sábado, 23 de abril de 2011

RIP Comedy writer John Sullivan dies aged 64

Saturday 23rd April 2011 @ 1:45pm

John Sullivan, one of Britain's most successful comedy writers, has died aged 64 following a short illness.

Growing up from a working-class background with no qualifications, Sullivan created and wrote a number of comedy series, including Only Fools And Horses - the hugely popular programme starring David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. The 1996 Only Fools And Horses Christmas special was watched by 24 million people, setting a UK sitcom audience record; and a 2004 TV poll of the public named Sullivan's sitcom as the best British sitcom of all time.

Other comedies created by Sullivan included Citizen Smith in the 1970s, and hit 1980s sitcoms Dear John and Just Good Friends. The writer also created the Only Fools And Horses spin-off sitcom The Green Green Grass, and comedy drama prequel Rock & Chips. A new episode of the latter, which tells the story of Del Boy's younger years, is due to be shown on BBC One on Thursday. This new third Rock & Chips special was written by Sullivan last year and, in light of today's news, is expected to be the final episode of the comedy drama.

As well as a talented writer, Sullivan also composed the theme tunes of many of his programmes, including Only Fools And Horses, Just Good Friends and Dear John.

BBC director general Mark Thompson said: "John had a unique gift for turning everyday life and characters we all know into unforgettable comedy."

BBC head of comedy Mark Freeland adds: "No one understood what made us laugh and cry better than John Sullivan. He was the Dickens of our generation. Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time."

John Sullivan was born in Balham in 1946, and it was there he observed the market traders who inspired the character of Del Boy. He has said in interviews since that the secret to his success was that he wrote about what he knew. Sullivan is survived by his wife, their two sons and one daughter, and two grandchildren.

The video below, filmed last year, features Sullivan and other cast and crew members discussing working on the second Rock & Chips special...

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26/10/2008

John Sullivan Only Fools And Horses Creator Dies At 64

1:54pm UK, Saturday April 23, 2011

John Sullivan, the creator of one of Britain's most successful television comedies Only Fools And Horses, has died at 64 after a short illness.

Only Fools And Horses creator John Sullivan

Sullivan 'turned everyday life into unforgettable comedy'

Sullivan was also behind a number of other TV hits including Citizen Smith, Roger Roger and The Green Green Grass.

His most recent work Rock & Chips was scheduled to be shown on BBC One this Thursday.

Gareth Gwenlan, producer of Only Fools and Horses and a close friend, said: "The sudden death of John Sullivan has deprived the world of television comedy of its greatest exponent.

"John was a writer of immense talent and he leaves behind him an extraordinary body of work which has entertained tens of millions of viewers and will continue to do so for many decades to come.

"I have had the privilege of working with John for over 30 years as a colleague and close friend. He was a writer at the peak of his creative powers with so much more to give."

Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time.

Mark Freeland, BBC head of comedy

Mark Thompson, BBC director general, said: "He had a unique gift for turning everyday life and characters we all know into unforgettable comedy.

"His work will live on for years to come. We will miss him and we send our condolences to his family."

Mark Freeland, BBC head of comedy, said: "No one understood what made us laugh and cry better than John Sullivan. He was the Dickens of our generation. Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time."

Sullivan was married with two sons, one daughter and two grandchildren. He was awarded the OBE in 2005 for services to drama.

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'Only Fools and Horses' creator John Sullivan dies

John Sullivan, the creator of Only Fools and Horses, has died at the age of 64 after a short illness.

John Sullivan, the creator of TV comedy, 'Only Fools and Horses' Photo: REX

By Jonathan Wynne-Jones 1:15PM BST 23 Apr 2011

Comment

Tributes to the scriptwriter were led by Mark Thompson, the director general of the BBC.

“John had a unique gift for turning everyday life and characters we all know into unforgettable comedy,” he said.

“His work will live on for years to come. We will miss him and we send our condolences to his family.”

Gareth Gwenlan, producer of Only Fools and Horses and a close friend, said: “The sudden death of John Sullivan has deprived the world of television comedy of its greatest exponent.

