Only Fools and Horses

The Frog and the Pussycat

2013-02-26T18:57:00.000+00:00

Picking up some time after "Five Gold Rings" on February 1962, as Del Boy and his friends (Boycie, Trigger, Jumbo, Albie, and Denzil) are having a smoke outside Sir Walter Raleigh Tower, his mother Joan reads her baby son, Rodney, a bedtime story, and regretfully talks about how Del ruined their future happiness. The door suddenly slams and Joan jumps.

Going back seven months earlier to July 1961, life is still more or less the same for the Trotter family. Del continues to pursue countless girls with his glass rings, Reg is still unemployed, and Joan works for Freddie "The Frog" Robdal as his "charlady", although they really use their time together for sexual pleasure (unknown to the rest of the Trotters, Robdal is the father of Rodney). Robdal, for his part, keeps his own eyes on the Trotter family, going as far as to assault Joan's lecherous employer, Mr. Raynor, by breaking his fingers and threatening him into silence after learning of his perverted behaviour towards her through gossip in the Nag's Head.

Del crosses paths with an old flame of his, Barbara Bird, and they go for a coffee together, where they agree to continue seeing each other but only after Barbara returns from an upcoming trip. Around the same time, Robdal gives Joan a ring as a gift, which she notices is from Margate. She asks Robdal if he stole this ring from the jewellery store in Margate while on the 1960 Jolly Boys' Outing with Del, but he denies it. Robdal and his friend, Gerald "Jelly" Kelly, are approached once again by the corrupt DI Thomas and DC Stanton, who now claim to have a one-eyed war hero eyewitness, Eric Poulton, to the Margate robbery, and later on, Thomas arrests them both when Poulton goes missing. However, Robdal comes triumphant once again when it is revealed that Poulton is actually a policeman who lost his eye in a street fight and served as the desk sergeant when DI Thomas first started as a policeman. It turns out Poulton was living in Margate opposite the jewellers, and Thomas asked him to tell a few "white lies" in return for a share of the reward money, but Robdal and Kelly paid him a visit and told him their side of the story, treating him to a holiday in Spain. All but defeated, Thomas begrudgingly drops the case, but once Kelly is gone, Thomas plays his trump card: he has acquired the ring which Robdal gave to Joan, which she recently pawned in order to buy Del a lambretta. Despite furiously threatening Joan over the phone, Robdal chooses to protect Joan and Del (and get Thomas off his back once and for all). Robdal subsequently takes the full blame and is imprisoned on an alternate charge for a few months while Kelly goes free.

Del, meanwhile, begins his own plans to make a film, "Dracula on the Moon", and become a millionaire. Joan, under the name "Reenie Turpin" (Trigger's aunt and Joan's best friend), visits Robdal in prison. Robdal claims that once he is released, he wants to move to his country house near Bournemouth and start a new life, and implores Joan to run away with Rodney to live with him (although this would be an act of kidnapping). Joan accepts, but tells Robdal that she will only leave with him once she is certain of Del's financial security, even though Robdal, knowing of Del's life as a market trader, believes Del is old and smart enough to look after himself. During the conversation, Joan mentions that she briefly began working as a charlady for an art dealer, Roland Pernell, for seven pounds a week, although Pernell callously deducted three pounds from her salary for "tax reasons". This, as well as the mention of Pernell's name, pique Robdal's interest.

To get Del set up financially, she pushes his relationship with Barbara, who comes from a rich family. Del takes Barbara out to dinner, where he gets engaged with her. Barbara's parents, Bernard and Beryl, take a liking to Del and invite his family over for an engagement party, during which Reg gets drunk and makes a fool of himself. Unfortunately, whilst alone in the kitchen, Beryl makes a sexual pass at a surprised Del and is seen by the rest of the family. Beryl confesses that she never had the happy, privileged life Barbara had, and became so jealous, especially with her disturbed childhood and unhappy marriage to Bernard, that she began secretly dressing in Barbara's clothes and listening to her music while alone. Despite Joan's efforts to patch things up, the engagement is off, and Joan ultimately decides to remain in Peckham for Del's sake. Meanwhile, Robdal and Kelly rob Pernell's art gallery together: many years back, Pernell cheated Robdal out of some money and went into hiding. Once Robdal went to jail, Pernell re-emerged, opened a new art gallery, and cheated Joan out of almost half of her wages. By robbing Pernell, Robdal will make him a target for the Inland Revenue for tax fraud. Following this, Robdal vows to go straight, unaware of Del's failed relationship.

