{{Short description|British TV sitcom}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox television | image = Grandmashousebbc.jpg | caption = | genre = [[Sitcom]] | creator = [[Simon Amstell]] | developer = | writer = {{ubl|Simon Amstell|Dan Swimer}} | director = Christine Gernon | creative_director = | starring = {{ubl|[[Simon Amstell]]|[[Linda Bassett]]|[[Geoffrey Hutchings]]|[[Rebecca Front]]|[[James Smith (actor)|James Smith]]|[[Samantha Spiro]]|Jamal Hadjkura|[[Vincent Franklin]]}} | narrator = | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_series = 2 | num_episodes = 12 | list_episodes = #Episode list | executive_producer = {{ubl|Sophie Clarke-Jervoise|Simon Lupton}} | producer = Ben Cavey | editor = | location = | cinematography = | camera = | runtime = 30 minutes | company = [[Tiger Aspect Productions]] | channel = [[BBC Two]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2010|8|9|df=y}} | last_aired = {{End date|2012|5|24|df=y}} | related = }} '''''Grandma's House''''' is a [[sitcom]] television series broadcast on [[BBC Two]]. Written by [[Simon Amstell]] and long-term collaborator [[Dan Swimer]], the series stars Simon Amstell playing a version of himself: an ex-television presenter searching for meaning in his life. Each episode takes place at his grandmother's house, where Grandma ([[Linda Bassett]]) welcomes her family, desperate to see everyone happy.
The first series was shown in 2010, the second in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00q7wy5 |title=BBC Programmes Grandma's House |date=9 April 2012 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> In December 2012 Amstell stated that there would not be a third series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nissim|first=Mayer|date=2012-12-20|title=Simon Amstell: 'Grandma's House is over'|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a446578/simon-amstell-confirms-no-more-grandmas-house/|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Cast and characters== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Character !! Actor/actress !! Series !! Duration !! Notes |- | Simon || [[Simon Amstell]] || 1–2 || 2010–12 || |- | Grandma (Lily) || [[Linda Bassett]] || 1–2 || 2010–12 || Simon and Adam's grandmother |- | Grandpa (Bernie) || [[Geoffrey Hutchings]] || 1 || 2010 || Simon and Adam's grandfather |- | Tanya || [[Rebecca Front]] || 1–2 || 2010–12 || Simon's mother |- | Clive || [[James Smith (actor)|James Smith]] || 1–2 || 2010–12 || Tanya's fiancé |- | Liz || [[Samantha Spiro]] ||1–2 || 2010–12 || Simon's aunt |- | Adam || Jamal Hadjkura || 1–2 || 2010–12 || Simon's cousin |- | Ben Theodore|| [[Iwan Rheon]] || 1-2 || 2010–12 || Simon's love interest |- | Barry || [[Vincent Franklin]] || 2 || 2012 || Liz's husband |- | Mark|| Oliver Coopersmith || 2 || 2012 || School friend of Adam |}
==Production== The show was created and written by [[Simon Amstell]] and Dan Swimer.<ref name="Production"/> Six 30-minutes episodes were produced for the first series by [[Tiger Aspect Productions]] for [[BBC Two]]. These were filmed at [[Pinewood Studios]].<ref name="Production"/>
The house used for exterior filming is located in {{Coord|51.5840|0.0648|type:landmark_region:GB-RDB|display=title}}Highwood Gardens in [[Clayhall]], Greater London.<ref name="imdblocation">{{cite web|title=''Grandma's House'' (2010) – filming locations|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706532/locations|accessdate=5 May 2012|publisher=IMDb}}</ref>
On 1 July 2010, [[Geoffrey Hutchings]], who portrayed Grandpa, died.<ref name="Hutchings' Death"/> The death of his character was said to have occurred between the two series.
