My Spy Family (2007– ) User Reviews

Even a kids show can best almost every sitcom on TV at the moment

[policy134 · 8/10 · 24 August 2008]

Although meant for kids, this show has a fairly sophisticated sense of humour. The characters are as close to cartoon characters as a live action show can portray them, but still, if you look at some of the sitcoms on TV for adults today, they are also a bit ridiculous. Not because they have outrageous plots like this show has in spades, but because they are basically the same all of them.

This show has the guts to be enormously silly and still, the actors play it absolutely deadpan. Trying to be funny can be deadly, someone once said and there is never an instance where you feel that the characters are in on the joke.

The show also has some racy humour that I wouldn't have expected from a kids show. A line said by a potential boyfriend of Elle, is so adult in fact, that I couldn't believe I just heard it.

Anyway, Dick Twomey and Natasha Beaumont deserves some kind of award for being the most sexy couple on a kids show, if there was such an award. Also the kids are first rate, especially Alice Connor as Elle. She doesn't try to be cute but she certainly is. Joe Tracini as Spike also deserves praise for playing such an unsympathetic character and still be able to root for him. The only character that I find repulsive is the little brat called Boris. He is such a stereotype, the cool kid with an annoying little smirk and absolutely no redeeming qualities.

As for the production values, they are pretty amazing for a sitcom. The special effects are not in blockbuster movie quality, but still they are better than in most kids shows (Think Sabrina, Teenage Witch or Alex Mack) So enjoy and check your brain at the door. Trouble is you may wanna leave it there. The show is addictive.

So underrated and deserves much more recognition. Very addicting. Great for audiences of all ages.

[willman85 · 9/10 · 10 July 2019]

I feel this is a hugely underrated show that deserves much more recognition. It's too good to slip under the radar of TV history, and ought to be better remembered!

For starters, it's funny. It's multi-layered; there's humour for children as well as older audiences. It's well-written. Complex, farcical plots. Well-acted and some terrific characters. A great premise for a show, and the colourful set design (and fun, campy props) complement it very well.

All the greatest, most memorable characters in TV sitcom are desperately seeking something. With Mr. Vong it is a NIFTY Award. Which may seem like a rather trivial thing, but what it represents is recognition for his greatness. This "greatness", however, is unwarranted. He is universally despised (in part for his big ego), and his plots for greatness sometimes take a somewhat nefarious route. He makes frequent clashes with our protagonist, Spike Bannon (who's, incidentally, desperately seeking acceptance as a spy and recognition for his spy skills), and more often than not wins victories over him. Rarely, Spike may win. Either way, despite being an antagonist, the audience still sympathises for Vong. This is due to great acting as much as to great writing. Ramon Tikaram's performance as Vong I do find particularly praiseworthy; his delivery is perfect and he is always amusing.

Anyway... The other characters are quirky and interesting enough, and they all have their own group dynamics. It's a pity Des isn't in season 3 - but at least Talia replacing him as manager of his cafe shakes things up a bit after the first two seasons.

In short: Fun and interesting stories, well-crafted plots, memorable characters, ... and simply funny!

Very addicting watching. It definitely deserves a proper release.