Sunday, 15 February 2015

Representation of South London through 'Only Fools and Horses' (1981-2003)




Only Fools and Horses is a British comedy created and written by John Sullivan. It was broadcasted on BBC One from 1981-1991 with Christmas special up until 2001. It was set in Peckham, South London with characters such as Derek 'del boy' Trotter, Rodney Trotter, Grandad and Uncle Albert. The series follows the family’s highs and lows and their feeble attempt to get rich quick. 

Del boy was a South London market trader who lives in a council block with his younger brother Rodney and his grandad until he passed away and then his uncle came along and lived with him. They attempt a lot of get rich quick schemes to help them become millionaires. A lot happened throughout the programe deaths, marriages, children, miscarriages, separations and many other life events. They finally did become rich, then lost it all and finally regained some of it back.




Only Fools and Horses was a lot different to previous sitcoms. Sullivan wanted to show his own experience of a working class family growing up in South London. Del boy is shown as a very comical character without the intelligence to really succeed but he represent this section of society in a positive way, even though he does a lot of dodgy dealings and sells illegal things its the way he goes about it and lives his life. He is showed as a working class man in the 1980s that doesn't have a steady job and one day may make lots and another day could come back with hardly anything or even nothing. He lives in a run down flat on a council estate, which is falling apart and spends a lot of time at the local pub. Yes, he represents the working class back in this time, someone who is determined to make the best out of a bad situation. So he is representing south London to have working class people who are pushing them to be better and generate a better life for themselves and their family. This stereotype seems to be forgotten about nowadays as all we really see are the 'hoodie' stereotypes from London. This just shows that back in the 80's things were a lot different in London and it was shown in a complete different light to what it is now. 


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Chloe O'Brien

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