“My Family” is a British sitcom that aired from 2000 to 2011. It centres around the Harper family, led by dentist Ben Harper and his wife Susan, a tour guide. The show humorously explores the chaotic and often dysfunctional dynamics of their family life, including their interactions with their three children, Nick, Janey, and Michael.
In this clip, Ben & Susan (the parents) visit their son’s grim apartment for the very first time!
[Knock at door]
Nick?
It’s Mummy and Daddy, dear.
Welcome to Casa de Nick.
Your mother thought
she’d just pop over,
and check the place out.
Come on, let’s go.
What’s wrong, Mum?
Aww. Tears of joy…
To see her son doing so well.
Stop it!
Be strong.
No, I’m fine.
Just overwhelmed at how…
lovely your place is.
Cool.
Well, let me give
you the grand tour.
This is the kitchen.
This is the living room.
This is the dining room.
This is the master bedroom.
So many rooms.
And where’s the loo?
Oh, dear God.
No, Mum.
That’s just for the
leak in the ceiling.
Loo’s through there.
Of course.
I’ll just go and freshen up.
Hold on.
What are you doing?
Well, I’ve only got one bulb,
so I have to move it
from room to room.
Never mind.
Eugh. I’m fine.
Cool, eh?
You know, I’m thinking of
making a few improvements.
Maybe taking out this wall.
You do that one more time
and you’re a dead man.
Good old Viv.
It’s that sort of relationship.
Anyone for tea?
Oh, lovely. That would be nice.
No! Lovely…
Oh, I’ve missed you.
I’ve missed you.
I don’t believe it.
My son is struggling to survive
in this desolate hellhole,
and all you’re going
to do is watch the telly.
I’m not going to
watch it, Susan.
I’m going to take it home.
The telly’s not the only
thing that’s coming home.
No, no you don’t.
No way.
No. For the first
time in his life,
Nick is standing on
his own two feet.
But he’s standing
in excrement!
[Knocking on door]
Get down!
Don’t make any noise.
Hey, Harper.
You owe me rent.
I know you’re in there.
I saw the light, you lazy
son of a pig’s nipple.
For your information,
that’s the pig’s nipple
you’re referring to.
And no one is allowed to
speak about my son that way,
except me.
I’ve earned it.
Dad-
It’s alright, Nick.
I’ll handle this.
And as far as a shameful
excuse for a flat goes,
you’re very lucky to get a
penny of his hard-earned money.
But, Dad-
Quiet, Nick.
So, the next time you ask for rent,
I suggest you ask politely.
Believe me, you don’t want
me on your bad side.
I’m a dentist.
Oh, Ben.
That was wonderful.
Except the part about
the pig’s nipple.
There’s no reason to
shout at Nick like that.
Actually, he has.
I lost my job at the pub.
I’m a week behind
on my rent,
and I haven’t eaten
for two days.
Ohhh!
Well, if there’s
anything we can do.
Come on, Susan, let’s go.
Sounds like Nick’s busy.
So, are you gonna pay?
No, he’s coming
home with us.
Cool, I’ll just
get my things.
No!
Wait.
Let’s just think about
this because, look…
What sort of lesson
would it be if we let Nick
give up every time
life gets difficult?
You know, I mean, if it means me having to pay a month’s rent
just to keep him here,
that’s a sacrifice
I’m willing to make.
And 100 up front to
cover the damages. Cash.
Yep, yep. Fine. Fine.
Damages?
This flat is a masterpiece.
As a matter of fact,
when I get home,
I’m gonna do up the
entire house just like it.
Hurry up with
the money, dear.
Cheque for the rent
will be in the post.
Bye, dear.
Love what you’ve
done with the place.
Thanks, mate.
Same time next month?
- Pop over
- Definition: To visit someone briefly and informally.
- Example: “I’ll pop over to your place after work to drop off the book.”
2) Tears of joy
- Definition: Tears that are shed due to happiness or overwhelming emotion.
- Example: “She was in tears of joy when she received the news of her promotion.”
3) Grand tour
- Definition: A comprehensive tour of a place, showing all the significant features.
- Example: “When we arrived at the mansion, the host gave us the grand tour of the property.”
4) Freshen up
- Definition: To wash and make oneself look and feel cleaner and more refreshed.
- Example: “I need to freshen up before we go out to dinner.”
5) Dead man
- Definition: A threat implying serious consequences or harm.
- Example: “If you tell anyone my secret, you’re a dead man.”
6) Good old
- Definition: A term of affection or nostalgia, often used to refer to someone or something familiar.
- Example: “Good old John always knows how to make us laugh.”
7. Desolate hellhole
- Definition: A place that is extremely unpleasant, rundown, or uninhabitable.
- Example: “He described his first apartment as a desolate hellhole.”
8. Stand on his own two feet
- Definition: To be independent and self-sufficient.
- Example: “After graduating from college, she was ready to stand on her own two feet.”
9. Son of a pig’s nipple
- Definition: An insulting and creative way to refer to someone, implying that they are contemptible.
- Example: “Get out of my sight, you son of a pig’s nipple!”
10. To get on your bad side
- Definition: To be in someone’s disfavor or on their negative side.
- Example: “You don’t want to get on her bad side; she can be very tough.”
11. Hard-earned money
- Definition: Money that one has earned through hard work and effort.
- Example: “He spends his hard-earned money wisely, investing in education and savings.”
12. Shameful excuse
- Definition: Something that is considered a very poor or inadequate example.
- Example: “That presentation was a shameful excuse for a report.”
13. Do up
- Definition: To renovate or decorate something.
- Example: “They plan to do up their kitchen with new cabinets and appliances.”
