Next of Kin

This series is about a couple that give up their wealthy life to take care of their three parentless grandchildren. The sacrifice of their former rich life frustrates them, they can't enjoy life as they wanted to. Lack of money and the age-difference frustrates them but still they remain positive.

Different is the lack of laughing in the background. Popular american comedy shows use the laugh button too much. This is something to get used to, but definitely an asset.

Both the acting and scenario are excellent.

My first impressions on seeing this series was: "Yes, Penelope Keith is still brilliant, but this series isn't really funny." I felt the children were too antagonistic - it felt real, but not funny. But, seeing that La Keith was on great form, I kept watching and grew to love the series. The children grew as actors, and you could, to purloin a phrase, "feel their pain". Pain is not something you normally associate with sitcoms, but here it was. Now I think the series should be considered a groundbreaking show: the way the pain, sorrow and frustration the children felt was dealt with intelligently and moving. And I reiterate what the others have stated: THIS SERIES SHOULD BE RELEASED ON DVD!

While I agree that the T.V. series was not really up to much, I seem to remember it being about three children who had been orphaned after their parents were killed in a horrific car accident. Yes the children may have been portrayed as a bit snotty and maybe even up themselves, I think that the story demanded that of them as they have lost the two main elements of their lives then to have to live with two grandparents who are "out of touch to say the least". I thought Penelope Keith was actually very good in the role of the Grandmother who had issues about showing love and adapting to the needs of three young children. I think it was quite moving on occasion for her character to be quite introspective and confronting her feelings.

So Nick, why not actually watch the show first before commenting on it?

Matt.

Penelope Keith CBE OBE is better remembered for her roles as Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton in "To the Manor Born" and "The Good Life" as Marjery Ledbetter. In this series which was prematurely shortened, she and William Gaunt plays parents and grandparents who must raise their three orphaned grandchildren after their son and daughter-in-law have died in a car accident. The children are now orphaned and now must be raised by their grandparents who are not normally affectionate towards children even their own son. The news and circumstances that they must endure but the writers do a splendid job in bringing the unlikely pair of grandparents who probably would prefer traveling the world rather than raising their own grandchildren. This show could have been a hit if it was allowed too.

After To the Manor Born, this is Penelope Keith's best series. The balance between comedy, pathos and relationships between the grandparents and the grandchildren is excellent.

In particular, the growth of the relationships as the series progresses is very natural and at times achingly funny.

Some people cannot grasp the humor stemming from a serious subject, but the characters here are real. Most families are NOT like The Waltons!

Give it a shot if comes on PBS again. If only it had run longer and there were more episodes.