Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* DistractedByTheSexy: Happens to Jake several times after he starts noticing women in series 3.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** Similiar instance in the final episode of Season 1. After [[spoiler: Angela spoils the family's plan to go traveling]], Ben is talking about all of the things he's missed out on. Pete says at one point "I'm sure we can arrange for you to be chased by a tiger." Jake enters the room.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 59 (click to see context) from:
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: (With two cholerics). Pete = Melancholic. Sue = Choleric. Jake = Phlegmatic. Ben = Sanguine. Karen = Choleric.
to:
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: (With two cholerics). Pete = Melancholic. Sue = Choleric. Jake = Phlegmatic. FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: Angela and Sue. To a lesser degree Ben = Sanguine. and Jake, with Karen = Choleric. falling somewhere in the middle.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** In case this doesn't make sense, Hugh Dennis (Pete) and Frankie Boyle used to appear on MockTheWeek together.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
ymmv
Changed line(s) 13 (click to see context) from:
This show contains examples of:
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
ymmv
Changed line(s) 116,119 (click to see context) from:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from [[spoiler: bullying at school]]. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite [[spoiler: having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns]]. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims.
** Arguably Jane. Although Pete finds her annoying, even ''he'' feels sorry for her when she shows him some of the abusive texts her ex-husband sends her.
** Arguably Jane. Although Pete finds her annoying, even ''he'' feels sorry for her when she shows him some of the abusive texts her ex-husband sends her.
to:
** Arguably Jane. Although Pete finds her annoying, even ''he'' feels sorry for her when she shows him some of the abusive texts her ex-husband sends her.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 10,11 (click to see context) from:
The show is semi-improvised, with the kids being given the basic outline and then going from there. Not to be confused with the ''SuperSolvers'' game of the same name.
to:
The show is semi-improvised, with the kids being given the basic outline and then going from there. Not to be confused with the ''SuperSolvers'' ''VideoGame/SuperSolvers'' game of the same name.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 22 (click to see context) :
* AllGirlsLoveStuffedAnimals: Karen has quite the collection.
Added DiffLines:
* GirlsLoveStuffedAnimals: Karen has quite the collection.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 45 (click to see context) from:
* DeadpanSnarker: Jake - "I can see why they call it the Dangerous Book for Boys" "Karen's just brained Ben with it"
to:
* DeadpanSnarker: Jake - "I DeadpanSnarker:
--> '''Jake:''' I can see why they call it the Dangerous Book forBoys" "Karen's Boys, Karen's just brained Ben with it"it.
** In the parent's evening episode:
--> '''Pete:''' Oh, what do you know? A policeman. Cos you really need one here. Ready to kettle the threat to public order that is a parents' evening.
--> '''Sue:''' ''(hopeful)'' We could report Ben's mugging.
--> '''Pete:''' ''(hopeful)'' Yeah, OK. ''(looks closer, becomes despondent)'' Oh no, he's one of those toy policemen, well he'll only give us a leaflet.
--> '''Jake:''' I can see why they call it the Dangerous Book for
** In the parent's evening episode:
--> '''Pete:''' Oh, what do you know? A policeman. Cos you really need one here. Ready to kettle the threat to public order that is a parents' evening.
--> '''Sue:''' ''(hopeful)'' We could report Ben's mugging.
--> '''Pete:''' ''(hopeful)'' Yeah, OK. ''(looks closer, becomes despondent)'' Oh no, he's one of those toy policemen, well he'll only give us a leaflet.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** And settled on Heston Blumenthal, an English "molecular gastronomist".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
{{BBC1}} half-hour sitcom, which aired its first season over two weeks in 2007, and its second over seven weeks in 2008. It got a ComicRelief special and a Christmas special in 2009, followed by a third series in 2010 and a fourth in 2011.
to:
{{BBC1}} half-hour sitcom, which aired its first season over two weeks in 2007, and its second over seven weeks in 2008. It got a ComicRelief UsefulNotes/ComicRelief special and a Christmas special in 2009, followed by a third series in 2010 and a fourth in 2011.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 29 (click to see context) from:
* BlueOniRedOni: Jake is Blue to Ben's Red.
to:
* BlueOniRedOni: Jake is Blue to Ben's Red.and Ben.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: (With two cholerics). Pete = Melancholic. Sue = Choleric. Jake = Phlegmatic. Ben = Sanguine. Karen = Choleric.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* BrutalHonesty: Karen, who won't lie even during 'Cheat'.
