Broadcast on

BBC1

Shown Christmas Day, 9.05pm

"Only Fools & Horses" is a bonafide British institution. A whole generation have grown up watching the Trotter clan and their antics. The show is deservedly regarded as a comedy classic, has spawned a stack of catchphrases, perpetuated countless East End myths, made a star of David Jason and forever stunted Nicholas Lyndhurst's career.

But is this latest Christmas Special taking the Great British Public's loyalties too far...?

The series was given a fabulous send-off back in 1996 in a special trio of episodes over the festive period that finally made millionaires out of the Trotter family and saw them walk happily into the sunset. It was a fitting (and moving) end to an almost legendary show. But now, even with the deaths of two of its cast - Buster Merryfield's incomparable Uncle Albert and Ian MacDonald's Mike the barman... it's back. In another trio of episodes, the first shown at Christmas and the remaining two to come later in the year.

Thankfully, the first episode was not the tragic waste I was expecting, but it was certainly a disappointment buoyed by enough amusing moments to make it worthwhile. In this new "mini-series" the Trotter family lose their millions - conveniently throwing them back into familiar settings and having to scheme their way back into the big time.

This simplistic premise wasn't handled as ineptly as it could have been, thank God, although it still bothered me throughout that this is a Christmas Special that should never have been made. They had a note-perfect send-off years ago... and it should remained that way.

It's both a blessing and a curse with "Only Fools" that it's one of the few British comedys that takes itself semi-seriously as a drama. Characters are generally more rounded than other sitcoms, and actually develop beyond their original confines. Sadly, this means the show is now a messy ensemble of wives and kids.

I've always slightly disliked Del Boy being married to Raquel - likewise Rodney to Cassandra. It was around this "marrying period" in the show's life that I always imagined they'd finish the show because the fundamental premise of two contrasting trader brothers had been grown out of. However, it did manage to evolve to suit the changes, even giving Del a son - Damien - in the process. But now... with the halycon days over a decade behind us... it really does seem that we're just needlessly digging these characters up to hear catchphrases.

That said, I have to say I quite liked the new child actor playing Del's son Damien, although he was stuck in a stereotype for the entire show and had to spout "gangsta" talk for no apparent reason. But on a few occassions he displayed some talent that could make him into a welcome addition to the dynamic of the show - we'll have to wait and see if John Sullivan decides to make him a proper character and not just a secondary character they *have* to include because of past plots. But he's the one new facet of the show that seems fresh and tailor-made for fun.

The actual plot of the first episode was pretty weak and screamed a kind of "Comic Relief Special" atmosphere with the "Goldrush" (ahem, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire") gameshow moments slung into proceedings. It's always a bad sign when such obvious story-strands are added to "special episodes". Thankfully, the thought of Del on a gameshow trying to win cash wasn't as painful to watch as I was thinking it would be, although it lost most of its comedic value because ITV didn't allow "Millionaire" to be used as the gameshow. A crying shame.

A chink of of the episode had to sidestep away from the main plot to explain Buster Merryfield's death. "Only Fools" has always been a rare example of British comedy that mixed real drama with comedy, and here was the ideal opportunity - the death of a main character - but they didn't even show it! Del's rant about Albert's penchant for war time stories to a bemused funeral guest touched at the heart-strings a bit, but became totally redundant when it became clear the main gag for the entire sequence was that they were at the wrong funeral!

I think Uncle Albert deserved better, personally. They have three episodes, so why not donate more time to covering the death of a main character? There weren't even any flashbacks in his honour! A tragic waste of an ideal opportunity to provide laughter through tears. Nice of them to dedicate the show to Buster Merryfield and Ian MacDonald at the end though.

It was also telling to see how many types of jokes were reused again in this special episode from the previous one. Again we had hoax phone calls from Mickey Pearce (reminiscent of Del's hoax call to Rodney in the last Special), and two main character dressing up in costume. This time we had Cassandra and Rodney as a policewoman and a Russell Crowe... before we had Del and Rodney as Batman and Robin. And I know which was funniest...

Also sad to see how the cast are ageing rapidly. Raquel didn't look to spritely, Trigger's going rapidly grey and crinkled, Mickey Pearce looks older than Rodney by a full decade (and still stuck in 80's fashions!), plus Denzil now seems to be a walking corpse! I understand people age, etc, but with the show being shown constantly in repeats... it's always a sombre sight to see the gang are no longer in their prime.

Overall there were some decidely ropey gags, and very obvious one-liners. This is to be expected in most comedies, and a certainty in hour long episodes, but you could almost see every gag signposted! People are just too aware of the conventions of the show -- such as Rodney failing to spot when he's being ridiculed until halfway into his next sentence, etc.

As I said at the start, the show as a disappointment, but not a waste of time. Enough laughs were there to be had, but please let THIS be the last "Special" Episode before it just gets ridiculous. Even the loyal British Public will turn their backs if they sense their expectations are not being met time after time, and it's obvious John Sullivan is tearing his hair out trying to milk gags from characters who have done almost everything funny their situation allows... and it's reaching the bottom of the barrel, frankly.

So let's all hope the BBC made a New Year's Resolution not to be tempted by the Golden Goose in Christmas 2002, because Mother Goose is getting old and fat... and besides, there are fresh chicks hatching at Television Centre... aren't there Auntie Beeb...?

Review copyright © Dan Owen, 2001.