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TV & Movie Review's

The Royle Family is not a series that you will appreciate after the first episode, you need to get to know the characters. But in essence it is about the life of a slobbish family living in the North of England. You don’t see all of their life though, it is in the main limited to their front room.

Ah the things that go on behind the lace curtains of suburbia or in this case the things that don’t go on. They spend a heck of a lot of time watching TV and discussing what they had for Tea “Have you had your Tea our David? – what did you have?”

That might put you off but don’t let it. This is a very finely scripted series with some carefully crafted character studies. Very quickly you learn who are the doers and who are the takers. For example our Jim (the Dad) is a taker, I never have been absolutely clear whether he works or not, but I think he doesn’t. Denise is also a taker not once do you ever see her go and make a cup of coffee/tea.

All riveting stuff you might think, but it is compelling viewing, turning us all unwittingly into the characters that we see on the screen, as we watch the story unfold. It’s hard to put your finger on what is the appeal of the show but I think it’s the educated middle class poking fun at themselves from a working class point of view. I suppose that although they might not what to admit it, pretty much every family can notice a small part of themselves in this comedy and if they can’t then others will.

With perseverance and repeated viewing I am sure you will agree that this is a first rate situation comedy and it well deserves it’s place as a BAFTA winner. It is right up there near the top of all time British comedies.

Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash created something of a work of genius with this, assisted in no small part by a very strong cast. In fact Caroline plays Denise and Craig plays David which must have helped.

Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson)  is the slobish father, Barbra Royle (Sue Johnston) is the put up with a lot mother,  Anthony Royle (Ralf Little) is the servant/younger son. Norma Speakman (Liz Smith) is Barbara’s mother who is desperately trying to move in with them all. Mary (Doreen Keogh) is the not too bright but ever helpful neighbor, Twiggy (Geoffrey Hughes) is a family friend and the fellah every one buys dodgy gear from.

All in all once your in the swing of this show it’s addictive viewing and it is strange in that gets better every time you watch it, there’s always something you missed the first time around.

It must be said that this is a black comedy so if you like your comedy to be nice and have a moral at the end of every tale forget it.