As a father, I can identify only too well with this witty mini-series penned by Simon Brett. Done in the form of both live-action and animation and shot without a studio audience, 'How To Be A Little Sod!' is all about the inner workings of a baby's mind. A young couple, played respectively by Matilda Thorpe and Steven O'Donnell, have recently had their world turned upside down upon the arrival of their son. Providing the whining voice for the little brat was Rik Mayall. Each episode tackles the problems with conviction the problems that all new parents encounter such as sleep deprivation, the financial impact, the impact on one's social life etc. The opening credits establish firmly what to expect with a sequence in which the couple attempt to get fresh with each other, only to have their fun shattered upon hearing the grating screams from their baby.
As I earlier pointed out, the show was shot without the use of a laugh track. A wise move I thought. The series was intended to be a mockumentary and to include a studio audience or even the dreaded canned laughter would have ruined the feel of the show.
Both Thorpe and O'Donnell both played their parts well, though the supporting cast which included Diane Langton, Edna Dore, Daphne Oxenford, June Ellis and Andy Taylor helped add to the fun, though indeed it was Rik's unique narration that made the show what it was. I laughed out loud at the sequence in which the mother taught her son how to build a sand castle, only then to chastise him when he creates in similar fashion a castle out of his baby food. Also hilarious was the little sod's cruel treatment of the family cat. Also being a cat owner, I can relate to this as well ( my cat runs away in fear when my son goes near him! ).
Ideal fun for any parent, though anyone who is considering starting a family should maybe give it a wide berth!
As I earlier pointed out, the show was shot without the use of a laugh track. A wise move I thought. The series was intended to be a mockumentary and to include a studio audience or even the dreaded canned laughter would have ruined the feel of the show.
Both Thorpe and O'Donnell both played their parts well, though the supporting cast which included Diane Langton, Edna Dore, Daphne Oxenford, June Ellis and Andy Taylor helped add to the fun, though indeed it was Rik's unique narration that made the show what it was. I laughed out loud at the sequence in which the mother taught her son how to build a sand castle, only then to chastise him when he creates in similar fashion a castle out of his baby food. Also hilarious was the little sod's cruel treatment of the family cat. Also being a cat owner, I can relate to this as well ( my cat runs away in fear when my son goes near him! ).
Ideal fun for any parent, though anyone who is considering starting a family should maybe give it a wide berth!