18 Responses to “Series 8 Would Never Work”

  1. Paul McCluskey says:

    It is sad to think that the days of the great OFAH have now moved into TV history, that’s not to say we can’t still relive those classic moments through the joys of their DVD box sets as we can!

    Also, we cannot help but remember those great characters played by actors who are no longer with us, particularly the great John Sullivan, Roger Lloyd-Pack, who played the hilarious Trigger, Lennard Pearce, who played the original Grandad back in the sitcom’s early days; Buster Merryfield, who played Uncle Albert; Kenneth MacDonald who played landlord, Mike. May all rest in peace.

    It also brings another sobering point that the show just couldn’t carry on as we all sadly get older, and actors such as David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst would probably want to put OFAH behind them as I couldn’t personally see it working under a new writer and they might want to pursue other projects – mind you, we can all forward such great respect to Sir David as he continues to make many people laugh with his current persona as the older Granville in Still Open All Hours. Maybe the other actors have retired or are just living a normal everyday life?

    This is a great website and I love the scripts that other people have sent in. It gives you that lovely sense of security, knowing that there could still be life in the show, long after Del and Rodney have moved on. Maybe there should be another Rock ‘N Chips-style send-off, recreating the various ideas people have come up with in their scripts. Who would be responsible for writing the scripts though? Food for thought!

  2. Emma ayres says:

    I think it should be left now as the ones who have passed are the ones that should be in it and nobody can take their place.
    As much as i love ofah as i sit here in my christmas trotter jumper and wrapped up in my del boy blanket watching bk to bk episodes i think never ruin the best sitcom ever.

  3. Rob M says:

    Another thing we need to consider – is how old the characters are now.

    I mean the cast look tired and worn out back in 2002, when those last 3 christmas specials were made – so what on earth would they look like now?

    I mean if a new episode was made in a few years time, we’d be seeing Del boy in a nursing home or with a walking stick wouldn’t we? (thats not meant in a cruel way – as I adore David Jason, but you know what I mean)

  4. Harry1994 says:

    Massive Only Fools fan, but I really don’t think it would work if it was brought back for an 8th series for several reasons. One of which would be the sad passing of John Sullivan, I dont believe anyone out there is capable of writing an Only Fools series to anywhere near his level therefore I dont think it would be enjoyed by the public half as much compared to whats already out there. Also the length of time that has passed since the last time Only Fools was on our screens (yes i know the christmas sketch last year but that only lasted 5-10 minutes, I enjoyed it but for me it still didnt have the same feel to it). Its been over a decade since Sleepless in Peckham was released along with Strangers on the shore and If they could see us now, and for me these were still a decent add on but they werent as enjoyable as any of the Only Fools prior to them. I think it would be a mistake to bring it back, we have hours and hours of brilliant comedy to go back to on DVD and repeats on GOLD, I will never get tired of these.

    • Griff says:

      I think this article about a new series was written when John was alive, with the likes of RLP and Roy Heather too.

      I would never have been against a final special or two. It could have been done and was almost done. Which is frustrating and gutting.

  5. Rob M says:

    Whilst I’m a massive only fools and horses fan – and forever will be – I dont feel OFAH should be made anymore.

    we have sadly lost, Trigger, Sid, Mike, Albert – plus not to mention the guy himself, the main man who writes this John Sullivan.

    it was a struggle just making that small comic relief sketch with David Beckham, let alone a series 8.

    Nope, I’m sorry, I feel we should stick to our DVDS and repeats on UK GOLD.

    • Rich says:

      When you think how much effort had to go into making the small comic relief sketch (although it was quite good) it does makes you realise just what an absolute genius John Sullivan was being able to reel off classic episode after classic episode with no sweat.
      I doubt we’ll ever see his like again.

