Quote: Lee @ July 5 2013, 4:29 PM BSTGordon, just checked out your profile. Lovely detailed geekarific list there. Just curious to know though, how well Only Fools translates to you over there. What is it you like about it?
First of all I like David Jason's comedy/acting style. I think the show wouldn't have worked that well without his charisma and the way he delivers a line. (most of the cast is ace btw). John Sullivan's writing can be very spotty a times...but Jason makes even the lame jokes work.
Then it took me several episodes to understand the dialect (they don't exactly speak Oxford English)...that was a bit hard for me as a non British. But the higher level of concentration (I did get a few jokes only after repeated viewings) made me appreciate the "lingo" and the whole setting of the show.
I like the fact that the Trotters (and their friends) are working class losers who don't let their fate grind them down. Especially Del always puts a brave face on and tries to make the best of it. It's the comedy that derives from that desperate situation that makes me laugh. The constant trying and not being discouraged even by the most humiliating mishaps.
And then there are certain aspects of Sullivan's humour that I do like. Del's misunderstandings or how he misquotes sayings or names. I don't know why...but this is "right oop me alley".
I hope this clumsy reply gives you an idea why I like OFAH.
By the way, OFAH is completely unknown here in the German speaking world. I heard about it via that 2004 BBC sitcom poll. I already knew Jason then from my Open All Hours DVDs which I bought because I liked Porridge (which I fell in love with watching it on BBC1 or 2 during the early 00s)