My Almost Famous Family: Difference between revisions

*My Almost Famous Family*
My Almost Famous Family
Written by	Joe Williams; Emma Reeves; Andrew Viner; Gerard Foster; Gail Sky King; Andy Watts; Patricia Elcock; Paul McKenzie; Paul Gerstenberger
Directed by	Beryl Richards; Griff Rowland; Jonathan Gershfield
Starring	Rakie Ayola; Andrew Clover; Angus Harrison; Matthew Jacobs Morgan; Naomi Battrick; Dominique Moore; Rachel Brady; Alice Henley; Alan Ford; Emily Joyce
Composers	Richie Webb; Tom Nichols; Steve Young; Tim Baxter
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	11 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Steven Andrew
Producer	Paul McKenzie
Cinematography	Ian Liggett
Running time	28 minutes
Original release
Network	CBBC, BBC Two
Release	12 September –; 21 November 2009

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 20:02, 16 July 2024

My Almost Famous Family is a British children's television series produced by the BBC and originally aired between 12 September and 21 November 2009 on CBBC on BBC Two.^[1] The show was not recommissioned for a second series.

Premise

The 11-part series was about a blended family of five siblings and their parents who performed together as the house band, 'We're in Perfect Harmony', of a fictional chat show.^[2] It was written by a team of writers that included Gail Renard and Emma Reeves.

Production

Composer and performer Richie Webb, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 series 15 Minute Musical, was the show's musical director.^[3]

The shows theme tune 'Almost Famous' was written by Richard Webb, Steve Young and Tom Nichols. Incidental music was written and recorded by Tim Baxter.

In other media

On 17 April 2010, the BBC launched the My Almost Famous Family interactive website on the CBBC website, which consisted of 16 interactive games, music videos, and songs from the show.^[4]

Cast

Rakie Ayola as Shalondra Swann, the family's matriarch (percussion and backing vocals)
Andrew Clover as Gary Swann, the family's patriarch (keyboard)
Angus Harrison as Hadley Terence Swann, Gary's son (lead guitar)
Naomi Battrick as Toyah Swann, Gary's daughter (cello and bass guitar)
Dominique Moore as Aretha Swann, Shalondra's daughter (lead vocals)
Matthew Jacobs Morgan as Isaac Swann, Shalondra's son (drums)
Rachel Brady as Martha Swann, Gary and Shalondra's daughter, who is deaf and uses sign language to communicate
Alan Ford as Terry Swann, Gary's father and the kids' grandfather
Alice Henley as Annabelle Iceton, host of The Totally Annabelle Show, on which the family play
Emily Joyce as Jill Iceton, Annabelle's mother and owner of the studio
Nick Rapson as Zac Macdonald