“John was a writer of immense talent and he leaves behind him an extraordinary body of work which has entertained tens of millions of viewers and will continue to do so for many decades to come.

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23 Jan 2011
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18 Jan 2010
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05 Apr 2009

“I have had the privilege of working with John for over 30 years as a colleague and close friend. He was a writer at the peak of his creative powers with so much more to give.”

Sullivan was awarded an OBE for his services to drama in the 2005 New Years Honours List in recognition of creating one of the best-loved British comedies.

The 1996 special, called Time On Our Hands, which was billed as the final episode and saw Del Boy and Rodney Trotter become millionaires, was watched by more than 24 million people, a record for a sitcom in the UK.

His most recent work, Rock & Chips, is scheduled to be shown on BBC One this week.

Mark Freeland, BBC head of comedy, said: “No one understood what made us laugh and cry better than John Sullivan. He was the Dickens of our generation. Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time.”

Much of the most memorable scenes in Only Fools and Horses came from his real-life experiences, which included falling through a raised bar flap.

Sullivan, who was behind other television shows including Citizen Smith, Roger Roger and The Green Green Grass, also composed the popular theme tune of Only Fools and Horses.

He was married with two sons, one daughter and two grandchildren.

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26/10/2008

John Sullivan

Writer | Music Department | Producer

Trivia:

He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the order of the British Empire) in the 2005 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Drama. See more trivia »

Born:

John Richard Thomas Sullivan
December 23, 1946 in Balham, London, England, UK

IMDbPro

Contact Info: View agent

Represent John Sullivan? Add or change photos

15 news articles »

5 wins & 3 nominations See more awards »

Known For

Only Fools and Horses.... (1981)

Coronation Street (1960)

Just Good Friends (1983)

Citizen Smith (1977)

Show all | Edit

Filmography

Hide

Writer (18 titles)

2010-2011 Rock & Chips (TV series)

– The Frog and the Pussycat (2011) (written by)

– Five Gold Rings (2010) (written by)

– Pilot (2010) (written by)

2005-2009 The Green Green Grass (TV series)

– For Richer for Poorer (2009) (creator)

– One Man's Junk (2009) (creator)

– I Done It My Way (2009) (creator / written by)

– The Departed (2009) (creator)

– Your Cheating Art (2009) (creator / written by)

See all 32 episodes »

2006 Only Fools' Top 40 Moments (TV documentary) (written by)

1981-2003 Only Fools and Horses.... (TV series)

– Sleepless in Peckham...! (2003) (creator - uncredited / written by)

– Strangers on the Shore...! (2002) (creator - uncredited / written by)

– If They Could See Us Now.....! (2001) (creator - uncredited / written by)

– Time on Our Hands (1996) (creator - uncredited / written by)

– Modern Men (1996) (creator - uncredited / written by)

See all 65 episodes »

1998-2003 Roger Roger (TV series)

– Freedom's Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose (2003) (written by)

– Thank God It Wasn't Boat Race Day (2003) (written by)

– Play It Again, Sam (2003) (written by)

– Love Rules the Heart, Money Takes the Soul (1999) (written by)

– Too Much Wine, Too Many Stars (1999) (written by)

See all 16 episodes »

2003 The Best of the Two Ronnies: Volume 2 (video)

2001-2002 Micawber (TV series)

– Micawber and the Aristocracy (2002) (written by)

– Micawber Meets the Americans (2002) (written by)

– Micawber and the Theatre (2001) (written by)

– Micawber Learns the Truth (2001) (written by)

2002 The Best of the Two Ronnies (video)

1998-2000 Heartburn Hotel (TV series)

– Therapy (2000) (written by)

– Kin (2000) (written by)

– Hero (2000) (written by)

– Siege (2000) (written by)

– Vows (2000) (written by)

See all 12 episodes »

1997 Coronation Street (TV series)

1996 Roger Roger (TV movie)

1996 Over Here (TV movie)

1992-1993 Sitting Pretty (TV series)