==Episodes==
===Series 1 (2010)=== {{Episode table |background=#C0C0C0 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=55 |director=15 |airdate=13 |viewers=7 |country=UK |episodes=
{{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 1 |EpisodeNumber2= 1 |Title= The Day Simon Told His Family About His Important Decision |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2010|8|9|df=y}} |Viewers= 1.56<ref name="RatingsEp1"/> |ShortSummary=When Simon tells his mum Tanya that he's quitting the [[Never Mind the Buzzcocks|programme]] he presents, she is less than happy. While Simon struggles to make his mum realise that her new boyfriend Clive might not be the right man for her, Grandpa has discovered something that will leave Grandma in a panic. Meanwhile, Auntie Liz is struggling with her son Adam, who appears to be starting a teenage rebellion. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 2 |EpisodeNumber2= 2 |Title= The Day Simon Decided It Might Be a Nice Idea to Surprise His Mother with a Gift |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2010|8|16|df=y}} |Viewers= 1.11<ref name="RatingsEp2"/> |ShortSummary=Simon has bought his mum, Tanya, an extravagant gift which she refuses to accept. He's also trying to convince her that maybe she shouldn't marry Clive. Meanwhile, it's Liz's birthday but nobody seems to care. Grandad has news from the doctor about his cancer scare and Simon has decided he might write a play for the theatre. However, his family isn't impressed. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 3 |EpisodeNumber2= 3 |Title= The Day Simon Announced That He Was in Control of the Universe |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2010|8|23|df=y}} |Viewers= 1.06<ref name="RatingsEp3"/> |ShortSummary=Simon has fallen in love. He's also read a book which leads him to believe that he might be able to control the universe. The family aren’t very impressed with either. Grandpa has invited Deborah Adler to visit, Grandma doesn’t like her and is less than happy. Liz has had to take extreme measures to try to get her son Adam into a new school. Guest starring [[Pam Ferris]] and [[Iwan Rheon]]. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 4 |EpisodeNumber2= 4 |Title= The Day Simon Decided He Was Forlorn |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2010|8|30|df=y}} |Viewers= 1.22<ref name="RatingsEp4"/> |ShortSummary=Simon is having a life crisis and is depressed. The situation is exacerbated when a guest he interviewed on his show attacks him in the press. Tanya moves into Clive's house, much to Simon's irritation. Meanwhile, Grandma and Grandpa plan a cruise. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 5 |EpisodeNumber2= 5 |Title= The Day Simon Felt the Family Was Ready to Be Healed |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2010|9|6|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.990<ref name="RatingsEp5"/> |ShortSummary=Simon has been on a life-changing course and has decided it's his job to heal the family. He starts by giving his Granddad an exercise ball. Tanya has had a realisation that maybe Clive isn't the man for her, and when the family discover that Simon has organised a surprise for them, they are fearful what Grandma might do to him. Guest starring [[Allan Corduner]]. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 6 |EpisodeNumber2= 6 |Title= The Day Simon Finally Found the Strength to Accept That His Mother Was Getting Married |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2010|9|13|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.770<ref name="RatingsEp6"/> |ShortSummary=When Grandpa is taken ill, it's unsure whether Tanya and Clive will be able to get married today. Grandma takes on the responsibility of trying to resolve the situation, but is she right to advise Tanya to get married? Meanwhile, Liz has a favour to ask of Simon which might help Adam sort out his schooling problems. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} }}
===Series 2 (2012)=== {{Episode table |background=#C0C0C0 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=55 |director=15 |airdate=13 |viewers=7 |country=UK |episodes=
{{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 7 |EpisodeNumber2= 1 |Title= The Day Simon Officially Became a Very Good and Totally Employable Actor |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|4|19|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.980<ref name="RatingsEp2.1"/> |ShortSummary= Simon, now living at his Grandma's house, has had a one night stand with Mark, a just-turned-sixteen classmate of Adam. Simon's grandma is refusing to acknowledge the death of Simon's grandad. Liz and Tanya are not getting on. Clive is attempting to win Tanya back, employing his knowledge about damp as an excuse to be around the house. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 8 |EpisodeNumber2= 2 |Title= The Day Simon Thought It May Be a Good Idea to Find New Living Arrangements |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|4|26|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.754<ref name="RatingsEp2.2"/> |ShortSummary=Liz's husband Barry makes a rare appearance at the house however makes it clear that he has no desire to be there. Adam discloses that Barry has access to a London flat in Soho that Simon, who is auditioning for Ben Theodore's new play, wants to rent if he wins the part, however he has to navigate Barry's personality first. