It would be fair enough to say that Channel 4 have had a comedy success or two in recent years. It would be fairer to say that Big Talk Productions, the people behind Spaced and Shaun of the Dead, know a good script when they see it.
"What did you say I should do with this?"
So when you combine the two and add Robert Popper, veteran of comedies such as Peep Show (as producer), South Park (as writer) and The Inbetweeners, you can’t help but feel you’re onto a sure thing.
Friday Night Dinner comes to Channel 4 on a wave of comedy pedigree both in front of and behind the camera. Popper has employed Tamsin Greig (Green Wing, Black Books), Paul Ritter (Pulling), Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners and director Steve Bendelack (The League of Gentleman) to help him realise a project he has written and produced.
Based upon the weekly dinner ritual with Popper’s own family, who were, by his own admission, “unbearable, but in a good way”, the new comedy “is a brilliantly funny, fresh and well observed take on family life with something of a dream cast” says commissioning editor Darren Smith.
Focusing on the eponymous mealtime of brothers Adam (Bird) and Jonny (newcomer Tom Rosenthal), who return to their parents’ home on a weekly basis to break bread, the comedy features the excruciating familiarity and embarrassment that can only be conjured by the closest of families.
At a boisterous preview in central London, we were treated to two episodes from the six-part series – the odd choice of episodes two and six – and the show did not fail to live up to expectations. Ranging from the quite funny to the hilarious, the show has a unique family dynamic that plumbs the laughs out of Popper’s own experiences.
With a handpicked cast, including guest star Mark Heap (Spaced, Brasseye), whom Popper describes as “the funniest man on the planet”, the close quarters of the family home provide the perfect setting for a comedy that hinges on sibling rivalry, embarrassed children and shameless parents.
Black Books is long gone and The Inbetweeners is rumoured to end after its big screen outing. Channel 4 needs another great comedy and by all accounts Popper has delivered it. According to Greig, when it comes to comedy “you smell good stuff and he (Popper) smells great!”
Enough said.
Friday Night Dinner starts on Friday 25th February on Channel 4.
