Review of Next of Kin

The high score for this thin and canned-laughter filled comedy baffles me. The first season is 'moderately' funny in a slow-moving...gentle comedy sort of fashion but from then on it progressively slides down the slope. Penelope Keith, capable of very talented acting shows her age and lack of enthusiasm and her co-star, although somewhat better, is still just delivering most of the lines. Probably my fault for expecting the quality of her abilities exhibited in The Good Life or To the Manor Born. Like many other comedies produced in the 90's by BBC it is what one might term a 'Bic comedy'...that is to say it is completely disposable. Watch it once and never think of it again. By the time season 3 has started the show is now nothing about the 'next of kin' and the children, but simply a vehicle to rant on about the loss of their previous privileged lifestyle. From improbable to ridiculous the canned laughter can't keep this dog alive and mercifully it is put to sleep after an exhausting 3 seasons. For lovers of Penelope it's worth a watch IF ONLY to demonstrate how even good actors can't save a poorly and thinly written storyline. It's no surprise as well that aside from the 2 leads, the other actors did NOT go on to any great success.