The Royle Family

I wasn't sure what to make of "The Royle Family" when I first saw it. It tends to meander a lot and if you're looking for action and excitement - forget it. But I stuck with it and after the first couple of episodes I was hooked. I've never seen such brilliantly observed characters on the small screen. They have been superbly created by the writers and brought to startlingly real life by a wonderful cast of actors.

Anyone who thinks this show is boring is really missing the subtlety of it. If you live in working class England, be it Newcastle, Liverpool, London, Manchester or just about any of the big cities, you'll know these people. You may even find elements of yourself or your friends in there. This is real English life; you might not want to believe me but it's true - I've seen it, I've grown up with it.

The closest American TV has come to depicting working class characters in a humorous way is with "Roseanne", "Grace Under Fire" and "Married with Children". While they all have their place in the lexicon of blue collar comedy, none of them could come close to matching "The Royle Family" because the humour is too obvious to be realistic. With this wonderful show you can find yourself laughing at an exchange between the mother and future son-in-law that involves nothing more sophisticated than him telling her what he had for his tea. But it works! It really is funny and if you can't see that then it's a real shame because you're missing out on something very special.

A classic - simple as that.

We've only had access to BBC Canada for a few weeks now, but I'm finding myself making sure that I'm in front of the tv at 8:30 on Tuesday nights. I can't think of any Canadian or American shows that I HAVE to watch, even season premieres or finales! The Royle Family is unlike anything I've ever watched before; nothing happens but it's riveting! The characters rarely move from their couch, and when they do, it's just to stray into the kitchen to brew a cuppa. It makes American humour seem extremely brash and forced. Two thumbs up!!

Totally unique.Tremendous observational comedy.We all know folk like these characters. The writing and acting are top notch especially Ricky T who really is one of the best character actors that the UK has produced. The episodes can be watched time and time again and are still funny after repeated viewings.Very few UK sitcoms are totally shot on film but in this case it lends a documentary feel to the whole proceedings.Thoroughly enjoyable and well reccomended.

Now and then comes along a perfect series (Fawlty Towers and The Office spring to mind) everybody loves them and everybody is right!! Any great show is built on the writing and the writing here is near perfect. Any show which can run over 18 episodes and 2 specials and only use 1 set AND be funny every time is genius!! Caroline Aherene has been quoted as saying this is her best work and she is right. Tha acting is the icing on the cake of course, with special mention to Sue Johnson who should get loads of work. The whole point is the exquisite, REAL language and very few visual gags. This looks and feels real all the time and runs through all human emotion; ultimately 'though it is a show about love. 11 out of 10!!!

The Royle Family is successful because it's true. Political-correctness is non-existent in this household as it is in most. The dwelling is a mess. Who's house isn't? And the dialogue is never intelligent. It's silly, it's crude, but because it touches so close to reality, it's very, very funny.

Performances are perfect. The script is dead-on. The direction is perfect in that it is unobtrusive.

It is a strange ride watching the Royles. Most episodes are set entirely in front of the TV screen. So it often becomes a "Truman Show" experience as the Camera seems to be placed in the TV. Their lives are so real. And it is filmed in documentary style. It is the ultimate voyeuristic experience.

Royle Family is a remarkable TV show. There is none like it. The fact that only six episodes are created a year helps to keep the show fresh. We will never become bored of these characters. Far from it. We would love to see more of this household.

I urge you to watch an episode. From start to finish. There won't be any big scene to catch your attention but the entire episode will keep you entertained. And when the credits roll I guarantee you'll miss them when they're gone.