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Only fools and horses

Is only fools and horses the best comedy programme ever to grace our TV screens? 
in my opinion, yes! and a big yes at that. 

From the moment I first watched the show, back on the 8th September 1981, up until the very last episode on the 29th December 1996, I have been hooked on this very funny comedy. 

During this time I have watched many comedy programmes, and many have come close to only fools and horses. Fawlty Towers, men behaving badly, game on, etc. but none have eclipsed this story about the Trotter family, from Peckham, London. 

The show centre's on the dodgy dealings of the Trotters, Derek and Rodney, and their Grandad, who is simply known to everyone as Grandad. ( later replaced by uncle Albert ) 
At first glance it would appear that the Trotters are very dodgy characters, constantly breaking the law. one of the opening scenes from the first episode, when Del boy ( Derek ) purchases 25 stolen briefcases from his friend Trigger, gives this early impression. Although it soon becomes apparent that the Trotter's are not a rich family, and despite their dodgy dealings, they are in fact very well known around the area of Peckham and Del in particular is always keen to help those who are worse off than himself. 

The first thing that is apparent is how close the 3 generations of the Trotter family are. Del is 11 years older than Rodney (although this is contradicted throughout the series of the show), whilst Grandad is over double the age of Del boy. And although the 3 are always arguing and bickering, it is clear that they would all do anything for each other. 
The many scenes that take place inside the Trotter's flat have produced some of the funniest comedy lines of all time. Grandad's story to Rodney when he is lying in bed during the episode 'homesick' instantly springs to mind. 
After giving Rodney his cigarette case, he goes on to explain that it was hit by a bullet, shot at his grandfather. To which Rodney replies, "Wow, the bullet hit the cigarette case and saved his life?" Grandad then replies "Well not really, you see the bullet ricochet up his nose and blew his brains out?" 

The Trotter family, although the centre piece of the show, only tells half of the story. 
There are many other characters in the show which make this comedy so funny. Trigger, Denzil, Boycie, Mickey, Jevon, Marlene, Sid and Mike all have their own stories to tell, and their own trials and tribulations. 

Once you get to know the other characters, you will find it hard to find another show that can boast so many interesting and funny characters. Fawlty Towers is regarded as one of the funniest British comedies of all time, and although I agree that it is extremely funny, I do think that it cannot begin to boast the depth of Only Fools and Horses. 

A lot of scenes from the show do not even feature the main characters, The Trotters. Although the scenes can be just as funny, and there are not many comedy shows that can boast this depth in characters. As an example, How funny would Fawlty Towers be without Basil Fawlty in almost every scene. Or Men Behaving Badly without Tony and Gary. 
The simple fact is that John Sullivan has created a show that has almost 20 regular characters, who could all quite easily steal at least 3 or 4 classic scenes from an episode, without the main characters being present. 

Some of the greatest lines ever from the show, have not even featured dialogue from the main 3 Trotter characters.

Denzil's comment regarding a 24 hour waste disposal depot. "I thought you said it was open 24 hours a day" 

Trigger, "Yeah, but not at night" 


There are many reasons why I love Only Fools and Horses, but I think the main reason is that there are so many funny lines or visual moments in the show that surpass anything else I have seen, that you just cannot beat Only Fools and Horses for all round comedy. 

Most comedies that I've seen, although funny at times, are rarely constantly funny from start to finish. And even some classic comedies only have 3 or 4 laugh out loud moments in each episode. Whereas Only Fools and Horses can boast many more funny moments in each episode. 

With one of the greatest comedy writers ever, in John Sullivan, Fools and Horses was always destined to succeed. And in David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd Pack and Paul Barber, etc, the show has many very talented actors at their disposal. 

I would urge anybody who has never watched the show, to sit down one night and watch an episode. I am confident that anyone with a sense of humour will agree that it is one of the best comedies of all time. 

Copyright - Kevin Porter 2003