My Almost Famous Family

My Almost Famous Family is a British children's television series produced by the BBC and originally aired between 12 September and 21 November 2009 on CBBC on BBC Two.[1] The show was not recommissioned for a second series.

My Almost Famous Family
Written byJoe Williams
Emma Reeves
Andrew Viner
Gerard Foster
Gail Sky King
Andy Watts
Patricia Elcock
Paul McKenzie
Paul Gerstenberger
Directed byBeryl Richards
Griff Rowland
Jonathan Gershfield
StarringRakie Ayola
Andrew Clover
Angus Harrison
Matthew Jacobs Morgan
Naomi Battrick
Dominique Moore
Rachel Brady
Alice Henley
Alan Ford
Emily Joyce
ComposersRichie Webb
Tom Nichols
Steve Young
Tim Baxter
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerSteven Andrew
ProducerPaul McKenzie
CinematographyIan Liggett
Running time28 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBBC, BBC Two
Release12 September (2009-09-12) –
21 November 2009 (2009-11-21)

Premise

edit

The 11-part series was about a blended family of five siblings and their parents who performed together as the house band, 'We're in Perfect Harmony', of a fictional chat show.[2] It was written by a team of writers that included Gail Renard and Emma Reeves.

Production

edit

Composer and performer Richie Webb, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 series 15 Minute Musical, was the show's musical director.[3]

The shows theme tune 'Almost Famous' was written by Richard Webb, Steve Young and Tom Nichols. Incidental music was written and recorded by Tim Baxter.

In other media

edit

On 17 April 2010, the BBC launched the My Almost Famous Family interactive website on the CBBC website, which consisted of 16 interactive games, music videos, and songs from the show.[4]

Cast

edit
  • Rakie Ayola as Shalondra Swann, the family's matriarch (percussion and backing vocals)
  • Andrew Clover as Gary Swann, the family's patriarch (keyboard)
  • Angus Harrison as Hadley Terence Swann, Gary's son (lead guitar)
  • Naomi Battrick as Toyah Swann, Gary's daughter (cello and bass guitar)
  • Dominique Moore as Aretha Swann, Shalondra's daughter (lead vocals)
  • Matthew Jacobs Morgan as Isaac Swann, Shalondra's son (drums)
  • Rachel Brady as Martha Swann, Gary and Shalondra's daughter, who is deaf and uses sign language to communicate
  • Alan Ford as Terry Swann, Gary's father and the kids' grandfather
  • Alice Henley as Annabelle Iceton, host of The Totally Annabelle Show, on which the family play
  • Emily Joyce as Jill Iceton, Annabelle's mother and owner of the studio
  • Nick Rapson as Zac Macdonald

Episodes

edit
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
01"We've Only Just Begun"Beryl RichardsAndrew Viner12 September 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 RowlandJoe Williams19 September 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 1970s hit single.
03"The Sound of Silence"Beryl RichardsGerard Foster26 September 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 RowlandEmma Reeves3 October 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 GershfieldAndrew Viner10 October 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 RichardsGail Sky King17 October 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"Matters of the Harp (Bittersweet Symphony)"Griff RowlandGail Sky King & Andy Watts24 October 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. Hadley has to decide whether to play in the band or with the girl of his life
08"Take a Chance on Me"Jonathan GershfieldPaul Gerstenberger (story) & Paul McKenzie31 October 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 GershfieldPatricia Elcock7 November 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 RichardsEmma Reeves14 November 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 GershfieldGail Sky King21 November 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

edit
  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, 24 February 2009
  3. ^ Webb, R: February News Archived 30 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, WebbKatz, 2009
  4. ^ CBBC website
edit