User Reviews

Everyone in this hilarious comedy series pulls their weight. Tamsin Grieg is especially brilliant as the wacky mom trying to keep it all together, when her brood gathers for shabat dinner. If you thought she was funny in Episodes, she's just as good here. Each character is just balls out funny, and the cast's chemistry together is spot on. Simple situations that go awry every Friday night when the two boys come home for their weekly family gathering, are inspired and original. The writing is sharp, precise and just plain crazy. The quirks are consistent and so are the laughs. I love that the two 20-something boys fall back on school-boy prank behaviour when they're under mom and dad's roof. Family dynamics are universal, so everyone will find something to relate to. Enjoy.

I started watching this series a couple of months ago and I am currently going through it a second time. It's so hilarious that you can't get enough of it. I'll probably keep coming back to it and re-watching it every once in a while. Even though obviously some things are exaggerated for comedy purposes, Jackie's especially annoying, but I know she's meant to be that way. Martin is probably my favourite character, it's unbelievable how good his character is. Jonny and Adam are both hilarious, but I think the overall caricature-type of characteristics of this family is what makes it so funny. The Goodman family and their friends would not be as hilarious if one of the characters weren't part of the story. Jim is another favourite of mine (probably quite typical of most people) as he's creepy but in an adorable way, one that kind of makes him lets it pass. He's just a lonely guy and you can't help but feel sorry for him. Anyway, probably up there with The Inbetweeners. This is why I love British humour, and I get why the British say that is is good. The Americans couldn't do this kind of thing with their remakes.

Friday night dinner, with The Goodmans, a regular family of four, who seem to attract trouble, and people who are.......let's say larger than life.

I was way too late to the party, bit once I discovered it, I couldn't switch it off. Comedy of the highest order, even though the show follows a similar routine and formula, the comedy does not, the writing is so incredibly good, that it switches up.

The four main characters are outstanding, and the source of moat of the laughs, the boys squabbling and fighting is always the best aspect for me. Jim is wonderfully crazy, Grandma is sweet, horrible Grandma is a scream.

It's hugely consistent from start to finish, if I had to pick a favourite series, it would have to be the first one, each episode is a classic.

The most surprising episode comes in Series Five, Wilson, which is a total change in pace, and very moving.

Please don't let it end at series six, there is definitely more running in the legs here, we need more.

Classic comedy, 9/10.

Have watched this series several times in the past, but have just watched it again due to the sad news of Paul Ritter's death. He definitely was the funniest character in this entire series and I can't see how they can make another as how can anyone replace him? A sad loss RIP Paul Ritter.

This is a really good example of a situation comedy where relatively small and seemingly trivial things can be focused on and expanded into hilarious situations. The show rarely extends beyond the confines of the house and typically revolves around the four main characters with the strange neighbour next door making regular appearances and perhaps another individual included for the particular episode in question.

There is a very strong cast and the comedy is balanced between a decent plot, (or set-up), excellent dialogue and some visual humour. It really does have the feel of a family with the little nuances that make family life very funny at times. This is a quality show, which may be under the radar a little, compared to other more high profile productions, but actually is far better than most of them.

Well worth watching an entire episode, (they wrap themselves up quite neatly and satisfactorily in the end), if you haven't heard or seen it before. Far more people are going to enjoy this than not.

I watched episode one under protest and thought "what a load of crap". Three years later, I am hooked and I have watched the whole lot at least ten times over. Tamsin (Mummy) and Mark (Jim) are my stars but it wouldn't work without the whole ensemble A very low budget TV show with no special effects. Props are limited to a frozen fox and a splitting images Prince Charles mask.

This classic relies on nothing more than brilliant writing and acting.

They both conspire to make my belly ache with laughter.

I die every time that Jim flinches away from Wilson. Genius comedy.

Not to mention Gran accidentally kissing dad on the chest.

More please.

Came across this comedy totally by accident, and what a great find it has proved to be. The family dynamic is so reminiscent of most families I know, but this family takes it to a totally new level. The father is by far the star of the show, only for his total ignorance of what the mother is trying to achieve each weekend. With hilarious consequences. The crazy neighbour Jim and his terrifying, yet obviously timid dog, are beyond comedic value. The hand over mouth, and laugh out loud moments Jim is involved with seriously does make him a main character in this show. All in all, this comedy makes you think you've seen all a family get together can produce. Then Friday Night Dinner happens. It is a beautiful show. Well written, well directed, well acted, and well received.

Friday Night Dinner is an excellent sitcom starring Tasmin Greig, Simon Bird, Paul Ritter and Tom Rosenthal. Paul Ritter who plays Dad is particularly funny and provides the most gags in each episode. One of my favourite shows on TV! I've never laughed so much watching some of these episodes. All 3 series are funny, crude and extremely well written. I prefer Simon Bird in this role as Adam than I do as Will in The Inbetweeners and I love The Inbetweeners so that's saying something. Nothing but praise for Friday Night Dinner. Jim the neighbour is also brilliant, the idea of him being frightened of his own dog makes me laugh and Jim is just hilarious and awkward.