– Wills of Fire (1993) (written by)

– Love Is in the Air (1993) (written by)

– All in the Mind (1993) (written by)

– A Family Affair (1993) (written by)

– Rumours (1993) (written by)

See all 13 episodes »

1988-1992 Dear John (TV series)

– Poor John: Part 1 (1992) (writer: BBC pilot story)

– Molly and Me (1991) (creator: BBC series)

– Matter of Trust: Part 1 (1990) (creator: BBC series)

– Down and Out in Rego Park (1990) (creator: BBC series)

– The Blunder Years (1990) (creator: BBC series)

See all 58 episodes »

1986-1987 Dear John (TV series)

– Kate Returns (1987) (written by)

– Once Bitten (1987) (written by)

– Torquay (1987) (written by)

– Sanctuary (1987) (written by)

– Problems with Toby (1987) (written by)

See all 14 episodes »

1983-1986 Just Good Friends (TV series)

– The Wedding (1986) (by / written by)

– Employment Prospects (1986) (by / written by)

– The Witness (1986) (by / written by)

– Juanita (1986) (by / written by)

– Meeting by Chance (1986) (by / written by)

See all 22 episodes »

1978-1982 The Two Ronnies (TV series)

– 1982 Christmas Special (1982) (written by)

– Episode #7.1 (1978) (written by)

1977-1980 Citizen Smith (TV series)

– Buon Natale (1980) (written by)

– Sweet Sorrow (1980) (by)

– Casablanca Was Never Like This (1980) (by)

– Prisoners (1980) (by)

– The Letter of the Law (1980) (by)

See all 30 episodes »

Show

Music Department (5 titles)

Show

Producer (5 titles)

Show

Composer (3 titles)

Show

Soundtrack (2 titles)

Show

Self (10 titles)

Edit

Personal Details

Alternate Names:

John Sullivan OBE

STARmeter:

Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro

Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia:

He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the order of the British Empire) in the 2005 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Drama. See more »

Star Sign:

Capricorn

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26/10/2008

Television writer John Sullivan has died at the age of 64 after a short

‎SkyNewsBreak‎ Television writer John Sullivan has died at the age of 64 after a short illness

Only Fools And Horses Creator Dies At 64

1:54pm UK, Saturday April 23, 2011

John Sullivan, the creator of one of Britain's most successful television comedies Only Fools And Horses, has died at 64 after a short illness.

Sullivan 'turned everyday life into unforgettable comedy'

Sullivan was also behind a number of other TV hits including Citizen Smith, Roger Roger and The Green Green Grass.

His most recent work Rock & Chips was scheduled to be shown on BBC One this Thursday.

Gareth Gwenlan, producer of Only Fools and Horses and a close friend, said: "The sudden death of John Sullivan has deprived the world of television comedy of its greatest exponent.

"John was a writer of immense talent and he leaves behind him an extraordinary body of work which has entertained tens of millions of viewers and will continue to do so for many decades to come.

"I have had the privilege of working with John for over 30 years as a colleague and close friend. He was a writer at the peak of his creative powers with so much more to give."

Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time.

Mark Freeland, BBC head of comedy

Mark Thompson, BBC director general, said: "He had a unique gift for turning everyday life and characters we all know into unforgettable comedy.

"His work will live on for years to come. We will miss him and we send our condolences to his family."

Sullivan was married with two sons, one daughter and two grandchildren. He was awarded the OBE in 2005 for services to drama.

Help

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26/10/2008

John Sullivan (writer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

For other men with this name, see John Sullivan (disambiguation).

