Among the festive treats and specials the 大象传媒 has served its viewers over the years, the three Only Fools and Horses Christmas specials from 1996 - starting on Christmas Day - are among the most loved.
With no new episodes of John Sullivan's sitcom for three years, anticipation was high. The first show - "Heroes and Villains" - attracted a record audience of 21 million. By the time of the finale – "Time on Our Hands" - on 29 December, 24 million people were watching as Del's generally misplaced optimism paid off and the Trotters became millionaires at last.
Only Fools and Horses matured as the audience's love of the characters grew, mixing tragedy with the comedy. The 1996 Christmas specials exemplified this, so high comedy - Del (David Jason) and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) dressed as a mismatched Batman and Robin - contrasted with the tragedy of Cassandra’s(Gwyneth Strong) miscarriage. They also featured the last appearance of Buster Merryfield - who played Uncle Albert - before his death in 1999.
Demand for Only Fools and Horses led to three more specials up to 2003, and the spin-off series The Green Green Grass, featuring Boycie (John Challis) and Marlene (Sue Holderness). Sullivan also wrote the prequel Rock and Chips, featuring young Del Boy and the birth of Rodney.
John Sullivan was awarded an OBE in 2005, for services to drama and died in 2011.
December anniversaries
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Ireland: A Television History
2 December 1980 -
Start of The 大象传媒 Television Shakespeare
3 December 1978 -
The World About Us
3 December 1967 -
Edward VIII Abdication speech
11 December 1936 -
1984 Broadcast
12 December 1954 -
bbc.co.uk is launched
12 December 1997 -
Jackanory first broadcast
13 December 1965 -
Comedy Playhouse
15 December 1961 -
Culloden
15 December 1964 -
The Likely Lads
16 December 1964 -
大象传媒 World Service launches
19 December 1932 -
Zoo Quest, first on-screen appearance by David Attenborough
21 December 1954 -
Just a Minute first transmitted
22 December 1967 -
A Close Shave
24 December 1995 -
First Empire Address by King George V
25 December 1932 -
Morecambe and Wise Christmas Shows
25 December -
Only Fools and Horses 1996 Christmas Specials
25 December 1996 -
大象传媒 Reith Lectures
26 December 1948 -
Alice in Wonderland
28 December 1966 -
Big Ben chimes broadcast at New Year for the first time
31 December 1923