Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness has claimed that comedy “isn’t as funny as it used to be,” and stated that the decision to take an episode off the air was wrong.
Holderness was a big part of the BBC comedy as she played Boycie’s (played by John Challis) wife, Marlene and became a well-loved character over the years.
She recently commented on one of the most “controversial” episode – From Prussia with Love – and defended the storyline and comedy effect within it.
In the episode, Del Boy (David Jason) tries to sell a German woman’s baby to Boycie and Marlene. At the end of the episode, viewers learned that the baby was mixed race, which left Boycie and Marlene to then pull out of the adoption.
Speaking on the episode, Holderness noted to The Independent: “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. But when I say many people, it’s probably about three.”
Sue Holderness gave her opinion on one of the shows most controversial episodes
BBC
She also added to the Daily Star that “comedy isn’t as funny as it used to be,” and said: “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.”
Sue Holderness played the role of Marlene, John Challis’ character Boycie’s wife
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Elsewhere, 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 and explained: “Very little in Only Fools is offensive to anybody, I think.
“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.
Only Fools and Horses was one of the BBC’s biggest comedy series
BBC
“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.”