Don't Slam Your Podcast! A 2point4 Children Podcast

Don't Slam Your Podcast is back!

Joining J.D. for the first episode of 2023 is regular guest Forrest. Together they discuss how the series incorporates the various parodies, as well as the cultural status of each film and TV reference.

Happy Boxing Day! 

Hope you're enjoying the after dinner nuts; chocolates, cheese and biscuits... and the terrible orange and lemon slices!

Join J.D. and new guest Adam for the first ever 2point4 Quiz.

If you are interested in participating in a quiz episode, please send an email to 2point4podcast@gmail.com, or get in touch on Twitter or Instagram (both username @2point4podcast).

Following on from last weeks episode, Thomas returns to the podcast  to discuss the Vertical plots of 2point4 Children.

In this new discussion, J.D. is joined by podcast guest Thomas Smith to discuss the horizontal plotlines of 2point4 Children. 

Part 2, discussing the Vertical plots, will be released next week!

Happy Halloween Listeners!

J.D.'s back and in this spooky special, Simon Dunn returns to discuss Andrew Marshall's criminally underrated supernatural drama starring Richard Coyle and Samantha Womack!

We've reached the end of the 90s... and the end of 2point4 Children. Y2K panic hits the Porter household for one final hurrah!

New guest Jason joins J.D. to review the last ever episode.

Ahead of the Series Eight finale, this mini episode includes a few thank yous, an update on the future of the podcast and the announcement of a new 2point4 Children project.

In the penultimate episode, the Porters adoption process concludes and Ben learns a family secret via his long lost Uncle Lon, played by Windsor Davies. Regular guest Martin chats with J.D. about this howling Halloween episode.

"After The Fox
After The Fox
Bill and Rona are chasing after the fox"... 

and new guest Ren joins J.D. to discuss it.

Plus, Andrew Marshall tells us of the original post credit gag involving the cameo of a certain famous fox!

Tyler from the Goon Pod chats with J.D. about this gem of an episode in which the whole family finds themselves in sticky situations! Andrew Marshall also discusses an important aspect to the set and how the piano effect was achieved.

Returning guest Emma joins J.D. to discuss Enter the Dragon, Liz Smith's 2point4 swan song and features the first appearance of Alex Kew as Declan.

Lights! Camera! Action! The prospect of fame is the central theme to the opening episode of Series Eight, as the Porters screen test for a new fly-on-the-wall documentary. Regular guest Forrest makes his final appearance and Andrew Marshall details even more behind the scenes change as we begin the final series of 2point4 Children.

Helloooo!

In this one-off Dadcast, J.D. and Chris discuss Andrew Marshall's excellent generation gap sitcom Dad; starring George Cole, Kevin McNally, Julia Hills and Toby Ross-Bryant. 

Go Daddy-O!

The end of one chapter... and the beginning of another.

As Bill and Ben drop Jenny off at University, they come across a young boy who will change the Porters' lives forever.

New guest Emma joins J.D. to discuss the emotional Series 7 finale. Plus Andrew Marshall reveals the reasons behind the big changes that would lead into the final series....

Bart Ruspoli, (Bafta nominated producer of Boiling Point) guest stars as Fabrizio, David's Italian exchange student, who brings chaos to the Porter household. Singer songwriter Tophy Dye joins J.D. to discuss Paul Smith's second and final episode.

You can listen to Tophy's debut album, Skeletons, on various platforms as detailed on his website: https://www.tophydye.com/

What begins as a typical Bette visits turns into an episode where we finally meet Bill's Father... who's been dead for 10 years! Sitcom Stephen returns to discuss this chilly and hilarious fan favourite. 

J.D. chats to Paul Alexander about his behind the scenes memories of The Sweet Hereafter and more.

Paul's writing credits include Red Dwarf, Goodnight Sweetheart, My Hero and the various S Club 7 TV Shows (including Seeing Double, the 2003 movie).

You can find out more about Paul at his website: https://pabloxander.com/

We've reached it... the Drool Bar episode! Join J.D. and new guest Joe Ford who gorge on this classic episode written by Paul Alexander and Simon Braithwaite. 

Bill's ex boyfriend Malcolm appears after 20 years. But will old sparks fly? Podcast friend David joins J.D. to discuss the first ever episode written by Paul Smith.

Football + Luck x Repeating the same routine each Saturday in order to win = Dressing up as the Spice Girls in the shopping precinct!

