Photo from BBC
Our binge watching of Only Fools and Horses on video (yes, video) continues into the Uncle Albert years. The collection of tapes we were given isn't complete so I have been guessing the running order most of the time, I suppose I could have looked up the order and watch them properly but it hardly matters when you consider that GOLD puts them out in random order. Mandi didn't like the character of Granddad because he wasn't as likeable as Uncle Albert, he was a devious and self-centred character whereas Uncle Albert is well meaning and affectionate in his quest for an easy life. Having said that we watched the episode Strained Relations, set at Granddad's funeral following the death of Lennard Pearce, and Uncle Albert cons his way into the flat by shutting up the publican Mike when he suggests that he could get a room at the Seaman's Mission.
Once you get a few episodes into the series, it feels as if Uncle Albert is the character they should have always had as the show suddenly seems to find its feet. As a comedy character they couldn't have found a better replacement, they once thought about a woman such as an aunt but decided that a family orientated man like Del Boy wouldn't make an old woman sit in the back of the van or call her names. It would be interesting to think what might have happened with such a change of casting. Sitcom casting is one of the areas of entertainment where it would be cool if recording an entire pilot episode had been part of the audition. That way we would get to see Jim Broadbent playing Del, and David Jason playing Corporal Jones in Dad's Army among other things.
The Hockley Hustle Practice Run can be viewed here.
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September housekeeping
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