Friday Night Dinner: Season 3, Episode 1 The Girlfriend

In addition to the other contrivances mentioned in this thread, the big reveal at the end where we discover what Jonny has stuck all over Adam's bedroom walls has always struck me as a bit... underwhelming? Like, I can't help but wonder if the original script called for some seriously hardcore/kinky porn only for Channel 4 to veto it, because even allowing for the fact that Emma is at the end of her tether by then, the idea that she'd dump Adam just because at some point in the past (presumably as a horny teenager) he plastered his bedroom in FHM-style pin-ups that are fairly tame by 21st century standards and never took them down after moving out, is a bit much. Give him a talking-to, yes; embarrass him about what a randy, pervy little sod he used to be, yes; make him take them down now, yes. Give him the elbow? Nah, not buying it. A rare misfire in an otherwise great show.

Ian Richards

im also shocked how a wealthy family still wears shoes indoors with carpets 🤮🤮🤮🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

girlsdrinkfeck

Agreed its a terrible show. I don't even think the dad is a particularly good character to be honest.

Richard M

Thanks bud I really appreciate the support! Thanks bud I am loving those shows as well. Take care and have a great weekend man!

After Work Reactions

I just find the Johnny character extremely unlikable. I know pranking is something siblings do with each other, but he's such a charmless goit when he does it. Maybe he becomes more likable, or at least a bit more complicated, as the show goes on I don't know.

Saul

Holy crap, you're right! All this time I could've sworn it was Lucy from the Inbetweeners movies, but nope, completely different (yet strikingly similar) actress!

David Lyons

I'm glad I'm not alone in the feeling of how ridiculously overly contrived the writing of this episode is. Some of this was extremely familiar. I think I might have seen parts of this one before. Probably a big reason why I'd never exactly watched the show before. My least favourite aspect of the show is the brothers taking their pathetic fighting to ever elaborate levels. Seems to lead the writing into going bigger and then you get drivel like this.

Daryl

I'm inclined to agree with the other comments, this episode has very limited rewatch value. Even by Britcom standards it's an uncomfortable watch, the plot with Katie comes across as inappropriate and creepy rather than funny and Johnny's practical jokes, which are usually fairly innocent mischief, become quite nasty and cruel. It's got its moments but all in all, it's not great.

Charlie

The one thing that does annoy me about this show is how the brothers antagonize each other to the point where they actually ruin the others life in some way. Seems like they're always going too far

Balkyne

Look on the bright side... we're one step closer to What We Do In The Shadows.

Tony Smyth

Yeah, agree... Why would you feel guilty that you got sex messages from your Girlfriend’s Sister, just tell her ! If he didn’t want to stir things between her and her sister, Delete the post and block future messages from her. Either option is much better than the odd path he decided to put himself through. A farce only really works, as you say, if there is logic to what the character is doing.

Gary Tamblyn

Bro you posted the media fire link instead of the google drive one. Amazing as always 🤟🏽🚀

That kid is also in Benidorm and is even more annoying in that show! Although this episode has some very funny moments, it felt a bit off and I found the situation uncomfortable viewing at times. Not bad though, as it's probably the only poor one yet and we are in the 3rd season... Still plenty of laughs to come before it's starts dropping off in quality in the last season a little.

BigChanChan

This is the second show this week to feature a family's Son bringing his girlfriend named Emma home to meet the family and a man having stepped in dog muck.

Right Said Brett

Poor episode but on the other hand I believe this actress went on to play the main Girl in the Loki Series. Reaction made it a lot better as always Josh 💯

Ethan furness

It's difficult to find something funny when the characters behave in ways that completely defy logic. You get out-of-the-blue sexy texts from your gf's sister: what do you do? a. tell her, immediately, because she knows her sister better than you and would actually be able to help you? or b. act like a fucking mentalist whose behaviour is controlled by random dice rolls? If you answered b. congratulations you live in a sitcom, and your life is dictated by the lazy plot devices dreamed up by depressive comedy writers.

Saul

This episode made no sense. So hard to watch

Liam

I'm beginning to enjoy it now. Still can't stand Johnny though. Interestingly, or more likely not in the slightest bit interestingly, my dad is close friends with Tamsin Greig. I know this because they had a Guardian article published all about their friendship, the photo for which was so unflattering my dad was tempted to skulk around his neighbourhood as early as possible so he could destroy all copies. I did see it, and he looked a tiny bit like something from Lord of the Rings - having said that it was very unflattering, and he didn't look like himself. I think Tamsin Greig's a bit wasted in this. She's so talented, I'd like to see her given more to do comedically and she just seems to play the nagging wife role. Anyone who knows her from other things knows she's capable of much more.

Saul

The second half of this episode is terrible. Adam's handling of things is just that bit too stupid that it crosses over from being funny, turning into frustration. The little girl is the epitome of an annoying little brat and not in an entertaining way. On top of this I feel Johnny pushes the antagonisitc brotherly relationship too far. The consequences (Adam losing his girlfriend) are too real and all for nothing. The fine balance of cringe, antagonism, and whimsical consequence that usually makes this show work is just way off. Whew. Not satisfying to watch for me. Thankfully this is an outlier in being godawful. The next 2 episodes are especially good.

Jim

Thank you Josh! I'm so happy to be subscribed to you on Youtube and Patreon. Your reaction videos bring me so much joy! Thanks on behalf of us all! Keep it up! Love especially The Royle Family, G&S and LoG, but this show is ok too.

Starlight