United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN...... more

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Anamorphic Widescreen, Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The comedy quiz that refreshes the parts other shows don't even have names for. Here is the first, ground-breaking series of the programme that won Stephen Fry the Golden Rose of Montreux for the world's best game-show host. BBC2's smash-hit comedy is also the most popular programme on BBC4. It's a 26-year project, each series dealing with a different letter of the alphabet, and this is the one that started it all off. Here is an avalanche of askings on astronomy, anteaters, apples, Africa, aeroplanes, atoms, antelopes, anchovies, Antarctica and Azerbaijan all of it absolutely astonishing to Alan Davies (QI's resident loser and Stephen Fry's favourite stud-muffin). The friendliest show on British TV is graced by the cream of world-class comedy talent including Bill Bailey, Hugh Laurie, Rich Hall, Jo Brand, Meera Syall, Rob Brydon, Jeremy Clarkson, Jimmy Carr, Phill Jupitus, Sean Lock, Clive Anderson, Danny Baker, John Sessions, Jeremy Hardy, Linda Smith and Dave Gorman. Discover the definitive answers to the questions you didn't even know existed. Why don't pigeons go to the movies? Why are there no Alsatians in the Spanish army? What flavour is the oldest known soup? How do otters kill crocodiles? And what is the name of the 23rd tallest tree in the world? SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...QI - Series One - 2-DVD Set ( QI - Entire Series 1 ) ( QI XL )

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Britain From Above is the official book accompanying BBC's landmark television series of the same name airing in 2008 and will be presented by Andrew...... more

Britain From Above is the official book accompanying BBC's landmark television series of the same name airing in 2008 and will be presented by Andrew Marr. The centrepiece of the schedules, Britain From Above will air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC4.

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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN...... more

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Anamorphic Widescreen, Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The comedy quiz that refreshes the parts other shows don't even have names for. Here is the first, ground-breaking series of the programme that won Stephen Fry the Golden Rose of Montreux for the world's best game-show host. BBC2's smash-hit comedy is also the most popular programme on BBC4. It's a 26-year project, each series dealing with a different letter of the alphabet, and this is the one that started it all off. Here is an avalanche of askings on astronomy, anteaters, apples, Africa, aeroplanes, atoms, antelopes, anchovies, Antarctica and Azerbaijan all of it absolutely astonishing to Alan Davies (QI's resident loser and Stephen Fry's favourite stud-muffin). The friendliest show on British TV is graced by the cream of world-class comedy talent including Bill Bailey, Hugh Laurie, Rich Hall, Jo Brand, Meera Syall, Rob Brydon, Jeremy Clarkson, Jimmy Carr, Phill Jupitus, Sean Lock, Clive Anderson, Danny Baker, John Sessions, Jeremy Hardy, Linda Smith and Dave Gorman. Discover the definitive answers to the questions you didn't even know existed. Why don't pigeons go to the movies? Why are there no Alsatians in the Spanish army? What flavour is the oldest known soup? How do otters kill crocodiles? And what is the name of the 23rd tallest tree in the world? SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...QI - Series One - 2-DVD Set ( QI - Entire Series 1 ) ( QI XL )

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Britain From Above is the official book accompanying BBC's landmark television series of the same name airing in 2008 and will be presented by Andrew...... more

Britain From Above is the official book accompanying BBC's landmark television series of the same name airing in 2008 and will be presented by Andrew Marr. The centrepiece of the schedules, Britain From Above will air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC4.

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MRS BROWNS BOYS MRS BROWNS BOYS SERIES 1 (Regions 2 , 4 & 5) Brilliantly funny Irish comedian Brendan O'Carroll stars as out-spoken Irish mammy...... more