Added DiffLines:
* EmbarrassingNickname: Don't call Jake "Jakester."
Added DiffLines:
** Karen wandering off while Angela is talking to her, usually in mid-sentence.
Added DiffLines:
* SleepCute: The kids usually, particularly after an episode at the zoo. Only for Pete to suddenly realise Ben has smuggled a rabbit home.
Added DiffLines:
* TallDarkAndSnarky: Jake, now that he's a teenager.
Added DiffLines:
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Jake.
** Karen's friend Alexa answers Sue's assurance Jane will be there to pick he up soon with a deadpan, "I doubt it."
** Karen's friend Alexa answers Sue's assurance Jane will be there to pick he up soon with a deadpan, "I doubt it."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 36,37 (click to see context) from:
** There's something a bit...off about Tayla-Jean.
--> '''Tayla-Jean''': ''*mechanically*'': I'm so much happier.
--> '''Tayla-Jean''': ''*mechanically*'': I'm so much happier.
to:
** There's something a bit...off about Tayla-Jean.
Taylor-Jean.
-->'''Tayla-Jean''': '''Taylor-Jean''': ''*mechanically*'': I'm so much happier.happier.
***[[OohMeAccentsSlipping The accent doesn't help]].
-->
***[[OohMeAccentsSlipping The accent doesn't help]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* {{Adorkable}}: Jake, on occasion.
* AffectionateNickname: Sue calls Jake "Jakey" on occasion. It's interesting to note that while Jake often responds to his Dad giving him nicknames with insulting ones, he doesn't with his Mum.
Changed line(s) 20,21 (click to see context) from:
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Both Ben and Karen are this to Jake. Though you can't really blame him when they start discussing how to get him a girlfriend.
* AwesomeMccoolname: Jake is played by ''Tyger'' Drew-Honey
* AwesomeMccoolname: Jake is played by ''Tyger'' Drew-Honey
to:
* AllGirlsLoveStuffedAnimals: Karen has quite the collection.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: The annoyingly perfect neighbour to Sue, and her equally perfect (if a bit creepy) children.
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Both Ben and Karen are this to Jake. Though you can't really blame him when they start discussing how to get him a girlfriend. \n Ben moreso then Karen, however.
* AwesomeMccoolname: Jake is played by ''Tyger''Drew-HoneyDrew-Honey.
** Karen is played by Ramona Marquez.
* AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther: The kids may fight a lot, but they do care about each other deep down.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: The annoyingly perfect neighbour to Sue, and her equally perfect (if a bit creepy) children.
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Both Ben and Karen are this to Jake. Though you can't really blame him when they start discussing how to get him a girlfriend.
* AwesomeMccoolname: Jake is played by ''Tyger''
** Karen is played by Ramona Marquez.
* AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther: The kids may fight a lot, but they do care about each other deep down.
* BlueOniRedOni: Jake is Blue to Ben's Red.
* BigWhat: Karen, when Ben reveals that Pete kissed a woman who wasn't Sue.
* BigWhat: Karen, when Ben reveals that Pete kissed a woman who wasn't Sue.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Usually Ben or Karen.
** There's something a bit...off about Tayla-Jean.
--> '''Tayla-Jean''': ''*mechanically*'': I'm so much happier.
--> '''Tayla-Jean''': ''*mechanically*'': I'm so much happier.
* GibberishOfLove: Jake has a hard time talking to Kelly.
** Karen's friend Maizie, although her friend Alexa is seen.
* HiddenDepths: Ben is actually quite good at chess.
* HiddenDepths: Ben is actually quite good at chess.
* LethalChef: Ben. It didn't help he was trying to copy Esther Ranson.
* LiteralMinded: Ben and Karen, quite often.
* MamaBear: Do ''not'' insult Sue's kids, as Angela finds out.
* LiteralMinded: Ben and Karen, quite often.
* MamaBear: Do ''not'' insult Sue's kids, as Angela finds out.
* TwoGirlsToATeam: Sue and Karen.
Changed line(s) 82,84 (click to see context) from:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from [[spoiler: bullying at school]]. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite [[spoiler: having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns]]. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims
to:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from [[spoiler: bullying at school]]. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite [[spoiler: having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns]]. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims
victims.
** Arguably Jane. Although Pete finds her annoying, even ''he'' feels sorry for her when she shows him some of the abusive texts her ex-husband sends her.
