Friday Night Dinner

This show is, I say again,absolute Class. The writing of this show is pristine, very life like yet still funny. Paul Ritter - Martin is the funniest character on TV, so dopey and grubby. The fact that he's deaf makes it funnier because he always mistakes what people are saying, and he just does silly things. Jim is also oddly hilarious. In every episode he pops up to the house, and is very unintelligent. His approach is just hilarious. The two Boys are like two young kids, calling each other names and playing pranks, but this works well for the show, and the mother is very motherly, but joins in with the banter also.

Comedies like these don't come often.

...because it is so bloody stupid. BUT... I had to give it that many because I absolutely adore it. I know it's a stupid show, they crack the same jokes over and over, and I cannot imagine finding this show funny or liking it at all if it were American, even with the exact same script. I don't know why, but these exact actors are just right for all of their roles and for the show's writing. This show never ceases to make me laugh. The recycled jokes, the farcical situations, everything is funny... all the dad has to do is get this look on his face and I am already chuckling. Even the boys' immature pranks (that I would see as entirely obnoxious in just about any other programme) make me laugh. I have a constant grin on my face when I watch this show. I just can't bloody help it.

Martin is definitely my favourite character, he is absolutely bloody brilliant and always makes me laugh. I love the insults and curse words he uses, they are the BEST. (I'm trying to popularise "Shtting sht on it.") I haven't had the opportunity to call anyone a pillock as yet. I don't know why, but there is something about that man that cracks me up. He's so offbeat but also has his normal moments. Jim is just so odd it's beyond overboard for me. Not even a second of normality. It makes me cringe sometimes. How does this man own a home? How does he have money? How does he take care of himself? How does he take care of his dog? These are the questions keeping me up at night.

Not really.

There are some great laugh out loud moments in this clever production that by and large manages to keep delivering within the same format. That it does so is due to some excellent writing and accomplished delivery from all the cast. Special praise must go to Mark Heap who has turned "Jim" into one of the funniest comedy characters of the last few years.

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.

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.