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 9 |EpisodeNumber2= 3 |Title= The Day Simon Attempted to Express Actual Feelings Just Like a Person |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|5|3|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.615<ref name="RatingsEp2.3"/> |ShortSummary=Having won the part in The Tempest Simon tries to learn how to cry for the role while worrying over his Grandma's new habit of stealing her friends animal replicas and trying to deal with Clive who has slept over in the loft after a drinking relapse. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 10 |EpisodeNumber2= 4 |Title= The Day Simon Was Really Determined to Heal His Grandma's Pain |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|5|10|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.589<ref name="RatingsEp2.4"/> |ShortSummary= Simon has a date with Ben Theodore and has arranged for his Grandma to see a psychotherapist/acting coach to deal with her grief. But their lift down to London is delayed by Clive's revelation that he kissed Liz when they went to see ''Shrek The Musical''. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 11 |EpisodeNumber2= 5 |Title= The Day Simon Found Himself Back on the Path to Fulfilment and Joy |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|5|17|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.698 |ShortSummary= Tanya is thrilled when Simon finally makes his big TV comeback, even though it is just a short interview to promote his play. Simon is starting to feel validated as an artist – however, a tiny off-the-cuff comment he makes about an opera singer's tumour is picked up by a popular newspaper, who really do not like that sort of thing. |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber= 12 |EpisodeNumber2= 6 |Title= The Day Simon and His Family Opened the Door to Acceptance |DirectedBy= Christine Gernon |OriginalAirDate= {{start date|2012|5|24|df=y}} |Viewers= 0.740 |ShortSummary= It's Tanya and Clive's wedding day again, but Simon has other concerns as he is given a lesson in tough love. His play is also in jeopardy since director Ben Theodore has suddenly dropped out. Meanwhile Barry has gone missing, Adam finds new love, and all of Simon's problems could be resolved as Ben arrives with wonderful news. Guest starring [[Iwan Rheon]] and [[Jessie Cave]] |LineColor=C0C0C0 }} }}
==Critical reception== The show has received a generally positive reaction from critics and audiences alike. [[TV.com]]'s Ruth Margolis claimed that "[Amstell's] written a sitcom stuffed with gently funny moments and acerbic gems", but suggested "a few more naturalistic pauses would have just polished this into the self-assured comedy it so wants to be."<ref name="TV.com"/> Other publications had differing opinions. UK's ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]''' claimed on their website that "[Amstell's] brilliantly funny but we won’t be inviting him round for tea."<ref name="Metro"/> Sam Wollaston of ''[[The Guardian]]'' asked, "Can Simon act, though? Well, it's hard to know really, given that he's essentially just being himself", but comes around to the opinion that "Grandma's House is sharply written, with some nice lines and a bit of edge to it."<ref name="The Guardian"/> Two weeks later, Wollaston revealed "I'm enjoying Grandma's House more and more (...) there's a subtlety and a sharpness about it. And yeah, it's funny."<ref name="The Guardian 2"/>
Jewish media outlets such as the ''[[Jewish Chronicle]]'' were pleased that the show was bringing [[Jewish humour]] to mainstream audiences<ref name="Jewish Chronicle"/> and the newspaper also described the show as "genius".<ref name="Jewish Chronicle 2"/>
==Awards== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominee ! Result |Refs |- |rowspan="2"|{{Center|2010}} | British Comedy Award | Best Female Comedy Breakthrough Artist | [[Samantha Spiro]] as Auntie Liz | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="2010 BCA">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a299572/in-full-british-comedy-awards-winners.html |title=In Full: British Comedy Awards - Winners |author=Amy Bell |date=22 January 2011 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |accessdate=31 January 2011}}</ref> |- | British Comedy Award | Best New TV Comedy | ''Grandma's House'' | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="2010 BCA"/> |}
==DVD release== [[2 Entertain]] released the first series of ''Grandma's House'' on DVD on 20 September 2010; it includes all six episodes, a [[making-of]] documentary, a booklet and an [[audio commentary]] on one of the episodes by Amstell and his mother.<ref name="DVD1 IMDB"/><ref name="DVD1 BCG"/>
==International broadcast== In Australia, the first season commenced airing on [[ABC2]] each Thursday at 10pm from 23 February 2012.<ref name="ABC2 Airdate"/>
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="Production">{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/grandmas_house/details/|title=Grandma's House - Production Details|publisher=[[British Comedy Guide]]|accessdate=4 August 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Hutchings' Death">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10494592 |title=Stage and TV actor Geoffrey Hutchings dies aged 71 | work=[[BBC News]] | publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2 July 2010 | access-date=5 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="TV.