British TV Discussion

[Yog]

Boys From the Blackstuff.

It's not crime. it's not sci-fi, it's not comedy, though there's funny stuff in it.

Starring Bernard Hill and set in Middlesborough about a group of tarmac layers from Liverpool. It's on wikipedia quoting something from the British Film Institute:

'seminal drama series... a warm, humorous but ultimately tragic look at the way economics affect ordinary people... TV's most complete dramatic response to the Thatcher era and as a lament to the end of a male, working class British culture'

Sounds interesting. Will check it out.

One of my favourite British TV shows is Takeshi's Castle with Craig Charles commentating

What a wazzock!

I'm ashamed to admit I'm a sucker for japanese gameshows..

[Dasquian Belargic]

Alright then! Feel free to challenge my ignorance by recommending quality British drama TV series that is a) not crime b) realistic (IE: not sci fi or supernatural) c) not a sitcom or comedy of any kind d) not a costume drama or kitchen drama that puts me to sleep. Bonus points if it runs for more than 12 episodes, although miniseries are acceptable.

And as you said in the original post, classics or re-runs are cool too.

Edit - it kinda violates a), but I read some good things about Spooks, do you recommend that?

Spooks is good

Okay, no comedy, no crime, no sci fi or supernatural, no kitchen sink drama, no period or historical drama... which 'genre' are you looking for, Yog? :mneh

[Yog]

Okay, no comedy, no crime, no sci fi or supernatural, no kitchen sink drama, no period or historical drama... which 'genre' are you looking for, Yog? :mneh

Historical drama is fine. But they got to have substance. That is usually when there is an appealing story. What I don't like is when the characters waltz around in their fancy costumes inviting each other for tea having dull conversations (antique version of kitchen sink drama). The characters should be conveyors of the historical events, not passive bystanders. I love TV series like John Adams and Rome, and adore the movie Gettysburg. I like historical drama about extraordinary people and major events that changed the world. Stuff portraying World War II, or former British monarchs, or other major events is interesting.

I like contemporary realistic stuff, such as 'Boys From the Blackstuff', which Acacius linked to.

The reason I say "no crime" is, there are way too many police investigation TV series, so please not another one of those. If anything fits outside that mould, it would be nice. Spooks is about secret agents, so I guess that is acceptable, even though the concept is hardly original.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Rome is classed as a British drama series, who knew!

Off the top of my head:

* I, Claudius
* Red Riding
* Elizabeth
* The Lost Prince
* Brideshead Revisited
* The Jewel in the Crown
* Upstairs, Downstairs
* Hustle
* Gormenghast
* The Singing Detective
* Jonathan Creek

I wonder how the government's planned 16% cut to the BBC budget will affect what's on TV

[Dasquian Belargic]

[Yog]

Rome is classed as a British drama series, who knew!

Ah yes, well, I always counted that as a HBO series. After all, HBO spent like $85 million on the series making it the most expensive TV series of all time (BBC contributed $15 million), which largely accounts for the high production values. BBC can make very good drama if they throw money at it (this is the core of the issue). Sadly, BBC pulled out after the end of their 2 year contract with HBO, and the series got canceled after only two seasons..

Off the top of my head:

* I, Claudius
* Red Riding
* Elizabeth
* The Lost Prince
* Brideshead Revisited
* The Jewel in the Crown
* Upstairs, Downstairs
* Hustle
* Gormenghast
* The Singing Detective
* Jonathan Creek

Excellent, just the kind of list I'm looking for.

I had forgotten about I, Claudius. That is indeed a classic.

[Droo]

Speaking of British TV, they really should bring back The Big Breakfast. Pleeeeeaaaaassse!

[Dasquian Belargic]

The Witchfinder General (with Vincent Price) is on iPlayer at the moment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...inder_General/

Sin City, too: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b008m2f9/Sin_City/

[Lilaena De'Ville]

They're airing Sherlock (series 1) on PBS on Sunday nights at 9 pm. They started yesterday.

It was good! I'm going to watch the rest of it now.

[Salem Ave]

Pity there is only 3 episodes At least we know there is more coming.

[Rossos Atrapes]

The short-haired blonde chick on BBC International's 'Primeval' is pretty damn cute. Has anybody else seen it?

[Dasquian Belargic]

The short-haired blonde chick on BBC International's 'Primeval' is pretty damn cute. Has anybody else seen it?

The blonde is Hannah Spearritt

I know Jace and Dee are fans. I have a boxset of series 1 & 2 that I haven't even opened yet

[Nen Lev'i]

Hannahhannahhannahhannah!


...I don't like Primeval at all. Haven't even seen it. Ever.

Honest.

[Mitch]

Two words: Top Gear.

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode.../Blade_Runner/

Blade Runner on the iPlayer

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/misfits/4od#3137103

Misfits, Series 2 Episode 1

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/misfits/4od#3137638

Misfits, Series 2 Episode 2

I love this show.

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/misfits/4od#3139835

Misfits, Series 2 Episode 3

What. The. Eff. Superhoodie

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Would David Suchet's run as Poirot count to put on your list? I know it's an older set, but every one of them is classic, plus I believe they're going to be trying to make the last three Poirot books that Christie wrote, including Curtain.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Consider it added to the list! I hadn't really seen much Poirot until Burning Nerd, but I have been on the look-out for cheap DVDs since then.


Any Brits watching Any Human Heart on C4?