** Arguably Jane. Although Pete finds her annoying, even ''he'' feels sorry for her when she shows him some of the abusive texts her ex-husband sends her.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 82 (click to see context) from:
to:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from [[spoiler: bullying at school]]. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite [[spoiler: having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns]]. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 82,83 (click to see context) from:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from bullying at school. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 82,83 (click to see context) from:
.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 82,83 (click to see context) from:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from bullying at school. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheWoobie: Jake in Season 1 when he suffers from bullying at school. Falls into StoicWoobie when he refuses to tell anyone about it ''the whole time''. This is despite having his phone stolen, being beaten up at the bus stop and given severe chinese burns. Sadly very much TruthInTelevision for bully victims.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Karen kicking Alison as Pete talks to a clergyman in ''The Wedding'' episode.
to:
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Karen Sue kicking Alison Angela as Pete talks to a clergyman in ''The Wedding'' episode.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Deleted line(s) 20 (click to see context) :
* AndTheFandomRejoiced: It was recently announced that a fifth series and a 2012 Christmas special are going to be made, prompting much happiness and approval from fans.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Both Ben and Karen are this to Jake. Though you can't really blame him when they start discussing how to get him a girlfriend.
Changed line(s) 76 (click to see context) from:
* SiblingYingYang: Wild, outgoing Ben and quiet, snarky Jake.
to:
* SiblingYingYang: SiblingYinYang: Wild, outgoing Ben and quiet, snarky Jake.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 6 (click to see context) from:
* Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey)- older son at 11
to:
* Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey)- older older, more sensible son at 11
Added DiffLines:
* SiblingYingYang: Wild, outgoing Ben and quiet, snarky Jake.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* AndTheFandomRejoiced: It was recently announced that a fifth series and a 2012 Christmas special are going to be made, prompting much happiness and approval from fans.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
{{BBC1}} half-hour sitcom, which aired its first season over two weeks in 2007, and its second over seven weeks in 2008. It got a ComicRelief special and a Christmas special in 2009, followed by a third series in 2010 and a fourth in 2011.
It follows the Brockmans, a family of five, who live somewhere in South London:
* Pete (Hugh Dennis)- father, a teacher
* Sue (Claire Skinner)- mother, part time PA
* Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey)- older son at 11
* Ben (Daniel Roche)- younger son at 7, pathological liar
* Karen (Ramona Marquez)- disturbingly inquisitive 5-year-old daughter
The show is semi-improvised, with the kids being given the basic outline and then going from there. Not to be confused with the ''SuperSolvers'' game of the same name.
----
This show contains examples of:
* ActorAllusion: In Series 4, there's a scene where Pete is flicking through TV channels and is disappointed at finding nothing but [[MockTheWeek panel games]]. There's also a reference to FrankieBoyle and his standup, which is a reference to him and Hugh once being on the same show.
* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Jake's reaction to Ben's story about Ibrahim getting mugged.
* AdultsAreUseless: large amounts of the show contain Pete & Sue getting everything spectacularly wrong, which also yields a large helping of CringeComedy.
* AffablyEvil: A representative from [[spoiler:Brick's]] attorneys is actually very polite and patient.
* TheAllSolvingHammer: Referenced when trying to fix a washing machine.
-->'''Ben''': "Here's a ''bigger'' hammer!"
* AwesomeMccoolname: Jake is played by ''Tyger'' Drew-Honey
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Archie the Dog does seem rather playful when the family look after him on behalf of some friends of theirs, if a bit reluctant to go to his bed. [[spoiler:Then Sue and Pete let him out the back garden; he goes into a garden next door and breaks into a guinea pig hutch, killing all the guinea pigs.]] Thankfully, this is offscreen.
* CainAndAbel: A female and relatively nonviolent version with Angela as Cain and Sue as Abel.
* CelebrityParadox: Of a type; in series 4, Ben uses a FrankieBoyle joke in his act for the school talent show.
* CreepyChild: Karen, frequently - especially when she outlines her plan to kill all the terrorists in the world, while looking completely adorable.
-->"Why don't they just put knives on them and put them all in a dark room, and they can walk around and then they'll all stab each other?"
* CringeComedy:
** For example, Pete's decision to start acting out "war movies" on the bridge of ''HMS Belfast''. A SecondWorldWar cruiser.
** An example that extends to InUniverse would be Ben's attempts at ventriloquism.
* ADayInHerApron
* DeadpanSnarker: Jake - "I can see why they call it the Dangerous Book for Boys" "Karen's just brained Ben with it"
* ElephantInTheLivingRoom: Semi-literal example in the second episode of the third series, only it's in the kitchen.