Returning to the opening scene, while Del and his friends share a smoke outside, Joan reads Rodney a bedtime story and laments how both her and Del's happy futures were ruined. The door slams and Reg comes inside, surprisingly calm and expressing relief that Del's relationship with Barbara is over, having been disturbed by Beryl's actions. Reg goes to bed, leaving Joan to sit with Rodney and wait for Robdal to call (unaware that he himself is waiting for Joan to call him). Del and his friends, meanwhile, steal some lambrettas and ride off into the night towards Brighton asWill You Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles plays in the background to mark the definitive end of the series.

Only Fools And Horses - The Complete Collection [DVD]

2010-11-16T20:47:00.000+00:00

Here together in one collection is every episode plus the specials of Britain's best-loved comedy series! Crafty cockney con man Derek Trotter dreams of making a fortune, but each dodgy deal and shady scheme always seems to end in disaster. And then there's his family to look after: loveable but hapless kid brother, Rodney; doddery old Grandad; and ex-seafaring Uncle Albert. This hilarious, life-affirming series is one of the most popular on British television, and the annual Only Fools and Horses Christmas specials became as fundamental a British holiday tradition as Christmas crackers and the Queen's Address to the Commonwealth. Only Fools and Horses boasts 13 top comedy awards including two Best Comedy BAFTAs, and the series finale, "Sleepless in Peckham" was viewed by two out of three British households on Christmas Day, 2003.

Trotters Ethnic Tours

2010-11-04T13:59:00.000+00:00

Trotters Ethnic Tours was one of Del's first Hooky Street schemes way back in A Slow Bus To Chingford from the first series of 1981. Del saw a gap in the tourist market and wanted to highlight the romantic places you've heard about in fairytales. Places like the Lee Valley Viaduct or Lower Edmonton at dusk! Click on the stars and take a tour of the real and fictional world of Only Fools and Horses.

See the interactive map here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/onlyfools/tours/london.shtml

2010-10-11T15:33:00.001+01:00

Only Fools And Horses - Batman And Robin

2010-10-01T08:46:00.001+01:00

A classic moment from Only Fools and Horses (Heroes and Villains). Del and Rodney have broken down in the middle of the town, dressed up as Batman and Robin for a fancy dress party.

2010-09-28T14:26:00.002+01:00

The Chandelier

2010-09-15T12:56:00.001+01:00

Only Fools And Horses - Why Is It So Popular?

2010-09-08T09:42:00.000+01:00

Only Fools And Horses is one of the most popular British sitcoms ever made. Even though the show ended a few years ago it is still repeated all the time on the BBC and satellite channels because of it's endearing popularity. So why is this TV series so popular?

Well firstly I would say that as a sitcom it is genuinely funny. Pretty much every single episode in the entire series is laugh out loud funny, whether it's visual comedy, such as the infamous scene where Del Boy falls through the bar, for instance, or witty dialogue between the various lead characters.

Not only that but the story lines are also top drawer. There are lots of light-hearted episodes which are the traditional sitcom fare, but there are also quite serious and quite moving stories such as when Cassandra lost her baby, for instance, and when Del became a father for the first time. Even these serious scenes, which although very emotional, still have comedy moments often with just one funny one-liner.

Another reason I think it's so popular is because there is quite a large cast of characters and all of them are extremely likable and funny in their own way. For example you have got characters such as Boycie, Marlene, Denzil and of course Trigger who are minor characters in many ways but it's always nice to see them when they appear, and as with all the other characters, there are always plenty of funny lines shared between them,

Then of course you've got the infamous catchphrases. Thanks to Only Fools And Horses, words such as plonker and mange tout have become part of our everyday vocabulary thanks to Del Boy trotting them out all the time.

Finally you've got brilliantly crafted lead characters such as Uncle Albert, Grandad, and of course Rodney and Del Boy. They struggle through life desperately trying to make some money and build a better life for themselves, and that's something we can all relate to. Eventually they did of course make it and ended up very wealthy but then they managed to lose it all again. However deep down I think Del Boy enjoys ducking and diving and being rich simply left him unfulfilled.

Only Fools And Horses ended a few years ago now but I think this is a series that will still be making future audiences laugh in 50 years time because it is so funny. It's a feel-good comedy with lovable characters and great story lines that are genuinely funny and it will undoubtedly remain a much-loved British sitcom for many years to come.

Click here to read reviews of some of the most popular comedy DVDs including the Only Fools And Horses DVD and the Goodnight Sweetheart DVD.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Woolley

The Coca-Cola Happiness Machine Strikes Again - This Time In London!

2010-09-08T09:05:00.000+01:00

Road Sweeper And The Urn

2010-08-20T12:26:00.000+01:00

NEW FREE APP - My Shopping Genie

2010-08-03T15:43:00.000+01:00

Download you're free copy now at:

>> http://www.myshoppinggenie.com/savepounds <<

How Much To Rent Del Boys Flat

2010-07-29T15:30:00.000+01:00

How much would it cost to rent Del boys flat.

