Enjoy these never-before-seen My Family outtakes

29 May 2020 17:08

The makers of My Family have a special treat to help us celebrate the hit sitcom’s 20th anniversary. Here's a very enjoyable compilation of never-before-seen outtakes, featuring Zoë, Robert Lindsay (who introduces them) and several of their castmates.

It was revealed during the recent My Family cast reunion on The One Show that fans would soon be able to enjoy laughs from behind the scenes. If you missed the reunion interview with Zoe, Robert Lindsay and Kris Marshall, you can catch up below.

While the outtakes are all from My Family's later series, UK viewers can go right back to the beginning on Friday nights at 8 pm, thanks to BBC One’s series one reruns. In this week’s classic episode, ‘Farewell to Alarms’, the Harpers’ lives are turned upside down by the world’s most temperamental burglar alarm.

For even more laughs (let's face it, we're all in need of light relief right now), you can watch every series of My Family on the BBC iPlayer.

perma-linktweet this

The One Show brings us a Harper family reunion!

20 May 2020 02:57

There's a real buzz around the BBC's primetime reruns of My Family, and now we're being treated to a Harper clan reunion, thanks to another popular programme.

Zoë will be interviewed by presenters Alex Jones and Alex Scott on The One Show on 20 May (7 pm, BBC One) about the comedy's enduring appeal. Joining her to reminisce will be two of her My Family co-stars, Robert Lindsay and Kris Marshall.

Zoë first appeared on The One Show back in 2011 - the same year My Family bowed out - to talk about the film My Week with Marilyn, in which she plays Marilyn Monroe's formidable acting coach. Here she is photographed with Alex Jones and Matt Baker at the time.

BBC One's next My Family rerun will be on 22 May at 8 pm - it's the episode called 'The Last Resort', which is one of my favourites. Susan has a birthday she certainly won't forget in a hurry at a rather dodgy B&B!

If you don't want to wait 'til then, you'll be pleased to hear that every series of My Family is available to stream on the BBC iPlayer.

With thanks to Janet for her help.

perma-linktweet this

Birthday wishes for Zoë

13 May 2020 01:31

13 May is Zoë's birthday! I'm sure you'll join me in sending every good wish to our favourite leading lady.

Happy birthday, Zoë, and many happy returns!

Updated 20 May...

Talented photographer John Cairns has shared a couple of lovely photos of Zoë on Instagram in celebration of her birthday.

perma-linktweet this

The Harpers are back on the BBC (and iPlayer)!

26 April 2020 23:56

Twenty years (yes, really!) after the first series was originally shown, hugely popular sitcom My Family is back on BBC One – and in a primetime, Friday night slot to boot!

Series one hasn't been repeated on the BBC's main channel since 2000. The very first episode, ‘The Serpent’s Tooth’ (in which Robert Lindsay’s disgruntled Ben discovers Zoë’s Susan is ‘seeing’ another dentist...), made a welcome return on 24 April at 8 pm. Episode two, ‘Pain in the Class’, sees the Harpers unite against a school bully and will be shown this Friday, 1 May, at the same time.

But perhaps you prefer to stream TV shows instead. If so, you'll be thrilled to hear that every series of My Family is now available to watch whenever you want on the BBC iPlayer. That's eleven series, with 119 episodes in total!

A My Family boxset binge is a fantastic way to chase away the lockdown blues. For more escapism, check out my list of TV shows starring Zoë to watch while staying home.

perma-linktweet this

Rare chance to hear Such Rotten Luck series two

15 April 2020 22:19

The first series of Such Rotten Luck made a welcome return to the airwaves earlier this year, and I’m pleased to say BBC Radio 4 Extra is now broadcasting the comedy-drama’s equally witty second series. As far as I know, this is the first time in five years that series two has been aired.

The opening episode finds Zoë’s Gila and her husband, struggling writer Woodhouse (played by Tim Pigott-Smith), about to become parents, but the latter's head is still in the clouds. When he gets a call out of the blue, will Gila be able to persuade him not to look a gift horse in the mouth?

You can catch up with the series two opener on BBC Sounds or listen to the repeat on Radio 4 Extra this Saturday, 18 April, at 12:30 pm. The other episodes in this six-part series are set to air on Tuesdays at 9:30 am, with each one being repeated a couple of times (see the schedule for details).

perma-linktweet this