My Family 412841 225755322 2008-07-15T06:56:23Z UpDown 796349 /* DVD releases */ :''This article is about the British sitcom. For the film, see [[My Family (film)]]. For the Hong Kong TVB series, see [[My Family (TVB)]].'' {{Infobox Television | show_name = My Family | image = [[Image:MyFamilyopeningtitles2007.png|250px]] | caption = Opening titles featuring the characters (left to right) Abi, Michael, Susan, Ben, Janey and Roger. | genre = [[Situation comedy|Sitcom]] | runtime = 86x30 minutes<br>3x50 minutes<br>1x60 minutes | creator = [[Fred Barron]] | starring = [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]]<br>[[Zoë Wanamaker]]<br>[[Kris Marshall]]<br>[[Daniela Denby-Ashe]]<br>[[Gabriel Thomson]]<br>[[Siobhan Hayes]]<br>[[Keiron Self]]<br>[[Rosemary Leach]]<br>[[Rhodri Meilir]] | country = [[United Kingdom]] | network = [[BBC One]] | first_aired = [[19 September]] [[2000]] | last_aired = present | num_series = 8 | num_episodes = 90 + 1 short <br>(as of [[23 May]] [[2008]]) | list_episodes = List of My Family episodes | website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/myfamily/ | imdb_id = 0257315 }} '''''My Family''''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Situation comedy|sitcom]] that has aired on [[BBC One]] since 2000. Created by [[United States|American]] [[Fred Barron]], ''My Family'' is about the fictional Harper family, and stars [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]] and [[Zoë Wanamaker]] as Ben and Susan Harper, a middle-class couple who in live in [[Chiswick]], [[West London]]. Their three children, Nick, Janey and Michael are played by [[Kris Marshall]], [[Daniela Denby-Ashe]] and [[Gabriel Thomson]]. In later series more characters appear including Ben's first cousin once removed Abi ([[Siobhan Hayes]]), Ben's fellow dentist Roger Bailey ([[Keiron Self]]) and Nick's friend Alfie ([[Rhodri Meilir]]). Eight series have so far been aired, and a ninth series is currently in production.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/my_family/|title=My Family|first=|last=|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://tickets.external.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/tickets.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=479|title=My Family, BBC One - Tickets Available|first=|last=|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2008}}</ref> A total of 20 episodes were commisioned before Series 8 aired. This included a Christmas Special meaning that Series 9 should contain 12 episodes. ==Cast== ===Main characters=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Actor !! Character !! Duration |- | [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]] || Ben Harper || 2000 - ''present'' |- | [[Zoë Wanamaker]] || Susan Harper || 2000 - ''present'' |- | [[Kris Marshall]] || Nick Harper || 2000 - 2005 |- | [[Daniela Denby-Ashe]] || Janey Harper || 2000 - 2002, 2004 - ''present'' |- | [[Gabriel Thomson]] || Michael Harper || 2000 - ''present'' |- | [[Daisy Donovan]] || Brigitte || 2000 |- | [[Siobhan Hayes]] || Abi Harper || 2002 - 2008 |- | [[Keiron Self]] || Roger Bailey, Jnr || 2002 - ''present'' |- | [[Rhodri Meilir]] || Alfie Butts || 2005 - ''present'' |} ===Recurring characters=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Actor !! Character !! Duration |- | [[Kevin Bishop]] || Stupid Brian || 2001 |- | [[Rosemary Leach]] || Grace Riggs<ref>Grace Riggs was played by [[Avril Elgar]] in one episode of Series Two (2002), and listed in the credits as "Rebecca", but was not called this in the episode.</ref> || 2003 - 2007 |- | [[Alex Dawson (actor)|Alex Dawson]] || Hubert || 2003 - 2007 |- | [[Rachel Hyde-Harvey|Rachel Harvey]] || Fiona || 2003 |- | Thomas and Noah Davis || Kenzo Harper || 2004 |- | Tayler Marshall || Kenzo Harper || 2006 - ''present'' |- | [[Mike Walling]] || Denis, the Vicar || 2006 - 2007 |} ==Plot== ''My Family'' is about the life of the Harpers, a [[fictional]] [[England|English]] family, who live in 78, Lancaster Road, [[Chiswick]], [[London]]. Ben, a [[dentist]], and Susan, a [[tour guide]] who later works for an [[art museum|art gallery]], have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael, all of whom cause problems in their own way. While Susan is a control freak, Ben prefers to leave the children to it and tries not to get involved. Janey later goes to University, but drops out and moves back in later, while Nick finally gets his own place. The first series features Ben's dental assistant, Brigitte, who unintentionally annoys Ben constantly. In the third series, Abi Harper, the daughter of Ben's cousin, comes to live with them, and she eventually falls for Roger, Ben's neighbouring dentist. Abi later leaves to become a [[nun]]. The humour, like most domestic sitcoms, derives from the relationships of the family members and the situations they end up in. ==Characters== {{main article|List of My Family characters}} [[Image:Ben and Susan.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker as Ben and Susan.]] The main characters in ''My Family'' are parents Ben and Susan Harper. They have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael. Nick is a regular character until the [[List of My Family episodes#Christmas Special (2003)|2003 Christmas special]], and makes one appearance in 2004's [[List of My Family episodes#Series Five (2004)|fifth series]] before making his final ''My Family'' appearance in the [[List of My Family episodes#Comic Relief Special (2005)|2005 Comic Relief short]] as actor Kris Marshall wanted to do other projects and avoid being type-cast.<ref name="Characters">{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/my_family/characters/|title=My Family - Characters|accessdate=2007-11-07|author=|last=|first=|year=2007|format=|work=|publisher=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> Janey is a regular until the [[List of My Family episodes#Christmas Special (2002)|2002 Christmas special]] and does not appear in [[List of My Family episodes#Series Four (2003)|Series Four (2003)]], while the character is at University. Janey returns as a main character in [[List of My Family episodes#Series Four (2003)|Series Five]]. Abi Harper first appears in [[List of My Family episodes#Series Three (2002)|Series Three]] as the daughter of Ben's cousin Richard.