Andy Hamilton was on The News Quiz earlier. He said that they have had an Email from the BBC about the cutbacks and have been told to kill one of the kids so comply with the 20% cuts :=)
Outnumbered new series - starts Friday 2nd September BBC1 9pm
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Here's a link to the script for last week's episode if anyone's interested in reading through it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/ins...red_s4_ep5.pdf
I was expecting there to be much more improvisation, especially with the children, but going by this the vast majority of the show (or at least that particular episode) is actually pretty tightly scripted.
I think that makes the kids performances seem even more impressive in one way, as they make the scripted material come across in such a natural manner.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/ins...red_s4_ep5.pdf
I was expecting there to be much more improvisation, especially with the children, but going by this the vast majority of the show (or at least that particular episode) is actually pretty tightly scripted.
I think that makes the kids performances seem even more impressive in one way, as they make the scripted material come across in such a natural manner.
Great last episode tonight
The scene with the kids laughing of a clip on You Tube was brilliant, a really natural scene between them all.
The scene with the kids laughing of a clip on You Tube was brilliant, a really natural scene between them all.
Absolutely loved it.
I was so, so skeptical for the first few episodes - thought the series had completely lost its way and that they'd tried to milk it for one series too long but I am ever so glad to be proven 100% completely wrong. Absolute joy. I do think the transition was a bit ropey, with the first couple of episodes a little tonally muddled, but they've put the parents into sharper focus this series, and I think it's all the stronger for it. It's not "kids say the funniest things" any more, it's a very clever sitcom in a setting that's absolutely uncanny. The children are fantastic, but they're too self-aware to continue to carry the show through improv, so what do you do? Acknowledge the kids growing up, and shift the bulk of the responsibility to the very capable adult actors.
Masterclass! Converted all over again - nothing but good words.
Thank you very much for the script, by the way! I've always wanted to see an Outnumbered script, can't wait to see it.
I was so, so skeptical for the first few episodes - thought the series had completely lost its way and that they'd tried to milk it for one series too long but I am ever so glad to be proven 100% completely wrong. Absolute joy. I do think the transition was a bit ropey, with the first couple of episodes a little tonally muddled, but they've put the parents into sharper focus this series, and I think it's all the stronger for it. It's not "kids say the funniest things" any more, it's a very clever sitcom in a setting that's absolutely uncanny. The children are fantastic, but they're too self-aware to continue to carry the show through improv, so what do you do? Acknowledge the kids growing up, and shift the bulk of the responsibility to the very capable adult actors.
Masterclass! Converted all over again - nothing but good words.
Thank you very much for the script, by the way! I've always wanted to see an Outnumbered script, can't wait to see it.
Originally Posted by AoibheannRose:
“I was expecting there to be much more improvisation, especially with the children, but going by this the vast majority of the show (or at least that particular episode) is actually pretty tightly scripted.”
“I was expecting there to be much more improvisation, especially with the children, but going by this the vast majority of the show (or at least that particular episode) is actually pretty tightly scripted.”
Well it says shooting script, maybe some of it is now prepared in rehearsals and then put into the script with the potential for more on set changes?
Doesn't really matter but who knows
Fantastic episode. Hope for a series 5 and can't wait for the christmas special. Aunty Angela is brilliant. Dream conversation was the high point but most of the lines were hilarious especially Opfried and Boris.
Brilliant episode!
They were getting better and better ... and then the series finishes
It is just so unnervingly real and why so many people can relate to it - it is spot on.
Like Jake's girlfriend texting him and waiting outside before Sue intercepts her and then the arkward 'chat' with Pete
Them two wondering whether it was better or worse that she had lied about her age too was genius and a perfect way to end with Opfried chipping in 
I thought I recognised Jake's girlfriend from somewhere - she was the daughter in Life Of Riley.
They were getting better and better ... and then the series finishes
It is just so unnervingly real and why so many people can relate to it - it is spot on.
Like Jake's girlfriend texting him and waiting outside before Sue intercepts her and then the arkward 'chat' with Pete
Them two wondering whether it was better or worse that she had lied about her age too was genius and a perfect way to end with Opfried chipping in I thought I recognised Jake's girlfriend from somewhere - she was the daughter in Life Of Riley.
Originally Posted by D4nny22:
“Fantastic episode. Hope for a series 5 and can't wait for the christmas special. Aunty Angela is brilliant. Dream conversation was the high point but most of the lines were hilarious especially Opfried and Boris.”
“Fantastic episode. Hope for a series 5 and can't wait for the christmas special. Aunty Angela is brilliant. Dream conversation was the high point but most of the lines were hilarious especially Opfried and Boris.”
Is the Christmas special confirmed?
Originally Posted by tinkie:
“It's back on Friday this week, it was because of Strictly Come dancing”
“It's back on Friday this week, it was because of Strictly Come dancing”
Oh right, thanks for that btw. Bloomin' Strictly
(I thought that was only on at weekends 
).
Originally Posted by mazzy50:
“"The b@llocks-detecting software on my 'phone......"”
“"The b@llocks-detecting software on my 'phone......"