Outstanding series, I would recommend it highly! It's a shame we only have 3 series, I really want more of Friday Night Dinner.

I started watching friday night dinner in around April 2020 on recommendation from my brother and as I knew Simon Bird from his role as Will in the inbetweeners, i thought i would give it a watch. I usually find it so hard to get into tv shows but this, I was hooked straight away and could not stop watching. Each episode is around 20-25 minutes long so it was very easy to watch. The sitcom, which is cleverly written by Robert Popper, is about 2 brothers, Adam ( played by Simon bird) and Jonny ( played my Tom rosenthal) who go to their parents house each week for their traditional Jewish Friday night dinner, mum is played by tamsin greig and dad is played by Paul Ritter. They always get a visit by their very unusual neighbor Jim, ( played by Mark heap) and his dog wilson.

The concept of each episode remains pretty much the same each time but it is what actually occurs during the episode that makes it as funny as what it is. As I said previously, this show is so cleverly written that to me it just feels so natural, relatable and most of the time you forget these are just actors playing roles, they seem like a real family and I think that's what makes the show for me. It gives me the impression that we are spectators looking in on this family's life and all of the occurrences that take place in it, it doesn't seem forced in any way. And with the way it is written it allowed the show to be taken to so many different places, while still keeping the main concept of the show, without it becoming repetitive or boring.

I find it so hard to pick a favourite episode or season as to me they are all so good for different reasons but if I had to pick a standout episode I would say the mercedes ( season 1, episode 5) and my standout season would have to be season 4, especially because the two Tony's episode (season 4 episode 1) and the funeral ( season 4 episode 5)

This show is just top tier, and nearly a year on from finding it, I have watched it countless times, it will forever be one of my favourites! I am hoping for another season!

It is definitely worth a watch 100%

This show is, I say again,absolute Class. The writing of this show is pristine, very life like yet still funny. Paul Ritter - Martin is the funniest character on TV, so dopey and grubby. The fact that he's deaf makes it funnier because he always mistakes what people are saying, and he just does silly things. Jim is also oddly hilarious. In every episode he pops up to the house, and is very unintelligent. His approach is just hilarious. The two Boys are like two young kids, calling each other names and playing pranks, but this works well for the show, and the mother is very motherly, but joins in with the banter also.

Comedies like these don't come often.

There are some great laugh out loud moments in this clever production that by and large manages to keep delivering within the same format. That it does so is due to some excellent writing and accomplished delivery from all the cast. Special praise must go to Mark Heap who has turned "Jim" into one of the funniest comedy characters of the last few years.

Funniest serie ever, i have never laugh so much watching a serie they are all so magic and so funny, sh***t on it!!!

Loved this for the first few series, but the Jim character has become more and more of a caricature to the point where he's completely tonally different to the rest of the show. The writing has become bizarre in the last couple of series too. Honestly think this was brilliant for 4 or 5 series, but has gone past the well observed slightly exaggerated stories into artificially forced stupidity. The score tapers from 9s and 10s for the first few series to 3s and 4s for the last couple, so I thought 6 stemmed about right

Cringe-worthy, predictable, flat, annoying, with a soundtrack that doesn't fit the format at all. I hate it every time the neighbour Jim is on screen, I cringe; the characters are far too basic. I watched into series 3 and the humour has not gotten any better whatsoever. There are far more superior British comedies out there, much older than this one. This TV series will not age well at all.

I love this so much, the actors are all fantastic. The idea of a weekly family get together and the dynamics between each member is brilliantly done. Its mental, hilarious and cringy all in one. Fantastic British comedy at its best.

...because it is so bloody stupid. BUT... I had to give it that many because I absolutely adore it. I know it's a stupid show, they crack the same jokes over and over, and I cannot imagine finding this show funny or liking it at all if it were American, even with the exact same script. I don't know why, but these exact actors are just right for all of their roles and for the show's writing. This show never ceases to make me laugh. The recycled jokes, the farcical situations, everything is funny... all the dad has to do is get this look on his face and I am already chuckling. Even the boys' immature pranks (that I would see as entirely obnoxious in just about any other programme) make me laugh. I have a constant grin on my face when I watch this show. I just can't bloody help it.

Martin is definitely my favourite character, he is absolutely bloody brilliant and always makes me laugh. I love the insults and curse words he uses, they are the BEST. (I'm trying to popularise "Shtting sht on it.") I haven't had the opportunity to call anyone a pillock as yet. I don't know why, but there is something about that man that cracks me up. He's so offbeat but also has his normal moments. Jim is just so odd it's beyond overboard for me. Not even a second of normality. It makes me cringe sometimes. How does this man own a home? How does he have money? How does he take care of himself? How does he take care of his dog? These are the questions keeping me up at night.

