Citizen Khan (2012–2016) User Reviews

Oh come on, it's kinda funny...

[arif-j-rahman · 7/10 · 27 September 2012]

It's just a comedy! Don't take it so seriously! Chillax!

Have really enjoyed watching all 5 episodes till now. It's not perfect and yes, it's very stereotypical, aged, and poorly acted. Yes, the Somalian guy's accent is travelling from West Africa eastwards in each episode. Yes the canned laughter is OTT.

But it's a comedy nevertheless and one of very few south Asian comedies to be broadcast. I don't think its depiction of the religion is that bad and actually quite inclusive. The jokes shouldn't be taken personally - I certainly don't feel humiliated or offended because it's just a comedy... and it's so true... :)

For those who find it 'unfunny' or 'didn't laugh' well, go watch something else. Sheesh!

Its pretty good

[vince2-390-642249 · 7/10 · 3 September 2012]

If you watch this show without reading the bad press, you can have a good laugh. Its not Only Fools. Its not Blackadder 2-4. But it is funny.

It will only get better. I find Mr Khan both funny and likable main character.

Its got some great lines, but if you only follow the crowd and live your life like a sheep you wont find that you like the show yourself

Mrs Browns Boys is a terrible show, Having watched an episode of that before, now watching this, This is Only Fools compared to MBB which is sub On The Buses at best

Worth a watch, don't expect too much and you'll laugh

better than some of the reviews say

[Angus-lawson · 7/10 · 4 September 2012]

i liked citizen khan and i think the first 2 episodes have been quite promising.

Adil Ray is brilliant as Mr Khan and made me laugh with his one liners and the way he parks his car on the drive and the way he thinks he is more important than he actually is.

Episode 1 was good as it introduced you to the Khan's.

Episode 2 was even better when Mr Khan's mother in law went to the house.

Citizen Khan is certainly not as bad as some of the reviews say and i think the series will get better and will make me laugh even more

Dated garbage

[keenanchris · 25 October 2014]

This sitcom is possibly more damaging for the image of the Muslim population than an ISIS propaganda video. If it had been made in 1972 it might have had some credence and raise some genuine laughs. However this is 2014 and this show is about as relevant as Gilbert o'Sullivan making a comeback and Billy Bremner being voted Sports Personality of the year.

Why did the BBC ever commission this genuine piece of ordure? I would like to know their reasoning seeing as though I was paid a visit by a TV licencing representative last week to see why I hadn't paid my fees. If I showed this "comedy" in court as to why I'm reluctant to do so, I'm quite sure the judge would side with me and grant me special dispensation and award me damages from the Beeb for insulting my intelligence and causing me unnecessary suffering.

Makes "Mrs Brown" seem like cutting edge, intellectual, comedy gold!

Don't know about pakistani migrants but this is undoubtedly funny

[santoshambekar19 · 7/10 · 14 July 2020]

Adil ray has done a fantastic job of portraying the Character of Mr. Khan, the community leader - they all know him! I haven't closely seen the pakistani culture but this is indeed a fun to watch. All episodes depicts one or many of Mr. Khans weaknesses and how he still makes it right. In the last season, the charm slowly gets fades away, seems like the makers got bored and writers went out of ideas. The season ends with very lame ending. But frankly speaking enjoyed the rest of the saga on citizen khan!

Two thumbs up

[fahad-fireflash · 9/10 · 28 September 2012]

Humane, outrageously funny and a true depiction of the real world.

I am a Muslim and a Pakistani. I have watched five episodes of the season and have still to find anything offensive against Islam. Yes it is critical of the way Muslims go by in their day to day dealings. But this is the beauty of the season it shows Muslims as humans and ordinary people with challenges that normal people face and how they cope with them. The director and writer of the season have done a brilliant job showing a different dimension of the Muslim life something other than the stereotyped image of Muslims.

It is a must watch for anybody who is Muslim, Pakistani or British. If you are all three and have an open mind I bet you will get a stomach ache after watching this.

Bad casting

[michelleseashell-98652 · 2/10 · 22 November 2019]

None of the actors have anything about them. Script isn't great, but a decent delivery could save it. But nobody in the cast can seem to do it. Also, the actress playing the eldest daughter looks far too old for her role.

offensive to those looking to be offended

[aa_thebest · 10/10 · 18 September 2012]

The type of comedy we have been missing in the last couple of years. Very fun silly and a good piece of Monday night comedy. It's not everyone's cup of tea but me and my family love it. The latest thing i heard was that all the actors are Hindus and that the show was made by Zionists, brilliant, if you don't like it don't watch it! stop making silly stories up. Pathetic. 10/10 i look forward to the show every week. I have spoken to several Muslims who have been slating the show on facebook, it was then that i realised that they hadn't even watched the show but was told how offensive it was. People are being sheep. Because of this reaction it is unlikely that we see any sort of Muslim show for a long time. Congrats

Crap

[Ferran_99 · 1/10 · 23 July 2018]

Genuinely one of the worst sitcoms the beeb has ever commissioned.