J.D. is joined by new guest Rachael Arnold to discuss this classic episode about the British obsession with football. 

Plus, along with the whole series, When Saturday Comes is available to watch on BBC iPlayer!

We're back! And.... I'm not speaking to you!

Just kidding, but none of the family speak to each other as Bill's Perfect Day turns upside down. David gives Jenny fake exam results. She dyes his hair green. And Ben's bought a life sized replica of FAB1! 

Chris returns to chat about this perfect opening to Series 7 which sees a full blown domestic at the Porter household!

David Porter's all grown up! Here is J.D.'s chat with John Pickard about 2point4 Children and more...

Following the success of 2point4 Children, Andrew Marshall wrote two series of the hospital sitcom Health & Efficiency. Despite one of the most impressive cast of actors ever brought together for a sitcom, a politically charged premise and a darkly comical look at the challenges facing the NHS in the 1990s (which, without doubt, remains relevant today) it has been all but forgotten about.

In this special episode of Don't Slam Your Podcast, Andrew Marshall shares memories of his underrated sitcom and J.D. is joined by new guest Simon Dunn to give it a post-mortem examination.

The Porters are stowaways on the Oriana and they're in Auntie Tina's cabin! Podcast friend David joins J.D. to chat about this fan favourite festive farce from 1996. Plus, Andrew Marshall gives us behind the scenes details about its conception, the challenges of filming on a cruise ship and more!

Tom Selway returns to chat with J.D. about the Series Six finale. 

Bill's bad day worsens; Ben's gone missing and Rona takes home a baby (played by Julia Hill's real life daughter and comedy sensation Abi Clarke), who was left abandoned by a hospital. Poor Bill then has to help Rona retrieve the baby after she becomes trapped in the most awkward of places!

New guest Tom Selway joins J.D. for the two part Series 6 finale. In Part 1, Bill inherits a mink coat and finds herself sold off at an auction to the highest bidder. Part 2 will be released tomorrow.

Ben receives an invitation to join... The Brotherhood of the Plunger. New guest Ian joins J.D. to discuss an episode which includes the most elaborate set in the series and Andrew Marshall reveals its inspiration.

How will the family convince Bill that they can look after a dog? Simple; by pretending they have an imaginary one! So how do they end up with 3?! Podcast friend Matthew returns to dissect The Trouble With Harry.

"One careless move today will result in a serious fall." 

Later on, Bill, Rona and Aunt Belle are trapped on a window ledge "like a set of paper doilies." Chris returns to discuss Vertigo, another fan favourite, which includes one of the most effective special effects in a sitcom. And, if you have ever wondered how it was achieved, Andrew Marshall explains it all.

It's Halloween night. Bill grows suspicious as strange goings on occur next door. But surely the worlds most famous vampire hasn't moved to Chepstow Road? Podcast friend David returns to discuss this treat of an episode. Plus, Andrew Marshall provides insight into the mechanics of the script and even reveals a plot for, the never made, Series 9.

A new series begins the Nick Wood era. Seasoned podcaster Tom Mason joins J.D. for Dog Day Afternoon, an episode which sees the lengths the Porters will go to inject some excitement to a boring afternoon. 

It's the 1995 Christmas Special and another dose of Yuletide mayhem as the Porters battle against a pig! New guest Matthew joins J.D. to unwrap the seasonal special that would also become Richard Boden's final episode.

It's not the Halloween specials, but how spooky that our latest episode, released today, is not only called The Truth Is Out There, but includes a seance! Marc returns to discuss the Series Five finale that sees big changes in store for Rona.

Only 2point4 Children could get away with a Prisoner spoof and encountering Shirley Bassey's costume warehouse... in the same episode! Sitcom Stephen geeks out with J.D. over this much loved slice of classic comedy brilliance. 

Bank Holiday Monday. Clive's family, including his German grandmother, visit the Porters. But so do Bette and Aunt Pearl. And it's the Anniversary of VE day. What could possibly go wrong? New guest Marc has a lively chat with J.D. on Mayday and, yes, they do mention the war...

Does Ben ever learn? No, and once again the Porters are responsible for the Grimes' house and something else they haven't been told needs looking after. Too late, as Bill and Ben find dead fish and rush to replace them. New guest Richard joins J.D. to discuss an episode which sees the Porters in The Deep.... more than ever before. Plus, Andrew Marshall recalls the real life inspiration and how, despite careful special effects, the episode ended up becoming a Point of View....