Of course it worth mentioning that you wont find it in Peckham. The block of flats are actually called Harlech Tower in Park Road, East Acton, London.

Full story: http://www.yourrightmove.co.uk/blog/how-much-to-rent-del-boys-flat/

Del Boy Takes To The Air

2010-07-26T19:39:00.000+01:00

"LOVELY jubbly!" - Only Fools and Horses actor Sir David Jason got to grips with a vintage fighter plane at one of the UK's leading air shows.

Full article: Del Boy Takes To The Air

Mike

2010-07-22T13:13:00.000+01:00

Michael "Mike" Fisher (born 12 December 1950) was publican of the Nag's Head and appeared in the show from 1983 to 1996. Mike was portrayed by Kenneth MacDonald.

Mike first appeared in Only Fools and Horses in the episode, Who's a Pretty Boy?, in which Del ingratiated himself with the new landlord by agreeing to a deal which would see Mike accept Del's £2000 offer to re-decorate the pub, leaving them with £500 apiece and using the remaining £1000 to pay Brendan O' Shaugnassy. With many scenes in subsequent episodes set in the Nag's Head, Mike became a regular character.

Good-natured but often gullible, Mike was often on the receiving end of Del's scams or attempts to sell his low-quality goods. He rarely managed to get to Del to pay off his bar tab or even to pay for his drinks as he ordered them (instead putting them on the 'slate'. He later comments that it's gotten so far out of hand he could retile the roof with them). Among the goods he bought from Del were a hairdryer which was actually a paint stripper (leaving Mike with severe burns to the head), a deep fryer (which soon exploded) and a fax machine which didn't work. On the other hand, he was quite happy to con people out of their money when he could, evidenced by one occasion where he charged Denzil a pound for a plate of stew, then sold the exact same thing to a yuppie, only this time calling it "Boeuf Bourguignon" and charging £2.50.

When Kenneth MacDonald died in 2001, writer John Sullivan added a storyline to new episode If They Could See Us Now, which explained that Mike had been caught up in Del and Rodney's shady financial dealings and attempted to embezzle the brewery in order to cover his losses, for which he was imprisoned. Cafe owner Sid took over Mike's position of landlord.

Hooky Street By The Big Babies

2010-07-20T10:57:00.000+01:00

Smell Like A Man, Man

2010-07-13T13:26:00.002+01:00

Play With The Bodog Babes

2010-07-05T16:42:00.000+01:00

Sue Holderness On Her Battle To Beat Alopecia

2010-07-05T13:36:00.002+01:00

Sue Holderness is known to millions as the bouffant-haired Marlene from Only Fools And Horses. It's an image that endured when Sue appeared as Marlene in the spin-off TV programme The Green Green Grass.

Yet her trademark big-haired look was achieved only with the help of make-up artist wizardry. For Sue, 60, like millions of other women, has been plagued with severe hair loss since her 30s. At times it has come out in handfuls, leaving her with bare patches of scalp.

The CO2 Reducing Vacheval

2010-06-29T10:38:00.000+01:00

The Truth Behind Trigger's Broom

2010-06-28T15:07:00.000+01:00

One of the many very funny moments involving Trigger ... he reveals the reason why he received a medal and the secret of the longevity of his broom. VERY FUNNY and done only the way Trigger can do it!

Mickey Pearce

2010-06-21T13:36:00.001+01:00

Mickey was a young, obnoxious spiv and friend of Rodney's, known for his ludicrous boasts about his success in business or with women, and for frequently taking advantage of Rodney's gullibility. Other jokes around Mickey were his rapid turnover of jobs, and the fact that he sported the pork-pie hat and suit of the 2 tone/ska scene, which was popular during the 1980s, well into the 2000s.

When Rodney Met Cassandra

2010-06-14T13:57:00.001+01:00

Rodney meets Cassandra at the Adult Education Centre and is smitten, but he gets embarrassed when she learns his name from the tag Del has stitched into his raincoat. Classic Only Fools and Horses.

Top 10 Hangover Cures

2010-06-07T14:19:00.000+01:00

The morning after the night before. You wake up on the floor of your room in the same clothes you donned last night and you are able to still taste the remainders of the Indian you devoured on the way home. Upon opening your eyes you utter the immortal and too often uttered words “I am never drinking again!”. The promise is made every Saturday and Sunday morning by anyone who's overindulged themselves the night before and you are able to guarantee that as soon as the following weekend comes round these same people will be out boozing themselves into the same state.

Of course I'm referring to all drinkers nightmare – The Hangover. It simply drains the energy from you and turns you into a walking zombie.

If like me you suffer with terrible hangovers then never fear because help is at hand. I have prepared a top 10 list of hangover cures and remedies to get you back to your old self as soon as possible with minimal hassle.