-->"What's that?" *indicating a paper-maché elephant head* "Oh that's the elephant in the room, we don't talk about that" "Why not?" "No, it's...never mind"
* EpicFail:
** Pete throws the Wiimote into the TV by accident and breaks it, after managing to get first place on Mario and Sonic at the Olympics for the first time (which he only did because the others were all in bed).
** Earlier in that episode, Pete is shown doing very badly at the game, and Ben lampshades this word for word.
* EscalatingPunchline
* {{Filler}}: Karen's stuffed-animal RealityShow parodies that have little, if anything to do with the episode they're in.
* TheFunInFuneral:
** In series 4 when the Brockmans attend the funeral of an uncle.
** Ben mentions the funeral when talking about acting as a comedian for the school talent contest, saying he farted in the church and caused a lot of people to laugh due to the echo. We don't see this onscreen, though.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Karen kicking Alison as Pete talks to a clergyman in ''The Wedding'' episode.
** The brawl that occurs during Ben's football game, while Pete is on the phone in "The Quiet Night In".
* GirlsNeedRoleModels: Sue seems to believe this InUniverse, explaining her dismay in series 4 when Karen suddenly develops an interest in shopping and fashion.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Sue's bosses. Veronica, in series 1, was replaced by Tyson for series 2.
* HotMom: Sue
* HypocriticalHumor: Frequently at the expense of Sue and Pete.
* TheInternetIsForPorn: Jake seems to think so, in Series 3.
* JailBait: Jake is briefly nicknamed this in Series 4, as he's dating a 19-year old lap dancer. [[spoiler: Turns out he was lying about his age. Then it turns out she was too. So he's not jailbait, but his girlfriend is lap dancing illegally. Pete and Sue are at a loss as to whether this is better or worse.]]
* JerkAss:
** Angela, Sue's sister. Has insulted the kids frequently and triggered many arguments. Also abandoned Grandad with pretty much no notice or regard for him.
** [[spoiler:Brick]] is retroactively revealed to be one in the fifth episode of season four.
** On a slightly less serious note, the headmaster of the school Pete used to teach at. Blames Pete for doctoring a prospectus to make the school look better and lets him take the fall for it (though to be fair he did doctor it ''but under the headmaster's orders'').
* KarmaHoudini: Don't expect the kids to be held accountable for their actions.
* KickTheDog: When Angela abandons her (and Sue's) father to return to America with virtually no notice. Or whenever she insults the kids.
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Typical example:
-->"Daddy, you ever think we're just characters in someone's dream?"
-->"I want to be chased by a tiger." "I think that can be arranged" (enter Jake, played by Tyger Drew-Honey)
* MoodWhiplash: A few of the scenes about Granddad's dementia in the second series lead to this when they instantly cut back to the kids.
* NightmareFuelStationAttendant: Ben. While his class is away on a trip, he causes a panic attack, makes his form tutor start smoking in an attempt to calm down, and leaves the rest of his group sleepless. That's just one episode.
* NoodleIncident: A lot of off-screen incidents.
* NotAllowedToGrowUp: Averted. The characters have aged appropriately (Jake is now 16, and a archetypical teenager, Ben is now 12, and Karen is now 9). Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin both joked it had happened in an interview stating [[BlatantLies that everything was true]].
* OnlySaneMan: every character seems to think that this is them.
** The closest examples would probably be Pete and Jake, but they still both have their moments.
* PapaWolf: Pete meets the annoying anti-speedbump campaigner, after [[spoiler:Karen gets hit by a car (don't worry, she's fine)]]. Verbal asskicking ensues.#
* PetTheDog: While Ben is not exactly a dog kicker and more a crazy child, he is actually very respectful of Uncle Bob, and is very nice when talking about him during the first episode of series 4. He also stops using the word "gay" as an insult after learing Uncle Bob and Uncle Bernard were a gay couple.
* PrecisionFStrike: Karen does one when she sees Angela in the house and walks off muttering "Oh, Jesus". Not the strongest example of the trope, but from a nine year old girl it's not a bad example.
* PreviouslyOn: A surprisingly dramatic version opens the final episode of series 4.
* RealisticDictionIsUnrealistic: Wonderfully subverted because Karen and Ben talk just like children of their age would. Much of the children's dialogue (and thus the reaction dialogue of the adults) is improvised.
