• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Happy 40th Birthday : Only Fools And Horses

Status
Not open for further replies.

duncanp

Established Member
Joined
16 Aug 2012
Messages
4,856
In just over a week's time, on 8th September, it will be 40 years to the day since the first ever episode of Only Fools and Horses was broadcast on BBC1.

One of the classics of British TV comedy, which probably wouldn't get made today given the amount of wokery and political correctness about.

Will have to go to the pub next Wednesday and see if I can fall through the bar just like Del Boy did in that infamous episode. <D
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

alex397

Established Member
Joined
6 Oct 2017
Messages
1,546
Location
UK
One of the classics of British TV comedy, which probably wouldn't get made today given the amount of wokery and political correctness about.
I disagree. Probably wise not to bring up this argument as it is a controversial topic.
Keep it positive about Only Fools and Horses.

Im a big fan of the show, and have been to many of the filming locations. It is rare for a comedy to be both funny and you can also sympathise and have a connection to the characters. In other words, I think it’s rare for a sitcom to have a good drama element. I can think of few other examples of sitcoms which do this.
 

birchesgreen

Established Member
Joined
16 Jun 2020
Messages
5,042
Location
Birmingham
A good show in it's day but i always thought it was a mistake returning after they had that big finale and the Trotters ended up rich.
 

yorksrob

Veteran Member
Joined
6 Aug 2009
Messages
38,818
Location
Yorks
I'm quite enjoying the Ray Daley era of Minder, personally. Not sure about a Shane Richie version !!

As for OF&H, glass of Peckham Spring anyone :lol:
 

Ianno87

Veteran Member
Joined
3 May 2015
Messages
15,215
One of the classics of British TV comedy, which probably wouldn't get made today given the amount of wokery and political correctness about.

Not seen it for a while, but there weren't that many jokes/lines that would be considered controversial today.

I can only recall either Grandad or Uncle Albert referring in an early episode to a derogatory term for a corner shop as the only thing off memory that wouldn't be acceptable today. (Although I don't have a particularly encyclopaedia knowledge of the show)
 

AlterEgo

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Dec 2008
Messages
20,029
Location
No longer here
OFAH was generally very warm towards minorities and can't recall a joke that felt like punching down. It was a masterful comedy.
 

Peter Mugridge

Veteran Member
Joined
8 Apr 2010
Messages
14,751
Location
Epsom
Typical isn't it? There's been no Fools and Horses threads for years and one appears days after I put this in the jokes thread ( ignore the text in the box - the link does lead to me Fools and Horses related post )!

 

ComUtoR

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2013
Messages
9,397
Location
UK
Not seen it for a while, but there weren't that many jokes/lines that would be considered controversial today.

This, as always, depends on which side of the fence your looking over.

I'm born and raised in South London. Only fools is like Reality TV for me :)
 

duncanp

Established Member
Joined
16 Aug 2012
Messages
4,856
I do recall Del Boy calling a cannabis joint a "Jamaican Woodbine" once.

That probably wouldn't be allowed today.
 

Trackman

Established Member
Joined
28 Feb 2013
Messages
2,922
Location
Lewisham
Sounds so bad my brain is actively denying its existence. I genuinely never knew that version of Minder happened.
It was really terrible and they spent loads of money promoting it.

I still watch ofah on Gold(?) I love some of the specials, but that double of Del with something to do with Mafia is shocking plus no laughter track too.
If I flick through and see it and know it's a good episode I'll watch it. I dont watch too much telly too.
 

alex397

Established Member
Joined
6 Oct 2017
Messages
1,546
Location
UK
I do recall Del Boy calling a cannabis joint a "Jamaican Woodbine" once.

That probably wouldn't be allowed today.
Yes possibly, but I think it’s often about context. Del was seen as someone who just went ahead and did something or said something without thinking. Rodney often picked up on Del’s insensitive or perhaps unthoughtful comments.

When I think of Alan Partridge - that character was purposely un-PC which is part of the joke. Of course, the character of Del is hugely more likeable than Partridge!

One thing I find interesting is that there isn’t a single scene that was actually filmed in Peckham itself. Before they moved the majority of filming to Bristol, they filmed around Acton/Ealing I believe. I don’t think any of the title sequence was filmed in Peckham either. I was hoping they might have put even just a little bit of Peckham in some of the final episodes. Not that it matters much, it just interests me.
 
Last edited:

alex397

Established Member
Joined
6 Oct 2017
Messages
1,546
Location
UK
A celebration of cockney spivs. Tiresome. Went on far too long.
I think it was a bit more than that really.
However I possibly agree it went on too long. The final 1996 episode probably would have been a good time to stop, where they became millionaires. The final 3 Christmas specials in the early ‘Noughties’ weren’t very good (although the first one was pretty good). And the spin-offs were truly awful.

I’m going to defend Miami Twice - it gets a bit silly but I really enjoy it.

Hull and Back (which seems a little odd without laughter track and different film being used), and The Jolly Boy’s Outing are, for me, the best of the special episodes.
 

yorksrob

Veteran Member
Joined
6 Aug 2009
Messages
38,818
Location
Yorks
Yes, I don't get the hate for Miami twice. One of my favourite specials.
 

317 forever

Established Member
Joined
21 Aug 2010
Messages
2,544
Location
North West
A good show in it's day but i always thought it was a mistake returning after they had that big finale and the Trotters ended up rich.
Same here. That finale killed the whole joke of Delboy thinking he was this really successful businessman, all of whose schemes went wrong. :lol:
 

SteveM70

Established Member
Joined
11 Jul 2018
Messages
3,800
A bit like Minder in the Ray Daley days. Shane Richie era.. well...


OT, but….

