Key Highlights :
In any list of funniest TV scenes, the clip is second only to Del Boy falling through the bar, and it’s the reason why all these years on I can still reel off Victor Meldrew’s phone number (“4291”).
The scene in question is from the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, and features the hapless Del Boy (played by David Jason) trying to call a taxi. His attempts at dialling the number “4291” are met with hilarious results, with the number invariably going to voicemail.
The scene is so popular that it has been spoofed on numerous occasions, most notably in the US sitcom, The Simpsons. The original scene from Only Fools and Horses was even parodied in the 1994 film, Four Weddings and a Funeral.
So why is the scene so funny?
Well, for one thing, it is very unlikely that anyone would actually have the number “4291” stored in their phone. The number is actually the London telephone code for Maidstone, which is located in Kent.
Furthermore, the way that David Jason delivers his lines is hilarious. He consistently makes mistakes with the dialling, and the resulting exchanges are hilariously comical.
The scene has also been spoofed in other media, including an episode of the TV series, The Office, and a sketch on the British comedy show, Mock the Week.
So if you ever find yourself stuck for a good laugh, be sure to watch the scene from Only Fools and Horses featuring Del Boy trying to call a taxi. It is sure to put a smile on your face!