The Kumars at No. 42
The Kumars at No. 42
| 12 November 2001 (USA)
SEASON & EPISODES
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  • Reviews
    Cortechba Overrated
    Tayloriona Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
    Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
    Staci Frederick Blistering performances.
    Enoch Sneed The success of this show is very variable and depends on the ability of the guests to join in the concept. Basically a middle-class Asian family have spent their money building a TV studio for their son who wants to be a chat show host. The son hosts the show but his parents and grandmother are on the sidelines and embarrass him by asking the guests very personal questions or relating irrelevant anecdotes.The first ever guest was Richard E Grant and he was brilliant at falling in with the fake family and playing along with the son's obviously doomed ambitions and the family's put-downs. Unfortunately not all the guests can do this and some are obviously quite bewildered at the comments of the 'parents' on the sofa. This can lead to awkward silences on the part of guests and audience. Meera Syal as the plain-speaking, sex and incontinence-obsessed 'Ummi' is the most obviously 'funny' character on the show, perhaps because she is a caricature. The parents, by contrast, appear 'normal' although they are supposed to represent a stereotypical Asian mother and father.For some reason this show has now run for five years. In my view it is another example of humour which has to be seen to be clever by having some kind of sub-text. Will we ever get back to the days when things are funny for their own sake?
    jacques_05 An informal chat show style comedy from a revitalised British comedy scene. Much more intelligent than some of the racially stereotyped humor emerging from the States. The guests are interesting, ranging from Charlotte Church, various tier 2 actors and political guests.The guests in the first series don't know that the show is a send up and often take the comments at face value. Their confusion is amusing as the "family" play jokes on each other and the guests.Some guests won't be recognisable to viewers outside Britain.The same actors had another comedy show. I can't remember the name of it at the moment. Some similarity in style to Ali G, but without the drug references or the bling bling.Highly recommended for the intelligent viewer.
    de_niro_2001 One other reviewer describes this as part chat show, part sitcom and that's a good way of describing it. Where did they get the idea for this? It's a very clever idea. A young Asian guy, still living with his parents, wants to be a chat show host and his successful businessman dad builds him a studio in the back garden. But while he's interviewing the celebrities, his Mum, Dad and Granny come in to the studio and ask the celebrities questions. It's quite obvious that the celebrities on the show enjoy it. Another reviewer says it reflects the sad worship of celebrities but I don't think that's a fair comment. The show is entertaining and there is a little of the spirit of Morecambe and Wise in it. Granny Kumar (aka "Ummi") is the real show stealer but Aswan had a really good line when Sanjev was interviewing some actress from East Enders and she said the Kumars were like people on East Enders. Aswan said "Yes, but we speak better English". Very true! In the programme featuring Patrick Stewart, Ummi said she had read on a website that Patrick Stewart didn't like talking about Star Trek then Sanjev came on in a Star Trek uniform. The show is brilliant and I can see why the Americans and Australians have produced their own versions. It's a pity I'm not famous enough, I'd love to be the Kumars' guest!
    caitlin_damhsa i don't really watch comedy shows and I never watch talk shows....but I like this one. As others have commented, the grandmother is the star of the show, but the concept is original and funny and overall I like it.I just wish some network in the USA would pick this up....yeah right!
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