My Almost Famous Family

My Almost Famous Family
My Almost Famous Family
Format Children's television series, Musical, Comedy
Written by Joe Williams
Emma Reeves
Andrew Viner
Gerard Foster
Holly Lyons
Andy Watts
Patricia Elcock
Paul McKenzie
Paul Gerstenberger
Directed by Beryl Richards
Griff Rowland
Jonathan Gershfield
Starring Rakie Ayola
Andrew Clover
Angus Harrison
Matt Morgan
Naomi Battrick
Dominique Moore
Rachel Brady
Alice Henley
Alan Ford
Emily Joyce
Composer(s) Richie Webb
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 11 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Steven Andrew
Producer(s) Paul McKenzie
Cinematography Ian Liggett
Running time 28 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBBC, BBC Two
Picture format HDTV
Original run 12 September – 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.[1]

"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,[2] is being made by the BBC, and penned by a team of writers including Gail Renard and Emma Reeves.

Composer and performer Richie Webb, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 series 15 Minute Musical, is working as the show’s musical director."[3]

On 17th April 2010, the BBC launched the My Almost Famous Family interactive website on the CBBC website, consisting of 16 interactive games, music videos, and songs from the show.

As of yet, the show has not been recommissioned for a second series.

Contents

Characters

  • Rakie Ayola as Shalondra Swann
  • Andrew Clover as Gary Swann
  • Angus Harrison as Hadley Swann
  • Naomi Battrick as Toyah Swann
  • Dominique Moore as Aretha Swann
  • Matt Morgan as Isaac Swann
  • Rachel Brady as Martha Swann
  • Alan Ford as Terry Swann
  • Alice Henley as Annabelle
  • Emily Joyce as Jill
  • Nick Rapson as Zac Macdonald

Episodes

Episode Title Director Writer(s) Original airdate
01 "We've Only Just Begun" Beryl Richards Andrew Viner September 12, 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 September 19, 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 seventies hit single. 
03 "The Sound of Silence" Beryl Richards Gerard Foster September 26, 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 October 3, 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 October 10, 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 Holly Lyons October 17, 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 "Bittersweet Symphony" Griff Rowland Holly Lyons & Andy Watts October 24, 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. Hadely 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 October 31, 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 November 7, 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 November 14, 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 Holly Lyons November 21, 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

  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, February 24, 2009
  3. ^ Webb, R: February News, WebbKatz, 2009

External links