My Family (series 10)

The tenth series of the BBC family sitcom My Family originally aired between 9 July 2010, and 27 August 2010, with a Christmas special that went to air on 24 December 2010. The series was commissioned following consistent ratings from the previous series. The opening episode, "Wheelie Ben", re-introduces the six main characters, with the addition of regular appearances from Kenzo Harper, played by Tayler Marshall. However, the character of Roger Bailey only made an appearance in the series finale. All episodes from the tenth series are thirty minutes in length, with the exception of the Christmas Special. The series was once again produced by Rude Boy Productions,[1] a company that produces comedies created by Fred Barron.[2] Unlike previous series of the show, which were filmed on a yearly basis, both Series 10 and 11 were filmed back-to-back.[3] For the first time in the show's history, two episodes of the series remained unaired for some time. At the time of release, the DVD of the series contained two episodes that had yet to be broadcast on television.[4] On 17 June 2011, one of these two episodes were aired, and the remaining one aired on 22 July 2011. The series averaged 4.55 million per episode; however, they managed to get over 6.00 million viewers for the Christmas Special.[5]

My Family
Series 10
Series 10 DVD Cover
Country of originUK
No. of episodes9 + Christmas Special
Release
Original networkBBC
Original release9 July (2010-07-09) –
24 December 2010 (2010-12-24)
Series chronology

Episode Information
Main article: List of My Family episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [6]
Series
1021"Wheelie Ben"Ed ByeAmy Shindler9 July 2010 (2010-07-09)4.33
When the local council insists that Ben has a disability problem, they start giving him local cheques in the mail but they do not know that the cheques belong to another Ben Harper. Instead, Ben decides to spend the money on buying Susan expensive shoes and starts to become disabled by fooling a court woman, Rosemary, who nominates him for an award. Meanwhile, Janey and Kenzo give up Janey's teddy and Kenzo's thumb sucking for a bet. Ben soon begins to sink deeper and deeper into his lie, he begins to realise that the truth must come out, but in no way can he predict how the truth is eventually revealed.
1032"The Son'll Come Out"Ed ByeTom Anderson16 July 2010 (2010-07-16)4.78
Michael is becoming more and more out of control until he comes home drunk one night and blurts out his deepest secret, telling Ben that he's gay. Susan is annoyed that Michael didn't come out to her and for once a supportive Ben outshines Susan's caring nature, but the tables turn when Michael's boyfriend's father goes to the dentist for a check-up. Meanwhile, Janey takes care of an annoying elderly patient, which eventually leads to him dying and leaving Janey his flat, and Michael's boyfriend Scott moves into the Harper residence.
1043"Desperately Stalking Susan"Ed ByeBrian Leveson and Paul Minett23 July 2010 (2010-07-23)4.42
Susan has enlisted the help of older neighbour Martin – whose wife died a few years ago – to do odd jobs around the house. Ben's pleased, and starts getting Martin to do even more jobs. Ben and Susan find themselves at the mercy of a cross-dressing-lunatic... all because Susan receives expensive valentine's gifts that she presumes are from Ben, but aren't, so he goes round to confront Martin, and is shocked to discover his neighbour has made a shrine to Susan. Meanwhile, Janey gets hooked on high-sugar energy drinks, and finds herself in Liverpool.
1054"The Melbourne Identity"Ed ByeBrian Leveson and Paul Minett30 July 2010 (2010-07-30)4.66
Ben and Susan are enjoying the peace and quiet of having the house all to themselves, but this is soon ruined by an Australian Backpacker called Craig, who turns up at the Harper's doorstep. Susan immediately invites him into the house, and he starts doing the jobs that Ben's always put off, much to Ben's annoyance, who just wants the house to himself and Susan. Things soon take a rather sinister twist for Ben when he realises that Craig may be his son, after a night of "fun" with his Mother. Janey soon takes a liking to the new guest and the pair of them go on a date, much to Ben's dismay, Susan then discovers the truth and it transpires that his brief fling happened when he and Susan were dating.
1065"He's Just Not That into Ben"Ed ByeDan Staley6 August 2010 (2010-08-06)4.89
When Michael returns home from a gay bar drunk, he realises he's forgotten his phone, but Susan insists that he can't go back there in his state – he might get stabbed – so she sends Ben instead. However, he soon grabs the attention of Rupert, who's a little bit too attracted to him, and Ben finds himself getting sent flowers and receiving visits to his house and dental surgery. Only Susan seems to have the power to stop Ben's apparent stalker, and the truth certainly hurts.
1076"Slammertime"Ed ByeGeorge Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore13 August 2010 (2010-08-13)4.70
Susan's going away for the weekend, but is concerned that Ben will just lie on the sofa eating junk food, watching TV and drinking beer. He's adamant that he will do no such thing, and that he will eat the fruit, vegetables and other food that she's left for him. Later on, he's alone in the house, when the police turn up and ask him to be a part of an identity parade. He's very happy to do so, and shows off his moves… but his mood soon drops when he's formally arrested for a mugging! And ends up in a cell with fellow inmates Carl and Terry. On returning home, Ben is enjoying some tranquility… until two familiar faces turn up on his doorstep and his weekend soon turns to anything but the fun and relaxing time he set out to have, especially when Verity, Carl's wife, turns up.
1087"Ben Behaving Badly"Ed ByeTom Anderson27 August 2010 (2010-08-27)4.09

