Friday Night Dinner

This is a really good example of a situation comedy where relatively small and seemingly trivial things can be focused on and expanded into hilarious situations. The show rarely extends beyond the confines of the house and typically revolves around the four main characters with the strange neighbour next door making regular appearances and perhaps another individual included for the particular episode in question.

There is a very strong cast and the comedy is balanced between a decent plot, (or set-up), excellent dialogue and some visual humour. It really does have the feel of a family with the little nuances that make family life very funny at times. This is a quality show, which may be under the radar a little, compared to other more high profile productions, but actually is far better than most of them.

Well worth watching an entire episode, (they wrap themselves up quite neatly and satisfactorily in the end), if you haven't heard or seen it before. Far more people are going to enjoy this than not.

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.

Have watched this series several times in the past, but have just watched it again due to the sad news of Paul Ritter's death. He definitely was the funniest character in this entire series and I can't see how they can make another as how can anyone replace him? A sad loss RIP Paul Ritter.

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.

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.