Rock and Chips: The Frog and The Pussycat (BBC1 2011, Paula Wilcox, Mel Smith)

In The Frog and The Pussycat it is 1961 and Joan is still holding down two jobs, working at the cinema and is also working for Freddie Robdal as his char – in a manner of speaking that is! Freddie is keen to make their relationship a little more permanent but Joan would like to see Delboy make his way in the world first before she thinks of leaving workshy husband Reg. Freddie also has trouble with Detective Inspector Thomas who fancies him for the Margate jewel robbery.

Meanwhile Del is rather keen on getting to know Barbara Bird, from a well to do family, a little better, but then again Barbara’s mum also seems quite keen on Del too.

It’s quite nice getting these little one off updates into the early life of Delboy and co and things are moving along nicely here, any serious fan of Only Fools and Horses will pick up all the continuity points too. Rock and Chips episodes are nicely nostalgic, funny and don’t out stay their welcome.

production details
UK | BBC1

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes | AIRDATE: Thursday 28 April 2011 @ 9.00pm

WRITER: John Sullivan | DIRECTOR: Dewi Humphreys

Episode Three in this occasional series of specials. See also Rock and Chips and Five Gold Rings.

cast
NICHOLAS LYNDHURST as Freddie Robdal
KELLIE BRIGHT as Joan Trotter
PHIL DANIELS as Ted Trotter
SHAUN DINGWALL as Reg Trotter
JAMES BUCKLEY as Del Trotter
PAULA WILCOX as Vi Trotter
MEL SMITH as D.I. Thomas
TOM BROOKE as D.C. Stanton
STEPHEN LLOYD as Boycie
ROBERT DAWS as Ernie Daws
LEWIS OSBORNE as Trigger
ASHLEY GERLACH as Denzil
LEE LONG as Jumbo Mills
JONATHAN READWIN as Albie Littlewood
PAUL PUTNER as Gerald “Jelly” Kelly
BILLY SEYMOUR as Raymond
EMMA COOKE as Reenie Turpin
BOBBY BRAGG as Don
JOAN HODGES as Gwen
JESSICA ASHWORTH as Barbara Bird
SAMANTHA SPIRO as Beryl Bird
ALEX MacQUEEN as Bernard Bird
DENISE MACK as Rose
DANIEL CERQUEIRA as Alberto
DAVE LAMB as Sergeant Foster
ALISON PARGETER as Val
RUFUS JONES as Golden Egg Waiter