MRS BROWNS BOYS MRS BROWNS BOYS SERIES 1 (Regions 2 , 4 & 5) Brilliantly funny Irish comedian Brendan O'Carroll stars as out-spoken Irish mammy Agnes Brown in this brand new comedy series that aired on BBC One. Join Agnes Brown as she indulges in her favorite pastime - meddling in the lives of her six children! Whether she's tackling love, life, death or dealing with the in-laws - Mrs Brown is one mammy that you don't mess with. Prepare for a riot of bad behavior - It's a little bit rude, a little bit crude and hysterical fun for everyone. BBC SERIES 2 (Region 2) The nation's 'mammy' of comedy is back and badder than ever in her second series. TV's funniest and proudest mother, Agnes Brown, is back with the second series of her hit BBC comedy show. Mrs. Brown, the loveable Dublin matriarch, continues her quest to meddle and interfere in the lives of her long suffering 6 children, with even more shocking and hilarious consequences. The nation's most endearing mother hen is funnier than ever in her side-splitting second series. Thought you'd seen Mrs Brown at her most outrageous in series one? Well you ain't seen nothing yet!! BBC SERIES THREE (Regions 2, 4 & 5) All six episodes from the third series of the Dublin-set sitcom depicting the life and times of Mrs Agnes Brown (played by writer/director Brendan O'Carroll) and her unruly brood. In this series, Cathy (Jennifer Gibney) lets slip that she's thinking about breast implants to please Professor Clowne (Mike Pyatt) and Agnes is eager not to spend another Valentine's Day on her own. The episodes comprise: 'Mammy's Spell', 'Mammy's Inflation', 'Mammy's Break', 'Mammy's Valentine', 'Mammy?' and 'Mammy Swings'. Bonus Features: Brendan's Surprise Deleted & Extended Scenes Alternative Scene Endings End of Series Wrap Tape Mrs Brown's Boys Live Tour: Good Mourning Mrs Brown Trailer Mrs Browns Boys - Series 2 Trailer

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The Easyfind LNB is unique, making short work of locating the satellite with a portable dish setup. Ideal for caravan and motorhome setups, no compass or...... more

The Easyfind LNB is unique, making short work of locating the satellite with a portable dish setup. Ideal for caravan and motorhome setups, no compass or satellite meter is required - it takes no more than a minute or two to align the dish and get a perfect signal without running back indoors to see the screen. The brand new HD receiver also now features a USB PVR recorder, this means that you can record live TV, pause and rewind as well as schedule a recording using the EPG. Crystal clear BBC1, BBC HD, BBC2, ITV, C4, CH5 and thousands more standard and HD channels, including hundreds of radio stations too. Fully pre-programmed to tune in to up to 7 different satellites to expand the channel selection even more. Providing you with endless HD entertainment on your 12 volt television. The Easyfind LNB is equipped with a coloured LED, which indicates when a valid signal for the selected satellite is being received. It ignores all other satellite signals, flashing red until it receives the correct signal, then flashing amber and green as the signal strength increases and to a solid green light when a full signal lock is achieved. Our caravan satellite systems all contain everything required to watch Free to Air HD Digital Satellite TV, except for the 12v TV itself. . Chose the 40cm Compact System for travel in England and the Welsh borders. Mounts are provided to fix the 44cm steel satellite dish to the wall, a pole or a table. It also has a suction mount for attaching to smooth surfaces such as an outdoor table, roof, etc. Alternatively simply rest on the ground using the foot provided, it's as easy as that. It comes in its own black compact suitcase for easy storage and superb protection whilst in transport. In each kit is the dish, receiver, clear instructions, Easy Find LNB, cables and all fixings and plugs, even including the Scart lead

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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew...... more

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Alcoholocaust is the brand new 2010 show from Jim Jefferies (now with added E) the globally renowned Australian stand-up comedian. This show will include some of Jim's favourite wild antics over the past year and as always Jim's material is set in reality, which is what provides him with his trademark brutally frank style. You will hear about a hilarious and often touching true story about his friend's severely disabled brother plus Jim's traditional pet hates. *Alcoholocaust: (Meaning: The aftermath of a drinking party, usually resulting in every available horizontal surface being covered in empty booze containers, spilled beverages, and a general sticky alcoholic residue.) Alcoholocaust was recorded in July 2010 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, London and features a live and uncut performance which sees Jim in stunning 'booze-fuelled' form in front of an ecstatic sell-out West End audience. Star of the his own one-hour HBO special 'I Swear To God' In the UK Jim can also currently be seen as the face of Comedy Central's 'Grouchy Young Men' and has appeared on the BBC1's 'Have I Got News For BBC 2's 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks', Ch4's '8 Out of 10 Cat's', ...Jim Jefferies Alcoholocaust ( Jim Jefferies: Alcoholocaust - Live from London )

