My Family Series 9, Episode 1 - Bully For Ben - British Comedy Guide (original) (raw)

Ben joins the young Harpers for a pub quiz, which leads to some awkward questions being asked.

Further details

My Family. Image shows from L to R: Janey Harper (Daniela Denby-Ashe), Susan Harper (Zoë Wanamaker), Michael Harper (Gabriel Thomson), Ben Harper (Robert Lindsay). Copyright: DLT Entertainment Ltd. / Rude Boy Productions

It's Ben and Susan's wedding anniversary. Ben is trying to write a loving message in a card but is having serious difficulties, despite fierce prompting from daughter Janey.

Janey sets off for the local pub quiz with her brother, Michael, lodger Alfie and Ben's annoying work colleague, Roger. Ben is insulted that he wasn't invited but decides to tag along anyway.

As their team falls behind in the quiz, Alfie points out that a player on another team has been cheating by texting all night. Ben decides to confront the phone cheat, Barry, who invites him outside to settle their disagreement. Ben backs out of the fight but is determined to get into shape so he can return to confront Barry.

Michael and Alfie later find Ben in a heap surrounded by gym equipment and figure out what he's up to. They force Ben to confess that the real reason for wanting to fight Barry is that he was bullied at school.

With the encouragement of his family, Ben heads back to the pub to confront Barry and his school demons. But, when Ben arrives, he's not so sure he can go through with it - especially as humiliating facts come to light about the identity of his school bully. But, if he backs out now, will the rest of the family ever look at him in the same way?

Broadcast details

Date

Thursday 2nd April 2009

Time

8:30pm

Channel

BBC One

Length

30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast

Robert Lindsay Ben Harper
Gabriel Thomson Michael Harper
Daniela Denby-Ashe Janey Harper
Keiron Self Roger Bailey Jr.
Rhodri Meilir Alfie Butts
Tayler Marshall Kenzo Harper

Guest cast

Richard Graham Barry
Tony Bluto Quizmaster
Allison Ryan Danni Jarvis

Writing team

Brian Leveson Writer
Paul Minett Writer
Ed Dyson Writer (Additional Material)
Amy Shindler Writer (Additional Material)
Robin Taylor Writer (Additional Material)

Production team

Nic Phillips Director
John Bartlett Producer
Donald Taffner Jr. Executive Producer
Micheál Jacob Executive Producer
Tom Anderson Executive Producer
Chris Wadsworth Editor
Ian Fisher Production Designer
Sandie Shepherd Production Designer
Graham Jarvis Composer