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
01	"We've Only Just Begun"	Beryl Richards	Andrew Viner	12 September 2009 (2009-09-12)
The Swann family band, We're in Perfect Harmony, become the house band on The Totally Annabelle Show. Annabelle plans on usurping lead-singer Aretha and duetting with Hadley. Toyah is forced to choose between the band's show and a school interview on the same day.
02	"The Girl Is Mine"	Griff Rowland	Joe Williams	19 September 2009 (2009-09-19)
Gary and Shalondra go camping, leaving the children with Gary's father Terry. Toyah practises for her grade eight cello exam, while Terry has the band perform his 1970s hit single.
03	"The Sound of Silence"	Beryl Richards	Gerard Foster	26 September 2009 (2009-09-26)
Isaac kidnaps Pixie, Annabelle's pet pig. Aretha loses her hearing and is helped by Toyah and Martha to overcome the problem before a record executive arrives to hear her sing, so Toyah sings and she is fantastic.
04	"Piece of Me"	Griff Rowland	Emma Reeves	3 October 2009 (2009-10-03)
Gary struggles to fulfill his fatherly commitments to both Hadley and Isaac, so Shalondra devises a creative solution. Toyah lets her celebrity status go to her head.
05	"Beat Surrender"	Jonathan Gershfield	Andrew Viner	10 October 2009 (2009-10-10)
Gary and Shalondra set the children a maths test, announcing that anyone who fails must leave the band. Isaac is distracted from revising by Terry, jeopardising his future in the band.He is not allowed to play with the band until he gets a better grade in the maths test.
06	"You Can't Touch This"	Beryl Richards	Gail Sky King	17 October 2009 (2009-10-17)
Gary and Shalondra are locked in the recording studio while spying on the children. Aretha breaks Toyah's cello bow and tries to hide the truth from her.
07	"Matters of the Harp (Bittersweet Symphony)"	Griff Rowland	Gail Sky King & Andy Watts	24 October 2009 (2009-10-24)
Hadley lies to impress a girl, while Aretha receives a lucrative offer to become the face and voice of the Yappy Nappy brand. Hadley has to decide whether to play in the band or with the girl of his life
08	"Take a Chance on Me"	Jonathan Gershfield	Paul Gerstenberger (story) & Paul McKenzie	31 October 2009 (2009-10-31)
Hadley wonders why Isaac is more popular than him, while Toyah and Aretha are in direct competition to write a song for R&B star Monelle.
09	"Born to Be Wild"	Jonathan Gershfield	Patricia Elcock	7 November 2009 (2009-11-07)
Hadley is mugged by a group of girls and considers leaving the band. Aretha and Toyah conspire to beat Annabelle in the Teen-Style Queen awards.
10	"Can't Get You Out of My Head"	Beryl Richards	Emma Reeves	14 November 2009 (2009-11-14)
When Toyah falls for TV star Zac MacDonald, Aretha gives her a makeover. Hadley and Isaac become addicted to the computer game Supalife. Shalondra meets up with her sisters.
11	"Christmas Time"	Jonathan Gershfield	Gail Sky King	21 November 2009 (2009-11-21)
The Totally Annabelle Christmas special broadcasts from the Swanns' living room. Toyah's OCD flares up, Hadley wants to sing a solo, and Shalondra tries to find her presents.

References

^ BBC Press Office My Almost Famous Family is an 11 x 28-minute laugh-a-minute musical comedy series, BBC Press Office, 2009
^ Hemley, M: Young deaf character to lead CBBC show, The Stage, 24 February 2009
^ Webb, R: February News Archived 30 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, WebbKatz, 2009
^ CBBC website

External links

This article about a children's television show originating in the United Kingdom is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] BBC Press Office My Almost Famous Family is an 11 x 28-minute laugh-a-minute musical comedy series, BBC Press Office, 2009

[2] Hemley, M: Young deaf character to lead CBBC show, The Stage, 24 February 2009

[3] Webb, R: February News Archived 30 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, WebbKatz, 2009