  6. Jimmy says:

    Still can’t believe the news about the new special I feel like having a party to celebrate I just hope they make them look young again because it would look like Last Of The Summer Wine the last picture I seen of Nicholas his hair was grey and David has afew wrinkles and is going bald but they can easily sort that out with some hair dye, make up and hair transplant just joking of course but I don’t want them to look old and dated because it’ll feel like they have been gone for ages.I also hope they cast a proper actor for Damien like James Buckley and possibly Jason could get his daughter Sophie in to it to play Rodney’s daughter Joan. I also hope they cast some replacements for Albert and Mike. Maybe they could create a tight fisted bar man who is stingy but has a heart of gold. Maybe for Albert who I think is unreplaceable maybe they could bring back Reg which I think is a great choice or maybe Alan is living with them [because Pam kicked him out for drinking]

  7. Steven Waite says:

    Series 8 WOULD work without a doubt. We would have an older Damien and Joan! to have as new characters to add to the already great cast.
    I came across this website while searching online how to contact Sir David Jason!
    The reason… I have an idea for a few more episodes of Only Fools. I think all these agent sites and contact details are a bit of a no go area but I am convinced if I spoke to the right person, a few light bulbs would illuminate and get the ball rolling.
    I know all good things come to end, but as they say as well…Never say never. I heard Sir David on the radio recently and he basically said if it wasn’t for the sad loss of John, then who know’s? Well I am convinced that If I spoke to the man himself with my basic idea, I think that if all the cast got together, my idea could be scripted. It would really bring an end to the most wonderful TV program of all time. The final scene I have in my head brings tears of laughter and tears of sadness (I think you can guess what happens) Yes Del Boy dies in the most touching and funny scenes ever in a comedy! After much persuasion, Del has to visit the doctors where his worst fears come true. But in true Del boy style, he wants to go out with a bang…. A Derek Trotter Bucket List including another trip to Margate, with a final knees up at the Nags Head. The final scenes would be everyone from the Nags head party in Del’s flat. I will save the final part to tell Sir David if I ever get to speak to him! I think it would be filmed as a tribute to John Sullivan. My final scene is an absolute gem and there would not be a dry eye in the UK when it’s screened!

    • Ashton says:

      I’m sorry for not liking your idea, well it’s just everyone loves Del boy and when we think of Del boy we think of dodgy deals we don’t want to think of him as a ”Del boy the dead dodgy dealer” selling halos to the angels but it does sound humerous. Unless your last scene involves Del boy’s doctor telling him his results got mixed up with someone else’s I don’t think I’d bring myself to watch such an emotional thing without crying mind you I did cry when I watched the endings of ”Time On Our Hands” and ”Sleepless In Peckham”. I really admire your enthusiasm for another episode/special/possibly movie, But I think for an ending of a cult and brilliant series such as OFAH. It should have it ‘s most deserving ending Del and Raquel tying the knot I wrote a script its not finished yet but I made as emotional and funny as I could Del and Rodney go to the church from ”Frog’s Legacy”to book a wedding and think up an idea to afford the wedding by using Albert’s boat from ”Time On Our Hands” and Albert’s mate George to retrieve the gold bullion they’re mission is a success and they then await a cheque from the bullion market. Del boy has a killer [no pun intended] stag party with a beano to margate on the way to the airport where they have a lads holiday and loads of funny stuff happens they then spend the last night in Peckham they go to their old school where they reminisce about the days of Rock and Chips complete with some clips and new clips from Rock and Chips Del sings drunkenly outside the flat then they go camping in Boycie’s farm. The next morning Boycie’s jeep breaks down so they all cram into the 3 wheeled van and drive fast to the wedding and end up getting a police escort. The wedding is emotional and funny and Del saying ”Mai Oui” to the vicar instead of ”I do”. Its a great knees up and then the next day the cheque is giving to them from the Bullion market and they sit on the bonnet of the 3 wheeled van and discuss their futures. Del and Rodney retire Del hands the business down to Damian and moves out of the flat and also gives the flat to Damian and they buy mansions and all. A week later everyone has heard avbout their wealth regain and the Trotters drive through town in a 3 wheeled van stretched limo with its roof off everyone emerges out of the Nag’s Head, Sid’s CafĂ©, 121 club etc and give the Trotters a round of applause and wave them off as they drive to Nelson Mandela House and into the sunset.

