As I watch all the old episodes again, I realise this show is perfect for the Recession!!
They should put it back on BBC1 and I bet loads of people would watch it!! It's just so accurate for the times we are living in. Especially as there are many young adults living back home and trying to earn a crust!! (like me!) :-)
I have to disagree, I think the public mood towards dole scroungers has shifted dramatically since the 80s to the degree that you watch BREAD now and just dont find the Boswells likable. Seeing them all on undeclared incomes, marching into the dole office demanding money for things like "an operation for their dog", paid for out of public funds is distasteful. They arent endearing, lovable or the least bit funny....you just want to call them parasites and change the channel.
The odd thing is though I still enjoy ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES, perhaps because although Del avoids tax you dont have to watch him constantly scrounging public funds from the dole office.
I think the difference is we understand what Del's doing whereas the Boswells are takuing something for nothing.
However I can see it being very relevent today but people are less sympathetic as you say