The clever aspect of the Kumar comedy is it is a reflection of the attitudes and position of many people of Asian descent in modern Britain, part of British life but with a hint of Asian culture. The family is associated with Indian culture and religion(they have nothing to do with Pakistan and the 'P' word is the British racist equivalent of the American 'N' word).
The great aspect of the series is that we can watch the comedy knowing that the humour is safe and is usually directed against the pretentions of the son and his celebrity aspirations. The Grandmother is a brilliant creation of Meera Syal a gifted creative actor and writer, the comedy lines are usually hers, though the mother and father can easily aid the sons frustrations. Never do interviews with the guest celebrities conclude without a family intervention, usually witty but always funny.
Its perhaps not for those who like the very laddish and moronic humour of other British comedy or the 1950's-1990's racist and homophobic humour which no longer has a place on modern British television. It avoids direct political comment and attacks on British racism, yet becomes in itself a comment on the (partial) success of anti-racist campaigns in modern British life, though reflects sadly current worship of celebrities.
Its a cult show, but one that entertains many of its more sophisticated viewers and there are millions of those in Britain.
The great aspect of the series is that we can watch the comedy knowing that the humour is safe and is usually directed against the pretentions of the son and his celebrity aspirations. The Grandmother is a brilliant creation of Meera Syal a gifted creative actor and writer, the comedy lines are usually hers, though the mother and father can easily aid the sons frustrations. Never do interviews with the guest celebrities conclude without a family intervention, usually witty but always funny.
Its perhaps not for those who like the very laddish and moronic humour of other British comedy or the 1950's-1990's racist and homophobic humour which no longer has a place on modern British television. It avoids direct political comment and attacks on British racism, yet becomes in itself a comment on the (partial) success of anti-racist campaigns in modern British life, though reflects sadly current worship of celebrities.
Its a cult show, but one that entertains many of its more sophisticated viewers and there are millions of those in Britain.
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