<ref name="Episodes S3">{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/my_family/episodes/3/|title=My Family Episodes - Series 3|accessdate=2007-11-07|author=|last=|first=|year=2007|format=|work=|publisher=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> Series Three also see the first appearance of Roger Bailey, Jnr. Roger, who becomes a main character in the [[List of My Family episodes#Series Four (2003)|fourth series]], is a dentist and the son of Ben's former mentor. In the [[List of My Family episodes#Christmas Special (2005)|2005 Christmas special]] Alfie Butts, a friend of Nick's, moves into the Harper household.<ref name="Characters"/> ''My Family'' also features several recurring characters. In the [[List of My Family episodes#Series Two (2001)|second series]] "Stupid" Brian appears as Janey's boyfriend.<ref name="Characters"/> Series Four features played Fiona, Michael's girlfriend. That series also sees the introduction of Hubert, a friend of Michael's, and Grace Riggs, Susan's mother, both of whom appear in subsequent series until [[List of My Family episodes#Series Seven (2007)|Series Seven]].<ref name="Characters"/> A minor recurring character from the [[List of My Family episodes#Christmas Special (2006)|2006 Christmas Special]] to Series Seven is Denis, the local Vicar. In addition, Mr. Alexander Casey, the Harpers' neighbour, appears in two episodes, "Driving Miss Crazy" (2001) and "Neighbour Wars" (2008). ==Episodes== [[Image:My Family.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Opening titles used during the 3rd series]] {{main|List of My Family episodes}} The first episode aired on [[19 September]] [[2000]], and eight series have so far been aired with seven specials, including four Christmas specials. The eighth series ended on [[23 May]] [[2008]]. A [[Comic Relief]] special short-episode has also aired. A ninth series is now being filmed The BBC and UKTV refuse to re-broadcast the series four episode "Blind Justice" due to an upheld [[Ofcom]] complaint. Although no reason was given, it is likely that was considered offensive to blind people. This episode is banned from British TV, but it is still on the Series Four UK DVD release and has been screened on [[BBC America]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}} The episodes are recorded in front of a live audience in [[Pinewood Studios]], [[Iver]], [[Buckinghamshire]], except where the set used is too large, this is then filmed, and played out to an invited audience 'as-live'. Also, the show, unlike most British sitcoms but in common with most American television comedies, has no location footage. The series is scripted by a team of writers, following the American model. Historically, British sitcoms were more generally written by one or two writers. By employing a wider number of writers to brainstorm jokes for each episode, the BBC has been able to maintain a consistent and relatively long-lived product without having to wait for a single writer to produce more material.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} ==Reception== Initially, the show received a poor critical response, with many dismissing it's humour as mundane and dated.{{fact|date=April 2008}} However, the programme received above average audience ratings, and further series were commissioned, with critical aprroval gradually improving as the series progressed. Star Zoë Wanamaker said in 2007 that she was no longer happy with the quality of the writing, and claimed she and co-star Robert Lindsay even refused to film one episode because it was so poor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a44676/wanamaker-criticises-my-family.html|title=Wanamaker criticises 'My Family'|first=|last=|publisher=[[Digitalspy]]|date=}}</ref> In 2004, the show came 24th in ''[[Britain's Best Sitcom]]''. ==DVD releases== The first eight series have been released on DVD in the UK, minus the Christmas specials that accompanied series 3, 4 and 7. and the specials that accompanied series 5. A Christmas Specials DVD was released on [[20 November]] [[2006]], and this contained the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Christmas specials. The first two series are available in [[Canada]] and the [[United States]] on Region 1 DVD, and in Australia on Region 4 DVD. Series 8 will be released on [[14 July]] [[2008]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/5622690/My-Family-Series-8/Product.html|title=My Family: Series 8 DVD Release|accessdate=2008-05-23|date=[[2008-05-23]]|publisher=Play.com}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! DVD !! Release date |- | The Complete First Series (1 disc)|| [[22 March]] [[2004]] |- | The Complete Second Series (2 discs)|| [[7 June]] [[2004]] |- | The Complete Third Series (2 discs)|| [[12 September]] [[2005]] |- | The Complete Fourth Series (2 discs)|| [[20 March]] [[2006]] |- | The Complete Fifth Series (2 discs)|| [[18 September]] [[2006]] |- | The Christmas Specials (1 disc)|| [[20 November]] [[2006]] |- | The Complete Sixth Series (1 disc)|| [[25 June]] [[2007]] |- | The Complete Seventh Series (2 discs)|| [[24 September]] [[2007]] |- | The Complete Eighth Series (1 disc) || [[14 July]] [[2008]] |} ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== *[[Mark Lewisohn]], "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy", BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003 *[http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/myfamily/index.html British TV Comedy Guide for ''My Family''] ==External links== {{wikiquote|My Family}} *[http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/my_family/characters/ ''My Family''] at the British Comedy Guide *[http://www.tv.com/my-family/show/2687/summary.html?q=my%20family&tag=search_results;title;0/ ''My Family''] at [[TV.com]] {{DEFAULTSORT:My Family}} [[Category:2000 television series debuts]] [[Category:2000s British television series]] [[Category:BBC television sitcoms]] [[de:My Family]] [[ja:My Family]] [[nn:Fjernsynsserien My Family]] [[no:Hvilket liv!]]