Tyger Drew-Honey

Now back for its fourth series, the main question concerning Outnumbered is, 'Is it still funny after all this time?' The answer would appear to be 'Yes' - mind you, the fact that the first episode went out after My Family probably helped.

Eldest son Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey) is getting into a stage of typical teenage stroppiness, rallying against other members of the family and their attitudes, such as his mother Sue's (Claire Skinner) views of gay stereotypes; troublesome Ben (Daniel Roche) is refusing to wear his Wii safety cord and is under the belief that Jeremy Clarkson is gay; and curious Karen (Ramona Marquez) has an idea for stopping people stealing mobile phones by using bubonic plague.

The parents also have their own trouble, with father Pete (Hugh Dennis) quitting his job as a history teacher over a point of principle (and seemingly his own stupidity) and now working as a supply teacher, meaning Sue is working full time - and Karen is not happy about that. Pete is also having trouble with a eulogy at the funeral of his late gay uncle, which Sue finds amousing.

Outnumbered is still one of the best sitcoms around as far as I'm concerned. The semi-improvisation with the children is a joy to watch, especially when it comes to Karen. Let's hope it continues to keep the pace up.

Tyger Drew-Honey says My Family is "a bit predictable"

Tyger Drew-Honey, who of course stars in Outnumbered, has branded rival BBC sitcom My Family "a bit predictable".

A quick chat with Tyger Drew-Honey

Tyger Drew-Honey, who plays teenager Jake in BBC1's Outnumbered, previews the new series of the hit comedy...

'Outnumbered' star: 'Jake is a bit more popular'

Outnumbered star Tyger Drew-Honey has revealed that Jake will be more "popular" in the new series.

Tyger Drew-Honey interview

The 15-year-old star spills the beans on the new series, and what it's like to play the eldest sibling in the dysfunctional family...

Tyger Drew-Honey says co-stars are like a real family

Tyger Drew-Honey, star of BBC comedy Outnumbered, reckons that his co-stars Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez, who play his sibling Ben and Karen, have become like a real family to him.

Another chance to catch the first episode of series three of the delightful family sitcom starring Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner. Gran takes the Brockmans on an outing to London. Needless to say it's an agonising day: daughter Karen (Ramona Marquez) thinks modern art is rubbish; Ben (Daniel Roache) plays "spot the chav" and stabs one of the Trafalgar Square lions with a ruler; and older brother Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey) suffers serious trauma when he is unable to send a text message. A fourth series is slated for later this year.

Outnumbered's spot-on portrayal of middle-class family mayhem is the very thing that can tip it towards the irritating. Over its three series, the joke has remained resolutely the same: given the right socio-economic background, precocious children will say the funniest things. And while there's always enjoyment to be had from the eccentricities of the Brockmans, there's now no escaping the faint whiff of the formulaic. In the final episode of the series, Pete (Hugh Dennis) deals with the fallout from his drunken infidelity and Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey) embarrasses himself with the baby-sitter. And there's a rare moment of tenderness when Sue's (Claire Skinner) latest obsession leads to Karen (Ramona Marquez) having an accident. "I've nearly killed the kids loads more times than you have," comforts Pete.

The family-centred improv' comedy has been a bit patchy of late but this episode is a corker. Tonight it's not just the kids who have been misbehaving, as Sue (Claire Skinner) discovers when she checks Pete's (Hugh Dennis) mobile for messages. But there's no time for a heart-to-heart when the kids are about.

If it's not Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey) turning the garden into a watery war zone, it's Karen (Ramona Marquez) asking if it's ever OK to hit a classmate.

Meanwhile, Pete's worried about the impending clash as Sue's sister Angela (Samantha Bond) turns up with her new husband (Douglas Hodge). While the adults struggle to remain civil, the children call a spade a spade - or, in Jake's case, reel off 18 names for a part of the male anatomy. Nudity and toilet habits also feature - but that's kids for you.

Indeed, some families might see this comedy more as a documentary. A funny one, mind.

Last Night's TV: Outnumbered

Some feel that the charm of Outnumbered is fading as the children get older and more knowing. I disagree, but it is interesting to see the older boy, sarcy Jake (played by Tyger Drew-Honey, poor chap) subside into adolescent taciturnity.