I think its great

[simon3818 · 8/10 · 27 October 2012]

Some put this down as unfunny and even racist. I don't i think its great and shows that people of Islam can have fun as much as anyone else.

You do have to look for the jokes sometimes and the humour can be questionable but it is a lot of fun and thank you BBC that there will be a second series.

This is the sort of comedy that needs to be made,this and Mrs Browns Boys have shown people in a new friendly light and broken down barriers where as they show called Cuckoo doesn't deserve the category "comedy" Those who are offended - get a life and stop being offended on someone else's behalf.

Unfunny and predictable. Adil Ray is not a comedian.

[KaptainTuttey · 1/10 · 20 November 2019]

It's such a shame that the BBC wasted time and money on this boring show. There are many talented Asian writers worthy of the opportunity given to Adil Ray and it boggles the mind that the bbc allowed Ray to make series after series of poor quality comedy. The comedy makes you cringe and there are no surprises as you can see each punchline coming from a mile away. Adil Ray is a Dj and not a comic, actor or writer and this certainly shows in citizen khan. My niece absolutely loved the show from when she was about 4 until she was 7. This proves to me that the comedy is schoolboy toilet humour and that if it should be anywhere on the bbc it should be on cbbc with the likes of Rastamouse, bing and apple tree house. Not at prime time on bbc 1. The only positive I have to say is that the other actors are generally pretty good , especially abdullah afzal who plays Ahmad and you can't help thinking that a great Asian comedy could have been made with these actors had Adil Ray not been involved in any way . My niece has now turned 8 and no longer finds citizen khan funny. I guess she outgrew it.

Best Muslim Comedy Ever!

[artyom_aa · 9/10 · 12 December 2014]

As a Muslim and a Middle Eastern, I found this series to be absolutely hilarious and hits on common stereotypical behavior of Pakistanis and Muslims in general. I did not find it to be offensive at all. I love all the characters in the show. Basically the only negative thing about this show is that there are only a few episodes per season. They seriously should produce more episodes and I think it will be very popular amongst Muslim and Middle Eastern audiences. I don't see a problem why this show would not be popular amongst non-Muslim audiences. Not only does it introduce the people in a comic and light manner, but it is the first show I have ever seen that humanizes Muslims.

Dated, vulgar and just not funny.

[billiejoesmum · 2/10 · 23 February 2020]

Having enjoyed previous British-Asian comedies such as Goodness Gracious Me & The Kumars, I expected something of a similar calibre when recommended this show by an acquaintance.

It's only offensive in that it just plays to stereotypes rather than parodies them in a humorous way. As many others have said, this is 70's era material without any of the quality.

The toilet humour, bad accents and "calamity" based material obviously appeals to the lowest common denominator. It's the only explanation for this having more than one series.

I managed 3 episodes before I deleted it from my viewing history.

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME

[nirmaniyasodara · 10/10 · 5 July 2018]

One of the best sitcoms I've ever watched. I only wish there were more episodes!!

Aweful

[kauser-48639 · 1/10 · 8 January 2020]

One of the most awful things I have seen in a long time. Bring back the writers of goodness gracious me. Horrific

Citizen Khan, Citizen Gold

[Elliotb-butler18 · 10/10 · 1 November 2013]

Citizen Khan is one of the best and brilliant comedies the BBC come up with. Along with not going out and other such BBC comedies Citizen Khan is a brilliant new comedy show. The people who rate this show 1 star are the type of people who have no sense of humour what so ever and hate all comedy shows when everybody else loves them as they are brilliant. I myself are from Birmingham so i love the fact that for once there is a comedy show set in Birmingham as i can relate to it, rather than being set in London (Although they are still brilliant) i can relate myself to this show. I hope there are many series to come of this magnificent comedy gold and i will not miss a second.

Brilliant comedy gold.

Is the BBC actually paying for this?

[amirx-08113 · 1/10 · 3 November 2015]

I saw a few episodes over the last few weeks, hoping that the show would get better, but I have just seen the first episode of season 4 and have to admit...it's absolute tripe. I can't imagine how anyone would find this funny.

