Only Fools and Horses To Hull and Back

The one thing that always bugged me about this episode is why the police never spotted the 3 wheel van behind the lorry. From the camera angles, and when Rodney takes off after the lorry, the police car was always in the line of sight. Anyway, loved the reaction, so thanks for the upload, Josh :)

D

Great reaction as always 👍 I don't think Boycey redeemed himself at all in this one though. You might have missed it but when he was talking about paying The Trotters real money, he says something like "I'm not fond of plastic surgery". He doesn't give a shit about Del.....Boycey just knows that Del would put him in hospital if he rips him off 😄

Dannythedoodle

Great special. Slater finally got what he deserved. Felt sorry for Rodney with the money and Del screwing up was refreshing instead of rodney. You do feel sorry for Denzel in this special and the amount of times del wants his help and it just makes things worse. Del can be good at testing peoples patience from rodney, denzel ( even mike very soon ).

Martin

Interesting! Thank you!

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not sure if you knew josh but this was the only episode of only fools which didn't have a laugh track behind it.

Jamie Hughes

That makes sense, thanks bud.

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That is awesome man =]

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I think this episode is hard to find on different streaming platforms due to music licence issues. There is a hell of lot of background music (played on radios/jukeboxes) in many scenes in this episode, using popular songs from many different artists- from Paul McCartney to Elton John. Clearance for online platforms and different countries is a different ballgame than just for the original broadcast. You would think it was a one size fits all but it is far from it.

Bryter

I remember back in 2019 going to amsterdam and made sure to visit the locations here, the office, the town square, the bridge where they stop running. It has changed a bit, but it was still the original structures...so surreal.

L M

Josh, have you noticed that the writer (John Sullivan) frequently put "easter eggs" in the early part of the episodes that relate to the final climactic scenes. For example, in in this one, the barmaid talks about "lots of forged notes going around the place" and, at the end, Del thinks Rodney's money is all fake. In the infamous chandelier episode, when they go into the house for the first time, Del says to Grandad "Don't you go dropping none in there" (meaning don't fart) and in the final scene Grandad drops the chandelier.

John Drake

Thanks bud I appreciate it!

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It must sound strange not having the word relegated proceeding it.

I’ve been watching your videos for well over a year now Josh and love them! I’m actually from Hull and it was kind of weird hearing you say the name, Hull rarely gets mentioned except for this episode of Only Fools 😂

Liam

It’s the basis of British humour josh. Everyone gets a little perk from time to time but ultimately can’t beat the system . Stay good man keep the reactions coming 👍

ChrisW

I like this episode a lot. I think it would be more common in an American sitcom to have the main characters win at the end and take all the glory. The wise cracker gets the money etc. Less common in British shows, were the characters are more down trodden (I’m not sure why this is perhaps winners aren’t as celebrated in the UK) - especially OFAH where the whole show revolves around them hustling for money. As you mentioned 15k would have been are serious amount of money back then (they could buy a house outright!).... The writer would have to come up with a way of them loosing it anyway. I remember in an interview John Sullivan saying rich people just aren’t funny

David Harman

LOL agreed I was surprised by the money scene as well, I thought he should keep it even if it is fake like you said.

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Awesome, happy you enjoyed it! This was really good I did enjoy it as well. I have been hearing for a bit the next season is great so I am excited to check it out. LOL I keep hearing mixed reviews about Boycie so we will have to see if he grows on me or not.

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Awesome man I am looking forward to it =]

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LOL that was a hilarious scene =]

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Thanks man, they do look alot a like.

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The next episode (season 5 episode 1) has some great Boycie moments in it!

AWR93

LOL that is awesome man!

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This was a great episode I loved it. It was a bit different without the background laughter but I did end up enjoying it.

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Well said! There is nothing racist in OFAH. It is simple of it's time; and John Sullivan didn't write racially derogatory terms such as 'Pak'i or 'monkey music' to cause offence, but simply to portray the setting and people accurately. Even far more controversial shows such as, Till Death Us Do Part, and its sequel, In Sickness and In Health (the prototypes for the far more diluted American show, All in the Family, and its protagonist, Archie bunker), were never racist or homophobic. They were ground-breaking shows that tackled prejudice by confronting you with the idiocy of it. You won't find either of those shows on Netflix (lol), as the PC brigade, by comparing all things historic to current moral standards and finding outrage in the discrepancy, without understanding or paying heed to historic context and the evolution of morality, equality and inclusion, are slowly whitewashing the past to fit in with their simplistic, idealised, and sterilised world-view, fuelled by militant self-righteous anger, and the prejudism of anything contrary to this world view, regardless of its intellectual virtue. Consequently censorship sharply rises, while freedom of expression sharply declines.

Rob Thompson

That's the great Jim Broadbent. He also has an Oscar under his belt. I'd definitely recommend that Josh reacts to a short mockumentary he wrote and starred in called 'A Sense Of History', which was also directed by Mike Leigh. If you stick with it, it's fucking hilarious. It's my favourite Jim Broadbent performance and is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPtaw2QwBeQ

Rob Thompson

The early series of Still Game are definitely recommended, but I feel the latter series are a lot weaker. As for 'best comedy from Scotland', Rab C Nesbitt and Chewin' the Fat can't be overlooked; although I think Josh would struggle to understand Rab lol.

