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Parents' Guide to

The Kumars at No. 42

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Off-beat UK improv comedy with hilarious cast.

TV BBC America Comedy 2001
The Kumars at No. 42 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Improv comedy THE KUMARS AT NO. 42 is set in the home of the Kumars, a multi-generational Indian family living in Wembley, north of London. Ashwin (Vincent Ebrahim) and his wife, Madhuri (Indira Joshi), share their home with their adult son, Sanjeev (Sanjeev Bhaskar), whom Madhuri is always badgering to get married. Sanjeev's old-worldly grandmother -- or "Ummi," (Meera Syal) as she's called -- is also in residence. The family residence is also home to a state-of-the-art TV studio where they chat it up with the many celebrities who land on their doorstep, including British stars like Minnie Driver, Leslie Phillips, and Stephen Fry. As Sanjeev interviews guests, his family members interject comments and questions from a nearby couch, adding tedious tales (from Dad), sugary-sweet compliments (from Mom), and off-the-wall observations (from the outrageously uninhibited Ummi, who's especially boisterous when young men come to visit). With so much outside influence, it's often hard for Sanjeev to stay on task, and his "interviews" tend to head off on strange conversational tangents.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The magic of The Kumars is in the cast members' ability to mix scripted dialogue with their own hilarious brand of slapstick and improv comedy. Often guests are caught off guard by the unpredictability of the actors, who like to gently poke fun at the celebs and whose quick wit and adherence to their slightly exaggerated characters make this show a stand out. A final note: Although the content is mild enough for young teens to watch without much parental concern, it's likely that the subtle, character-related humor won't hold their attention. But adults who can appreciate the show's context will reap hilarious benefits.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the show's comedy style. How would your kids describe this type of comedy? What other shows use similar styles? Does this style entertain your kids? Do they "get" it? Parents can also talk about the Kumar family's living situation. How is their family life similar to or different from yours? What constitutes a family?

TV Details

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