  8. michael gibson mazzotta says:

    Well, series 8 of one of the most successful, incredibly funny and intriguing situation comedy series ever writen… What do the public want? And are they ready for another writer to pen this script? To be completely honest, the BBC would most likely love to do another episode, series, or special, but in all fairness would they take a risk? Well in my opinion as a situation comedy writer, (nothing produced yet) I would personally keep my mind open, because of the fact that there are new writers all over the world, and a big quantity are ‘sit-com’ writers. But really a whole series created in this day of age, with situation comedy as it is now..? Would be a problem as sit-com has changed over years. All in all, it should be looked at carefully, but don’t give up hope…

    He who dares, wins :)

    P.S some of the short fan scripts on here are worth a look, I may do one myself.

    Bonjour ;)

    • Griff says:

      Series 8 would be loved by the die-hard OFAH fans, and the die-hard fans only – even the ones who would criticise it.

      The general public would just slate it as we know it would not be the same. Ten years on since the last set of specials, and even back then OFAH looked to have ran its sell-by date. By that, I mean the concept of comedy moved on and even the great John Sullivan wasn’t able to create these OFAH come-back specials as well as he once did. Which is not his fault of course – it’s just, comedy moves on and with that, so does taste and expectation.

      There are some clots out there who judge a couple of come-back episodes such as OFAH, as claim that it ‘ruins’ the whole series for them. These people are idiots and clearly fickle and clueless.

      Sure, have an opinion, but to go from loving a show over many years, which produced countless classic moments, to making the kind of judgement where you rule out the comedy overal over a weak come-back.

      I will always have said, if John was alive – expect anything. He ruled out a come-back pre and post 1996. We then had 3 specials… then he said that really was it. No more… then we hear he penned a 30th special.

      Now the great man has passed on, I just cannot see a series happening. It doesn’t help that the main cast now look suited to ‘The Last of the Summer Wine’.

      I guess there is a very, very small chance that John’s sons and the producers who ran the show in the 90’s could work together on John’s last script – but that is about as far as I would go to saying a new episode/series would come out.

  9. michael gibson mazzotta says:

    Well, series 8 of one of the most successful, incredibly funny and intriguing situation comedy series ever writen… What do the public want? And are they ready for another writer to pen this script? To be completely honest, the BBC would most likely love to do another episode, series, or special, but in all fairness would they take a risk? Well in my opinion as a situation comedy writer, (nothing produced yet) I would personally keep my mind open, because of the fact that there are new writers all over the world, and a big quantity are ‘sit-com’ writers. But really a whole series created in this day of age, with situation comedy as it is now..? Would be a problem as sit-com has changed over years. All in all, it should be looked at carefully, but don’t give up hope.

    He who dares, wins :)

    P.S some of the short fan scripts on here are worth a look, I may do one myself.

    Bonjour ;)

  10. KR says:

    I think it would work, but viewers would have to be very open minded when watching it. Of course, everyone has their own ideas of what happens to the Trotters after the show ended and if series 8 doesn’t conform to their ideas, there could be a lot of disappointment. I would love to see a series 8, personally. Can’t get enough of the Trotters!

  11. J.Lawrence says:

    I would love to see another series of OFH and it would work, also love to see another series of Rock and Chips to see more of the youngest Delboy and Boycie and the gang. So sad John Sullivan died i bet he had much more up his sleve, maybe his son could take over like when he did Green green grass of home

  12. Trixie says:

    Hi
    My hubby is a fan of Only Fools and Horses and has a large collection of VHS to sell. He seems to think it is every single episode except 1 (Im not sure which one is missing) plus a few extras. Would anyone be interested in making an offer?

    • gaz says:

      Absolutely.
      I offer to tell your husband that you are attempting to sell all his Only Fools And Horses videos.

      You naughty gal!

  13. Griff says:

    Pretty much covered the main reasons why a series 8 wouldn’t work, Graeme.

    Also, the fact with no Mike, and no Albert – it really wasn’t the same. Even though they were major characters so-to-speak. Albert was always present, but wasn’t always at the heart of the storylines. He was just naturally hilarious, and able to deliver his lines perfectly.

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