Janey is due to work, but needs someone to cover for her, because she needs to look after Kenzo and she also wants to keep her job. She asks Michael, who can't because he's too pre-occupied with his split from Scott, then Roger comes round, who's still depressed about Abi. Just wanting some peace, Ben enquires about whether this old man – Harry – has Sky, and when he finds out that he does, he insists that he covers for her. He's quite capable of looking after an old man. Reluctantly, Janey hands over the keys, and his address, but tells Ben that the one thing he mustn't do is let Harry out of his sight.

Note: This episode was moved back a week because no episode was aired on 20 August 2010 because of the final of Celebrity Masterchef being aired in its usual 9.00 p.m. slot.
1098"Harper vs. Harper"Ed ByeSteve Armogida and Jim Armogida22 July 2011 (2011-07-22)[lower-alpha 1]4.13[lower-alpha 2]

It's Susan's Godparents anniversary, and Ben doesn't want to go. Susan's determined to make him, but he point blank refuses… which sparks one of many, many arguments. After their old one collapses, they go to get a new bed, which they argue over, until they find separate beds, which turns into separate rooms, which eventually turns into separate houses. Susan stays at her house, while Ben seeks solace in Roger, who's expecting a woman around. And while Susan is enjoying herself with much happy company, Ben is ruining Roger's evening with a woman. The following night, it's Susan's turn to find accommodation elsewhere, and she ends up in Michael and Scott's flat, where, as usual, she tries to take control of things. Ben then intrudes on Roger the following evening… mainly because he's hungry, but Michael and Janey come around, begging him to apologise to Susan... they can't stand having their separate parents in each others' flats. Will they get back together, or will everyone's lives be ruined by their split?

Note: This was episode was due to air at the end of series ten, and was such included on the DVD for the series. However, due to scheduling issues, was not aired until the eleventh series.[7]
1109"Janey's Choice"Ed ByeAndrew Kreisberg17 June 2011 (2011-06-17)[lower-alpha 3]4.37[lower-alpha 4]

Kenzo, Janey and Mark return from the Zoo after a wonderful time, and then soon after Mark leaves, Australian backpacker Craig turns up to take Janey out. Mark turns up at Ben's dental surgery to ask for his blessing in marrying Janey and Ben is only too happy to oblige. Meanwhile another problem rises as Craig turns up at the Harper household to ask Susan for her blessing in allowing him to marry Janey. The whole situation culminates in a French restaurant, which Susan has booked, and both men try out their proposals to Janey, with little success, while Roger turns up with a Mexican band. Who will Janey choose? The Australian backpacker, the father of Kenzo and a wealthy businessman, or a Dentist?

Note: This was episode was due to air at the end of series ten, and was such included on the DVD for the series. However, due to scheduling issues, was not aired until the eleventh series.[7]
Special
111S"Mary Christmas"Ed ByeBrian Leveson, Paul Minett & Darin Henry24 December 2010 (2010-12-24)6.40

Two stories are placed into one hour long story for this Yuletide offering, which deals with one Christmas tale before tackling the family's New Year's celebrations. And for once, the season of goodwill really seems to be present in the Harper household, with Ben actually throwing himself into the spirit of the holidays. Meanwhile, Susan decides to throw a New Year's Eve party, and hopes it will be better than their archenemy's, Mr Casey. How can she trump him? By hiring Ainsley Harriott to do the catering...

Note: due to the appearance of Rolf Harris, it’s likely that this episode has been banned from broadcast by both the BBC and UKTV.

Notes
  1. Originally unaired by the BBC, the eighth episode of the tenth series, "Harper vs. Harper", was first released on the series 10 DVD and eventually went to air on 22 July 2011 during the run of the eleventh series.
  2. Based on its 22 July 2011 broadcast.
  3. Originally unaired by the BBC, the ninth episode of the tenth series, Janey's Choice ", was first released on the series 10 DVD and eventually went to air on 17 June 2011 during the run of the eleventh series.
  4. Based on its 17 June 2011 broadcast.

References
  1. "Sitcom Production Companies". Archived from the original on 16 May 2008.
  2. "Rude Boy Productions". IMDb.
  3. British Comedy Guide. "About My Family - British Comedy Guide". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  4. "My Family - Series 10". Amazon UK. 6 September 2010.
  5. "UK TV Guide for August 10th, 2016 with TV Listings for over 578 UK and Ireland channels : digiguide.tv". uk-tv-guide.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  6. "Weekly top 30 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 – Sept 2018)". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  7. "BBC One - My Family, Series 11, Janey's Choice". BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
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