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When Gimme Gimme Gimme first hit the television screen in 1998, it immediately divided the critics. Plenty loathed it, but it soon acquired cult comedy status...... more

When Gimme Gimme Gimme first hit the television screen in 1998, it immediately divided the critics. Plenty loathed it, but it soon acquired cult comedy status in the BBC2 post-watershed tradition. Since then it has gone mainstream on BBC1 but as the first series shows, its appeal lies in a surreal anarchy. Linda (Kathy Burke, brilliant) and Tom (James Dreyfus, who went on to star with Bette Midler in her ill-fated sitcom) live in a world of self-delusion. They are the ultimate misfits; a grotesque ladette who thinks she is "gorgeous" and worships Liam Gallagher and a neurotic gay actor who can't land a decent part for toffee but cherishes a secret passion for Simon Shephard, the smooth star of popular television dramas such as Peak Practice. They trade non-PC insults like most people make small talk (Linda: "There's no such thing as gay. It's just laziness."), yet are totally reliant on each other. It's vulgar, coarse, often outrageous and certainly not for the faint-hearted. But in most parts it is extremely funny. And if the self-regarding cuteness of so many US comedy imports turns your stomach, you'll love it. This is Will and Grace, on cocaine, in a parallel universe. On the DVD: presented in standard 14:9 format with stereo soundtrack, this disk simply gives you the first series of Gimme Gimme Gimme exactly as it appeared on television. So the picture and sound quality are fine. Just select your favourite episode from the index and laugh away. The lack of extras is disappointing. There must be some great outtakes, which would have added a bit of value; so would biographies of the stars and writer Jonathan Harvey, who has become one of the UK's best young playwrights. --Piers Ford

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NOW YOU CAN WATCH UK TV WHEN ABROAD, WITH THIS USB DEVICE "EVERY Traveller and expat should have one" - Never Miss a TV Show when Abroad - Easy to USE Plug and...... more

NOW YOU CAN WATCH UK TV WHEN ABROAD, WITH THIS USB DEVICE "EVERY Traveller and expat should have one" - Never Miss a TV Show when Abroad - Easy to USE Plug and Play Technology - No More to pay for ITV and BBC Player - Use in any computer or laptop xp, vista, win7, win8 How many times Have you been Abroad, There is Internet but no UK TV? Connection but No UK TV.With TCC MiPlayer You can get all Your Favourite Uk Channels and More.ThIs USB dongle is the only Devise Available to give you these following options in an easy to use window. Here are Some of the options available - Once Purchased Pay No More for ITV and BBC Player where ever you are in the World - you can then Upgrade Online to Watch a Host More TV Like..... - Sky GO, Netflix (needs the nescersary subscriptions) - Live UK TV...Filmon, channel4, ITV 1,2,3,and 4 , BBC 1,2,3, - Spanish Channels Teledeporte, tdp, Antenna 3, La Sexta and TVE 1 - Extra Catchup Uk Channels, Demand Five, STV, 5 USA, UTV, Dave and Channel4 - Access UK National Lottery or your Betfair account - TV Series like Touch, Bones, Nikita, The Walking Dead, Shameless USA, 24, CSI, CSI Miami, CSI New YORK - New Channels being added to the Premium Section as available. Quality Assured The TCC MiPlayer usb Dongle has been made to the Highest standard,is backed by a team of top Software Engineers.The Team are always looking for ways to improve Customer Experience so you can be assured you always have the most recent programs added to your player. Our Guarantee We are so Confident that you will love this Product we, its the Only USB Player which is backed by a 3 YearNo Hassle free PRODUCT REPLACEMENT Guarantee. How do i Buy the TCC MiPlayer ? Dont Wait Grab this while its at this low Price.-Go to the top of this page and click on the Orange Button right now.

