My Parents Are Aliens

The last episode of series 7, Thanks for all the Earthworm Custard, was the final one to feature the original regular cast, and concluded ongoing plots from the first seven series.

Despite the conclusive nature of the final episode of series 7, the show returned for an eighth series.

However the new status quo was not to last long, as in 2006, it was announced by ITV that they were to close its in-house children's production unit, bringing the show to a sudden end following series 8.

A pilot script was written; the structure was ostensibly the same as the UK original, with alien parents The Jonses (in place of the Johnsons) adopting three children, the Bishops (the Barkers), with similar characteristics to their UK counterparts: teenager Samantha (Sam) in place of Mel; Brad (Josh) and Shelly (Lucy).

A pilot episode was written which, unlike the UK source material, introduced the series by having the Joneses adopting the Bishops on-screen.

A laugh track was added from series 4 onwards, although there were complaints that it spoiled the feel of the show.