The actor John Challis died this weekend (as did Jimmy Greaves, the great footballer). John Challis's most famous role was as the originally somewhat sinister but latterly rather endearing character Boycie in the UK comedy show 'Only Fools and Horses', the favourite show of my brother, Gary, who passed away seven years ago today.

To counter all all this gloom, please write a clue whose answer is a comedy show that you enjoy/have enjoyed. I'm asking you not to be too obscure (for example: I'm not terribly familiar with 1970s Cypriot or Peruvian sitcoms, I fear).

The deadline is 23:59:59, your time, next Monday, September 27.

Up to three clues, please.

Thanks,

Luciano

In my old age, I forgot to thank Duke for moderating the previous round. So thank you, Duke.

Luciano

Starting with nothing, flashy Londoners so crazily create a rags-to-riches comedy (4,5,3,6)

Rob (apologies for lengthy absence)

Work hit (with coffee) (3,6)

Allies become monsters with just a touch of rum (6)

Ha! -- and, as an afterthought, yecch, oddly (5)

Sorry. I meant:
Allies from monsters getting just a touch of rum 6)

Ha! -- and, as an afterthought, yecch, oddly (5)

Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
Jaipur gem, offering a special species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)

On Monday, September 20, 2021 at 11:46:55 AM UTC-2:30, Luciano Ward wrote:
> The actor John Challis died this weekend (as did Jimmy Greaves, the great footballer). John Challis's most famous role was as the originally somewhat sinister but latterly rather endearing character Boycie in the UK comedy show 'Only Fools and Horses', the favourite show of my brother, Gary, who passed away seven years ago today.
>
> To counter all all this gloom, please write a clue whose answer is a comedy show that you enjoy/have enjoyed. I'm asking you not to be too obscure (for example: I'm not terribly familiar with 1970s Cypriot or Peruvian sitcoms, I fear).
>
> The deadline is 23:59:59, your time, next Monday, September 27.
>
> Up to three clues, please.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Luciano

On Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 9:33:29 AM UTC-2:30, David A wrote:
> Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
> CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
> Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
> Jaipur gem, offering a special species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)
Additional bonus!
David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (5,8)

On Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 9:38:02 AM UTC-2:30, David A wrote:
> On Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 9:33:29 AM UTC-2:30, David A wrote:
> > Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
> > CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
> > Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
> > Jaipur gem, offering a special species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)
> Additional bonus!
> David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (5,8)
Adjusted: David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (rupto robore nati) (5,8) make that a swap for Wendy Craig!

Cab from ends of West Napa, by rear of Mondavi (4)

On Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 9:33:29 AM UTC-2:30, David A wrote:
> Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
> CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
> Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
> Jaipur gem, offering a special species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)
Adjust last to: Jaipur gem, offering a rarefied species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)

Thanks to all entrants.

As usual, clues below, with my interpretations. Please comment, if necessary.

Luciano

----------

Rob:

Starting with nothing, flashy Londoners so crazily create a rags-to-riches comedy (4,5,3,6)
Answer = ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES
O + FLASHYLONDONERSSO anag; def = a rags-to-riches comedy

----------

Mark:

Work hit (with coffee) (3,6)
Answer = THE OFFICE
HITCOFFEE anag; &lit

----------

Duke:

Allies from monsters getting just a touch of rum (6)
Answer = FRIENDS
F(R)IENDS; def = allies

Ha! -- and, as an afterthought, yecch, oddly (5)
Answer = PSYCH
PS + Y(e)C(c)H; def = psych!

Cab from ends of West Napa, by rear of Mondavi (4)
Answer = TAXI
T+A+ X (by) + I; def = cab

----------

David:

CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
Answer = (THE FALL AND RISE OF) REGINALD PERRIN
CJ a character in the show; not sure of the DJ reference

Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
Answer = ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
Victor Meldrew one of the two main characters in the show; opening credits of show feature a tortoise (of which creature Lonesome George is an example)

David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (rupto robore nati) (5,8)
Answer = I do not know

----------

Bonus clues:

David:

Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
Answer = BUTTERFLIES
Clue defines itself

Jaipur gem, offering a rarefied species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)
Answer = I do not know

On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11:36:40 AM UTC-2:30, Luciano Ward wrote:
> Thanks to all entrants.
>
> As usual, clues below, with my interpretations. Please comment, if necessary.
>
> Luciano
>
> ----------
>
> Rob:
> Starting with nothing, flashy Londoners so crazily create a rags-to-riches comedy (4,5,3,6)
> Answer = ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES
> O + FLASHYLONDONERSSO anag; def = a rags-to-riches comedy
>
> ----------
>
> Mark:
> Work hit (with coffee) (3,6)
> Answer = THE OFFICE
> HITCOFFEE anag; &lit
>
> ----------
>
> Duke:
>
> Allies from monsters getting just a touch of rum (6)
> Answer = FRIENDS
> F(R)IENDS; def = allies
> Ha! -- and, as an afterthought, yecch, oddly (5)
> Answer = PSYCH
> PS + Y(e)C(c)H; def = psych!
> Cab from ends of West Napa, by rear of Mondavi (4)
> Answer = TAXI
> T+A+ X (by) + I; def = cab
>
> ----------
>
> David:
> CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
> Answer = (THE FALL AND RISE OF) REGINALD PERRIN
> CJ a character in the show; not sure of the DJ reference
> Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
> Answer = ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
> Victor Meldrew one of the two main characters in the show; opening credits of show feature a tortoise (of which creature Lonesome George is an example)
> David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (rupto robore nati) (5,8)
> Answer = I do not know
>
> ----------
>
> Bonus clues:
>
> David:
> Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
> Answer = BUTTERFLIES
> Clue defines itself
> Jaipur gem, offering a rarefied species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)
> Answer = I do not know
1. Acorn Antiques (translation of our motto is "born from a slit oak") 2. The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel

On Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 12:23:01 PM UTC-2:30, David A wrote:
> On Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11:36:40 AM UTC-2:30, Luciano Ward wrote:
> > Thanks to all entrants.
> >
> > As usual, clues below, with my interpretations. Please comment, if necessary.
> >
> > Luciano
> >
> > ----------
> >
> > Rob:
> > Starting with nothing, flashy Londoners so crazily create a rags-to-riches comedy (4,5,3,6)
> > Answer = ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES
> > O + FLASHYLONDONERSSO anag; def = a rags-to-riches comedy
> >
> > ----------
> >
> > Mark:
> > Work hit (with coffee) (3,6)
> > Answer = THE OFFICE
> > HITCOFFEE anag; &lit
> >
> > ----------
> >
> > Duke:
> >
> > Allies from monsters getting just a touch of rum (6)
> > Answer = FRIENDS
> > F(R)IENDS; def = allies
> > Ha! -- and, as an afterthought, yecch, oddly (5)
> > Answer = PSYCH
> > PS + Y(e)C(c)H; def = psych!
> > Cab from ends of West Napa, by rear of Mondavi (4)
> > Answer = TAXI
> > T+A+ X (by) + I; def = cab
> >
> > ----------
> >
> > David:
> > CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
> > Answer = (THE FALL AND RISE OF) REGINALD PERRIN
> > CJ a character in the show; not sure of the DJ reference
> > Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
> > Answer = ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
> > Victor Meldrew one of the two main characters in the show; opening credits of show feature a tortoise (of which creature Lonesome George is an example)
> > David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (rupto robore nati) (5,8)
> > Answer = I do not know
> >
> > ----------
> >
> > Bonus clues:
> >
> > David:
> > Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
> > Answer = BUTTERFLIES
> > Clue defines itself
> > Jaipur gem, offering a rarefied species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5) (bonus)
> > Answer = I do not know
> 1. Acorn Antiques (translation of our motto is "born from a slit oak") 2. The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel
sorry typo! 'split oak' as for the other DJ remark - Reggie played CJ like one!

Both results out tomorrow.

Regards,

Luciano

Repeated thanks to all entrants.

My comments are below. The result is nethermost.

Luciano

----------

Rob:

Starting with nothing, flashy Londoners so crazily create a rags-to-riches comedy (4,5,3,6)
Answer = ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES
O + FLASHYLONDONERSSO anag; def = a rags-to-riches comedy
-- Very well done. Great find with the anagram. The clue as a whole is put together in a way that describes the show splendidly.

----------

Mark:

Work hit (with coffee) (3,6)
Answer = THE OFFICE
HITCOFFEE anag; &lit
-- Very good. Succinct and creative. And, again, it describes the show well.

----------

Duke:

Allies from monsters getting just a touch of rum (6)
Answer = FRIENDS
F(R)IENDS; def = allies
-- Nothing to complain about here, apart from the surface reading, which is not the most elegant.

Ha! -- and, as an afterthought, yecch, oddly (5)
Answer = PSYCH
PS + Y(e)C(c)H; def = psych!
-- The definition I like. The wordplay is so-so ('yecch' is a bit awkward). The surface reading is not the best.

Cab from ends of West Napa, by rear of Mondavi (4)
Answer = TAXI
T+A+ X (by) + I; def = cab
--Nice use of 'by'. Everything else works, apart from the surface reading.

----------

David:

CJ the DJ fall and rise thereof (8,6)
Answer = (THE FALL AND RISE OF) REGINALD PERRIN
CJ a character in the show; not sure of the DJ reference.
-- Still not sure about the DJ reference. With CJ and 'fall and rise', the answer is a bit obvious (to me), even without wordplay.

Victor Meldrew and Lonesome George, both! (3,4,2,3,5)
Answer = ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
Victor Meldrew one of the two main characters in the show; opening credits of show feature a tortoise (of which creature Lonesome George is an example)
-- Again, not much wordplay going on here. Victor Meldrew gives the game away immediately (to me).

David Akenhead and Robert Akenhead (rupto robore nati) (5,8)
Answer = ACORN ANTIQUES
As per David: translation of our motto is "born from a split oak" (with allusion to acorn)
-- Much too obscure.

----------

Bonus clues:

David:

Wendy Craig was all of a flutter (11)
Answer = BUTTERFLIES
Clue defines itself.
-- Fair enough if you know the show.

Jaipur gem, offering a rarefied species of Bombay duck! (3,4,6,8,5)
Answer = THE MOST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
-- Again, very obscure, with little to no help for the solver.

----------

The winner is Rob. Mark is second.

If no one else wants to do the next round, I can do it.

Luciano

On Sunday, 24 October 2021 at 03:19:04 UTC-5, Rob wrote:
> On Saturday, 23 October 2021 at 17:27:36 UTC+1, Luciano Ward wrote:
> > If no one else wants to do the next round, I can do it.
> >
> > Luciano
> I'll do it - sorry, lots going on lately and haven't checked in here!
>
> Rob

Thank you.