We've been enjoying some (past, but not too old) British tv-via-dvd stuff of late. We're well-into series' from the following collections --

- As Time Goes By (sitcom - starring Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer)
- Inspector Lewis (detective crime series - starring Kevin Whately & Laurence Fox)
- Monarch of the Glen (drama - starring Alastair Mackenzie)
- Pie in the Sky (light-hearted police drama - starring Richard Griffiths & Maggie Steed)
- Prime Suspect (police procedural drama - starring Helen Mirren)
- Rosemary & Thyme (mystery series - starring Felicity Kendal & Pam Ferris)
- Waiting for God (sitcom - starring Stephanie Cole & Graham Crowden)

Lots of good stuff, good writing and stories, with some wonderful scenery thrown in. And for us, a great break from the usual south of the border tv fare.

Anyone else know and enjoy these series?

Top Gear
5th Gear
Being Human
Sherlock

..those are all most see's

Double post

We've been enjoying some (past, but not too old) British tv-via-dvd stuff of late. We're well-into series' from the following collections --

- As Time Goes By (sitcom - starring Judi Dench & Geoffrey Palmer)
- Inspector Lewis (detective crime series - starring Kevin Whately & Laurence Fox)
- Monarch of the Glen (drama - starring Alastair Mackenzie)
- Pie in the Sky (light-hearted police drama - starring Richard Griffiths & Maggie Steed)
- Prime Suspect (police procedural drama - starring Helen Mirren)
- Rosemary & Thyme (mystery series - starring Felicity Kendal & Pam Ferris)
- Waiting for God (sitcom - starring Stephanie Cole & Graham Crowden)

Lots of good stuff, good writing and stories, with some wonderful scenery thrown in. And for us, a great break from the usual south of the border tv fare.

Anyone else know and enjoy these series?

I too am a fan. From that list above, Waiting For God is my favourite.
I miss Keeping Up Appearances and cannot find it online.
Also reruns of Are You Being Served are always good for a chuckle.

I have the entire series of Fawlty Towers as well and have watched it many times over.

Red Dwarf
Britta's Empire
IT crowd
Black Adder

Black Adder
Men Behaving Badly
Coupling
The IT Crowd
My Family
(Early) Monarch of the Glen (before Archie and Lexie got together)
Chewin' The Fat (BBC Scotland)
The Fast Show
Bottom
Little Britain
Trigger Happy TV
Black Books
Grand Designs
Bromwell High
Doctor Who
Father Ted
Never Mind The Buzzcocks
They Think It's All Over... (It is now!)
Who's Line Is It Anyway
Cracker
The 11 O'Clock Show
Absolutely Fabulous
Midsomer Murders
Life On Mars
Location, Location, Location
Relocation, Relocation
How Not To Decorate
The Smoking Room
Peep Show

And at least a dozen more I've forgotten...

Top of the list: Fawlty Towers (http://www.youtube.com/show/fawltytowers). It has no equal.

Red Dwarf is great fun.

Doctor Who - an enduring classic.

Keeping Up Appearances (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/keepingupappearances/index.shtml) - Really, really funny. SINC, it appears that many episodes are available on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpohUkD3tuU)

G-mo nails most of my favs.

But I don't think I saw Spaced on anyone's list yet. Simon Pegg's original series.

Black Adder in all four iterations.Love it although I hate Mr. Bean. (not the actor but the character.)
I especially like the series where he is the manservant to The Prince Of Wales. I didn't realise for a while that the prince is House

I really used to enjoy the "Benny Hill" series.

If you liked Prime Suspect, you might light Luther. There have been two seasons so far. Working on a third, I believe. Stars Idris Elba, who was also in The Wire.

Wow .. lots of viewing out there. Never tire of Faulty Towers!! And used to enjoy Benny Hill, and others as well. The ones I listed are recent additions and viewings. A good mix of light and more heavy stuff. Really enjoy Monarch of the Glen - it's a bit of a soap, but without too many suds!! Waiting for God helps crack us up, that quite a pair, and retirement home!!
Thanks for contributing some of your favourites - it's provided a great reference list.

