Friday Night Dinner

Friday night dinner, with The Goodmans, a regular family of four, who seem to attract trouble, and people who are.......let's say larger than life.

I was way too late to the party, bit once I discovered it, I couldn't switch it off. Comedy of the highest order, even though the show follows a similar routine and formula, the comedy does not, the writing is so incredibly good, that it switches up.

The four main characters are outstanding, and the source of moat of the laughs, the boys squabbling and fighting is always the best aspect for me. Jim is wonderfully crazy, Grandma is sweet, horrible Grandma is a scream.

It's hugely consistent from start to finish, if I had to pick a favourite series, it would have to be the first one, each episode is a classic.

The most surprising episode comes in Series Five, Wilson, which is a total change in pace, and very moving.

Please don't let it end at series six, there is definitely more running in the legs here, we need more.

Classic comedy, 9/10.

I watched episode one under protest and thought "what a load of crap". Three years later, I am hooked and I have watched the whole lot at least ten times over. Tamsin (Mummy) and Mark (Jim) are my stars but it wouldn't work without the whole ensemble A very low budget TV show with no special effects. Props are limited to a frozen fox and a splitting images Prince Charles mask.

This classic relies on nothing more than brilliant writing and acting.

They both conspire to make my belly ache with laughter.

I die every time that Jim flinches away from Wilson. Genius comedy.

Not to mention Gran accidentally kissing dad on the chest.

More please.

Everyone in this hilarious comedy series pulls their weight. Tamsin Grieg is especially brilliant as the wacky mom trying to keep it all together, when her brood gathers for shabat dinner. If you thought she was funny in Episodes, she's just as good here. Each character is just balls out funny, and the cast's chemistry together is spot on. Simple situations that go awry every Friday night when the two boys come home for their weekly family gathering, are inspired and original. The writing is sharp, precise and just plain crazy. The quirks are consistent and so are the laughs. I love that the two 20-something boys fall back on school-boy prank behaviour when they're under mom and dad's roof. Family dynamics are universal, so everyone will find something to relate to. Enjoy.

Came across this comedy totally by accident, and what a great find it has proved to be. The family dynamic is so reminiscent of most families I know, but this family takes it to a totally new level. The father is by far the star of the show, only for his total ignorance of what the mother is trying to achieve each weekend. With hilarious consequences. The crazy neighbour Jim and his terrifying, yet obviously timid dog, are beyond comedic value. The hand over mouth, and laugh out loud moments Jim is involved with seriously does make him a main character in this show. All in all, this comedy makes you think you've seen all a family get together can produce. Then Friday Night Dinner happens. It is a beautiful show. Well written, well directed, well acted, and well received.

I started watching this series a couple of months ago and I am currently going through it a second time. It's so hilarious that you can't get enough of it. I'll probably keep coming back to it and re-watching it every once in a while. Even though obviously some things are exaggerated for comedy purposes, Jackie's especially annoying, but I know she's meant to be that way. Martin is probably my favourite character, it's unbelievable how good his character is. Jonny and Adam are both hilarious, but I think the overall caricature-type of characteristics of this family is what makes it so funny. The Goodman family and their friends would not be as hilarious if one of the characters weren't part of the story. Jim is another favourite of mine (probably quite typical of most people) as he's creepy but in an adorable way, one that kind of makes him lets it pass. He's just a lonely guy and you can't help but feel sorry for him. Anyway, probably up there with The Inbetweeners. This is why I love British humour, and I get why the British say that is is good. The Americans couldn't do this kind of thing with their remakes.