I can't relate to any of the characters or any of the story lines. It seems that the writers have one or two potential gags and are trying to stretch them out over a whole episode. The build up to each joke is slow and arduous and you can see punchline coming a mile away.

I finally give up! I won't be watching any more of these episodes. I can't believe that the BBC are actually funding this as it doesn't do anything to portray the reality of British Pakistanis.

such a feel good show!

[texxas-1 · 10/10 · 20 December 2014]

I know a lot of people hate this show, but I absolutely loved it. I came across it about 2 months ago and was hooked. It was so funny, like an Asian version of Frank Spencer. And Adil Ray, although hes funny looking in this, in real life he is a hottie! I watched it all the way through the series and hope there's another! Although its a bit silly at times, its also really feel good, just something about it. The daughters fiancé is a bit annoying, he does a bad accent. But the two daughters are cool. Its so funny the way khan is totally ignorant to his rebellious daughters antics. Khan doesn't seem to get along with lots if people and his arrogance is hilarious. Sorry if I'm rambling, but stupid IMDb makes me write a ten line minimum and I run out of things to say.

Truly, truly horrible!

[mark-newman-1 · 1/10 · 30 August 2012]

From the loud and overbearing laughter track to the insipid unoriginal script, this awful 'comedy' never takes off.

The sets are obviously scenery and the acting is downright insulting. How on earth this stuff gets made by the BBC is just anyone's guess. Certainly there is no serious selection process or editing of the writing. In addition; the characters are repellent and the viewer is insulted by the feeble generic story-line.

There have already been a couple of hundred complaints about it to the BBC from fun-hating Muslims but my chief objection to this abomination is that it's simply not funny. But it's worse than not funny. It's a throwback to American sitcoms of the early 70s that were written, made and on the air in a day.

If you like children' pantomime they you'll get a kick out of this. If you like comedy then stay well clear of this rubbish.

Keep Calm and Chillax Sweetie

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 13 October 2015]

This has gone from a promising Series 1, to an excellent series, it has gotten better and better I love it.

It's about time we had an Asian family the focus of a sitcom. This country is guilty for not portraying Muslim characters, it's refreshing. The humour is never offensive or derogatory, it's light, with Mr Khan being the butt of most of the jokes.

Adil Ray is just awesome, he is such a funny man, he's physically funny, and has great comic timing. It's crazy to think he was only late 30's when he started as the character. He looks so different,

I am so glad it has continued, it deserves a decent run. Great as well that a programme was set in Birmingham, it's always London or Manchester. Naani is so funny, I loved the episode when she met a chap.

Really funny, long may it continue. 8/10

It's not offensive it's idiotic

[swiesel · 1/10 · 25 November 2016]

This is typical nowadays BBC production - third-rate comedians straggling throw script written by third-rate scriptwriters. I swear sometimes I caught on their faces glimpse of words "will it ever end?" Or, yes, and they added to all this spiritual banquet third-word countries subject, how delightful. I still don't understand who is the main hero - Indian, Pakistani? It seems that all actors know about both cultures as much as penguins know about Sahara. Especially irritating are their vain attempts (I mean actors' not penguins') to imitate Indian accent. Can't BBC hire real Indians? Real Pakistanis? Save yourself, save your time.

Brilliant

[mwilton-27373 · 10/10 · 8 July 2018]

Just started watching from series one. I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. It's hilarious and very well written. We're addicted!

I'm going puke!

[Jamilshah121 · 1/10 · 10 May 2021]

Wait what? Citizen Khan? You could've named it Citizen Singh and I'd have been okay. The show lacks basic concepts of professionalism. If they were going to shoot a drama about Pakistani Muslims, the caste had to come from Muslim origin as well but no, they are all Indian Hindus. They don't look or speak like us then how are they supposed to represent us. Also, this show aims to be making fun of Muslims and. They could make it comedy keeping our cultural and religious values intact but it seems they didn't want to do that.

Awesome

[mayurp7 · 10/10 · 6 May 2018]

First I thought it would a kind of stereotype communal show but as I started watching it, I started loving it. In season 1, there is not a single episode where ROFL moment is not there for me. If you are bored by stereotype comedies, this one will serve best purpose of it. Go ahead and give it a shot.

The most unfunny show ever

[hamzaamin-56353 · 1/10 · 10 February 2018]

I don't know what they were thinking when this show was aired but it is not funny at all. Some of the jokes are so lame that a 3 y/o won't laugh at them. Plus, the annoying portrayal of typical British-Pakistani Muslims is not comic at all. If there was a zero rating, I would've given one.