An older series but "Bless Me Father" would rank near the top for me.

Keeping up Appearances, is still on the Spokane PBS station, Shaw in Southern AB Saturday evenings either in the 6-7PM time slot or at 8PM, not sure which.

I can't believe no one has said Monty Python's Flying Circus yet...

Of course, it ranks up with the best, but perhaps it hasn't been mentioned because of the part of the original post that said "past, but not too old".

Of course, it ranks up with the best, but perhaps it hasn't been mentioned because of the part of the original post that said "past, but not too old".

Well Benny Hill has been mentioned so...

The League of Gentlemen (old but not ancient)
Life's Too Short (worth it for this clip alone):

Ricky Gervais - with Liam Neeson, Stephen Merchant and Warwick Davis on Life's Too Short - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45hzSmx4jmI)

Speakin of Ricky Gervais - Extras

Top of the list: Fawlty Towers (http://www.youtube.com/show/fawltytowers). It has no equal.

Red Dwarf is great fun.

Doctor Who - an enduring classic.

Keeping Up Appearances (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/keepingupappearances/index.shtml) - Really, really funny. SINC, it appears that many episodes are available on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpohUkD3tuU)

Thanks for that Mark. The part of the show that really kills me is brother-in-law Onslow, his wife and the slutty sister. :lmao:

Very good listing for here.... Wire in the blood is an excellent addition to the list...I still like Morse, Wallander is not too bad. Idiot Abroad and Extras are good for a chuckle.

Screature I miss Dave Allen at Large and, of course for anyone who works in a capital city...Yes Minister.

I haven't really watch recent or recently pass British shows but I did use to watch the older shows. Shows like Monty Python Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers, Dave Allen, The Two Ronnies and On the Buses where great comedies. There were three more shows I remember watching, Doctor in the House, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) and of course, The Avengers. anyone remembering watching any of those three?

Recently? Sherlock, the brilliant television series adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, updated for contemporary times and masterfully executed.

Fawlty Towers, Monty Python, On the busses, The Avengers... I've enjoyed all those. And the many, many mystery/whodunits. Fantastic stuff.

I really enjoyed the InBetweeners. 3 Seasons and a movie.

The Inbetweeners (TV Series 2008–2010) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1220617/)

That Mitchell and Webb Look (sketch comedy, 2006-09).
Ripping Yarns (9 episodes) from Michael Palin & Terry Jones.

Here's a bit from Mitchell and Webb that pretty much sums up US television.

cg4z7mzaVco

I haven't really watch recent or recently pass British shows but I did use to watch the older shows. Shows like Monty Python Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers, Dave Allen, The Two Ronnies and On the Buses where great comedies. There were three more shows I remember watching, Doctor in the House, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) and of course, The Avengers. anyone remembering watching any of those three?

I had forgotten about On the Buses... we used to watch it all the time when I was in my early teens... Doctor in the House as well, both funny shows.

Also one that goes back is the Original Three's Company, not the crappy US version.

Newer, the original The Office with Ricky Gervais.

Best British drama I've seen in a long time is Survivors {2008}.
Survivors (2008 TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivors_(2008_TV_series))

More recent noteworthy dramas,

The Hour
Call the Midwife,
The Jury

And for a bit of comedy/satire, the current events gameshow Have I Got News For You is in it's 43rd season and still going strong.

If you liked Prime Suspect, you might light Luther. There have been two seasons so far. Working on a third, I believe. Stars Idris Elba, who was also in The Wire.
Yes, did enjoy Prime Suspect ... will check out your suggestion. Thanks.

Waiting on the next season of Downton Abbey to be released on dvd. No waiting on seasons (or as the British like to call them 'series') on the others I mentioned, I have the complete series'. And we mix our daily evening viewings - some serious, some laughs, and some 'soap'. Works for us "youngsters", eh!!

