by taylorslade » Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:14 am
Hi guys...
I've noticed many examples of well-known TV shows borrowing ideas from Steptoe, please list any instances where you have noticed this...I will start by , in my opinion - the biggest example.
The Character of Frankie Barrow (sp?).
Local hoodlum which made multiple appearances in Steptoe and son. It might be just me, or does this Character share more than a passing resemblance to Del boy Trotter? I myself am in no doubt that John Sullivan based the Del Boy character on Barrow for the following reasons...
The ridiculous dress sense
The physical stature of Barrow
Frankie Barrow often uses terrible grammar which in the show is used for gags
And the last reason backs up my point the most...
The use of absurd French Phrases...this especially is something which John Sullivan gets particular praise for even though it was done more than 10 years before in Steptoe.
Now, I realise that all TV shows tend to lend ideas here and there...but in my opinion this is bordering on plaigarism, especially when Sullivan has never made ANY attempt to acknowledge where he has obviously taken these ideas from. Now, Sullivan might dispute this...but I think this simply cannot be an incredible coincidence...nor can any of the other ideas which he and other shows have borrowed from Steptoe and son...imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, yes....but at least acknowledge where you got the ideas from.
Anyone else noticed the other examples?
"Big Bristols , she had."
--Come dancing.