Cure Number 1 – The Hair of the Dog
Okay so this is probably not the best way to cure the hangover. The last thing anyone wants to do after a heavy night on the town is to go back down the pub. This technique is simply a way of postponing the horror of the hangover by topping up the levels of alcohol already floating about in your bloodstream. This method is commonly used among students and younger drinkers who love to live the party lifestyle but beware it only postpones the inevitable.

Cure Number 2 – Re-hydration
This is a common mistake made among most people. Making sure to take on as much water as possible is one of the best ways to avoid a hangover. Around about 200ml of water per 30ml of alcohol is a good rule of thumb. Usually most people are either too tired or too drunk after their night of drinking and simply collapse when they get home. So make sure you drink lots of water before you go to bed. It may mean several trips to the toilet in the night but believe me its worth it.

Sports drinks are also a good idea. The taste might not always be any good but try and consume as much Lucozade, Powerade and any other “ade” you can find.

Cure Number 3 - Food
If you've got a steaming hangover get over to your local café and order a huge big fry-up.

Protein is a good source of amino acids and a good hearty breakfast has loads, so you'll soon be on the road to recovery.

Actually food is a good idea all round - before, during and immediately after drinking. Food doesn't absorb alcohol, but it does increase metabolism, activates alcohol absorption, and increases the speed with which the body processes alcohol.

You may not be able to keep any food down but as much as it might not feel like it it is helping.

Cure Number 4 – Lots of Rest
Going back to bed is an effective way to help your body regenerate and recover. The reason I say “go back” to bed is because simply staying in bed all day is not a good idea (unless you have found some poor mug to cater for your ever need). Make sure you get up, have something to eat and drink, maybe even have a shower to freshen yourself up. Only then should you consider going back to bed. Wouldn't you much rather be asleep for the pounding headache and the upset stomach?

Cure Number 5 – Don't drink so much in the first place!
I no it seems obvious but its true. Try and think about moderating the amount you drink during the night. Don't be conned by your mates or crack under peer pressure to have that “one more” shot or that “swift pint” before you go home. Make sure you no when you've had enough.

Cure Number 6 – Fresh Air and maybe some exercise
The second last thing you probably want to do is to crawl out from under your duvet and brave the sunlight. The last thing however would be to do any exercise. However this is good for you as it speeds up your metabolic rate and processes the alcohol quicker. It doesn't have to be anything too strenuous just a simple walk around the block would be fine.

Cure Number 7 – Headache Pills
Some people swear by the notion that taking headache tablets before you go to bed is a great way to prevent a hangover or at least reduce the pain. Wrong! A better idea is to take a couple of headache tablets, preferably ibuprofen based ones, in the morning followed by a big glass of water then head straight back to bed. At least his way your head won't feel as though there is a Frenchman living in it.

Cure Number 8 – Don't mix your drinks
A good way to make sure that the hangover from hell doesn't come and invade your skull is to stick to one type of drink. Drinking spirits, lagers, shots and anything else you may get your hands on is not a great idea.

Cure Number 9 – Banana's
Bananas have sugar in the form of fructose, they also have potassium, which is one of the things you lose a lot of when you've been out getting hammered. Bananas are also a natural antacid which helps with the nausea, and are high in magnesium which can help relax those pounding blood vessels causing that hangover headache.

Cure Number 10 - Tomatoes
Tomatoes are full of antioxidants and vitamins and they're healthy so get munching. If you don't like eating tomatoes, drink them in a Bloody Mary. You'll feel better in about 15 minutes.

Bloody Mary
-1.5 oz vodka
-Dash of lemon (or lime) juice
-Worcestershire sauce
-2 or 3 drops Tabasco sauce
-Pepper, salt and celery salt
-5 oz tomato juice
-Serve in a tall glass over ice

If the idea of more alcohol turns your stomach why not try making a Virgin Mary, it's exactly the same recipe except without the Vodka.

Special Tip Number 11 – The Sauna
This is a potentially dangerous method of recovery and will involve you having to set some sort of world record for the most glasses of water drunk consecutively. If you and a few friends take a trip down to the local sauna then stay in there for around 10 minutes (Not any longer!) then you'll sweat out all the toxins in your body. However you will have to drink as much water as you possibly can because you will obviously be dehydrated to begin with. Beware because there are some nasty side effects of you spending time in this sweaty environment. The place will smell of pure alcohol and sweat and it will not be pleasant.

This is about all the advice I can offer you except for good luck and happy drinking.

They're Back!

2010-06-01T09:28:00.000+01:00

Vice Chairman Rodney Trotter

2010-05-28T16:02:00.001+01:00

Rodney is nominated as Vice Chairman of the local tenants association by Baz and Trigger, but is reluctant to take the position, especially when the chairman immediately resigns!