John Challis and Sue Holderness slam modern comedies

Only Fools and Horses actors  John Challis and Sue Holderness have criticised modern comedies for being too vulgar and not representing older viewers.

The duo played married couple Boycie and Marlene in the comedy series and reprised their roles for the spin-off series The Green Green Grass which followed their antics as they tried to life in the country. The two actors have criticised modern comedies for being too vulgar and for not targeting older viewers as well as younger ones.

“The only thing they’re interested in is violent, projectile vomiting comedy. Only Fools is completely universal.” – John Challis quoted in The Sun

“It’s the great bugbear in this business that there aren’t enough parts for older people when, in fact, it’s older people who are watching television.  It’s people of 50 and over watching situation comedies. And they aren’t represented enough.” – Sue Holderness quoted in The Sun

The Green Green Grass ran for four seasons between 2005 and 2009 until it was cancelled because of low ratings. It was widely rumoured that the fifth season would have seen appearances from other Only Fools actors such as David Jason or Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Following the cancellation of the spin-off in 2009 John Sullivan created  Rock and Chips, the prequel to Only Fools and Horses. In April of this year the writer died at the age of 64 and while Only Fools and Horses will be his most famous creation his other notable comedies included Roger Roger, Just Good Friends and Citizen Smith.