Watch 2point4 Children
- 1969
- 6 Seasons
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6.9 (1,742)
2point4 Children is a British family sitcom that aired on BBC One from 1991 to 1999. The show revolves around the Porter family consisting of parents Bill and Ben (played by Gary Olsen), and their children Jenny and David. The title of the show comes from the average number of children in a British family at the time. The show was created by Andrew Marshall, who also produced and wrote for the series.
Belinda Lang stars opposite Olsen as Bill's wife and the mother of their two children. She works as an art teacher and is the more sensible of the two parents, often keeping a level head when situations get out of hand. Her husband, Bill, works in IT and is the more playful and carefree parent, often getting into mischief and causing chaos in the house.
The show explores the ups and downs of family life in a humorous way, from the trials and tribulations of raising teenagers to the complications of adult relationships. Each episode follows the family as they navigate through various situations, both big and small, attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy in their day-to-day lives.
The Porter family's home is a central focus of the show, with much of the action taking place within its walls. The house emits a comfortable, homely feel with an era-based decor, suiting the time period of when the show was aired. The show is situated primarily in their living room, kitchen, and garden with other locations such as work or holiday sites occasionally depicted.
The show features a variety of recurring characters, including the next-door neighbors, the Carters. The head of the Carter family, Rona (played by Kim Benson), becomes one of the Porter's closest friends, and her daughter, Petra (Rosa Di Brigida), often babysits for the Porter children. Rona's husband, Ben (John Pickard), has a love for 60s pop culture and often offers his comedic input into episodes.
Other recurring characters include David's best friend, the fast-talking female, Jenny's boyfriend, and her other close girl friend. The show frequently features comedic guest appearances as well, such as Kathy Burke, who portrays a sassy hairdresser, and Emma Thompson, who plays an eccentric vet.
2point4 Children utilises a ensemble cast, with each character having their moments to shine. The show has a blend of traditional sitcom humour, such as wordplay and slapstick, with moments of emotional depth and character development. The show tackles themes such as grief, aging, infidelity and sexuality in a sensitive and humorous way, presenting these issues in a light-hearted and relatable way.
The show was highly popular throughout its 8-year run, consistently attracting high viewership numbers and was lauded for its writing, acting and direction. The show as a whole gained a dedicated fanbase with its relatable and humorous portrayal of family life.
In conclusion, 2point4 Children is a British sitcom that depicts the life of the Porter family and their neighbours in humorous and entertaining ways. It is a family-friendly show that charmingly captures the everyday trials and tribulations of life with teenagers, alongside the occasional bizarre events that occur during their attempts at maintaining a sense of normalcy. The show's comedic style and ensemble cast make this a must-watch for all fans of the classic family-centric sitcom.
2point4 Children is a series that ran for 6 seasons (43 episodes) between and on IMDb Freedive