What is David doing? Surely he can't be seeing an older woman? So why does Bill get a bad feeling when hearing Mrs Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel? Podcast friend Martin returns to discuss this rather risqué episode of 2point4 Children. 

It's a rollover week(!) and Ben buys a lottery ticket, despite the chances of winning. We witness an orgy of greed as the Porters argue over how they'd spend the money. So why do Bill and Rona end up wearing Donald Duck masks? All is revealed as Russell returns to chat with J.D. about Greed, the classic "lottery episode" that opens the fifth series.

Bill's hopes for a quiet Christmas at home are quickly dashed by a mysterious advancement in technology known as the internet and the power SHE seemingly has to make anything happen... anything at all! Join J.D. and Forrest as they discuss this unique seasonal special, while Andrew Marshall takes us back to the early days of the Internet.

Thomas and J.D. discuss this very sombre, but never far from laughs, Series 4 finale. You Only Live Twice sees the Porters deal with the aftermath of the house fire. How will they rebuild their lives? Andrew Marshall once again gives us insight as to how the production team approached such a task. 

Frenzy is the first of an exhilarating 2 part finale. Featuring Bill and Rona's surreal cobras encounter, the iconic Blue Brothers performance and culminating with a devastating house fire. Andrew Marshall recollects the talented designers and the effect behind the cobras. Thomas returns to discuss with J.D. what has been voted the most popular 2point4 Children episode ever!

September 3rd, 1991. BBC1 aired the first episode of 2point4 Children.

September 3rd, 2021. The Sitcom Squad, (J.D., David and Chris) announce the results of the survey asking fans their favourite characters, moments and more.

Join us as we celebrate the best of 2point4 Children in this special 30th anniversary show!

New guest Russell joins J.D. for a dash of Hitchcock in Curiosity Killed the Cat. Bill's sick and, in the style of Rear Window, David gives her a telescope. But what's going on in Rona's house? Plus, Ben has agreed to look after the Grimes' house... again! Now he must find their cat Snowdrop before he becomes the latest addition to Bill and Ben Porter's Pet Cemetery by Appointment to Stephen King. 

Greetings, your name has been selected to receive this copy of the International Chain of Good Fortune... and the nightmare begins! Bill doesn't believe it, so why are bad things happening? J.D. and podcast friend David discuss the chain of bad luck. And, as ever, some fun behind the scenes stories by Andrew Marshall! 

Poor Bill having to hide a fuse wire just so that she can spend a night with the family! And it's far from fun and games as the power goes out, a dog is accidentally picked up on a wire and the roof nearly caves in! New guest Thomas joins J.D. for a chinwag on Family Plot, a very nostalgic 90s episode.

(Warning: Due to technical faults, there is a slight echo, from my microphone, on the recording which I was unable to tone down in the editing. The correct sound will resume next week.)

An inflatable Pope and a chocolate box full of cockroaches help to whip up anarchy in The Parent Trap! New guest Martin joins J.D. to chat about this bonkers Series 4 premiere. And Andrew Marshall recalls the talented visual effects Wizard who helped create two classic 2point4 Moments!

The lovely Kim Benson chats with J.D. about her career and memories of playing Christine, The Queen of Sarcasm and 2point4 fan-favourite!

"Oh there's no place like home for the holiday."

Podcast friend Chris returns to chat about the 1993 Christmas Special which sees the Porters and Rona get lost in the woods and take refuge in an abandoned cottage... while a escaped lunatic is on the loose. A wonderful two hander between Bette and Pearl and the always-a-treat musical number, this truly is a spooky and camp as Christmas... special!

"Don't Go Mia"... Miami as it turns out! In Whoopee, We're All Going to Die, the brilliant conclusion to Series Three, the Porters near the end of their Florida holiday and their lives are in danger as Hurricane Bill follows them. J.D.'s guest this week is David Collins... his Dad! Plus, art (slightly) imitates life in this week's Marshall's Memory. 

Captain's Log

Stardate 11, 07, 2021,

In the penultimate episode of Series Three, we are treated to the first appearance of Sitcom Legend Roger Lloyd Pack as Ben's rival plumber Jake Klinger. A misjudged comment leads to Klinger's death and culminates in the iconic Star Trek funeral. But as always, not all is as it seems as J.D. and new guest Leigh discuss the classic Beam Me Up Scotty.