Is that a big deal or a common 'no-no' in TV or something? Serious question. I've just watched it again and only noticed as you've pointed it out, but I don't think it looks bad.

As for the episode itself, I agree with it being one of the best of any sitcom ever. It captured a working class family dealing with something like that perfectly, often without ever needing a line of dialogue. We all knew Jim and Norma loved to hate each other for example. And the party at the end, who hasn't been to a funeral where everyone has a laugh, gets drunk and celebrates the life of someone. Hope mine's like that.

The less said about subsequent episodes the better, but this was excellent.

My Wife came in as I watched the Queen of Sheba and watched with me. Her Grandad died this year. Not yhe wisest move. You could drown in the tears in this room.

The drop in the quality of writing and acting from Queen of Sheba (2006) to New Sofa (2008) is astounding.

I only point it out because it looked clumsy and would have been edited under normal circumstances. There was nothing ordinary about Caroline, her influence is apparent in every aspect of the show. She must have thought that the scene was so perfect that a tiny, tiny imperfection would make it even more believable.

Like Tommo85 I've rewatched the scene after reading your earlier comment, and I completely fail to see how it's a "serious mistake" for Barbara to pass between Norma and the camera. Sue Johnston must have been directed to walk from Norma's right side to her left side, and since Norma was sitting on the end of the bed there was nowhere else for Sue to walk except in front of her. Was Sue meant to walk behind the camera - is that what you mean?

I didn't realise that was a no-no even in conventional TV, but with The Royle Family's "fly on the wall" mock-documentary style I thought it was a case of pretty much anything goes.

Incidentally there is another episode (a later Christmas special I think) where Dave and Anthony are having a conversation, and the Smirnoff vodka bottle on the sideboard behind Dave's head is in a different rotational position on every shot of Dave. The scene must have been edited together from at least 4 takes!

I have always preferred Early Doors.

i cant watch the queen of sheba..... fantastic episode though it is, my mums 84....

I saw this when it was first on & thought it was brilliant. I haven't & can't watch it now as it's way too close to home for me.
Excellent writing & acting from all concerned.

Perhaps not, or perhaps it helps with grieving.

My mum died almost two years ago and seeing Nanna in her last days reminded me of my mum in her last days. Very emotional episode.

It was the best of the specials post Royle Family series, I think the episode is even sadder because of the passing of Caroline Aherne recently.

Mine passed away nearly two years ago at 91 and it's still raw. I can never watch this episode again for sure.

Wouldn't HAVE.

was raw for me. exactly like being a carer for my poor mum who died in march. we had a laugh at first when she first got stair lift in, I sang the thunderbirds theme. she had all the disabled gadgets tho she did cry when she had to go on oxygen. she tried to keep her sense of humour bless her .

Liz Smith dies:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/248158...amily-confirm/

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...-smith-9520101

Oh dear, only checked that she was still alive a couple of days ago 😞

Such sad news

Great. I might actually never be able to watch the Queen of Sheba ever again now.

"Night night Dabry Bavid"

I actually can't believe this, after watching Queen of Sheba the other night when it reminded me so much of my mum's passing, I thought Nana was actually invincible in real life. Just awful.

absolutely insane this happened just 4 days after it aired, and to lose 2 central characters in the space of a few months.

she never used to play central characters in programs I watched anyway but I thought she was so great playing these supporting roles.

sleep well Liz

Very sad news! She was in the same ward as my nan in hospital last week.
My daughter gave her a hand and face massage last Monday and she was so grateful for it.
Thoughts go out to her friends and family.

According to Wiki she actually died on Xmas Eve. When was Queen of Sheba on? 23rd?

Ian Hyland having a dig at the BBC on twitter for not announcing it on the news , but having a look online it seems most news sources announced it around the same time period ( including his paper The Mirror) I imagine once received they verify then report.

Me too, I wondered how old she was as I was sure she was still with us, sadly no longer.

RIP Nana.

she was 95..... a good innings.

im sure we can watch the queen of sheeba again one day. we still watch the vicar of dibley where she died, and lark rise where she died..

wasn't she in I didn't know you cared back in the day...she looked old then...basically played the same character, going to miss her, she was very lively for an old lady