“I think already we’re seeing signs that comedy isn’t as funny as it used to be.”
Only Fools and Horses is a classic of the British sitcom canon.
However, not all of its comedy is considered appropriate in the modern day.
One episode in particular has been taken off air due to its content, but one star of the show believes this is the wrong decision.
Sue Holderness, who played Marlene, the wife of Boycie, has expressed her fears “that comedy isn’t as funny as it used to be”, per the Daily Star.
She explained how she felt about those trying to create new comedy in the current climate.
“I think it must be terribly difficult, because I mean part of the fun, especially with satire, you rely on being filthily rude about everybody and everything, don’t you, which is what makes people laugh.
“And now you say the slightest thing is going to upset people, because this whole online thing is new, isn’t it? When we were making Only Fools And Horses, there was no social media. It didn’t exist, did it? So people couldn’t get worked up and wild about tiny little things.
“So yes, I do think it’s very difficult. And I think already we’re seeing signs that comedy isn’t as funny as it used to be. Let’s hope it’s going to change. Let’s hope that somehow we can work out that people don’t actually get offended quite as easily as they think they do.”
Holderness explained to the Only Fools and Horses podcast that she believes the show is a benchmark for what should be allowed to fly in terms of family-friendly comedy. She said that the lack of foul language and Del Boy’s ultimate devotion to his family makes it a good template for other shows.
Very little in Only Fools is offensive to anybody, I think,” she said.
“It’s the love of family that is so overwhelming. He [Del] looked after Grandad, he looked after Uncle Albert. He made sure always that they were fed and clothed and loved them.
“It’s so lovely that there is so much love out there still for the show. And I think that’s part of the reason for that. You know, this family, though his business dealings weren’t always absolutely as they should be, but you know, they don’t drink and drive, they don’t take drugs, they don’t swear. It’s gorgeous family entertainment. We miss it.
“Nothing is quite like that anymore.”
Related links:
One of the most ‘controversial’ episodes that Holderness spoke out in defence of is From Prussia with Love.
The episode in question follows Del Boy as he tries to sell a German woman’s baby to Boycie and Marlene. At the end of the episode, viewers learn that the baby is mixed race, and Boycie and Marlene thus pull out of the adoption.
“It’s a very controversial episode now because everybody’s being so careful about what they say about everything. There have been many people who have said they don’t want to see that episode anymore or suggested that maybe you shouldn’t see that episode,” Holderness said, via The Independent.
“But when I say many people, it’s probably about three.”
