A couple of weeks ago, the local PBS station started airing a new (I assume it’s fairly new, as they referenced Barack Obama) Brit-Com called Outnumbered.
It’s about an English middle-class family of 5 (Mom, Dad, 3 young kids) and their day-to-day lives, with the kids being incredibly wise and insightful for their ages, and the parents lovingly befuddled with how to deal with them.
The formula is obviously nothing new, but the child actors may play the most annoying kids in the entire history of ALL television, (especially the youngest two) and I can’t remember seeing such an over the top portrayal of precocious children.
I wanted to hate it, (and I suppose that I do hate it after a fashion, but keep watching anyways) although there is something about it that has me watching again and again. (apparently I am not the only one, as the show is supposedly a big hit in the UK)
Any other Dopers familiar with Outnumbered?
Are the kids really as annoying as I seem to think?
I like it a lot. It’s not that new - there are three or four series of it. I think the kids are great comedy, myself. Annoying, yes, but they’re supposed to be giving the parents a run for their money. Any little kid is made cuter by a British accent. But then, I’m a parent of a teenager and a toddler, so I’m firmly in the middle of their target demographic. If you don’t like an episode or two, move on. It doesn’t change a whole lot.
I specifically stayed away from it because the idea of it sounded so smug. Then, out of a fit of boredom, I watched an episode. A day later and I had seen all of them and am now waiting and waiting for series four.
It has an appeal that it’s hard to put a finger on, as I absolutely LOATHE the middle child Ben, (I would enjoy seeing him get adopted out to Ceasario’s “farm” in the country, where he couldn’t annoy anyone ever again, once Ceasario got tired of him), but I watched again last night, and I can’t deny that the show has a hold on me.
The actress who plays the mother is a stone-cold stunner, and I guess that she is a big part of my fascination with the show.
It’s my wife’s favourite comedy here in Ireland too. I enjoy it greatly, and I don’t always like British humour.
Normally child actors make me sick, but these kids are really good - natural and relaxed. It’s obvious that the kids ad lib a lot, and some of it is very funny. Watch the reactions of the adult actors.
It’s not that new - it started in 2007 - but the episode you were watching must have been a newer one. It’s all a lot more realistic than many sitcoms, but TBH I sometimes find that a bit depressing.
The younger two kids are evil; I’m sure the little girl will eventually poison the crew or something. But they are interesting to watch and do actually remind me of a couple of particularly brattish kids I’ve known; they also have complete power over their parents, much like some parent-child relationships I’ve known.
I wouldn’t call them precocious, because they’re not supposed to be amazingly bright and they don’t say ‘cute things.’ Funny things, yeah, but I doubt any viewer has ever said ‘awww! that’s adorable!’ at something they’ve said.
The one where the kid is utterly obsessed by and refuses to see anything not concerned with WWII reminds me stunningly of myself at a certain age (though I think my topic was ‘ponies’).
That said, I watch the show with the inner belief that the parents, too, would like to ship the kids off somewhere. Maybe a farm in the country. Maybe to a gulag.
Never mind. Found some episodes online. I think the improv and banter from the kids is brilliant! Favorite lines so far:
KAREN: I want to watch Spongebob Squarepants! It’s educational because it tells you how to make a Krabby Patty and it shows how things work under the sea.
BEN: (after Sue cleans his room) What did you do to my room? It’s all full of… FLOOR!
BEN: (at church) Why does Jesus have that look on his face?
SUE: Well, he’s being crucified.
BEN: But he’s got nails in his hands! He should be going, “RAAAAAAHHHH!”
I felt exactly the same and suspected it would just be another “My family” (VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMIT!) but caught my first episode last week and now am totally hooked. It’s the dialogue that kills me, and Karen is easily my favourite character.
Sue: It would just be doing mummy a favour if you picked up the marbles.
Karen: But I didn’t spill them!
Sue: I’m not saying you spilt them, I’m just asking if you can pick them up.
Karen: But whoever spilt them should pick them up, it’s their responsibility.
Sue: It doesn’t matter who spilt them, I’m just asking if you could help mummy by picking them up!
Karen: Well what if a big ship carrying oil dropped it anywhere and made the birds all gooey and sticky and horrible you could just say, doesn’t matter, Karen can clean it up. It does matter!