Lots of fond memories of many of those 'oldies' that have been mentioned. My Mother was a big fan of On the Buses. My lady-friend's favourite was Are You Being Served. I guess Fawlty Towers was my favourite, and I introduced it to my lady soon after we first met (we have watched it several times).

Good viewing all!!

We've been enjoying some (past, but not too old) British tv-via-dvd stuff of late. We're well-into series' from the following collections --

- Inspector Lewis (detective crime series - starring Kevin Whately & Laurence Fox)
- Pie in the Sky (light-hearted police drama - starring Richard Griffiths & Maggie Steed)
- Rosemary & Thyme (mystery series - starring Felicity Kendal & Pam Ferris)


I used to watch those 3 shows. I've probably seen all the episodes for Rosemary and Thyme.

I've been watching Midsomer's Murders lately. But the main character is going to change, so I don't know if it's going to be the same.

It looks like Inspector Lewis is starting with new shows starting July 8 on PBS. Might give me something to watch this summer. Inspector Lewis | Masterpiece | PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/lewis/index.html)

Has anyone watched The Vicar of Dibley? I'm getting some strong urging from my lady to catch this one. It does sound like it's good (from reviews I've read), and we can always use/enjoy some well-written comedy in our viewings.

Has anyone watched The Vicar of Dibley? I'm getting some strong urging from my lady to catch this one. It does sound like it's good (from reviews I've read), and we can always use/enjoy some well-written comedy in our viewings.

I have watched episodes of the VofD, but found it a bit overdone and passed on any more. To each their own though.

That Mitchell and Webb Look (sketch comedy, 2006-09).
Ripping Yarns (9 episodes) from Michael Palin & Terry Jones.

Here's a bit from Mitchell and Webb that pretty much sums up US television.



I agree totally. When I've had a rough day I watch the Sir Digby Chicken Cesar sketch.

IT Crowd is a go-to comedy and the Mighty Boosh

Enjoyed Prime Suspect and really liked Wallander - so much I'm reading the novels now. Still looking for MI5 ( Spooks ) episodes.

I have watched episodes of the VofD, but found it a bit overdone and passed on any more. To each their own though.
Thanks for that. My lady and I can, and often do have very different 'tastes' when it comes to humour. I did not a have a very positive feeling about this one (from what I've read and all). Not sure I was thinking "overdone", but I was defintely thinking something along that lline.

VoD is funny, in a simple kind of way, once. After that every episode is mostly the same. It's formulaic, and a very basic formula at that. I call it copy-and-paste comedy.

My love affair with Brit TV stems from exposure to The Avengers, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, The Prisoner and others growing up courtesy of broadcasting on the CBC. There are a myriad of great shows as illustrated by all the previous posts.

One crime drama that has not been mentioned is "Trial & Retribution" conceived and written by Prime Suspect's Lynda La Plante.

What I like about Brit TV is the foreign perspective, superior acting, superior character development, and the more real feel to the physical features of characters. No advertising on the BBC! Generally, the Brits care less about imperfect teeth, lips, ears, hair and bodies when compared to the american model.

I highly recommend that fans of Brit TV acquire a UK VPN IP address as it opens the door to tons of current streamed content. When you use BBC's iPlayer app on your iOS device you can airplay to Apple TV and enjoy it all on your regular TV.

All time favourites - The Prisoner, the Adder series and Father Ted.

The Prisoner

I watched a few episodes of that show, but preferred Patrick McGoohan's other British show "Secret Agent Man" (the British tile of the show was "Danger Man") . A James Bond (or Man from UNCLE) type show about a spy.

I think I've seen about every episode there is of Avengers. The old 1960's version and the new Canadian 1970's version. Of course the 60's version was the best.

The Avengers...I had a huge crush on Diana Rigg when I was a teen.

Some others not mentioned yet:

'Allo, 'Allo
All creatures, great and small
To the manor born
upstairs, downstairs
Yes minister
Miss Marple
Herculee Poirot
Lovejoy
I Claudius

The Avengers...I had a huge crush on Diana Rigg when I was a teen.