* RefugeInAudacity: It's only because Ben is saying it that you can get away with comparing an MTV stupid stunt show to the Battle of the Somme.
* RunningGag:
** The family hurting some random poor lady in the Airport episode.
** When Angela first shows up in the two parter ending to Season 4, she gets greeted with "Oh no" from both Jake and Ben. When Karen enters she has a double take and utters the phrase "Oh, Jesus."
** Ben wanting to watch Little Britain.
* SchoolUniformsAreTheNewBlack: It's hit-or-miss whether not the kids bother changing if they're just hanging around the house.
* TakeOurWordForIt: Exactly how Ben managed to get both loads of washing into the machine at the same time is never shown.
* ToBeContinued: series 4 episode 5
* TookALevelInJerkass: Jake in season 3 goes from mild mannered to a rather moody JerkWithAHeartOfGold, as his teenage slouchiness and perversion kicks in.
* TotallyRadical: Pete to Jake.
* VerbedTitle
----
It follows the Brockmans, a family of five, who live somewhere in South London:
* Pete (Hugh Dennis)- father, a teacher
* Sue (Claire Skinner)- mother, part time PA
* Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey)- older son at 11
* Ben (Daniel Roche)- younger son at 7, pathological liar
* Karen (Ramona Marquez)- disturbingly inquisitive 5-year-old daughter
The show is semi-improvised, with the kids being given the basic outline and then going from there. Not to be confused with the ''SuperSolvers'' game of the same name.
----
This show contains examples of:
* ActorAllusion: In Series 4, there's a scene where Pete is flicking through TV channels and is disappointed at finding nothing but [[MockTheWeek panel games]]. There's also a reference to FrankieBoyle and his standup, which is a reference to him and Hugh once being on the same show.
* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Jake's reaction to Ben's story about Ibrahim getting mugged.
* AdultsAreUseless: large amounts of the show contain Pete & Sue getting everything spectacularly wrong, which also yields a large helping of CringeComedy.
* AffablyEvil: A representative from [[spoiler:Brick's]] attorneys is actually very polite and patient.
* TheAllSolvingHammer: Referenced when trying to fix a washing machine.
-->'''Ben''': "Here's a ''bigger'' hammer!"
* AwesomeMccoolname: Jake is played by ''Tyger'' Drew-Honey
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Archie the Dog does seem rather playful when the family look after him on behalf of some friends of theirs, if a bit reluctant to go to his bed. [[spoiler:Then Sue and Pete let him out the back garden; he goes into a garden next door and breaks into a guinea pig hutch, killing all the guinea pigs.]] Thankfully, this is offscreen.
* CainAndAbel: A female and relatively nonviolent version with Angela as Cain and Sue as Abel.
* CelebrityParadox: Of a type; in series 4, Ben uses a FrankieBoyle joke in his act for the school talent show.
* CreepyChild: Karen, frequently - especially when she outlines her plan to kill all the terrorists in the world, while looking completely adorable.
-->"Why don't they just put knives on them and put them all in a dark room, and they can walk around and then they'll all stab each other?"
* CringeComedy:
** For example, Pete's decision to start acting out "war movies" on the bridge of ''HMS Belfast''. A SecondWorldWar cruiser.
** An example that extends to InUniverse would be Ben's attempts at ventriloquism.
* ADayInHerApron
* DeadpanSnarker: Jake - "I can see why they call it the Dangerous Book for Boys" "Karen's just brained Ben with it"
* ElephantInTheLivingRoom: Semi-literal example in the second episode of the third series, only it's in the kitchen.
-->"What's that?" *indicating a paper-maché elephant head* "Oh that's the elephant in the room, we don't talk about that" "Why not?" "No, it's...never mind"
* EpicFail:
** Pete throws the Wiimote into the TV by accident and breaks it, after managing to get first place on Mario and Sonic at the Olympics for the first time (which he only did because the others were all in bed).
** Earlier in that episode, Pete is shown doing very badly at the game, and Ben lampshades this word for word.
* EscalatingPunchline
* {{Filler}}: Karen's stuffed-animal RealityShow parodies that have little, if anything to do with the episode they're in.
* TheFunInFuneral:
** In series 4 when the Brockmans attend the funeral of an uncle.
** Ben mentions the funeral when talking about acting as a comedian for the school talent contest, saying he farted in the church and caused a lot of people to laugh due to the echo. We don't see this onscreen, though.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Karen kicking Alison as Pete talks to a clergyman in ''The Wedding'' episode.