[4] CBBC website

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|British children's television series}}
-{{Infobox Television
+{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
-| show_name            = My Almost Famous Family
+{{Infobox television
-| image                =
-| caption              =
+| image              =
+| caption            =
-| format               = [[Children's television series]], [[Musical film|Musical]], [[Comedy]]
-| director             = Beryl Richards<br/>Griff Rowland<br/>Jonathan Gershfield
+| director           = Beryl Richards<br />Griff Rowland<br />Jonathan Gershfield
-| writer               = Joe Williams<br/>Emma Reeves<br/>Andrew Viner<br/>Gerard Foster<br/>Holly Lyons<br/>Andy Watts<br/>Patricia Elcock<br/>Paul McKenzie<br/>Paul Gerstenberger
+| writer             = Joe Williams<br />[[Emma Reeves]]<br />Andrew Viner<br />Gerard Foster<br />Gail Sky King<br />Andy Watts<br />Patricia Elcock<br />Paul McKenzie<br />Paul Gerstenberger
-| starring             = [[Rakie Ayola]]<br/>Andrew Clover<br/>Angus Harrison<br/>Matt Morgan<br/>Naomi Battrick<br/>[[Dominique Moore]]<br/>Rachel Brady<br/>[[Alice Henley]]<br/>[[Alan Ford (actor)|Alan Ford]]<br/>[[Emily Joyce]]
+| starring           = [[Rakie Ayola]]<br />Andrew Clover<br />Angus Harrison<br />Matthew Jacobs Morgan<br />Naomi Battrick<br />[[Dominique Moore]]<br />Rachel Brady<br />[[Alice Henley]]<br />[[Alan Ford (actor)|Alan Ford]]<br />[[Emily Joyce]]
-| composer             = [[Richie Webb]]
+| composer           = [[Richie Webb]]<br/>Tom Nichols<br/>Steve Young<br/>Tim Baxter
-| country              = [[United Kingdom]]
+| country            = United Kingdom
-| num_seasons          = 1
+| num_seasons        = 1
-| num_episodes         = 11
+| num_episodes       = 11
-| list_episodes        = #Episodes
+| list_episodes      = #Episodes
-| executive_producer   = Steven Andrew
+| executive_producer = Steven Andrew
-| producer             = [[Paul McKenzie]]
+| producer           = [[Paul McKenzie (producer)|Paul McKenzie]]
-| cinematography       = Ian Liggett
+| cinematography     = Ian Liggett
-| runtime              = 28 minutes
+| runtime            = 28 minutes
-| channel              = [[CBBC]], [[BBC Two]]
+| channel            = [[CBBC]], [[BBC Two]]
+| first_aired        = {{Start date|2009|09|12|df=yes}}
-| picture_format       = [[High-definition television|HDTV]]
-| first_aired          = 12 September
+| last_aired         = {{End date|2009|11|21|df=yes}}
-| last_aired           = 21 November 2009
 }}
-'''My Almost Famous Family''' is a British [[children's television series]] produced by the [[BBC]] and originally aired between 12 September to 21 November 2009 on CBBC on BBC Two.<ref> BBC Press Office
+'''''My Almost Famous Family''''' is a British [[children's television series]] produced by the [[BBC]] and originally aired between 12 September and 21 November 2009 on CBBC on BBC Two.<ref>BBC Press Office
-[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/03_march/19/cbbc.shtml My Almost Famous Family is an 11 x 28-minute laugh-a-minute musical comedy series], BBC Press Office, 2009</ref>
+[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/03_march/19/cbbc.shtml My Almost Famous Family is an 11 x 28-minute laugh-a-minute musical comedy series], BBC Press Office, 2009</ref> The show was not recommissioned for a second series.
+==Premise==
-"The 11-part series, which is about a group of siblings and their parents that perform together as the house band of a fictional chat show,<ref>Hemley, M:
+The 11-part series was about a [[Stepfamily|blended family]] of five siblings and their parents who performed together as the house band, 'We're in Perfect Harmony', of a fictional chat show.<ref>Hemley, M:
-[http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/23597/young-deaf-character-to-lead-cbbc-show, Young deaf character to lead CBBC show], ''The Stage'', February 24, 2009</ref> is being made by the BBC, and penned by a team of writers including Gail Renard and Emma Reeves.
+[http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/23597/young-deaf-character-to-lead-cbbc-show, Young deaf character to lead CBBC show], ''The Stage'', 24 February 2009</ref> It was written by a team of writers that included [[Gail Renard]] and [[Emma Reeves]].
+==Production==
-Composer and performer [[Richie Webb]], whose credits include the [[BBC Radio 4]] series [[15 Minute Musical]], is working as the show’s musical director."<ref>Webb, R: [http://www.webbkatz.co.uk/labels/cbbc.html, February News], WebbKatz, 2009</ref>
+Composer and performer [[Richie Webb]], whose credits include the [[BBC Radio 4]] series [[15 Minute Musical]], was the show's musical director.<ref>Webb, R: [http://www.webbkatz.co.uk/labels/cbbc.html February News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830072018/http://www.webbkatz.co.uk/labels/cbbc.html |date=30 August 2009 }}, WebbKatz, 2009</ref>