Rob Thompson

Oh and Del was drinking Tia Maria and Lucozade :D I also don't understand why Del would throw the money out of the window. Even if he knew for sure that it was fake, I think he'd have still kept it and tried to use it somewhere, I don't think the people he buys most of his dodgy gear off would have been likely to check it very closely so he could have used it for those deals imo.

BelladonnicHazeyJaneII

Ah I was looking forward to this, not seen it for years. I was hoping it wasn't going to be a bit disappointing this long after, as I remembered it being really good. I wasn't disappointed :) thanks Josh. I can't wait for the next series and all the longer episodes. I skimmed though the list on Wikipedia to remind myself of what's still to come and there are so many great episodes! I'm not sure whether you'll actually grow to like Boycie tbh, not his personality anyway. But I do think you'll come to really like him as a pretty unlikable character if that makes sense ;) he's a great character.

BelladonnicHazeyJaneII

Yes. Totally agree. I live in Spain now and nearly all convenience stores are fun by Chinese families, it is normal and common to refer to them as Chino shops without any negative connotation. I am old enough to remember casually referring to corner shops in England as "Paki" shops with no malice ( I would have a been a child at the time. A shame the word was adopted by nefarious groups because at the end of the day it is only an abbreviation of a nationality.

Mick Mills

I can only imagine that maybe it was the casual racism that was used in this episode that made it harder to obtain. That was the way Britain was in the 80's. Words had dual meanings in a way like the word "Paki" that was said in this episode could be uttered in a derogatory way towards somebody or rather instead of calling your local convenience store (often ran by Indians or Pakistani owners) was just referred to as the "Paki" shop." Thankfully poverty is a great equalizer and i was a kid at the time but racism was in my house and me and my black friends were outside of it. We figured it out and the racism in this makes me shrivel up with guilt because the way my parents used to be.

bex evans

Whilst criticising the writing of OFAH is like criticising the colour scheme of a Van Gough, I too have to admit a little disappointment with Del chucking the money out the window at the end. We'd only just learned 2 minutes before Del can tell the difference between hooky money and the real thing with just a cursory glance and being the ever opportunist even if he did think it was dodgy he would have found someway to utilise it (maybe giving it out as change on the market for example) and as you say it's normally "dipstick" Rodney that makes the stupid mistake. So what would have been better is that after Del tells them the money was dodgy and after the reveal that they swapped out two of the diamonds, Albert and Del ask Rodney why he said it hadn't all gone all bad and Rodney just replies "Oh nothing". The phone rings and Del goes to answer it and Rodney walks out onto the balcony. He pulls the money out which he now believes to be fake (because of what Del just said about the cash used in Amsterdam and not having Del's expert eye) and he (Rodney) chucks it off the balcony. Rodney then walks back into the flat as Del puts down the phone. Del tells them it was Boycie, who told him that whilst the money they used in Holland was fake, what he given to them/Slater was real and drawn out of the bank (the scene earlier where he said it to Abdul is cut in my version). Del shrugs his shoulders and says oh well whilst Rodney's face goes pale. Rodney tells Del and Albert he swiped the cash before Slater could get it and that he just chucked it off the balcony...shocked they both run to the balcony and see a load of kids from the estate picking it up...Del shouts at them before all 3 run out of the flat with Del at the back who shouts "Rondey you are really are plonker" as the ending theme tune hits (with it being left untold if they managed to recover any of it)

Steve King

A funny thing about OFAH is that in contrast to the depiction of some rather un-PC attitudes to race that people are talking about here, it's full of references to African black nationalist/post-colonial politics. They live on the Nyerere Estate which contains Nelson Mandela House and Zimbabwe House, and in this episode Denzil's lorry is parked on Soweto Road.

Charlie

Even us middle class whiteys aren't really offended for the most part, I don't think.

Charlie

One of my favourite episodes! Always gutted every time I see Del Boy throw the money out the window

Teddy Alison

I'm not sure that's the reason as the word Paki is used in the season 2 episode "The Russians Are Coming" and Josh had no issues finding that episode.

Christopher Horner

About 5 mins into the episode Albert's in the pub and he complains about the loud 'monkey music.'

