It does sound as though something the show is doing purely because they know it will bring a bit of extra attention, rather than it really making sense for the character to suddenly be gay. Though I haven't watched the show since Nick left, so what use my opinion is I don't know.
Quote: zooo @ April 19 2010, 5:08 PM BSTI don't remember them doing any serious/emotional storylines before though
Oh, except that bizarre episode where Abby joined a convent or whatever it was. Which was truly rubbish.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 19 2010, 5:09 PM BSTIt does sound as though something the show is doing purely because they know it will bring a bit of extra attention, rather than it really making sense for the character to suddenly be gay.
Apparently they've got new writers in and are doing a mini shake-up of it, so probably trying to add in some extra depth and variety to the set-up rather than just trying for publicity.
Quote: Aaron @ April 19 2010, 5:17 PM BSTApparently they've got new writers in and are doing a mini shake-up of it, so probably trying to add in some extra depth and variety to the set-up rather than just trying for publicity.
But the thing is, episode one (which if broadcast in the order recorded sees Michael make his announcement) is written by Tom Anderson. He's written for My Family for a few years now.
Quote: zooo @ April 19 2010, 5:11 PM BSTOh, except that bizarre episode where Abby joined a convent or whatever it was. Which was truly rubbish.
That was written by Tom Anderson too >_<
Could be that it's those higher-up in the writing scale that have changed then? Maybe he was but a lowly writer following orders, against his better intentions of adding depth and modernity, but now has the chance to be in control of the stories and so has made it more 'deep'? :/
I dunno. All manner of things could have changed. Even just a single new producer could do it.
The worst writers they've ever had were Ian Brown and James Hendrie, who also did After You've Gone and Home Again. They wrote the first MF episode too. Truly dire writers. Luckily, they haven't written for the show since Series 5. Paul Minett and Brian Levison (who wrote all 3 series of The Piglet Files and also the comedy-drama trilogy The Booze Cruise) are good writers for MF.
I'm all for the new story lines and looking forward to seeing how it pans out. I think Janey gets a new partner too... an Australian who is in series 10 and by the looks of things in Series 11 too.... anyone know anything about that?
TBH, the show is running out of steam and is competing now with better family sitcoms, like Outnumbered (though it is a lot better than Life of Riley), so on that note, I can't see the Michael storyline really getting that much media attention.
Strangely enough, the 'Gay Michael' idea had occurred to the original writing team way back when. The idea was that Michael (he was much younger then) gets a new bicycle and the colour he chooses is pink, which leads Ben and Susan into speculating wildly. Nothing came of it though.
Hi James!
Was the idea vetoed, or did it just get left aside?
Hi, Aaron,
As far as I recall, it wasn't vetoed as such, it just never got picked up.
There was a similar episode in one of the recent series, when Ben and Susan discovered that Michael was seeing a therapist, and ruminated that they had been bad parents and their son was crackers.
Quote: Dave @ April 27 2010, 9:21 PM BSTThere was a similar episode in one of the recent series, when Ben and Susan discovered that Michael was seeing a therapist, and ruminated that they had been bad parents and their son was crackers.
Yeah but as with all My Family episodes, they took the mick quite a bit with that story whereas this gay storyline seems to be a more serious addition to the series. Obviously, it's the source of many jokes but they don't take it to the extreme and make the situation a joke. Unless of course, that is something that happens towards the end of series ten.
Hey everyone.
I'm new to these forums.
The only good things about the upcoming Series 10 is that Alfie is leaving and that they are introducing a new character called Scott.
Oh and most of all, did anyone of you know that Nick is making a long-awaited return to the show? The show will actually be really funny again!! 
Tis about time he returned, he was gone too long.. I read about this on wikipedia.
On the issue of Michael coming out as Gay, that I can't believe cos as a few others said he's had girlfriends in the past and stuff. It'll be interesting to see. 
Anyone know when the first episode of Series 10 is due to air? It says on Wikipedia "Original run: May-June 2010" Don't know the exact date it's due to start though I'm guessing it might be May 28th as My Family is usually on these days on BBC One on a Friday at 9pm. Anyone know?
We've no information at present as to when it will broadcast. Wikipedia's "information" is entirely guesswork; it's not scheduled in the immediate future.