+The shows theme tune 'Almost Famous' was written by Richard Webb, Steve Young and Tom Nichols. Incidental music was written and recorded by Tim Baxter.
-On 17th April 2010, the BBC launched the My Almost Famous Family interactive website on the [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/myalmostfamousfamily CBBC website], consisting of 16 interactive games, music videos, and songs from the show.
+===In other media===
-The show has not been recommissioned for a second series.
+On 17 April 2010, the BBC launched the My Almost Famous Family interactive website on the CBBC website, which consisted of 16 interactive games, music videos, and songs from the show.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100507083548/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/myalmostfamousfamily/ CBBC website]</ref>
-==Characters==
+==Cast==
-*[[Rakie Ayola]] as Shalondra Swann
+*[[Rakie Ayola]] as Shalondra Swann, the family's matriarch (percussion and backing vocals)
-*[[Andrew Clover]] as Gary Swann
+*Andrew Clover as Gary Swann, the family's patriarch (keyboard)
-*[[Angus Harrison]] as Hadley Swann
+*[[Angus Harrison]] as Hadley Terence Swann, Gary's son (lead guitar)
-*[[Naomi Battrick]] as Toyah Swann
+*[[Naomi Battrick]] as Toyah Swann, Gary's daughter (cello and bass guitar)
-*[[Dominique Moore]] as Aretha Swann
+*[[Dominique Moore]] as Aretha Swann, Shalondra's daughter (lead vocals)
-*[[Riddlesdown_Collegiate#Notable_alumni|Matt Morgan]] as Isaac Swann
+*Matthew Jacobs Morgan as Isaac Swann, Shalondra's son (drums)
-*[[Rachel Brady]] as Martha Swann
+*Rachel Brady as Martha Swann, Gary and Shalondra's daughter, who is deaf and uses sign language to communicate
-*[[Alan Ford (actor)|Alan Ford]] as Terry Swann
+*[[Alan Ford (actor)|Alan Ford]] as Terry Swann, Gary's father and the kids' grandfather
-*[[Alice Henley]] as Annabelle
+*[[Alice Henley]] as Annabelle Iceton, host of The Totally Annabelle Show, on which the family play
-*[[Emily Joyce]] as Jill
+*[[Emily Joyce]] as Jill Iceton, Annabelle's mother and owner of the studio
-*[[Nick Rapson]] as Zac Macdonald
+*Nick Rapson as Zac Macdonald
 ==Episodes==
+{{Episode table |total_width= |background=#689CCF |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
-{| class="wikitable" style="width:78%;
-|-
-! style="background-color: #6699CC" | Episode
-! style="background-color: #6699CC" | Title
-! style="background-color: #6699CC" | Director
-! style="background-color: #6699CC" | Writer(s)
-! style="background-color: #6699CC" | Original airdate
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 61: / Line 56: @@
  |DirectedBy=Beryl Richards
  |WrittenBy=Andrew Viner
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|09|12}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|09|12}}
- |ShortSummary=The Swann family band, We're In Perfect Harmony, become the house band on ''The Totally Annabelle Show''. Annabelle plans on usurping lead-singer Aretha and duetting with Hadley. Toyah is forced to choose between the band's show and a school interview on the same day.
+ |ShortSummary=The Swann family band, We're in Perfect Harmony, become the house band on ''The Totally Annabelle Show''. Annabelle plans on usurping lead-singer Aretha and duetting with Hadley. Toyah is forced to choose between the band's show and a school interview on the same day.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 70: / Line 65: @@
  |DirectedBy= Griff Rowland
  |WrittenBy=Joe Williams
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|09|19}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|09|19}}
- |ShortSummary=Gary and Shalondra go camping, leaving the children with Gary's father Terry. Toyah practises for her grade eight [[cello]] exam, while Terry has the band perform his [[seventies]] hit single.
+ |ShortSummary=Gary and Shalondra go camping, leaving the children with Gary's father Terry. Toyah practises for her grade eight [[cello]] exam, while Terry has the band perform his 1970s hit single.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 79: / Line 74: @@
  |DirectedBy=Beryl Richards
  |WrittenBy=Gerard Foster
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|09|26}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|09|26}}
  |ShortSummary=Isaac kidnaps Pixie, Annabelle's pet pig. Aretha loses her hearing and is helped by Toyah and Martha to overcome the problem before a record executive arrives to hear her sing, so Toyah sings and she is fantastic.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 88: / Line 83: @@
  |DirectedBy=Griff Rowland
  |WrittenBy=Emma Reeves
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|10|03}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|03}}
- |ShortSummary=Gary struggles to fulfill his fatherly commitments to both Hadley and Isaac, so Shalondra devises a creative solution.  Toyah lets her celebrity status go to her head.