”
^^ Haha, I loved that part
Originally Posted by rwebster:
“Absolutely loved it.
I was so, so skeptical for the first few episodes - thought the series had completely lost its way and that they'd tried to milk it for one series too long but I am ever so glad to be proven 100% completely wrong. Absolute joy. I do think the transition was a bit ropey, with the first couple of episodes a little tonally muddled, but they've put the parents into sharper focus this series, and I think it's all the stronger for it. It's not "kids say the funniest things" any more, it's a very clever sitcom in a setting that's absolutely uncanny. The children are fantastic, but they're too self-aware to continue to carry the show through improv, so what do you do? Acknowledge the kids growing up, and shift the bulk of the responsibility to the very capable adult actors.
Masterclass! Converted all over again - nothing but good words.”
“Absolutely loved it.
I was so, so skeptical for the first few episodes - thought the series had completely lost its way and that they'd tried to milk it for one series too long but I am ever so glad to be proven 100% completely wrong. Absolute joy. I do think the transition was a bit ropey, with the first couple of episodes a little tonally muddled, but they've put the parents into sharper focus this series, and I think it's all the stronger for it. It's not "kids say the funniest things" any more, it's a very clever sitcom in a setting that's absolutely uncanny. The children are fantastic, but they're too self-aware to continue to carry the show through improv, so what do you do? Acknowledge the kids growing up, and shift the bulk of the responsibility to the very capable adult actors.
Masterclass! Converted all over again - nothing but good words.”
^^ Completely agree with all of that. To start with I thought the series was losing it's way but they have turned it around!
These last two episodes and the one where Karen and mum left the lads at home were my favourites of the series. Looking forward to the christmas special now and hopefully they can get one or two more series out of it now.
Originally Posted by Shevchenko:
“Brilliant episode!
They were getting better and better ... and then the series finishes
It is just so unnervingly real and why so many people can relate to it - it is spot on.........”
“Brilliant episode!
They were getting better and better ... and then the series finishes
It is just so unnervingly real and why so many people can relate to it - it is spot on.........”
Agreed. The bit with Jake saying "Everybody has a fake ID" had Mr Mazz and me simultaneously laughing and wincing as we have a 17 yr old.......
Then the bit with Sue saying "I'm losing him aren't I?" almost brought a tear to my eye. Really good comedy can often be heart-breaking as well as hilarious.
Great way to end the series which sadly is too short.
The parents have taken on a greater role which has helped and I think the show still has some life in it, probably only two more series at most though.
The parents have taken on a greater role which has helped and I think the show still has some life in it, probably only two more series at most though.
Originally Posted by rwebster:
“Absolutely loved it.
I was so, so skeptical for the first few episodes - thought the series had completely lost its way and that they'd tried to milk it for one series too long but I am ever so glad to be proven 100% completely wrong. Absolute joy. I do think the transition was a bit ropey, with the first couple of episodes a little tonally muddled, but they've put the parents into sharper focus this series, and I think it's all the stronger for it. It's not "kids say the funniest things" any more, it's a very clever sitcom in a setting that's absolutely uncanny. The children are fantastic, but they're too self-aware to continue to carry the show through improv, so what do you do? Acknowledge the kids growing up, and shift the bulk of the responsibility to the very capable adult actors.
Masterclass! Converted all over again - nothing but good words.”
“Absolutely loved it.
I was so, so skeptical for the first few episodes - thought the series had completely lost its way and that they'd tried to milk it for one series too long but I am ever so glad to be proven 100% completely wrong. Absolute joy. I do think the transition was a bit ropey, with the first couple of episodes a little tonally muddled, but they've put the parents into sharper focus this series, and I think it's all the stronger for it. It's not "kids say the funniest things" any more, it's a very clever sitcom in a setting that's absolutely uncanny. The children are fantastic, but they're too self-aware to continue to carry the show through improv, so what do you do? Acknowledge the kids growing up, and shift the bulk of the responsibility to the very capable adult actors.
Masterclass! Converted all over again - nothing but good words.”
I agree with every word. The 'precocious kids' act was becoming tiring for me anyway. The occasions when they relapsed into this (particularly with Ben) were the only parts of the series I didn't really enjoy. Otherwise, the actors seem to have managed to pull off more scripted, set-up comedy with aplomb - but without sacrificing the naturalism that is the shows hallmark. Brilliant.
This series has really made me realise how much I love the parents - brilliantly played, very funny, and very real. And I've invested so much into their worries over Jake that it'll be a crying shame if we don't see how things develop - at least for another series.
Funniest scene of the series for me was actually a rather incidental one where Pete tried to bond with Jake over Subbuteo. I was in absolute stitches at Pete's impression of video games, and when I was Jake's age I had exactly the same conversation with my dad about that game.
Originally Posted by Chris_TV:
“Is the Christmas special confirmed?”
“Is the Christmas special confirmed?”
Yep i can't find it now but i'm sure i read for the 27. Would love this Christmas special to be set on Christmas or before. Angela turning up while they're eating the Christmas dinner would be perfect.