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On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television: a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny--Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series).The Royle Family marked an on-screen reunion for Brookside-actors Ricky Tomlinson (who plays bearded, big-hearted, banjo-playing Jim Royle) and Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the driving force behind the Royle household. It is smart casting because The Royle Family is as much a soap opera as a situation comedy. Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sitcoms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis, who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World", this programme just keeps getting better.But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family. (The scripts from the series are available to buy.) Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless: Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a Cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what its come to?" Not quite: because as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

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On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television: a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny--Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series).The Royle Family marked an on-screen reunion for Brookside-actors Ricky Tomlinson (who plays bearded, big-hearted, banjo-playing Jim Royle) and Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the driving force behind the Royle household. It is smart casting because The Royle Family is as much a soap opera as a situation comedy. Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sitcoms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis, who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World", this programme just keeps getting better.But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family. (The scripts from the series are available to buy.) Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless: Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a Cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what its come to?" Not quite: because as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

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On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television--a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny. It's Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series). Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sit-coms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis--who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World"--this programme just keeps getting better. But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family's. Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless. Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what it's come to?" Not quite; as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew...... more

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Alcoholocaust is the brand new 2010 show from Jim Jefferies (now with added E) the globally renowned Australian stand-up comedian. This show will include some of Jim's favourite wild antics over the past year and as always Jim's material is set in reality, which is what provides him with his trademark brutally frank style. You will hear about a hilarious and often touching true story about his friend's severely disabled brother plus Jim's traditional pet hates. *Alcoholocaust: (Meaning: The aftermath of a drinking party, usually resulting in every available horizontal surface being covered in empty booze containers, spilled beverages, and a general sticky alcoholic residue.) Alcoholocaust was recorded in July 2010 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, London and features a live and uncut performance which sees Jim in stunning 'booze-fuelled' form in front of an ecstatic sell-out West End audience. Star of the his own one-hour HBO special 'I Swear To God' In the UK Jim can also currently be seen as the face of Comedy Central's 'Grouchy Young Men' and has appeared on the BBC1's 'Have I Got News For BBC 2's 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks', Ch4's '8 Out of 10 Cat's', ...Jim Jefferies Alcoholocaust ( Jim Jefferies: Alcoholocaust - Live from London )

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When Gimme Gimme Gimme first hit the television screen in 1998, it immediately divided the critics. Plenty loathed it, but it soon acquired cult comedy status...... more

When Gimme Gimme Gimme first hit the television screen in 1998, it immediately divided the critics. Plenty loathed it, but it soon acquired cult comedy status in the BBC2 post-watershed tradition. Since then it has gone mainstream on BBC1 but as the first series shows, its appeal lies in a surreal anarchy. Linda (Kathy Burke, brilliant) and Tom (James Dreyfus, who went on to star with Bette Midler in her ill-fated sitcom) live in a world of self-delusion. They are the ultimate misfits; a grotesque ladette who thinks she is "gorgeous" and worships Liam Gallagher and a neurotic gay actor who can't land a decent part for toffee but cherishes a secret passion for Simon Shephard, the smooth star of popular television dramas such as Peak Practice. They trade non-PC insults like most people make small talk (Linda: "There's no such thing as gay. It's just laziness."), yet are totally reliant on each other. It's vulgar, coarse, often outrageous and certainly not for the faint-hearted. But in most parts it is extremely funny. And if the self-regarding cuteness of so many US comedy imports turns your stomach, you'll love it. This is Will and Grace, on cocaine, in a parallel universe. On the DVD: presented in standard 14:9 format with stereo soundtrack, this disk simply gives you the first series of Gimme Gimme Gimme exactly as it appeared on television. So the picture and sound quality are fine. Just select your favourite episode from the index and laugh away. The lack of extras is disappointing. There must be some great outtakes, which would have added a bit of value; so would biographies of the stars and writer Jonathan Harvey, who has become one of the UK's best young playwrights. --Piers Ford

... less

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television: a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny--Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series).The Royle Family marked an on-screen reunion for Brookside-actors Ricky Tomlinson (who plays bearded, big-hearted, banjo-playing Jim Royle) and Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the driving force behind the Royle household. It is smart casting because The Royle Family is as much a soap opera as a situation comedy. Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sitcoms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis, who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World", this programme just keeps getting better.But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family. (The scripts from the series are available to buy.) Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless: Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a Cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what its come to?" Not quite: because as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

... less

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television--a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny. It's Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series). Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sit-coms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis--who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World"--this programme just keeps getting better. But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family's. Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless. Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what it's come to?" Not quite; as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

... less

When Gimme Gimme Gimme first hit the television screen in 1998, it immediately divided the critics. Plenty loathed it, but it soon acquired cult comedy status...... more

