Grandma's House

This is a truly brilliant piece of writing and an excellent example of British comedy. The brilliance lies in the interactions within Simon's family, which are probably familiar scenario's and characters to all of us. The Clive character is just awful and is so wonderful to watch.It's a very self-aware and post-modern piece of TV that seems to meld real life (Amstel having left Buzzcocks) with a fictional family - you do tend to wonder what Amstel's real family is like and how much of this might be based on true events? There are obvious comparisons with The Royal Family and perhaps The Office but I don't think these bear more than a superficial resemblance. I am very much looking forward to the next four episodes to see where this all leads!

Funny from start to finish. It's not for your Not Going Out fans (funny in it's own right). Character driven and not a laugh a minute. Just subtle and intelligent writing and delivery. Simon's acting while not top drawer works as he is playing himself. Great cast and guest stars. Samantha Spiro is spectacular as horny monkey Liz. Rebecca front has to deliver the most unique line ever delivered with a straight face...'let him have a wank in the loft' .... having the wonderful grandad get out quite explicit sex guides books for his daughter and grandson....from the local library....a hilarious look at a dysfunctional family who are there for each other. I would rate the Larry Sanders show the greatest comedy ever . This is not that far behind .

This series is so spectacularly bad on almost - actually strike that - every level, it's almost worth watching just to soak up its sheer awfulness.

And I'm not just deliberately hating on it out of badness.

Simon Amstell - the real-life Simon Amstell - is a charismatic, likable, ferociously witty young man who manages to stay on the right side of smugness.

And Rebecca Front is one of my favourite comic actresses - glorious as a foil to Alan Partridge in the Knowing Me Knowing You days.

But, goodness, do they sink to the depths in Grandma's House.

I sometimes wonder during the process of making a show as execrable as this, why a friend or a colleague of the makers doesn't point out - politely - how bad it is.

Does no-one notice when they watch the rushes how painfully inept it is.

So what's so bad? Well, the acting for starters. For someone so effortlessly relaxed with pithy putdowns on Buzzcocks, Amstell is surprisingly uncomfortable in front of the cameras.

It's like watching a particularly stilted sixth former during am dram.

And, Jesus wept, the script. The second episode seems to have endless scenes of Amstell's character arguing with his aunt: "You shut up!"

"No, you shut up!"

"No you..."

That's not direct quotes but that's the gist of that 'plotline'.

It 'climaxes' in a scene where Amstell's mum and various family members act out a new play he has been working on about - sighs - talking eggs.

Can't bring myself to elaborate on that one.

In fact, I've whinged on enough about this.

Devoid of laughs, it's kind of worth catching in a cringeworthy sort of way.

I am fairly obsessed with this show and think it is sheer brilliance. I have watched both sessions more times than I care to admit, and each time I find something else that I didn't notice the first time. The show is not only funny, but poignant on many levels and has deep meaning , especially the last three episodes if you pay very close attention. I find the house, itself, fascinating----the room in which they all congregate always has that certain slant of light coming through and it is never night time, always day.

I can't imagine there will ever be a show that I like as much as this one.

This is such a genius and well thought comedy! It captures Jewish humour so well, even better than Woody Allen! Simon Amstell's awkwardness is just so funny and his dry sense of humour is so good! Can't fault this at all! So brilliant! The aunt is just amazing! As is his grandma and his mum! Love this! Definitely watch it!!! I can understand why some people probably wouldn't get it and or find it funny, but it is just so good and you need a brain to comprehend the humour! It most definitely got better as the series went on. Casting Iwan Rheon was just brilliant! So clever. I loved when they mentioned how his character was an Olivier-Award winning actor (because Iwan Rheon did actually win an Olivier Award for Spring Awakening). Genius!!!

10/10!!!