Three memorable wins from British comedy characters
It's hard to think of anyone who doesn't like the concept of winning. There's lots of ways to win in the world, from entering competitions to playing online gaming slots and hoping for the reels to line up to splash some cash. In the world of comedy, there's stand-up competitions for acts, gig ticket prize draws for audiences, TV sitcom ratings races, and all matter of other things.
Meanwhile, on the screen, the characters sometimes win too. Here's three memorable moments:
Del and Rodney in Only Fools And Horses
The episode Time on Our Hands aired as the 1996 Christmas special of Only Fools And Horses, the sitcom following the escapades of the Trotter family, who are always trying to make a quick buck. One of the most iconic moments from the programme is probably in this special, when Del Boy and Rodney discover that a watch they had stashed away is actually worth millions.
The Trotters take the watch to an auction house, expecting a modest return. To their amazement, the watch fetches £6.2 million, transforming their lives overnight. This moment is celebrated as the culmination of the Trotters' relentless pursuit of wealth and is a testament to Del Boy's never-say-die attitude.
Moss in The IT Crowd
The Final Countdown episode of The IT Crowd (the second instalment of the fourth series) sees Maurice Moss become a minor celebrity after appearing on the television quiz show Countdown. His exceptional intelligence and peculiar charm make him a standout contestant, leading to a series of victories on the show. This success earns him entry into an exclusive club for former quiz show champions.
However, as the episode unfolds, this newfound fame changes Moss's life as he revels in the adulation and respect from his peers at the club. We won't spoil how the episode ends - tune in to check it out.
Mrs Warboys in One Foot In The Grave
Jean Warboys, played by Doreen Mantle, is one of our favourite sitcom characters.
In the Series 5 episode The Affair Of The Hollow Lady the character has a bad time after visiting her sister. A problem with her car on the route home results in her being laid up in hospital. But she has something to look forward to when she gets out... she won the raffle at a waxwork museum and thus has a full life-size recreation of her as a waxwork being delivered.
This being a comedy, as you perhaps can expect, the prize is perhaps not as well-received as one might have hoped for though. Jean doesn't like how she's been portrayed at all, and it doesn't help when Margaret comments on how accurate it is.