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/welcome-to-simon-amstells-grandmas-house/story/23628.html |title=Welcome to Simon Amstell's ''Grandma's House'' |author=Ruth Margolis |date=6 August 2010 |publisher=[[TV.com]] |accessdate=6 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/reviews/837534-grandmas-house-simon-amstell-returns-to-tv-presenter-mode-sort-of |title=Grandma's House: Simon Amstell returns to TV presenter mode (sort of) |author=Sharon Lougher |date=9 August 2010 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |accessdate=6 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/aug/10/grandmas-house-tv-review |title=TV review: Grandma's House, Inn Mates and Gears And Tears |author=Sam Wollaston |date=10 August 2010 |work=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=6 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="The Guardian 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/aug/24/the-hospital-grandmas-house |title=TV review: The Hospital, Grandma's House |author=Sam Wollaston |date=24 August 2010 |work=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=7 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Jewish Chronicle">{{cite web |url=http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/comment/37011/finally-were-no-longer-a-niche |title=Finally, we're no longer a niche |author=Tracy-Ann Oberman |date=19 August 2010 |work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]] |accessdate=7 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Jewish Chronicle 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.thejc.com/news/the-diary/37015/read-all-about-it-bbc |title=Read all about it on the BBC |author=Simon Rocker |date=19 August 2010 |work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]] |accessdate=7 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp1">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a259083/grandmas-house-debuts-to-15m.html|title='Grandma's House' debuts to 1.5m|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author=Andrew Laughlin|date=10 August 2010|accessdate=10 August 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp2">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a262880/the-one-show-relaunch-appeals-to-45m.html|title='The One Show' relaunch appeals to 4.5m|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author=Andrew Laughlin|date=17 August 2010|accessdate=17 August 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp3">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a266636/new-look-the-one-show-holds-steady.html|title=New look 'The One Show' holds steady|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author=Andrew Laughlin|date=24 August 2010|accessdate=24 August 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp4">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a270750/49m-watch-donovans-you-think-you-are.html|title=4.9m watch Donovan's 'You Think You Are?'|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author=Andrew Laughlin|date=1 September 2010|accessdate=1 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp5">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a274069/bouquet-of-barbed-wire-opens-to-52m.html|title='Bouquet of Barbed Wire' opens to 5.2m|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author=Andrew Laughlin|date=7 September 2010|accessdate=8 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp6">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a276655/the-inbetweeners-returns-to-22m.html|title='The Inbetweeners' returns to 2.2m|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author=Andrew Laughlin|date=20 April 2012|accessdate=15 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp2.1">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a377571/ |title=Simon Amstell's 'Grandma's House' revisited by nearly 1m|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author= Paul Millar|date=14 April 2010|accessdate=20 April 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp2.2">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a378823/ |title=Louis Theroux's 'Extreme Love' concludes with 2m for BBC Two |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|author= Paul Millar|date=27 April 2012|accessdate=28 April 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp2.3">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a380015/ |title='The Hoarder Next Door' starts brightly for Channel 4 with 3.3m |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |author=Paul Millar |date=4 May 2012 |accessdate=5 May 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="RatingsEp2.4">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a381132/ |title='Britain's Got Talent' last semi-final results show rebounds to 8.2m |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |author=Paul Millar |date=11 May 2012 |accessdate=12 May 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="DVD1 IMDB">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706532/dvd |title=DVD details for Grandma's House |publisher=[[IMDb]]|accessdate=22 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="DVD1 BCG">{{cite web |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/grandmas_house/buy/ |title=Grandma's House Merchandise |publisher=[[British Comedy Guide]] |accessdate=22 September 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="ABC2 Airdate">{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/abc2/201202/programs/ZX8745A001D2012-02-23T220450.htm?program=Grandma%27s%20House| title=ABC2 Programming Airdate: Grandma's House (episode one) | publisher=ABC Television Publicity | accessdate=12 May 2012 }}</ref> }}
==External links== *{{BBC programme}} *{{British Comedy Guide|tv|grandmas_house}} *{{IMDb title|1706532}}
[[Category:2010s British sitcoms]] [[Category:2010 British television series debuts]] [[Category:2012 British television series endings]] [[Category:BBC television sitcoms]] [[Category:2010s British LGBTQ-related comedy television series]] [[Category:Jewish comedy and humor]] [[Category:Television series by Tiger Aspect Productions]] [[Category:Television series by Banijay]] [[Category:English-language British television shows]] [[Category:Television shows set in London]]