** The brawl that occurs during Ben's football game, while Pete is on the phone in "The Quiet Night In".
* GirlsNeedRoleModels: Sue seems to believe this InUniverse, explaining her dismay in series 4 when Karen suddenly develops an interest in shopping and fashion.
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen: Sue's bosses. Veronica, in series 1, was replaced by Tyson for series 2.
* HotMom: Sue
* HypocriticalHumor: Frequently at the expense of Sue and Pete.
* TheInternetIsForPorn: Jake seems to think so, in Series 3.
* JailBait: Jake is briefly nicknamed this in Series 4, as he's dating a 19-year old lap dancer. [[spoiler: Turns out he was lying about his age. Then it turns out she was too. So he's not jailbait, but his girlfriend is lap dancing illegally. Pete and Sue are at a loss as to whether this is better or worse.]]
* JerkAss:
** Angela, Sue's sister. Has insulted the kids frequently and triggered many arguments. Also abandoned Grandad with pretty much no notice or regard for him.
** [[spoiler:Brick]] is retroactively revealed to be one in the fifth episode of season four.
** On a slightly less serious note, the headmaster of the school Pete used to teach at. Blames Pete for doctoring a prospectus to make the school look better and lets him take the fall for it (though to be fair he did doctor it ''but under the headmaster's orders'').
* KarmaHoudini: Don't expect the kids to be held accountable for their actions.
* KickTheDog: When Angela abandons her (and Sue's) father to return to America with virtually no notice. Or whenever she insults the kids.
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Typical example:
-->"Daddy, you ever think we're just characters in someone's dream?"
-->"I want to be chased by a tiger." "I think that can be arranged" (enter Jake, played by Tyger Drew-Honey)
* MoodWhiplash: A few of the scenes about Granddad's dementia in the second series lead to this when they instantly cut back to the kids.
* NightmareFuelStationAttendant: Ben. While his class is away on a trip, he causes a panic attack, makes his form tutor start smoking in an attempt to calm down, and leaves the rest of his group sleepless. That's just one episode.
* NoodleIncident: A lot of off-screen incidents.
* NotAllowedToGrowUp: Averted. The characters have aged appropriately (Jake is now 16, and a archetypical teenager, Ben is now 12, and Karen is now 9). Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin both joked it had happened in an interview stating [[BlatantLies that everything was true]].
* OnlySaneMan: every character seems to think that this is them.
** The closest examples would probably be Pete and Jake, but they still both have their moments.
* PapaWolf: Pete meets the annoying anti-speedbump campaigner, after [[spoiler:Karen gets hit by a car (don't worry, she's fine)]]. Verbal asskicking ensues.#
* PetTheDog: While Ben is not exactly a dog kicker and more a crazy child, he is actually very respectful of Uncle Bob, and is very nice when talking about him during the first episode of series 4. He also stops using the word "gay" as an insult after learing Uncle Bob and Uncle Bernard were a gay couple.
* PrecisionFStrike: Karen does one when she sees Angela in the house and walks off muttering "Oh, Jesus". Not the strongest example of the trope, but from a nine year old girl it's not a bad example.
* PreviouslyOn: A surprisingly dramatic version opens the final episode of series 4.
* RealisticDictionIsUnrealistic: Wonderfully subverted because Karen and Ben talk just like children of their age would. Much of the children's dialogue (and thus the reaction dialogue of the adults) is improvised.
* RefugeInAudacity: It's only because Ben is saying it that you can get away with comparing an MTV stupid stunt show to the Battle of the Somme.
* RunningGag:
** The family hurting some random poor lady in the Airport episode.
** When Angela first shows up in the two parter ending to Season 4, she gets greeted with "Oh no" from both Jake and Ben. When Karen enters she has a double take and utters the phrase "Oh, Jesus."
** Ben wanting to watch Little Britain.
* SchoolUniformsAreTheNewBlack: It's hit-or-miss whether not the kids bother changing if they're just hanging around the house.
* TakeOurWordForIt: Exactly how Ben managed to get both loads of washing into the machine at the same time is never shown.
* ToBeContinued: series 4 episode 5
* TookALevelInJerkass: Jake in season 3 goes from mild mannered to a rather moody JerkWithAHeartOfGold, as his teenage slouchiness and perversion kicks in.
* TotallyRadical: Pete to Jake.
* VerbedTitle
----
