Is there anything more British than passively aggressively judging someone’s floral duvet cover choices? Not if Channel 4 has anything to say about it. “Four in a Bed” returns, this time venturing into the world of pub accommodations. Harry and Sarah, proprietors of The Royal Oak in Hawkhurst, Kent, bravely open their recently refurbished doors to the critical gaze of their B&B-owning peers. One can only imagine the horrors they’ve witnessed – mismatched towels, questionable artwork, the dreaded continental breakfast.
The Royal Oak itself seems harmless enough. A pub! With rooms! What could go wrong? Plenty, apparently. Early whispers suggest a style clash. One contestant expresses immediate distaste for the pub’s aesthetic, no doubt muttering about “chintz” and “dated decor.” We’ve all been there. Or at least, we’ve all watched people be there, from the comfortable distance of our own impeccably decorated living rooms.
A trip to a microbrewery provides a temporary respite from the tension. A few pints can smooth over even the most egregious wallpaper offences, right? Not so fast. The feedback session arrives with the inevitable hangover, and Harry and Sarah find themselves on the receiving end of pointed remarks about their furniture choices. Were the cushions too plump? The armchairs too…armchair-y?
“Four in a Bed” thrives on these petty squabbles, of course. It’s a testament to the show’s enduring appeal that after 29 seasons, viewers still tune in to watch grown adults argue over the thread count of Egyptian cotton sheets. This episode is no exception. Expect brewing tension, backhanded compliments, and perhaps a breakfast sausage or two thrown in for good measure.
“Four in a Bed” airs Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 17:00 on Channel 4.