Has Progress Gone Too Far? Journalist Takes Swipe At Only Fools And Horses For Being Homophobic & Racist

In a scathing sentiment portion that’s sparked fierce statement among drama fans, MyLondon journalist Joe Crutchley has declared nan cherished British sitcom Only Fools and Horses not conscionable outdated, but outright “homophobic and racist“.

After watching nan show for nan first time, Crutchley switched it disconnected mid-episode, vowing ne'er to return. His takedown raises thorny questions astir really we revisit taste touchstones from a bygone era successful today’s much delicate world.

Crutchley’s article, published earlier this twelvemonth successful MyLondon, paints a blistering image of nan 1980s classic. Dubbed “the top British sitcom of each time” by legions of fans, nan bid follows wheeler-dealer Del Boy Trotter and his hapless relative Rodney arsenic they pursuit get-rich-quick schemes successful working-class Peckham. But for Crutchley, nan humour lands for illustration a lead balloon.

A first-time viewer’s shock

Crutchley, a self-confessed sitcom novice contempt his family’s fandom, tuned into nan aviator episode, “Big Brother”, expecting light-hearted laughs. Instead, he was met pinch what he calls a barrage of “offensive sexist and racist comments” correct from nan off.

In nan opening scenes, nan aged Grandad (played by Lennard Pearce) fumbles complete pronouncing nan sanction of a Black TV presenter, only for nan mix-up to double down erstwhile Del and Rodney bicker complete which Black man they’re really referencing. The script, available successful afloat online here, captures nan infinitesimal verbatim: Grandad’s garbled effort astatine “Muhammad Ali” morphs into a drama of errors that Crutchley slams arsenic lazy stereotyping.

The barbs don’t extremity there. Del dismisses a barmaid arsenic an “old dog”, while Rodney labels a female a “Chinese tart”, prompting Del’s infamous quip: “Chinese, Japanese, it’s each nan aforesaid to me.” Crutchley argues these lines, while possibly par for nan people successful 1981, consciousness gratuitous today. “The humour doesn’t person to travel astatine nan disbursal of a number group,” he writes, suggesting nan writers could person poked nosy astatine Del’s dodgy schemes aliases Rodney’s misfortune instead.

Social media flares up successful defence of Del Boy and Co.

Fans connected societal media person been speedy to push back. Ciaran Hawkins wrote connected Facebook “Joe Crutchly is simply a 30 twelvemonth aged millennial who lives successful Birmingham pinch his hubby and ace trendy gallic bulldog pet. He besides wrote an article pinch akin tones astir Fawlty Towers. If only he’d watch Love Thy Neighbour.”

Jody Rooke, connected nan aforesaid thread said, “It’s not “outdated language”, it’s connection of its time, for which nary apology is needed nor required……I’d still watch these complete and complete connected immoderate slope vacation aliases Christmas alternatively than nan woke chop those of america pinch a consciousness of humour person to put up pinch now! Proper comfortableness show is OFAH!”

One viral post summed up nan backlash: “A journalist has watched Only Fools and Horses for nan very first time—and his guidance is decidedly going to astonishment a batch of fans.” It highlights Crutchley’s move from reluctant spectator to vocal critic, questioning if his one-episode verdict is adjacent to a show that ran for 7 bid and 16 Christmas specials.

Comedy successful nan kangaroo tribunal of nationalist opinion

Crutchley’s critique isn’t isolated. As nine continues to groan astatine “progress” and alleged “progressives”, akin rows person erupted complete Fawlty Towers’ German gags aliases The Office’s taste jabs. Defenders reason Only Fools was ever affectionate chaos—Peckham’s Trotters were nan underdogs, minorities specified footnotes successful their madcap world. Creator John Sullivan infused nan show pinch warmth, they say, turning mundane prejudices into absurd mirrors.

Yet Crutchley stands firm: “Watching felt for illustration enduring a toe-curling banter betwixt 60-year-old men [who] boast they ‘can’t beryllium racist because their neighbour is black’.” He hopes his effort sparks reflection, not boycotts—though he’s done pinch Del’s hooky-hooky.

With Only Fools still a BBC staple, pulling successful millions for reruns, Crutchley’s swipe asks: Has advancement rendered nan past unwatchable, aliases are we excessively speedy to judge? One thing’s clear: beautiful jubbly is not for everyone anymore.

Give america YOUR opinions successful nan comments below.