It's rare that one can watch something on TV and, days later, still be wetting one's self at it's freaking hilarity. 'The Royle Family' are working class and live in Manchester. They consist of a grumpy, lazy, needy, father Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) and his long-suffering, wife Barbara (Sue Johnston); their daughter, Denise (Caroline Aherne, who also writes) who is utterly dense, lazier than her dad and an uncaring mother to her children with her even thicker husband Dave (Craig Cash, another writer). The saving grace of the family is the son, Antony (Ralf Little) who is genuinely nice and somewhat naive. This Christmas he aims to propose to his girlfriend (Joanne Froggatt). Also over for Christmas is their recently widowed neighbour, Joe (Peter Martin) and his daughter, Cheryl (Jessica Hynes). 'Joe's Crackers' was a beautiful example of quiet, low-key British comedy, with witty banter, stupidity, light farce and wonderfully executed sight gags, and none of it too overt or predictable, but most enough to bring tears to your eyes. The last two Royle Christmas specials were good, but great. This completely recovered them, and you could tell the cast were revelling in it; Jessica Hynes, Sue Johston and Craig Cash shone particularly, each with flawless deadpan delivery. This is utterly unmissable - watch it. Now.
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