User reviews

Richard pays a visit on his dad Ken, twelve months after his mother Jean died. Keen to pay a flying visit, Richard discovers his dad needing a little bit of care and support.

Are some of the reviews based solely on the first episode, that's what it looks like, a first episode that sets the scene, introduces the character and situation, but fails to provide the laughs, from episode two onwards, it finds its feet.

Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh are great as the father and son combination, they bounce off one another well, I just loved the odd job man in episode two, he was hilarious.

Give it a chance, it may not always be side splitting, but it has its moments, and at times it can be rather moving.

Is it me or has Gregor Fisher transformed into Frank Carson, if ever a role comes up to play the famous comedian, Fisher gets the job.

The best new BBC comedy for a long time.

8/10.

This will hit home hardest with those who have/are experiencing the central theme that this show revolves around.

Hopefully it will get a 2nd series so that the storylines laid out can be explored.

The acting is very good. There is a lot of scope for the world created in these 6 episodes.

Cons: Some of the comedy one-liners are predictable. The writing could be sharpened.

There's not much more to say. I'm just filling up the character count now. I have to go for a sigmoidoscopy tomorrow morning. I've spent most of this evening on the lav after gulping down a jug of laxative. I'm not having sedition for the procedure tomorrow as I have to drive. Pfft. I dunno. I'm not looking at the screen. I have no interest in what's up there; because I know what comes out.

Was expecting a comedy, but got a gentle comedic drama. The first episode didn't know which direction to go, but the actors carried it enough.

The second sets into a familiar situation for many, and there is enough humour to make you chuckle along with the set ups.

It has a slight feel of the A plan which Greg Mchugh was also in, replace autism with dementia. So I suspect he is on the production team, I haven't looked, but if he is he had used Christopher Ecclestona character with Gregor.

Jennifer Saunders on the phone of the agent, is fun. But obviously took a lot of influence from Toast of Londons agent.

Worth a watch under the influence or whilst laid up in bed I'll, but not appointment to view, it's not to be confused with still game, or rab c nesbit.

I loved this. The acting was great. Also if you have gone through any of the trials and tribulations of a parent/child or indeed child/parent relationship in the let's say twilight days you will fully appreciate the subtle humour.

In my opinion don't expect side splitting humour. Do expect a gentle warm feeling, and if you do so you will have a wonderful show. Remember the tv doesn't have to 'shout' at us, it sometimes can be a nice warming feeling.

The relationships in this story show a kind of sad bent of lost love, promised love and the danger of losing it again to pursue something that may give us a sense of achievement but at what cost?

Just finished binge watching the first series and having read poor reviews felt compelled to add my own. Thought it was understated, utterly charming and funny. The two main characters had good rapport, mainly due to the actors' portrayal and you could certainly identify with them. The humour was risky in parts which really made me laugh, but this was cleverly combined with an unassuming sensitivity. Despite their conflict and exasperation with one another, a genuine affection eventually broke through. It was extremely well written, a little reminiscent of After Life and I certainly hope that there will be a second series.

Right out of the gate I could identify with what was going on in my own life and the intergenerational difficulties, and the humour with which it's delivered make it palatable in a fresh comedic way.

Definitely 9/10 IF you can identify with the subject matter. Not everyone may be able to and find it boring or if you aren't able to empathize with the characters you'd have a hard time being connected with the story. In that way there could be some alienation with the story.

For myself and my wife it was laughing and tears from beginning to end. I'd give anything to have more series just like this one.

Only Child is a heartwarming and often hilarious comedy series that follows Richard, a man who returns home to visit his father, Ken, a year after the passing of his mother, Jean. What starts as a simple visit quickly turns into a realization that his father may need more help than he initially thought.

The show delicately balances humor and poignancy, exploring themes of family, aging, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. The chemistry between Richard and Ken, played by Greg McHugh and Gregor Fisher, is a highlight, their interactions filled with both affectionate bickering and genuine love.

While some may find the pacing a bit slow at times, the overall charm and relatable situations make Only Child a delightful and engaging watch. It's a show that resonates with anyone who has experienced the joys and challenges of family life.

I loved it. Bring on season 2.

I really wanted to like this with two actors having such good pedigree. Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh (Rab C Nesbitt and Gary Tank Commander) but their past triumphs probably gave me high expectations that this would be funny.

Whenever I see a description now that says gentle or warm hearted comedy I expect to be disappointed and this lives up (or down) to my expectations.

I've watched two episodes and that's enough. If those have not raised a smile I don't think any masochistic additional viewing will help.

Pity.

It's alright going for pathos but don't call it a comedy if it doesn't raise a laugh.

I really enjoyed watching 'Only Child' with my parents. It's a heartwarming, funny show that explores the complexities of the parent-child relationship in later years, capturing moments that my parents shared with their parents and inevitable experiences for my future too!

The film conveys that despite shared frustrations, love remains ever-present. I think everyone that has older parents, or has been through it, should watch it - your guilt will slide away and you'll have a chuckle too.

Plus, it's funny-even with the subtitles on for my hearing-impaired parents!!

Ignore the negative reviews!

The press can bang on about this being a return to kind and warm comedy all they like, this is missing one very crucial ingredient - humour.

This isn't great. This is the controller of BBC comedy trying to commision things that will appeal to an older generation that ends up being people of that generation being taken the mick out of by a 30 something guy who thinks he knows best. It's society in a nutshell.

Not funny, not warm, not engaging- I could go on, which is more than this show will.

It's almost like the BBC set AI on the case, loading it up with clips of classic BBC comedies and asking it to recreate the formula.

It failed.

I watched episode one and was severely disappointed with the script and the fact that there was absolutely nothing funny about the story being told or the way it was presented. I gave the series a chance with episode two and was again disappointed. The script is like it has been written by Some junior script writers following a training manual there is no flair or skill on show - not even flashes.

I thought Emily and Diggsy were both good characters and they added a bit of watch ability to what was otherwise a dreary though bland comedy. Diggsy childhood memory and raisin eating was the high point.

I really don't understand the quality of Talent that the BBC have that use their skill expertise and judgement to assess that this is the sort of show that should be getting made when there is so much talent out there. Whoever commissioned this should be fired. It's that bad.

What a pure waste of talent on this rubbish this should never have been made or even approved to be aired pure naff! I was looking forward to seeing it there is no humour! Shame for the actors at least they got paid,I really can't understand how anyone could approve this it's a total waste of talent time and money what a disgrace! How could they think that the public would enjoy this nonsense it has no reality or comedy it's just pure drivel, I just love Gregor Fisher it just breaks my heart to see him in this utter rubbish, hope this is never returned with a 2 nd season first,2 mns was enough.