Outnumbered

Outnumbered is a BAFTA award winning British comedy. The show is based around the daily trials and tribulations of a normal suburban family. The two parents are ably played by Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner (Sue and Pete Brockman), but it is the three children Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), Ben (Daniel Roche) and Karen (Ramona Marquez) who steal the show.

Centred around everyday life and the kind of things that children do or say and talk about this is something that if you have any kids you can instantly relate to, and if you have no children may make you consider whether indeed you ever want any.

The appeal of this otherwise pretty standard sit com is that the actors are only partly scripted. This means that when they are filming scenes there is some room for improvisation. The technique of combining script and improvisation allows the children to come across very naturally and some of their subsequent lines are inspired. If you like your comedy intelligent and truer to life you will love this.

Many viewers have been surprised at how realistic this programme is and are pleased to finally a real representation of family life on screen.

Outnumbered won three awards at the 2009 British Comedy Awards: Best Sitcom, Best British Comedy and Best Female Newcomer for Ramona Marquez.