John Sullivan OBE
Born	John Richard Thomas Sullivan 23 December 1946 (1946-12-23) (age 64)^[1] Balham, South London, England
Occupation	Screenwriter
Nationality	British
Period	1977–2011
Notable work(s)	Only Fools and Horses The Green Green Grass Citizen Smith Dear John Just Good Friends Roger Roger Rock & Chips

John Richard Thomas Sullivan OBE (born 23 December 1946- died 23rd April 2011) was a British television scriptwriter responsible for several popular British sitcoms, including Only Fools and Horses, Citizen Smith, Dear John, Just Good Friends, Sitting Pretty, Roger Roger, and The Green Green Grass. In addition, he has also written the comedy drama series Micawber for ITV and still co-writes many comedies including Heartburn Hotel. Sullivan composed the theme tune of Only Fools and Horses, Just Good Friends, Dear John and The Green Green Grass. He has also written Rock & Chips, a comedy drama prequel to Only Fools and Horses.

[edit] Biography

John Sullivan grew up in Balham, South London,^[2] failed his eleven-plus and left school at 15 with no qualifications. From a working-class background, Sullivan's Irish father was a plumber and his mother occasionally worked as a charlady.^[3] It was in Balham where he observed the sort of market trader that would later appear in Only Fools and Horses. Sullivan's first paid employment was as a messenger boy for Reuters.^[4]

Much of Sullivan's material for Only Fools and Horses scripts came from his real-life experiences: falling through a raised bar flap,^[5] the chandelier falling, his father's poker sessions, his niece working in the police force, and his grandfather falling down holes to claim money. It is arguable that the economic insecurity experienced by the Trotters and their eventual rise to wealth is based on Sullivan's own personal background, who grew up in a poor household and noted in an interview that he and his friends seemingly had no other opportunities after leaving school apart from low-paid factory work. The success of Only Fools and Horses, however, made him rich.^[6]

In 2005 New Years Honours, Sullivan was awarded an OBE for services to drama.^[7] On 2 September 2008 John Sullivan was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at Goldsmiths, University of London.^[8] He now lives in the city of Brighton and Hove.

[edit] References

^ http://web.researcha.com/iccquery/detail/?did=4056495&c=uk Researcha]
^ Sullivan grew up in Balham, South London Retrieved 08/10/07
^ The Only Fools and Horses Story by Steve Clark
^ family background, first job. Retrieved 08/10/07
^ BBC Radio 4, Front Row interview, 30 December 2010
^ The Only Fools and Horses Story by Steve Clark
^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 57509, p. 13, 31 December 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
^ Honorary Fellowship at Goldsmiths, University of London

[edit] External links

A shire thing - The Times, 21 August 2005, Sullivan talks about his Only Fools and Horses spin-off series, The Green Green Grass.
John Sullivan at the Internet Movie Database
BBC: Only Fools & Horses voted "Best Sitcom"
Television Heaven: John Sullivan
[1] - John Sullivan's picture on the bbc website

[show]v · d · eThe works of John Sullivan

Situation comedies	Citizen Smith (1977-80) · Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) · Just Good Friends (1983-86) · Dear John (UK TV series) (1986-87) · Dear John (U.S. TV series) (1988-92) · Sitting Pretty (1992-93) · Roger Roger (1996-2003) · Heartburn Hotel (1998-2000) · The Green Green Grass (2005-9)

Other	Over Here (1996) · Micawber (2001) · Rock & Chips (2010- )

[show]v · d · eOnly Fools and Horses

List of episodes

Regular characters	Del Boy · Rodney Trotter · Grandad · Uncle Albert · Trigger · Boycie · Mike · Raquel · Cassandra Trotter · Damien Trotter · Denzil Tulser · Marlene · Mickey Pearce

Merchandise	DVDs · DVD Collection

See also	John Howard Davies · The Green Green Grass · Rock & Chips · Ronnie Hazlehurst · Peckham · Reliant Regal · John Sullivan · DCI Roy Slater

[show]v · d · eThe Green Green Grass

Regular characters	Boycie · Marlene · Tyler Elgin · Bryan · Jed · Mrs Cakeworthy · Llewellyn · Beth · Sara · Ray · Driscoll Brothers · Dora · Notable Guests

Episodes	Series 1 · Series 2 · Series 3 · Series 4 · Christmas Specials

See also	Only Fools and Horses (episodes) · Rock & Chips · John Sullivan

[show]Rock & Chips

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26/10/2008

U.S., Iraq discuss necessity of future U.S. military presence

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The White House said Friday that the U.S. and Iraqi governments have been in discussions about whether or not a future U.S. military presence might be requested.

