A slow burner best describes this BBC sitcom. Life Of Riley, ran for three series totaling twenty episodes, but after the first series it was savaged by the critics, with perhaps the most venomous comments coming from the Sunday Mail, who called the show “about as funny as inflamed piles”.
Series two faired better with audiences, gaining viewing figures of nearly 6 million. Again it came in for negative reviews from the critics and after series three it was confirmed that the show had been cancelled.
Summary
The story revolves around the day to day lives of two newly-weds: Jim (Dudgeon) and Maddy Riley. Jim has two children from a previous relationship, teenagers Katy and Danny, whilst Maddy also has a child of her own—primary schooler Ted from her previous marriage — and baby Rosie with Jim.
A recurring plot is the continuous competing with their next-door neighbours, the Weavers, who make the Rileys look like The Addams Family.
Clips
Cast
Caroline Quentin – Maddy Riley
Neil Dudgeon – Jim Riley
Heather Craney – Alison Weaver
Lucinda Dryzek – Katy Riley
Taylor Fawcett – Danny Riley
Patrick Nolan – Ted Jackson
Ava and Neve Lamb – Rosie Riley
Richard Linnell – Anthony Weaver (Series 3)
John Bell – Anthony Weaver
Jordan Clarke – Adam Weaver
Marcia Warren – Maddy’s Mum, Margaret
Richard Lumsden – Roger Weaver
Jessica Gunning – Babysitter
Details
Channel: BBC1
Written and Created By: Georgia Pritchett
Executive Producer(s) : Alan Tyler and Rosemary MaGowan
Produced By: Catherine Bailey