British Comedy Guide

Outnumbered - Series 1 Page 10

The biggest laugh for me in last night's episode is when Hugh Dennis' daughter said to David Ryall,

"What's it like being old? Is it nice?"

"Beats being dead!"

I wonder if that was improvised. How do you know which bits are improv are which isn't?

And I enjoyed Hugh Dennis' performance.

most people seem to like outnumbered but i thought it was so bad it was unwatchable. nothing funny happened. i tried to watch saxondale too last night but the same thing - there were no laughs. i tried the visit but that was the same. it wasn't funny. only my opinions.
last week's IT crowd was the first thing i've properly laughed at in a long time. i am hoping for more of the same tonight.

Quote: johnny roulette @ August 31, 2007, 12:04 PM

most people seem to like outnumbered but i thought it was so bad it was unwatchable. nothing funny happened. i tried to watch saxondale too last night but the same thing - there were no laughs. i tried the visit but that was the same. it wasn't funny. only my opinions.
last week's IT crowd was the first thing i've properly laughed at in a long time. i am hoping for more of the same tonight.

If you look at the start of this thread there is quite a few that don't like it and don't comment any more probably because they stopped watching it so I don't think most people do like it, but rather the people that do discuss it more. I have to agree with most of your points apart from Saxondale which i can watch but it isn't a laugh-a-minute show.

It seems this thing about it being semi-improvised has made it funnier for people too. Its like an allowance for the few jokes there is and the fact that the writer couldn't write proper dialogue. I'll remember to start a rumour that my sitcom is improv if I ever get one made (note: this theory may not be tested).

Also, anyone who has or works with kids will know they all say bizarre and very funny things - its in their nature, they are not trying to be funny.

I wonder if any of these three kids will have future acting careers? It'd be surreal if in 20 years time the little girl was starting a stand up tour just as the kid with curly hair is the lead actor of a new drama film, appears on Friday Night With Frankie Boyle (someone has to replace Ross eventually) and they show the clip of them both in Outnumbered.

Love the show, but I have to confess that I can't get my head around when it's actually on. Rolling eyes I don't know how many episodes there have been, but I've watched three and found them absolutely spellbinding. The kids are naturals... at being kids. Can't wait for tonight's episode.

Really enjoyed this, but why the odd three episodes a week thing?

Quote: Rustle T Davis @ September 3, 2007, 8:27 PM

Love the show, but I have to confess that I can't get my head around when it's actually on. Rolling eyes I don't know how many episodes there have been, but I've watched three and found them absolutely spellbinding. The kids are naturals... at being kids. Can't wait for tonight's episode.

You're not alone - the scheduling has been confusing many!

The good news is you haven't missed any episodes yet. There's three to go... one tonight, one tomorrow and one Wednesday. They're all after the news.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ September 3, 2007, 8:33 PM

Really enjoyed this, but why the odd three episodes a week thing?

No one seems to know. Even the BBC haven't managed to come out with an explanation.

I initially thought they were trying to bury the show - e.g. get it out the way before the autumn season. I've gone off that theory though as if the BBC thought it was bad they wouldn't have given up so many prime-time 10:30 slots to it.

My current theory is that it's a trial by the BBC to see whether people like consuming series quickly rather than strung across many weeks. With on-demand TV on the way they might be trying to get a better feel for audience behaviour?

Whatever the reason - the show seems to be a success (whether that is down to the scheduling or not I don't know). It won its slot last week against the other channels and has been sticking around the 2.5 million viewers mark - an above average figure for that slot normally.

Loved it tonight. I sort of want to buy the dvd already.

Yeah, I'm warming to it. I think if it gets a second series, they'll have the chance to iron it out a bit more and have things run a lot smoother.

On another note, I was reminded of another sitcom tonight, which I'm sure was called 'The Savages' with Marcus Brigstocke, which I remember really liking. Anyway, my point is, I'm sure they "semi-improvised" with the kids in that, can anyone else remember?

Not sure if I remember it...

I liked that thing with Dr Who, I mean Peter Davison, as a middle class dad last year who had troublesome kids too.
What the hell was that...?

I think I know what you mean? Something like, 'My midlife crises'?

EDIT: "The Complete Guide to Parenting" - Thanks to imdb.com

https://www.comedy.co.uk/complete_parenting/

Quote: chipolata @ August 17, 2007, 9:42 AM

This is the first I've heard of this comedy, but the read up sends shivers down my spine. Shows featuring children, or revolving around children, just aren't funny. Anybody remember the dire Ben Elton comedy starring Ardle O'Hanlon? And what about the last few Only Fools and Horses incarnations featuring Delboy's children as a replacement for the late great Uncle Albert. It just didn't work. Children aren't remotely funny, and if a sitcom needs children it should employ dwarves or very short adult actors to play them.

This sounds like a crude version of children say the funniest things. I bet it takes hours to film. Stuff like this doesn't usually work.

Quote: Leevil @ September 4, 2007, 12:17 AM

I think I know what you mean? Something like, 'My midlife crises'?

EDIT: "The Complete Guide to Parenting" - Thanks to imdb.com

https://www.comedy.co.uk/complete_parenting/

Thassit! I liked that.

I must say, I don't actually mind the three episodes a week. I quite like it in fact. Enjoyed last night's show again, and looking forward to the rest. Hope they make another series.

It should be Mon, Wed and Fri, would be nicer.

Share this page