Not really.

I have only recently starting watching this show on catch up on channel 4 and I have to say I have never laughed so much in my life. I go to bed still chuckling to myself. It is so well written, all the actors have perfect timing and despite some of it is predictable and you know what is coming you still fall about laughing. I have to keep re watching bits because I laugh so much I start crying. Can't wait for series 5.

Majority of British comedy now is just not funny the way it used to be, this program however is fantastic!

I honestly can't believe some people have given this show a bad review. Friday Night Dinner is one of the few British sitcoms that have actual modern humour. Most of the time, my family end up getting into arguments, but if there's one thing that'll bring us together for a laugh, its Robert Popper's brilliantly created and well thought out comedy that although maybe isn't always appropriate for young children, its something that the whole family can enjoy no matter what area of comedy they may have interests in! I honestly really like the religious twist to it, it helps you to create an image of what a Jewish dinner is NOT like, which is good because thats what good comedy should be able to do. The cast was so well thought out too, Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal are both young and energetic actors during their acting work together which really makes me think that they are actually brothers. Tamsin Greig and Paul Ritter also seem to make the perfect comedy on-screen match which gives a whole new family experience to the show. And not to mention Mark Heap's brilliant skills as an actor playing that annoying and irritating neighbor that we all know and well... hate. By far, Jim Bell (Mark Heap) is my favorite character in the show due to his hilarious actions and speech methods. I also do love how the show explores both side of the families.

If you want a laugh a minute TV series. This is it. The cast work together so well. Every Friday night the Goodman family have dinner together. Even though Johnny and Adam have left home. The antics, mishaps and the many visits from Jim next door during that dinner night are absolutely pure comedy at it's best. Horrible Grandma is the worst human being ever born. Mr Morris the most angriest man in the world, Jim is the most insane

Comedy neighbour ever created. Johnny and Adam constantly playing practical jokes. Martin and Jackie always arguing. Val the brazen pretend Aunty. Three cast members all lost recently. Loved every single one of then. Please watch.

This is a really good British comedy series. Martin and Jim make the series for me and the characters are extremely funny. The first episode with mr Morris is by far the best. I also believe the 6th and latest series is the best one yet.

I really enjoyed Friday night dinner the acting the scenarios and the jokes are all very clever and witty

Have just finished watching season 1, and I must say it is a pretty decent sitcom, but suffers from repetitive gags and jokes - such as the sons pouring salt in glasses of water, and Jonny, the dad, mishearing his family, or Jackie, the mother, constantly despairing at how hopeless both her husband and sons are at doing the most simple domestic tasks.

Jim, the creepy next door neighbour, is also a bit of a one-trick pony with his constant knocking on the family's door under the pretext of using their toilet while secretly desiring Jackie.

These gags work for the first couple of episodes, but soon begins to burden the show come episode 4 or 5, and you're just looking for something different.

I will give the show another couple of seasons to see if it develops into something far more entertaining. I like the characters, but the writing needs to be a bit more imaginative because the actors are capable of much better.

That said, at least there is no canned laughter - which for me is always a bonus

I'm always annoyed when good shows end early especially comedies but in this case I think 5 was enough, it's a hard show to review as some episodes are hilarious some are just ok and some especially like the au pair in season 6 are downright terrible. How they wrote a character so terrible for sally Phillips is ridiculous plus it was just really implausible and ludicrous you'd let someone so deranged look after kids etc.

The parents are two quality actors where the sons are one dimensional and literally just like plebs and inbetweeners versions of themselves. The repeating a word like a catchphrase to the inane bickering and fighting it's just a bit dull. Simon bird is so massively overrated from the inbetweeners,I watched him in sandylands recently and he's so awkward and just not a good presence . There's some good chemistry, even the great Jim was too ridiculous in season 6 just mak8ng me feel I'm done watching it, looking for humour in the same repetitive formula gets boring, the stories getting weirder and the natural real life elements seeming to be gone.

First 4 series 8/10 overall 5 6/10 2 bad episodes dragging it down Series 6 3/10 at best

Just declining and seems a vehicle to keep two young actors in relevance rather than trying to be a great show

my Mrs put me on to this saying that she thought I'd love it. Well she was right - we have just watched the whole 3 series on 4OD catchup. Its the only recent TV comedy that you get right into the characters straight away. The initial draw to watching it for many would be simon Bird playing a slightly more grown up version of the kid he plays in The Inbetweeners. I need to say that the other characters are even stronger, especially his Mum and Dad and their VERY weird next door neighbor Jim and his dog Wilson. Can honestly say this is as more enjoyable than The Inbetweeners and only slightly off Only Fools and Horses in my humble opinion. PLEASE C4 AGREE TO A FOURTH SERIES!!!!!