have you ask me in 1998 would this show be still run in 2006 i would have say definitely not . i would have say that the critic constant criticism of the script and the acting would have be enough for damon quinn and tim mcgarry and michael mcdowell to fold their tent . but to my surprise the three writer who make up half of the hole in the wall gang be still go strong . set in belfast it document the life of two northern irish family each represent the loyalist and republican side . the republican family consist of sinn fein member da and cal and the long suffering ma and voluptuous daughter dymphna and emer . the loyalist side be make up of the p. s. n. i officer ( formerly r. u. c ) billy and his loyalist mad uncle call andy . one day the police raid the republican household and protestant policeman billy fall in love with roman catholic emer and they marry . this set the scene for one of northern ireland most dysfunctional mixed marriage ever . i will first point out that i do not go out of my way to watch this show but when i do sit down and watch i find it quite enjoyable and at time very funny . but i also find certain area of this show very tedious which have lead to me develop a love hate relationship with the show . the loyalist character like uncle andy and big mervyn and red hand luke make me laugh till my side be sore and simply because there be extra thought incorporate into all their characterization . from how they speak right down to what they wear and how they walk have me stitch . the walk in particular be my favorite . it be a combination of a strut and a march . this be the side of the show i like and it be always a delight too watch . this be because they rarely need to name check politician or continuously remind u that they be loyalist . when we see them we know outright where their political belief lie . but seldom do they ever play the political angle and their main comedy source be their ignorance to what be different . this invariably lead to them have good story line and when they do get a great story line none of the actor involve of make the plot work . the side i hate of the show manifest itself with the republican character whose antic be just simply annoy . the scripts never change . the actor who play the character and with the exception of ma and be terrible and their characterization when compare to their loyalist counterpart i consider to be very lazy . they constantly sell the nationalist or republican side and although i be catholic and from ireland i find it really annoy because it be nothing we haven not hear or spoof before . there be very little entertainment in it for me . some would argue that the loyalist character suffer from the same problem . yes they be stereotypical but it be evident that they do it well . yes it be stereotypical and two dimensional but this show still have a large fan base throughout ireland . it inoffensive and full of daft story line to keep the fan entertain . the critic hate it but the public can not get enough . i personally would not be make a note in my tv diary to watch it and but if push come to shove and there be nothing else on i could do a lot bad . 4 out of 10 .