Anyone going to watch this new sitcom tonight, at 9:30 on ITV1? It's from the writer of Mid-2000s sitcom The Smoking Room.
The Family Pile
Planning to, yes.
Not for me I'm afraid. Fast paced dialogue is one thing, but by halfway I'd already decided these characters are intensly annoying and the plot, such as it was, did nothing to hook me in to keep watching.
Amanda Abbington is a great comic actress but couldn't they have found all Scouse talent for a Scouse sitcom?
Did absolutely nothing for me - a garbled mess.
Makes you wonder what criteria some commissioning editors work to.
I thought it was pretty decent, TBH. Fast-paced enough that it didn't let itself sag at any point really, quite good characterisation, and understated enough, like it wasn't trying to justify its existence, although that kinda meant it's not going to be a show that's rather memorable, especially as it could have easily come out of any time in the last 20 years. Nevertheless, I did actually laugh out loud a few times, which is quite something for an ITV sitcom, but I do have to say I think having to write the show around an ad break kinda ruined the flow a tad.
Regardless of what anyone thinks of it, I highly doubt it'll return after this series; it's been appallingly scheduled (then again, ITV couldn't have predicted Breaking Dad would return as low as it did) and, AFAIK, not promoted at all, and I will be surprised if it manages to keep an audience of at least one million throughout its run (2015's The Delivery Man (2m+ -> 0.9m) outdone); it's obviously not going to get any on-demand/ITVX help in that department. Quality-wise, if this is part of a more full-frontal return to comedy, ITV(1) isn't off to a bad start, but they need to do better with where they put them (which is a rather more complicated thing now they've merged the Corries and can't stick any on in-between two half-hours of soap, as they did with Bad Move).
BTW, is it just me or did Amanda Abbington not employ the Scouse accent of her character in the cold open? Was a bit of a shock when it suddenly appeared in the episode proper. And has Clare Calbraith got a golden handcuffs deal with ITV or something, as that's the second new ITV show of the last couple months she's been in (after ITVX/2 drama Tell Me Everything)...(!)
To be honest, I thought last night's episode was a laughter free zone.
I've recorded it. Maybe I won't bother watching it.
Quote: Chappers @ 18th January 2023, 11:54 AMI've recorded it. Maybe I won't bother watching it.
Half hour of you life you'll save, Dave {couldn't resist that)😁
Apparently, ITV are to launch a new batch of sitcoms this year, perhaps to boost the new ITVX streaming service. This explains the strange slot it had last night. Tuesday nights 9:30 till 10:00 does not exactly scream new sitcom time.
Quote: JJlovescomedy @ 18th January 2023, 3:07 PMApparently, ITV are to launch a new batch of sitcoms this year, perhaps to boost the new ITVX streaming service. This explains the strange slot it had last night. Tuesday nights 9:30 till 10:00 does not exactly scream new sitcom time.
Quantity not quality, then.
Very true, Herc. Does anyone know the viewing figures last night's episode had?
I don't get how this happened. The writer is a scouser is a good writer and the the owner of Hat Trick is a scouser and yet they used people who simply can't do the accent? They should have set it anywhere other than Liverpool as it may have worked a lot better,
I watched the first episode. Obviously made a lasting impression on me because until now I'd totally forgotten about it.
https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7299/the-family-pile-axed/
Hardly suprised this has been axed after just one series, it was utterly terrible.
I didn't mind it in the end, I ended up thinking it was okay and had potential but yeah I'm utterly unsurprised it hasn't been picked up.
I imagine it didn't get great viewing figures (well, most shows don't now, tbh), but I suppose they didn't think the quality was up to what they'd want to continue it.
I remember really liking The Smoking Room, so hopefully Brian Dooley comes back with something better.