Fresh serving of underrated comedy series
As Channel 4 prepares to dish up another Friday Night Dinner, on-screen brothers Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal chat to Gemma Dunn about quirks, keeping things professional and the serious side of comedy: After two years off air, award-winning sitcom Friday Night Dinner is back with a fourth helping of comedy – and according to its squabbling stars, it might just be the best course yet. “What can I say? It is good,” enthuses Londonborn Tom Rosenthal, looking to co-star Simon Bird for back-up. The Inbetweeners star agrees. “We felt that from reading the scripts first time around,” says Bird. “Also, we’re all so used to it now and that’s really good for comedy, because when you relax with your fellow cast members, you can try stuff out. “It feels like we know all of the characters inside out, and we know each other’s rhythms and performance styles.” Returning to Mum and Dad’s house (Tamsin Greig of Episodes and Paul Ritter of Vera) for a Friday night dinner of soup, chicken and ‘crimble crumble’, the Goodman boys will once again have ample opportunity for side-orders of windups and bickering. But while there’s plenty of fun to be had in character, Bird and Rosenthal reveal that on-set pranks are somewhat surprisingly kept to a minimum. “It’s pretty professional, which is mainly dictated by Tamsin and Paul, who are incredibly brilliant actors,” explains Guildford-born Bird. “They set the tone from day one, so it’s up to me and Tom to try and keep up with them as best we can.” Despite their quick wit, the double act admit they’re keen to try their hand at more dramatic roles in the future. “I think it’s the only way to have a long and lasting career in the industry,” reasons Bird. “I try lots of different things, but there’s potential for Friday Night Dinner to be on TV for more years to come, so ...” He trails off, and Rosenthal jumps in with: “I thought you were going to say there’s potential for it to get dramatic!” “There’s no potential for that,” Bird grins.
The fourth series of Friday Night Dinner starts on Channel 4 on Friday, July 22. NOW HAVE YOUR SAY sunderland echo online @sunderlandecho