+ |ShortSummary=Gary struggles to fulfill his fatherly commitments to both Hadley and Isaac, so Shalondra devises a creative solution. Toyah lets her celebrity status go to her head.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 97: / Line 92: @@
  |DirectedBy=Jonathan Gershfield
  |WrittenBy=Andrew Viner
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|10|10}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|10}}
- |ShortSummary=Gary and Shalondra set the children a maths test, announcing that anyone who fails must leave the band. Isaac is distracted from revising by Terry, jeopardising his future in the band.He is not allowed to play with the band until he gets a better grade in the maths test. |LineColor=6699CC
+ |ShortSummary=Gary and Shalondra set the children a maths test, announcing that anyone who fails must leave the band. Isaac is distracted from revising by Terry, jeopardising his future in the band.He is not allowed to play with the band until he gets a better grade in the maths test. |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 104: / Line 99: @@
  |Title=You Can't Touch This
  |DirectedBy=Beryl Richards
- |WrittenBy=Holly Lyons
+ |WrittenBy=Gail Sky King
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|10|17}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|17}}
  |ShortSummary=Gary and Shalondra are locked in the recording studio while spying on the children. Aretha breaks Toyah's cello bow and tries to hide the truth from her.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
  |EpisodeNumber=07
- |Title=Bittersweet Symphony
+ |Title=Matters of the Harp (Bittersweet Symphony)
  |DirectedBy=Griff Rowland
- |WrittenBy=Holly Lyons & Andy Watts
+ |WrittenBy=Gail Sky King & Andy Watts
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|10|24}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|24}}
- |ShortSummary=Hadley lies to impress a girl, while Aretha receives a lucrative offer to become the face and voice of the Yappy Nappy brand. Hadely has to decide whether to play in the band or with the girl of his life
+ |ShortSummary=Hadley lies to impress a girl, while Aretha receives a lucrative offer to become the face and voice of the Yappy Nappy brand. Hadley has to decide whether to play in the band or with the girl of his life
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 123: / Line 118: @@
  |DirectedBy=Jonathan Gershfield
  |WrittenBy=Paul Gerstenberger (story) & Paul McKenzie
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|10|31}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|10|31}}
  |ShortSummary=Hadley wonders why Isaac is more popular than him, while Toyah and Aretha are in direct competition to write a song for R&B star Monelle.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 132: / Line 127: @@
  |DirectedBy=Jonathan Gershfield
  |WrittenBy=Patricia Elcock
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|11|07}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|11|07}}
  |ShortSummary=Hadley is mugged by a group of girls and considers leaving the band. Aretha and Toyah conspire to beat Annabelle in the Teen-Style Queen awards.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 141: / Line 136: @@
  |DirectedBy=Beryl Richards
  |WrittenBy=Emma Reeves
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|11|14}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|11|14}}
  |ShortSummary=When Toyah falls for TV star Zac MacDonald, Aretha gives her a makeover. Hadley and Isaac become addicted to the computer game ''Supalife''. Shalondra meets up with her sisters.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
 }}
 {{Episode list
@@ Line 149: / Line 144: @@
  |Title=Christmas Time
  |DirectedBy=Jonathan Gershfield
- |WrittenBy=Holly Lyons
+ |WrittenBy=Gail Sky King
- |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2009|11|21}}
+ |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=yes|2009|11|21}}
  |ShortSummary=The ''Totally Annabelle'' Christmas special broadcasts from the Swanns' living room. Toyah's OCD flares up, Hadley wants to sing a solo, and Shalondra tries to find her presents.
- |LineColor=6699CC
+ |LineColor=689CCF
+}}
 }}
-|}
 ==References==
@@ Line 160: / Line 155: @@
 ==External links==
+* {{BBC programme}}
 *[http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/my_almost_family_family/ British Comedy Guide]
-[[Category:BBC children's television programmes]]
+[[Category:2009 British television series debuts]]
+[[Category:2009 British television series endings]]
+[[Category:2000s British children's television series]]
+[[Category:BBC children's television shows]]
+[[Category:2000s British teen sitcoms]]
 [[Category:British television-related lists]]
+[[Category:Television series produced at Pinewood Studios]]
+[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
+[[Category:Television shows set in London]]
+[[Category:Television series about families]]
-{{child-tv-prog-stub}}
+{{UK-kids-tv-prog-stub}}