Just watched last nights episode & i thought the current series finished on a high.I found this episode to have more laugh out loud moments than any of the other episodes this series.1 of the laugh out loud moments was the Boris Johnson reference.I also liked the scene with the kids watching the youtube video.You could tell that all 3 were laughing for real.
Originally Posted by gerry d:
“I found this episode to have more laugh out loud moments than any of the other episodes this series”
“I found this episode to have more laugh out loud moments than any of the other episodes this series”
Sadly very few TV sitcoms can make you do this but Friday's Outnumbered was just brilliant. First laugh out loud moment was when Sue told the Solicitor guy at the door that the kids were eating their tea only for them all to be looking out the window with their noses pressed against it along with a fourth face, Ben's dummy which I thought was a genius touch.
The animals on You Tube, the phone conversation with Brick, the exchange student turning up with Sue's "Oh Sh*t" reaction, the teacher's glove box, Jake's 19 year old girlfriend only being 16 but still being a pole dancer (from Poland, not Lapland)....... the list is endless
Caught it again last night on BBC1. Roll on Christmas special, hope they make it an hour long.
I agree. Funniest sitcom around for many years, along with The Thick Of It. Loved it when Karen asked her dad (in this or previous episode) what's a sociopath? Nearly fell out of my seat.
Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish. I really like it, and am surprised that there's been somewhat of a backlash over it's quality. The older episodes must be dynamite, then!
Would love to see another series, and I can't be doing with the "the kids are getting too old to be cute and funny" argument, duh, they're kids! We shouldn't be deprived of a decent Brit sitcom just because the children are doing what all children inevitably do. The writing is good, the acting is decent (which is a fair rarity when working with young 'uns), and I think there's plenty more mileage as Ben and Karen are growing up.
Would love to see another series, and I can't be doing with the "the kids are getting too old to be cute and funny" argument, duh, they're kids! We shouldn't be deprived of a decent Brit sitcom just because the children are doing what all children inevitably do. The writing is good, the acting is decent (which is a fair rarity when working with young 'uns), and I think there's plenty more mileage as Ben and Karen are growing up.
Originally Posted by JSB1980:
“Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish. I really like it, and am surprised that there's been somewhat of a backlash over it's quality. The older episodes must be dynamite, then!
Would love to see another series, and I can't be doing with the "the kids are getting too old to be cute and funny" argument, duh, they're kids! We shouldn't be deprived of a decent Brit sitcom just because the children are doing what all children inevitably do. The writing is good, the acting is decent (which is a fair rarity when working with young 'uns), and I think there's plenty more mileage as Ben and Karen are growing up.”
“Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish. I really like it, and am surprised that there's been somewhat of a backlash over it's quality. The older episodes must be dynamite, then!
Would love to see another series, and I can't be doing with the "the kids are getting too old to be cute and funny" argument, duh, they're kids! We shouldn't be deprived of a decent Brit sitcom just because the children are doing what all children inevitably do. The writing is good, the acting is decent (which is a fair rarity when working with young 'uns), and I think there's plenty more mileage as Ben and Karen are growing up.”
They are fantastic - worth buying on DVD..
Originally Posted by mazzy50:
“They are fantastic - worth buying on DVD..”
“They are fantastic - worth buying on DVD..”
I am waiting for a DVD guide on how to deal with cold callers from Karen followed perhaps by dealing with junk telephone callers.
Originally Posted by JSB1980:
“Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish.”
“Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish.”
I'm a latecomer too - I discovered it at the beginning of the third series. I think a lot of the old episodes are on Youtube.
One of the themse running through the third series was that Jake (then 13) had a crush on one of the neighbours, Kelly. The final episode of series 3 was particularly good because Mum & Dad had to go to hospital with Karen after she had had an accident, so Kelly was at the house babysitting for the two boys. Jake got increasingly uncomfortable with Kelly because Ben was in the same room with them.
Originally Posted by JSB1980:
“Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish. I really like it, and am surprised that there's been somewhat of a backlash over it's quality. The older episodes must be dynamite, then!
Would love to see another series, and I can't be doing with the "the kids are getting too old to be cute and funny" argument, duh, they're kids! We shouldn't be deprived of a decent Brit sitcom just because the children are doing what all children inevitably do. The writing is good, the acting is decent (which is a fair rarity when working with young 'uns), and I think there's plenty more mileage as Ben and Karen are growing up.”
“Admittedly I'm a latecomer to Outnumbered, this is the first full series I've watched from start to finish. I really like it, and am surprised that there's been somewhat of a backlash over it's quality. The older episodes must be dynamite, then!
Would love to see another series, and I can't be doing with the "the kids are getting too old to be cute and funny" argument, duh, they're kids! We shouldn't be deprived of a decent Brit sitcom just because the children are doing what all children inevitably do. The writing is good, the acting is decent (which is a fair rarity when working with young 'uns), and I think there's plenty more mileage as Ben and Karen are growing up.”
This series was very good, but seriously you should look at the earlier ones. The were absolutely Brilliant!
Similar to others I wasn't thrilled with the earlier episodes of the latest season but absolutely loved the final episode when the German exchange student came to stay - he just added a little bit extra spark to the comedy and the reveal with Jake's girlfriend was good too
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