The Kumars at No. 42

It is a decent show with decent comedy, but the concept of family interviewing a guest with each member of the family having a comic style, kapil sharma show copied this entire concept !

The clever aspect of the Kumar comedy is it is a reflection of the attitudes and position of many people of Asian descent in modern Britain, part of British life but with a hint of Asian culture. The family is associated with Indian culture and religion(they have nothing to do with Pakistan and the 'P' word is the British racist equivalent of the American 'N' word).

The great aspect of the series is that we can watch the comedy knowing that the humour is safe and is usually directed against the pretentions of the son and his celebrity aspirations. The Grandmother is a brilliant creation of Meera Syal a gifted creative actor and writer, the comedy lines are usually hers, though the mother and father can easily aid the sons frustrations. Never do interviews with the guest celebrities conclude without a family intervention, usually witty but always funny.

Its perhaps not for those who like the very laddish and moronic humour of other British comedy or the 1950's-1990's racist and homophobic humour which no longer has a place on modern British television. It avoids direct political comment and attacks on British racism, yet becomes in itself a comment on the (partial) success of anti-racist campaigns in modern British life, though reflects sadly current worship of celebrities.

Its a cult show, but one that entertains many of its more sophisticated viewers and there are millions of those in Britain.

One other reviewer describes this as part chat show, part sitcom and that's a good way of describing it. Where did they get the idea for this? It's a very clever idea. A young Asian guy, still living with his parents, wants to be a chat show host and his successful businessman dad builds him a studio in the back garden. But while he's interviewing the celebrities, his Mum, Dad and Granny come in to the studio and ask the celebrities questions. It's quite obvious that the celebrities on the show enjoy it. Another reviewer says it reflects the sad worship of celebrities but I don't think that's a fair comment. The show is entertaining and there is a little of the spirit of Morecambe and Wise in it. Granny Kumar (aka "Ummi") is the real show stealer but Aswan had a really good line when Sanjev was interviewing some actress from East Enders and she said the Kumars were like people on East Enders. Aswan said "Yes, but we speak better English". Very true! In the programme featuring Patrick Stewart, Ummi said she had read on a website that Patrick Stewart didn't like talking about Star Trek then Sanjev came on in a Star Trek uniform. The show is brilliant and I can see why the Americans and Australians have produced their own versions. It's a pity I'm not famous enough, I'd love to be the Kumars' guest!

Before Indians became mainstream in British politics and achieved high office, The Kumars at No. 42 started to break the race barriers for sure with a more mainstream look at Indians (not native american indians, but ones from India) making it big in the UK.

The Kumars at No. 42 was funny at times, and it meant the audience could laugh with Indians rather than at them.

i don't really watch comedy shows and I never watch talk shows....but I like this one. As others have commented, the grandmother is the star of the show, but the concept is original and funny and overall I like it.

I just wish some network in the USA would pick this up....yeah right!