When Gimme Gimme Gimme first hit the television screen in 1998, it immediately divided the critics. Plenty loathed it, but it soon acquired cult comedy status in the BBC2 post-watershed tradition. Since then it has gone mainstream on BBC1 but as the first series shows, its appeal lies in a surreal anarchy. Linda (Kathy Burke, brilliant) and Tom (James Dreyfus, who went on to star with Bette Midler in her ill-fated sitcom) live in a world of self-delusion. They are the ultimate misfits; a grotesque ladette who thinks she is "gorgeous" and worships Liam Gallagher and a neurotic gay actor who can't land a decent part for toffee but cherishes a secret passion for Simon Shephard, the smooth star of popular television dramas such as Peak Practice. They trade non-PC insults like most people make small talk (Linda: "There's no such thing as gay. It's just laziness."), yet are totally reliant on each other. It's vulgar, coarse, often outrageous and certainly not for the faint-hearted. But in most parts it is extremely funny. And if the self-regarding cuteness of so many US comedy imports turns your stomach, you'll love it. This is Will and Grace, on cocaine, in a parallel universe. On the DVD: presented in standard 14:9 format with stereo soundtrack, this disk simply gives you the first series of Gimme Gimme Gimme exactly as it appeared on television. So the picture and sound quality are fine. Just select your favourite episode from the index and laugh away. The lack of extras is disappointing. There must be some great outtakes, which would have added a bit of value; so would biographies of the stars and writer Jonathan Harvey, who has become one of the UK's best young playwrights. --Piers Ford

... less

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television: a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny--Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series).The Royle Family marked an on-screen reunion for Brookside-actors Ricky Tomlinson (who plays bearded, big-hearted, banjo-playing Jim Royle) and Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the driving force behind the Royle household. It is smart casting because The Royle Family is as much a soap opera as a situation comedy. Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sitcoms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis, who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World", this programme just keeps getting better.But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family. (The scripts from the series are available to buy.) Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless: Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a Cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what its come to?" Not quite: because as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

... less

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television: a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny--Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series).The Royle Family marked an on-screen reunion for Brookside-actors Ricky Tomlinson (who plays bearded, big-hearted, banjo-playing Jim Royle) and Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the driving force behind the Royle household. It is smart casting because The Royle Family is as much a soap opera as a situation comedy. Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sitcoms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis, who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World", this programme just keeps getting better.But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family. (The scripts from the series are available to buy.) Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless: Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a Cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what its come to?" Not quite: because as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

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On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue...... more

On paper, The Royle Family doesn't sound that promising: a working-class family from Manchester sit in their cluttered living room, watch the telly and argue over domestic details (the arrival of a telephone bill, for instance, provides the big dramatic event of the first episode, which aired in September 1998). But from such small everyday incidents, Royle Family creators Caroline Aherne and Dave Best (who play young couple Denise and Dave) have crafted one of the most successful shows on British television: a comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life that's warm, honest and very, very funny--Britain's answer to The Simpsons, whose success the show rivalled when it started broadcasting on BBC2 (the programme jumped channels to BBC1 for its second series).The Royle Family marked an on-screen reunion for Brookside-actors Ricky Tomlinson (who plays bearded, big-hearted, banjo-playing Jim Royle) and Sue Johnston as his wife Barbara, the driving force behind the Royle household. It is smart casting because The Royle Family is as much a soap opera as a situation comedy. Now in its third series, The Royle Family has seen its characters develop like real folk. Denise and Dave got married and now have a little sprog; Barbara starts menopause (how many sitcoms are brave enough to use that for laughs?) and Denise's kid brother Anthony shakes off his surly adolescence when he turned 18 in series two. Unlike Oasis, who provide the shows theme song "Halfway Round the World", this programme just keeps getting better.But no soap--not even Brookside in its dafter moments--has one-liners as brilliantly crafted as The Royle Family. (The scripts from the series are available to buy.) Slouched in his armchair, Jim's dour running commentary on the TV shows that are on at the time are particularly priceless: Changing Rooms, for instance, boils down to "a Cockney knocking nails into plywood... Is this what its come to?" Not quite: because as long as the Royle Family are around, there is something worthwhile to watch. --Edward Lawrenson

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