Modern Men (Only Fools and Horses)

{{Infobox television episode

| series = Only Fools and Horses

| caption =

| series_no =

| episode = 14
(Christmas Special)

| writer = John Sullivan

| director = Tony Dow

| airdate = {{Start date|1996|12|27|df=yes}}

| length = 60 minutes

58:29 (DVD)
58:34 (iTunes)

| prev = Heroes and Villains

| next = Time on Our Hands

| episode_list = List of Only Fools and Horses episodes

}}

"Modern Men" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. It was the second episode of the 1996 Christmas trilogy and the fourteenth Christmas special, first screened on 27 December 1996. In the episode, Del Boy is reading a new lifestyle book, Modern Man. Later, Cassandra suffers a miscarriage.

Synopsis

Cassandra and Rodney's news of expecting a baby prompts the Trotters to have a night out at the Nag's Head. Del Boy persuades Mike to sell him a tray of drinks for £5 and a "hairdryer" (which is actually an electric paint stripper) by performing a trick. Mickey Pearce reminds Rodney he needs to find a proper job before the baby arrives, since he accidentally quit his last job.

Later, in bed, Del shows Raquel a book titled Modern Man and expresses his desire to impress her parents. Raquel suggests that Del help Rodney find a good job. Meanwhile, Del suddenly decides to have a vasectomy, which disgusts Rodney.

While calling a job listing the next day, Rodney unknowingly dials Del's mobile. Del pretends to be "Ivor Hardy" and offers Rodney a job, revealing it was a ruse to help him. Del promotes Rodney to Sales Director after realising Rodney's pride.

To avoid Dr Singh, who wants to confront Del about faulty paint he sold, the brothers go to Sid's café. Del later has a nightmare about having a vasectomy; he wakes up back in bed with Raquel and decides against it. Rodney teases Del about backing out, just as Dr Singh demands Del resolve the paint issue before riding off on his motorcycle. Inspired by a legal exemption from crash helmets for Sikhs like Dr Singh, Del introduces the "Trotter Crash Turban," which Rodney and Raquel doubt will catch on.

Rodney receives urgent news that Cassandra has suffered a miscarriage. Rushing to the hospital, he and Del encounter a drunken man who is causing trouble. When they reach Cassandra, Del encourages Rodney to support her. Del breaks down in tears and leaves the room after an emotional exchange. In the waiting area, Del confronts the drunken man, punches him, and leaves, remarking to other patients about wishing they had gone private.