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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
I was very disappointed with this programme. As a long-term Royle fan, I simply don't understand why the writers have taken the show so far from its roots in observational humour and true-to-life dialogue, and placed it in a context of unbelievable slapstick.
Character continuity: Dave and Denise began as street-smart, working-class people. Denise was always lazy, but never thick. Dave used to banter with Jim, but is now hard-pressed to understand the very basics of life. Why on earth has his character been dumbed down into total farce?
Dave's dad was repeatedly spoken of in series one as Peg-leg Pete, Limp-along Leslie, who, after some years of working at Duggan's was "on the disability". The Dave senior we were introduced to here was nothing like that, and was portrayed as middle-class, and a pernickety, annoying man.
Baby David was born on Christmas Day, but we're led to believe here that his parents care so little for him and baby Norma that they have farmed them out to Anthony to look after. And how believable is it when Denise says to Barbara, "Well, Christmas Day isn't a day for kids, is it?" Where on earth would that come from in a character from a closely-knit family? Frankly, the jokes about Dave and Denise being poor parents lack humour and are disturbing rather than funny. Also not believable that Barbara would just accept Denise's treatment of the children.
As to the farcical scenes with the turkey and, indeed, the rest of the Christmas meal, they were just irritating and embarrassing. Dave and Denise would have to be mentally subnormal for those scenes to ring true. Instructions for stirring Oxo cubes into water; cup-a-soup served as a starter on Christmas Day; everyone being happy to just eat carrot crush; only preparing enough potatoes for one each, and then burning them; offering bread in the form of oblongs or triangles; using a whole packet of Stork dolloped into the roasting tin. Come on, how insulting is that to working-class viewers?!
The whole thing came across as some kind of unfunny parody of the Royle Family, and that's not what savvy admirers of the series want to see.
Character continuity: Dave and Denise began as street-smart, working-class people. Denise was always lazy, but never thick. Dave used to banter with Jim, but is now hard-pressed to understand the very basics of life. Why on earth has his character been dumbed down into total farce?
Dave's dad was repeatedly spoken of in series one as Peg-leg Pete, Limp-along Leslie, who, after some years of working at Duggan's was "on the disability". The Dave senior we were introduced to here was nothing like that, and was portrayed as middle-class, and a pernickety, annoying man.
Baby David was born on Christmas Day, but we're led to believe here that his parents care so little for him and baby Norma that they have farmed them out to Anthony to look after. And how believable is it when Denise says to Barbara, "Well, Christmas Day isn't a day for kids, is it?" Where on earth would that come from in a character from a closely-knit family? Frankly, the jokes about Dave and Denise being poor parents lack humour and are disturbing rather than funny. Also not believable that Barbara would just accept Denise's treatment of the children.
As to the farcical scenes with the turkey and, indeed, the rest of the Christmas meal, they were just irritating and embarrassing. Dave and Denise would have to be mentally subnormal for those scenes to ring true. Instructions for stirring Oxo cubes into water; cup-a-soup served as a starter on Christmas Day; everyone being happy to just eat carrot crush; only preparing enough potatoes for one each, and then burning them; offering bread in the form of oblongs or triangles; using a whole packet of Stork dolloped into the roasting tin. Come on, how insulting is that to working-class viewers?!
The whole thing came across as some kind of unfunny parody of the Royle Family, and that's not what savvy admirers of the series want to see.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Was really looking forward to this but was bitterly disappointed. Not the same without all the original cast members. The storyline was too ridiculous in parts. Nowhere near as funny as previous episodes.
This was funny, although not as funny as the 3 series they made. Definitely a must for royle family fans!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Review of The Role Family Christmas Special
Side splitting hilarious entertainment!!!Fantastic deadpan acting from Caroline Aherne and the crew. The 'turkey' scene in the bathroom is genius. A must see for all fans
Published 10 months ago by Moll
Loved it!
I used to love the royle family series and was sad to see it end. I don't know what people are complaining about in some of the revies so clam down people and just take it for what... Read more
Published on 10 May 2010 by Buyer from UK
Hilarious
I bought this after watching the Box set of the other series.
This is so hilarious. The usual boring and uneventful kind of Royle family shows we are used to but this... Read more
This is so hilarious. The usual boring and uneventful kind of Royle family shows we are used to but this... Read more
Published on 9 May 2010 by Mr. M. Genet
A favourite series turned sour
When the Royle family WERE the Royle Family, I would have loved to join them for birthday celebrations, Sunday lunch, Baby David's christening or just to chat over a cup of tea in... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2010 by Little Ethel
The Royle`s "The New Sofa" is A hit With Me
I havent seen this 2008 Christmas Special before ,But I Will tell you this ,I cant think of anything better than spending 50 min or so watching The Royles` and getting a real... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2010 by Pete (Smarty Pants)
At least they stay out of the lavatory.
I did not review this last year on account of being unable to find a single positive thing to say to balance my comments about a previously loved and admired comedy series. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2010 by Rama Lama Ding Dong
Slapstick with a Turkey
The problem with this episode is that it moved away from the fantastic observational, character comedy that the show was know for and instead we get slapstick and cheap gags. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2009 by Mr. T. Hart
HILARIOUS!
I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions but I can't agree with the critics on this one.
For me this was my favourite Royle Family episode ever! Read more
For me this was my favourite Royle Family episode ever! Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2009 by Jean
Well below previous standard
Like many people, I was eagerly anticipating this latest Royle episode.
Somehow from the first scene where Jim is messily eating the After Eights, it began to feel wrong. Read more
Somehow from the first scene where Jim is messily eating the After Eights, it began to feel wrong. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2009 by Charles Pooter
What a way to spoil a legend
I love the Royle Family, the simplicity and subtlety of it works perfectly. But this special is totally different, it's ridiculous. Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2009 by Yorksteve
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