Jeremy O Dwyer

I’m not doubting what you’re saying, were the two Steptoe & Son movies, Porridge movie, Dad’s Army, Likely Lads movie made by someone else ? 🙂

Gary Tamblyn

You said there was nothing controversial in the episode but Slater refers to a "Paki Gang" in the episode, which is why you may have had trouble finding it (just a theory, mind). After BLM last year TV companies and Netflix etc started pulling down historical shows that featured overt racism and things like black-face in response (I know you're aware of the Fawlty Towers episode where this happened but with that they just edited the scene out I think). The "P Word over here in the UK is an extremely derogatory racial slur against people from Sothern Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc) and probably ranks alongside the N word used against black people in terms of its offensive nature. I was born in 1980 and the P word was commonplace when I was growing up and no one thought anything of referring to your local convenience store (which are normally all run by people from South Asia) as a 'P*** Shop' so it's very much a word of its era; but you would never use that word today. P.S. Another thing to keep in mind Josh for future UK shows, and because I had to keep referring to "Southern Asians" is that in America when you say just 'Asian' you are referring to East Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc) but if you hear Asians referenced in a British show they are probably talking about Indians, Pakistanis etc

Steve King

This was actually the BBC's second attempt at making their own 'Movie' based on one of their sitcoms. They had already tried it in 1983 for 'Last of the Summer Wine', with their special 'Getting Sam Home', which had been a massive success for them, that it was natural for John Sullivan to ask for the same treatment. It was a bit more difficult to persuade them than it had been for 'Getting Sam Home', but both films are of excellent quality, though I do think 'Getting Sam Home' is better.

Daniel Davies

Josh won't be aware of "Captain Birdseye" (purveyor of fish food products), but he's actually the spitting image of Uncle Albert https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article3193490.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/Captain-Birds-Eye.jpg

Steve King

Despite his arrogance and being a snake, Boycie does go on to be a very popular character in the show. He’s often the brunt of the joke so it kind of balances out.

Lee

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=913872369342711&id=100021598686990 check these guys out they dressed as del boy for a party 🥳

Pete Jackson

Fantastic!! I've always loved this one. Even though most episodes had a live audience, I loved this with no laughter track.

Claire Prowse

Tbh everything is getting taken off if it has any racial stuff in it... though the only people who ever get offended are middle class and white.

Thanks bud, I did enjoy it. I am looking forward to this next season I am hearing it is really good.

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Lol I never thought of him like Cartman but I see what you mean =]

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Awesome man looking forward to it =]

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Oh ok thanks bud!

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You looked confused when Del kept saying "Eye-Axe" when they were in Holland, Ajax (pronounced "Eye-Axe") is a football (soccer) team based in Amsterdam.

(Just) Steve

Meant 3 out of 4 are great episodes sorry 5:15 in the morning very tired

Jon Young

Never mind liking boycie trigger comes into it more absolutely brilliant also 3 out of the first 4 episodes of season 5 episodes the 4th is my all time favourite

Jon Young

“Denzil - nervous breakdown” written on the police list of suspects cracked me up!

King Bloo

Boycie only paid Del real money because he (by his own admission) “wasn't into plastic surgery” so still a snakey git looking out for himself in my opinion lol. Brilliant character though- gotta look at him as kind of like the “Cartman” of the group.

King Bloo

whilst this is my personal least favourite of the “specials” I still think it holds up pretty well and I loved watching your reaction as always! Really looking forward to the following seasons / specials 😁!!

Sam Owen

The majority of specials seem to be missing from the US BritBox from what I can see but thankfully you have a way around it now

Kieran B

Its 3:30am here in the uk & i’ve just finished watching this classic! You will come to love Boycie, its a while away but i can’t wait until you watch the Jolly Boys Outing which is another special like this one, my favourite episode and probably the best series in my opinion. Boycie gets better throughout the coming series! The guy that played Slater (the bent copper) you’ll have seen in a few things, he plays Professor Slughorn in Harry Potter amonst other roles.

Scott Williamson

Wow that episode was as fantastic as I remember it! I love the fact that Denzil thinks he’s going mad 😂

AWR93

Good to get the OFAH fix, thanks Josh. The drink Rodney ordered for Del was a Tia Maria and Lucozade. The police officer isn’t Baldrick, he’s a stand up comedian called Jeff Stevenson, he has two small roles in Only Fools but is best known for being one of Fat Sam’s gang in Bugsy Malone...

Kieran B

Glad you didn't have to skip past this episode. The movie length episodes are great.

Luke Barron

Glad it worked for you :)

Mark McKeown

It's 1:46am and I need to be up with the wee one at 9, and it's 4 more minutes to download, guess I'm not going to sleep any time soon hahaha! Ps - please please please do a react to Still Game, the best comedy from Scotland, look for "pot of pish" as a react 😁.

Ross Stewart

https://rb.gy/itdb3y

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https://rb.gy/itdb3y

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There were 3 without a studio audience, but they went and added a fake laugh track to A Royal Flush when they butchered it.

Keith Pratt

As one of only two episodes without a studio audience this has a very different vibe. It's 0130 here in the UK so I'll be watching this tomorrow.

Christopher Horner

Waiting for Onehub yay :)

BelladonnicHazeyJaneII

I recorded this episode on Christmas Day in 1985 and watched it over and over again, so this one has a lot of nostalgia for me. I'm gonna watch your reaction now if the Google drive link is decent, if not I'll wait for Onehub as that always seems to be flawless.

Keith Pratt

Finally!

Steve King

Yes! Been waiting all night for this one! Hope your well Josh!

AWR93

Cannot wait to watch this episode!! I hope you are doing well.

Josip Buretic