Summary. Ben (Robert Lindsay) is a dentist who wishes that he'd become a doctor

Ben (Robert Lindsay) is a dentist who wishes that he'd become a doctor. He's married to Susan (Zoe Wanamaker).

The couple have three children, Janey (Daniela Denby-Ashe), Nick (Kris Marshall) and Michael (Gabriel Thomson).

Ben does his best to understand his wife and children, with little success.

Susan is a " control freak" who believes in a very " hands on" approach to parenting. Ben, however, is definitely a " hands off" sort of guy.

Their eldest son, Nick, is a very strange young man who can't hold down than a job for more than a day or two. Janey is a very self-centred young lady whose world revolves around high fashion and having a good time. Michael is a very bright teenager with an interest in military matters.

Eventually, Nick leaves home and finds a flat of his own (though he still spends much of his time at home and continues to sponge off his father). Janey goes away to University but later returns home pregnant. She gives birth to a young son named Kenzo.

Young dentist Roger Bailey (Kieron Self) becomes a regular visitor to the Harper household after he takes over one of a surgery in the building where Ben works.

While Janey is away at University, Susan invites her niece Abi (Siobhan Hayes) to come and stay with the family. Although she's gormless and accident-prone, she soon becomes the object of Roger's affections

Ready Steady Cook

Ready Steady Cook has a huge following amongst students (predictably), housewives, kids and now Americans (who have their own version in the form of Ready Set Cook.

Why is it so successful? First of all, it's completely unpretentious and doesn't try to be. The idea is incredibly simple: Two chefs and members of the audience attempt to make a meal within 20 minutes using ingredients " brought in" by the audience members (to a value of £ 5). And at the end, the audience would vote as to who they liked best. And that's it.

The fact is, the show is entertaining to watch. You don't have to concentrate a massive amount of brainpower towards it and you don't have to be able to cook, the premise of the show is that anybody can cook something good in a short space of time. And one of the reason's why it works is the laid back banter between host, chefs and contestants and there is a nice mixture of food and anecdote. The chefs usually have a big personality (and know what they're on about) and Fern Britton keeps the show rolling along.

It isn't going to change the world, it's certainly not going to worry other game shows too much, but it's certainly worth a watch if there is nothing else on.