Citizen Khan

Radio Times review

The broad comedy about a pompous and deluded "community leader" returns, with guest stars in the new series including Ronni Ancona, Tyger Drew-Honey, Steve Furst and, in this episode, Peter Bowles, who conforms to type by playing the lord of the local manor.

The stately home has put on an exhibition of Indian treasures collected during the Raj, something that piques the interest of both Mr Khan (Adil Ray) and his mother-in-law Naani (Adlyn Ross). But while Mr Khan sees a chance to better himself by rubbing shoulders with the aristocracy, Naani wants to profit in a rather more direct way.

This sitcom is a marvel. I mean that quite literally in that I marvel at this show: how can it exist? How is this possible? Can such things be?

And I marvel at the fact that this is its fourth series. I repeat: its FOURTH. This sitcom has been commissioned again and again and again. Truly, I marvel.

It's obvious I loathe this show. There is plenty to be loathed on TV, we all know that, but this one is remarkably loathsome because it is so bad. Other shows might be dull or derivative but very few and remarkably, appallingly, embarrassingly so.

And, it's worth saying again, this is the FOURTH series. Pause to consider the good young comedy writers out there trying to get a break while this embarrassing stuff is being carelessly waved through the door of the BBC.

If you've never watched it then keep it that way, but you might wish to know it's about a comedy Muslim family from Birmingham, and the first jokes of this episode derives from a blocked toilet and Mr Khan wearing a hat made from Cornflakes packets. Then they all set off on a family outing to historic Farley Manor. Will there be clever jokes made about the clash between old aristocratic Britain and its modern Muslims? No. No, there won't.

Evolution of TV for British Asians according to Mr Khan

The issue of immigration is rarely out of the headlines and it was no different fifty years ago, when thousands of Indians and Pakistanis came to Britain.

In response, the BBC launched its Immigration Programme Unit designed to help newcomers cope with everyday situations.

Adil Ray, star and creator of the sitcom Citizen Khan, looks at how those early shows developed into programmes that reflect the lives of British Asians today.

Adil Ray interview

Ahead of the fourth series of Citizen Khan on BBC One, I caught up with writer, creator and Mr Khan himself, Adil Ray for a chat about the new series.

Adil Ray plans to take Citizen Khan to the big screen

A film on the theme 'Citizen Khan Goes to America' would allow Ray to explore terrorism and airport security.

BBC's Citizen Khan set to be remade in Germany

Corporation in talks to change format of sitcom so it is set around an immigrant Turkish family.

Adil Ray on the potrayal of Muslims on TV

Adil Ray is back with a fourth series of Citizen Khan - he explains why his BBC sitcom about a Muslim family is still as laugh-out-loud funny, and controversial, as ever.

Citizen Khan a huge success in India

Risky BBC comedy Citizen Khan, accused of stereotyping Asians, is proving to be a surprise hit with viewers in India.

Video: Adil Ray on Fox News 'Muslim Birmingham' comment

The Birmingham-born creator of BBC comedy Citizen Khan has criticised a terrorism commentator who said the city was a no-go area for non-Muslims.

It's Christmas Eve, and Mr Khan is embracing the festive season. Sure, his egg nog is minus any trace of nog and the turkey has a distinctly tandoori taste, but his festive fervour has landed Papaji a key role in unveiling Sparkhill's multi-denominational celebration tree. That is until daughter Shazia, son-in-law Amjad and baby-to-be arrive. Will the prospect of becoming a grandparent convince Mr Khan that family is more important than becoming the community's social centrepiece?