White House press secretary Jay Carney reiterated the Obama administration's commitment to withdrawing the remaining U.S. forces in Iraq by the end of the year, but said "we are also in negotiations and discussions with the Iraqis about what their security needs are and will be in the future."

"Obviously there have been discussions about whether or not a future security presence by the United States might be requested," Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, D.C. "But I don't anticipate any requests and certainly any decisions that would be made on a request that has not been made."

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that senior U.S. and Iraqi military officials have been in negotiations about keeping some 10,000 American troops in Iraq beyond 2011.

When asked about this report, Carney said "any discussions about a future security relationship with Iraq would obviously be taking place now. And I think that's what that story reflected."

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Friday asked the Iraqi government to decide " in the next few weeks" if it wants to keep U.S. troops beyond year 's end.

"There are no plans -- nor have there been any requests from the Iraqi government -- for any residual U.S. force presence here after this December," he said.

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26/10/2008

6.8-magnitude quake hits Soloman Islands

BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted Solomon Islands at 4:16 GMT Saturday, according to the China Earthquake Network Center.

The epicenter, with a depth of 80 km, was monitored at 10.3 degrees south latitude and 161.2 degrees east longitude, the center said in a statement.

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26/10/2008

Cambodian, Thai armed clashes force 5,000 Cambodian villagers flee home

PHNOM PENH, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Two straight days of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops over the disputed border areas have forced 1,420 Cambodian families to flee their home for safe shelter, said a senior government official on Saturday.

As of Saturday at 4:00 p.m., 1,420 families with 5,000 people have been evacuated to a safe shelter in Banteay Meanchey province' s Samrong district, some 30 kilometers from the fighting zone, Nhim Vanda, the first vice-president of the Cambodian National Committee for Disaster Management, said on Saturday.

The two straight days of armed clashes on Friday and Saturday broke out at the Ta Mon Thom temple and Ta Krabey temple in Oddar Meanchey province, left troops on both sides killed and injured, the temples were in damage and villagers' properties were destroyed.

In the villages near the fighting areas, Cambodian soldiers have found shrapnel and craters resulted from the artillery shelling by Thai troops during the clashes.

Cambodia's Ministry of Defense on Saturday afternoon issued a statement to condemn Thailand for its "repeated deliberate acts of aggression against Cambodia."

"Thai side used DK 75 and 105 mm heavy guns loaded with poisonous gas in today's (April 23, 2011) assault," it said. "Thai military aircraft, including reconnaissance planes flew deep into Cambodia's airspace."

"Heavy weapons, including 130 mm, 105 mm and 155 mm artilleries have also been used during this latest military onslaught," the statement said.

The latest military clashes between the two countries'troops reoccurred just more than two months after the deadly clash on Feb. 4-7 at the border disputed area next to the Preah Vihear temple, a World Heritage Site.

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand have had a border conflict due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

Meanwhile, Indonesia, as current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), strongly called for the immediate cessation of hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand that recommenced since April 22, a press statement said on Saturday.

"Indonesia also calls for the two sides to continue to resolve their differences through peaceful means as has been reflected in addressing the border dispute between the two countries," said Kusuma Habir, a spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry.

She said that Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa is in communication with his Cambodian and Thailand counterparts to address this latest development.

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26/10/2008

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sábado, 23 de abril de 2011

John Sullivan, the creator of one of Britain's most successful television comedies Only Fools And Horses, has died at 64 after a short illness.

STORY TRACKER

'Only Fools and Horses' creator John Sullivan dies

John Sullivan, the creator of Only Fools and Horses, has died at the age of 64 after a short illness.

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(VIII)

Trivia:

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Only Fools And Horses Creator Dies At 64

John Sullivan, the creator of one of Britain's most successful television comedies Only Fools And Horses, has died at 64 after a short illness.

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