The Ray version was a step down from the Terry years, but the Shame Richie version was abominable. Minder was conceived as a vehicle for Dennis Waterman but I think Euston Films soon realised Arthur was a fantastic character and George Cole was bloody brilliant as him
 

ANDREW_D_WEBB

Member
Joined
21 Aug 2013
Messages
865
Before they moved the majority of filming to Bristol, they filmed around Acton/Ealing I believe.
Harlech Tower on the South Acton Estate. The tower is no more with the area now being regenerated / gentrified. Wonder what Del and Rodney would make of it now?
 

Trackman

Established Member
Joined
28 Feb 2013
Messages
2,922
Location
Lewisham
OT, but….

The Ray version was a step down from the Terry years, but the Shame Richie version was abominable. Minder was conceived as a vehicle for Dennis Waterman but I think Euston Films soon realised Arthur was a fantastic character and George Cole was bloody brilliant as him
I think one of reasons why he left, it was all about the late great George Cole and not himself.
The chemistry between them was amazing. I remember reading a book about Max Wall doing a scene with Arthur and Tel in a car; Max Wall couldn't believe they were acting and was butting in asking when the take was!
Back OT: John Sullivan said if it wasn't for Minder, OFAH would never have existed. He had the idea beforehand but didn't think it would work, until he saw Minder.
 

duncanp

Established Member
Joined
16 Aug 2012
Messages
4,856
I am a little bit annoyed that I missed this. <(


A pub from classic comedy show Only Fools and Horses has been recreated - and fans can visit for a pint!

Show star Gwyneth Strong, who played Cassandra – Rodney’s wife – opened the recreation of the iconic Nags Head pub today to mark the 40th anniversary of the much-loved sitcom.

She was joined by Philip Pope, who played Tony Angelino on the show, and Andree Bernard, who played barmaid Nervous Nerys.
Comedy TV channel Gold are behind the pop-up pub, which opens to the public from today for three days only. The Nags Head has been lovingly recreated to be true to the series, from the striped wallpaper and chequered floor down to the framed pictures, stuffed rabbit, horse bronzes and trinkets which adorned Del and Rodney’s local boozer.

Gwyneth Strong, said: “I can’t believe it’s been 40 years since the show first aired. There is such a loyal fan base and they are going to love this, it’s like going back in time and being back in the original pub!”

The Nags Head is open for business in London today, tomorrow and Saturday.

The pop up pub is in London, WC1N 2PB and the exact location will be confirmed to ticket holders. For free tickets see www.gold.uktv.co.uk/nagshead

If you put the post code into Google and compare it with the photo in the article, you can see the pub is The Duke, in Roger Street, Bloomsbury, near Russell Square tube station.

I wonder how many people will try and film themselves falling through the bar just like Del Boy. :D
 

OuterDistant

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2010
Messages
548
Location
North Staffordshire
Blimey - I'd forgotten that when I was small (mid 80s), we moved into a house where the hall, landing and stairs had the same wallpaper as the Nags Head. The purple part was like velvet - brush up against it, and the colour changed.
 

C J Snarzell

Established Member
Joined
11 Apr 2019
Messages
1,506
OF&H's is a great series but sadly it has been flogged to death over the years and this has ruined it's quality.

The biggest mistake was not permanently putting OF&H's to bed in 1996 when they did the Christmas trilogy.

John Sullivan and the Beeb couldn't leave it alone and brought it back in 2001 with a 'shakey' trio of Christmas specials.

The there was the dire prequel set in the 1960s with Phil Daniels (I can't even remember it's name) and the horrific 'Green Green Grass' with Boycie and Marlene living in the Country. Complete TV trash.

The other issue with OF&H's is - it is never off Sky/cable! It can be found anywhere at anytime if you flick through enough channels.

CJ
 

Cletus

Established Member
Joined
11 Dec 2010
Messages
2,227
Location
Dover
I always felt that the series should have ended when the Trotters walked into the pub after the auction and the whole pub applauded. Lovely moment.

Nothing after that was of the same quality.
 

duncanp

Established Member
Joined
16 Aug 2012
Messages
4,856
R.I.P Boycie


Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis dies​


John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, has died aged 79.
His family said he died "peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer".
They said he "leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come".
His character - unscrupulous second-hand car dealer Terrance Aubrey Boyce - was a firm favourite with comedy fans.
He starred in the show throughout its time on air from 1981 to 2003 alongside Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, and his character was so popular with viewers that Challis also portrayed him for four series of spin-off show The Green Green Grass, alongside on-screen wife Marlene.
Sue Holderness, who played Marlene, paid tribute to Challis as her "beloved friend".
"Marlene without Boycie - it's unthinkable," she said. "John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. RIP darling John. I will miss you every day."

Challis played Boycie from the first series of the show right the way through to the final Christmas special in 2003.
The character was initially due to appear in just one scene, but he proved popular and the part grew in prominence as the series progressed.
Challis happily played Boycie on screen for decades - and even adopted the persona in appearances in other entertainment shows, fan conventions and even in a video message this year advocating the wearing of face-coverings in public places to help fight Covid.
But he also showed his range as a Shakespearean actor when he performed in open-air performances of Richard III and a Midsummer's Night Dream that were staged in Regents Park in London in 1995, right at the height of the popularity of Only Fools and Horses.
More recently he played Monty Staines in ITV show Benidorm.
Actress Crissy Rock, who appeared alongside Challis in the show, said she was heartbroken.
She tweeted: "John you were a true gentleman and always so loving and supportive towards me. I am thinking of your family and close friends at this hard time. Rest well. Crissy xx"
Earlier this month, Challis cancelled a speaking tour due to ill-health.
He was due to appear in 30 scheduled dates, billed as an "intimate evening with John Challis", but had to cancel the tour after one date.
The actor was born in Bristol in 1942 but moved to south-east London with his parents when he was one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top