file.
It is the tale of Grace Bros - Are You Being Served? - and it is returning to the shop floor at 7.30pm this Sunday on Jones in what is labelled a "celebratory special".
Yep, they remade it using a whole new cast and while I haven't caught sight of the completed article I have caught sight of some comments made by viewers in England who tuned in when it was shown there earlier this year.
One of the kinder ones was "truly ghastly" along with one viewer's note that as an old fan of the original series they only lasted three minutes watching this special.
Oh dear.
Of course you can't build absolute clones of the original cast but I have to say that the actress who turns on Mrs Slocombe is quite uncanny.
New faces for familiar characters complete with their unique mannerisms and some familiar lines (yes Mrs Slocombe's cat gets a mention but I'll leave it at that for now).
Going by what has been posted by viewers and reviewers in Blighty it appears a candidate for the "They Should Not Have" file.
Buy hey, we'll see for ourselves if there's life in the old store yet...as young Mr Grace's cocky and suave grandson steers the management ship...along with Captain Peacock of course.
● Are You Being Served? Jones at 7.30pm Sunday: An ambitious production given the extraordinary characters the original series came up with.
But by all accounts the production bods did a more than fair job...as far as the set was concerned, although the script and some of the acting seems to have unsettled many who have seen it.
ON THE BOX
● Speed with Guy Martin, Choice at 7.30 tonight: He's an intriguing character is Guy Martin and given the speed at which he talks it's no great surprise he has pursued a life of pace.
Pace as delivered by things with engines. While he's yet to bag an Isle of Man TT win he is consistently fast around the island and has created a remarkable fan base.
He's slightly eccentric to a degree, and I am in awe of his willingness to take something potentially dodgy on.
Like Pike's Peak on a bike he built. And speeding hovercraft...and streamlined bicycles.
He's in mechanical and verbal speed action again tonight - always a colourful way to spend an hour.
● Graham Norton - Big Red Chair Special, TV3 at 7.30pm Monday: The red chair has become a finale feature of the Graham Norton outings.
Those who settle into it for the brief telling of their tale either get to ease themselves out of it if they gain applause from Graham and his guests or clamber up from the floor if their story gets the thumbs-down.
I recall one where the seat occupant, when asked where he was from, replied "Australia" and was immediately tipped backwards.
But that chair has helped deliver some amazing stories from those who step forward, and here we get the full story of how it came to be and hear some of those more remarkable tales.