Some others not mentioned yet:

'Allo, 'Allo
All creatures, great and small
To the manor born
upstairs, downstairs
Yes minister
Miss Marple
Herculee Poirot
Lovejoy
I Claudius

Yep those ones were great and I forgot about them.

I Claudius ... just re-visited that series (via the quite-recently released dvd set), and plan to re-do it again this winter --- great series, so well-done.
I will admit to having had a 'crush' on Diana Rigg as well -- loved that series, and don't think I missed an episode.

What I like about Brit TV is the foreign perspective, superior acting, superior character development, and the more real feel to the physical features of characters. No advertising on the BBC! Generally, the Brits care less about imperfect teeth, lips, ears, hair and bodies when compared to the american model.
.

So well-said -- your words really sum it up for us as well.

I am at a loss for words. How can there be a post about Brit TV with 5 pages of comments and not a single mention of Misfits?! I can forgive people for leaving out The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (because it's made in conjunction with IFC) and How Not to Live your Life (because it's kinda niche), but Misfits is by far the best TV series I've seen, ever, Canadian, American, or Foreign.

Misfits.

Go watch it. Now.

A7

kps, I'd forgotten about 'Allo 'Allo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/'Allo_'Allo!) - man, that was a riot. Great premise and very, very funny... especially the running gag about the Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fallen_Madonna)... :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c2/FallenMadonna.jpg

(check this interesting tidbit about Lord Bath and the painting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fallen_Madonna#Lord_Bath))

I am at a loss for words. How can there be a post about Brit TV with 5 pages of comments and not a single mention of Misfits?! I can forgive people for leaving out The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (because it's made in conjunction with IFC) and How Not to Live your Life (because it's kinda niche), but Misfits is by far the best TV series I've seen, ever, Canadian, American, or Foreign.

Misfits.

Go watch it. Now.

A7

+1

I have given myself 9 lashings for my oversight :D

kps, I'd forgotten about 'Allo 'Allo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/'Allo_'Allo!) - man, that was a riot. Great premise and very, very funny... especially the running gag about the Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fallen_Madonna)... :D



Damn, I can't believe I forgot what that show was about. I remembered the name, but forgot what it was about. Yeah, that show was a riot. The French were always doing things behind the German's backs, or in front of them. It seems like the Germans never knew what was going on.

Not sure how, but I missed one of our most-recent favourites -- Gavin & Stacey -- a love/comedy sitcom, which ran from May '07 - Jan '10 (three series + Christmas special - with a dvd box set of the same).
Gavin, from Essex, England, and Stacey, from Barry, Wales, and the families of same -- and the trials & tribulations of a long-distance relationship, falling in love, meeting, arranging to marry, and some of the aftermaths.
I think we've watched it all three times now, and will probably do it all again this winter!! 'Real' characters and events, fun, and so well-written.

The League of Gentlemen (old but not ancient)
Life's Too Short (worth it for this clip alone):

Ricky Gervais - with Liam Neeson, Stephen Merchant and Warwick Davis on Life's Too Short - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45hzSmx4jmI)

Holy cheese and crackers. That was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Worth it for the look on Warwick Davis' face.

This isn't exactly a TV show - it's a blog. However, it's British and funny and, in fact, all about Macs!

iTunes - Podcasts - The Mac show by British Tech Network (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-mac-show/id516002150?mt=2)

Note: This is even better if you watch it live. Go to:

THE BRITISH TECH NETWORK - » The Mac show (http://www.britishtechnetwork.com/category/mac)

at around 7:00 to 7:30 am (PST) Friday for the live feed, which in addition to being uncensored gives you some pre and post show stuff that never makes it to the iTunes version, as well as an opportunity to comment in the chat room while the show is live.

Fawlty Towers and Monty Python and all the travel shows that Michael Palin has made.

I like the period pieces the BBC has and am very fond of D-Abby, Lark Rise and very much like the new Up Stairs Down Stairs. However I've just stumbled across Cranford and Return to Cranford which I really like .... What I've found is iTunes has a great and current selection of Brit shows.