I'd be surprised if the eighth series wasn't the last, but for fans, 'My Parents Are Aliens' (MPAA) had ended on the final episode of series seven. I remember when, after my lectures were done for the day, it was straight on the bus back home to catch the day's episode on CITV (if I hadn't already set the timer recording on the VCR)! Availability - at the time of writing, there's this 'The Best Of' DVD and out there - somewhere, the first series available on VHS.
Brian and Sophie Johnson are aliens from (the fictional planet) Valux whom, after crash-landing their spaceship on Earth, come to foster three children - Melanie, Josh and Lucy Barker. There's much in the way of morphing in MPAA - not only does the spaceship change into a house (of which this allows for the use of cool and colourful sets and props), but the parents themselves have the ability to morph, though this tends to bring about trouble...
The DVD features episodes from series two and three (no canned laughter here), whereby the children (Danielle McCormack, Alex Kew and Charlotte Francis) had pretty much settled into their characters roles. These episodes see parent Sophie Johnson being played by Barbara Durkin and then Carla Mendoca, whom, in the episode of transition ('Crazy For You'), fits nicely into her role. Her partnership with Tony Gardner as Mr. Johnson is one which I had perhaps become too familiar with - I find the earlier episodes with Barbara irritating, her voice seems naturally high and she comes across as patronising. But I'm forgiving of the delivery since she is playing an alien whom is not accustomed to the way of human life.
As the parents are able to morph into other people, this does call for a fair bit of flexibility from the actors and actresses, but this is all dealt with convincingly - along with the computer effects it does feel as if the parents have actually morphed into somebody else. Whilst once in a while a joke falls below par, it knows not to make too much of certain situations that arise from the morphing, such as when, out walks a certain character from the toilet for the opposite gender in school (this of course is either Brian or Sophie). However, there is the odd inconsistency and loose end in the series - whatever did happen to that lad in the episode Howie?
The DVD is presented in widescreen and the transfer seems fine though the features consist only of in-depth character biographies. Unfortunately, whilst the series two episodes are somewhat weaker (with Barbara as Sophie), given what's available - it's not exactly as if there's much choice. I bought it for £5 which was not too bad.
Series 2: The Bribe Skirting The Issue
Series 3: Crazy For You When Swaps Go Bad The Wedding Howie
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Only ever caught this a couple of times though it looked fun - you've done well to find a series of this nature on DVD, even if it is in 'Best Of...' form. My guilty pleasure is Pinky and the Brain! :) tom
dan_pentagram 24.04.2008 04:49
I use to watch this every now and again when i was a little younger, but i prefered CBBC rather than CITV
Meet the Johnsons; Brian and Sophie and their foster children Mel, Josh and Lucy - not ... more
your average family by any stretch of the imagination. Okay so the kids just about pass for normal despite their growing pains, but I doubt Brian and Sophie do. You ...
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