TV series'' in the UK...recommendations?

[zoebartlett]

We''ve been watching marathon episodes of Ballykissangel, which we really like. We tried to get into Coupling but didn''t enjoy it as much as we had hoped. Uh, that didn''t sound quite right.

Anyway, what TV shows (dramas or comedies) do you like and would recommend?

 

[gwendolyn]

Which seasons of Coupling did you see? My boyfriend says the first and second seasons are the best, and he''s a huge fan.

Are you looking for shows that are on air right now in the UK, or shows you might watch on DVD or reruns? Of current shows, I just love QI, which is a comedy quiz show which is very funny, smart, silly and has Stephen Fry and Alan Davies in it every week. The season just finished, but it should be on TV still, probably on Dave, which seems to have lots of QI and Top Gear (which is also lots of fun but possibly not what you''re looking for).

Other shows that I think are good but might not be on air anymore are Spaced, The IT Crowd and Black Books (comedies) and Life on Mars (drama).

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks for replying Gwendolyn! I meant to add in my post that I''m looking for Netflix DVD suggestions. We live in the US, so I''m not familiar with many of the actors over there, except the ones that have successful careers here as well. Actually, Collin Farrell was in the last few seasons of Ballykissangel.

I''ve heard of a show called Eastenders (East Enders?) but I''ve never seen it. Other than that, I don''t know of other shows. Dramas and comedies are what we''re looking for.

As for Coupling, we''ve seen the first one or two seasons. I think two. We weren''t that crazy about it but I think part of the problem was that I kept comparing it to Friends and I didn''t find it as funny as Friends. Maybe we''ll give it another try and see what we think. It''s been a couple years since we watched it.

 

[Rhea]

I went back to my TV and movies post and copied my post. It may not be quite what you''re looking for, but there are some of my favorites:

Secret Diary of a Call Girl - starring Billy Piper
Top Gear
Gordon Ramsey''s Kitchen Nightmares
Nevermind the Buzzcocks
Have I Got News for You
QI - with Steven Fry (Hugh Laurie''s past partner in crime)
Life on Mars

 

[ChargerGrrl]

''tis the season for marathon TV-viewing!

right now, DH and I are into the UK comedy ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. it''s a hoot, but certainly not for everyone! it''s kinda racy by U.S standards, but it did air on Comedy Central in the 1990''s- I used to watch it in college, and LUVED it. Once in a while it pops up on BBC America- we caught an episode a couple of months ago, and DH was hooked. so we''re netflixing it.

we''re on season 4 right now (i think)

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 12/28/2007 2:19:59 PM
Author: zoebartlett
Thanks for replying Gwendolyn! I meant to add in my post that I''m looking for Netflix DVD suggestions. We live in the US, so I''m not familiar with many of the actors over there, except the ones that have successful careers here as well. Actually, Collin Farrell was in the last few seasons of Ballykissangel.


I''ve heard of a show called Eastenders (East Enders?) but I''ve never seen it. Other than that, I don''t know of other shows. Dramas and comedies are what we''re looking for.


As for Coupling, we''ve seen the first one or two seasons. I think two. We weren''t that crazy about it but I think part of the problem was that I kept comparing it to Friends and I didn''t find it as funny as Friends. Maybe we''ll give it another try and see what we think. It''s been a couple years since we watched it.

Gah, Eastenders is one of the most depressing shows ever! It''s very popular, for some peculiar reason, but every bit of it I''ve seen reminded me a super, overly dramatic soap opera where no one is happy, ever. I personally wouldn''t recommend it, but try it out if you think you might enjoy it, and let me know what its redeeming factors are, m''dear.

Ok, so you''re renting from Netflix, so you''ll be seeing things seasons at a time--very cool! I''d definitely suggest QI (you can get a taste of it on YouTube if you want to check it out first) and the other shows I mentioned--both ''Spaced'' and ''Life on Mars'' only had two seasons total, so you can watch the entire show from start to finish and get some GREAT TV. Weird at times, but really good.

The new series of Dr. Who is really excellent too--the first new season has Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor and (in my opinion) he is SO good. I would definitely recommend that as well. There''s also a fun sitcom-type show called Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, which you might enjoy as well.

 

[ladypirate]

I'm not sure which of these you can get through netflix, as they are still on air, but I love Heston Blumenthal's "In Search of Perfection", "Top Gear", and "Peep Show".

Also, James May has a couple of specials that I've enjoyed--one on children's toys that was done this year and last year for Christmas called "Top Toys", and one called "Oz and James' Big Wine Adventure" that I believe just finished its second season. And if you like Jeremy Clarkson, he hosted a special in 2002 called "Jeremy Clarkson Meets The Neighbours" that is fantastic.

Also, for something that's a bit easier to find, the original version of "The Office" is brilliant.

ETA: Also, Eastenders is a soap, so it may not be what you're looking for.

 

[Maisie]

Eastenders is awful, I live here and I can''t bear watching it! It really depresses me.

Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is really great fun. Its silly and sometimes a bit gross but the laughs are definitely worth it! Also Absolutely Fabulous is great!

Bottom is really yuk humour but still makes me laugh. The Vicar of Dibley .... The Royale Family.....I will try and think of some more

 

[gwendolyn]

Oh yes, the original version of 'The Office' with Ricky Gervaise (Gervais? One of those) is excellent! Also, I just recently saw a show with one of the guys from Top Gear on it, doing science experiment sorts of things (kind of like Mythbusters). It's called Brainiac: Science Abuse, and it's got Richard Hammond from Top Gear in it. I saw him do experiments on how to get Santa Claus (violently) out of your chimney if he gets stuck. It's a fun show.

There's also another one, which may not be interesting to you if you don't know the Brits involved, but a show called 'Who Do You Think You Are?' is really very good. It deals with celebrities looking back into their own family history, and is very interesting and rather emotional. The first one I ever saw was about Stephen Fry (whom I absolutely adore

), and his investigations brought me to tears. It maybe wouldn't have meant that much to someone who didn't know him, so this might not be a good suggestion for you, Zoe, but since reading your thread, I keep thinking about it, so I figured I should mention it just in case the family documentary sort of thing appeals to you.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I may have mentioned that Ballykissangel is/was an Irish show, and we''re looking for anything else from there as well. *Bee, are you out there?

Thanks for the hints about Eastenders. Since it''s only been mentioned in books I''ve read and such, I wasn''t sure what it was. I think we''ll skip it -- soaps aren''t our thing (especially my FI''s).

Gwendolyn, I think "Who Do You Think You Are?" sounds interesting. I''ll have to check it out, along with the other recommendations.

 

[Deelight]

Not in the UK but some I like

Red Dwarf ~ it is a fairly old series but it is sooo funny I still laugh over this
Absolutely Fabulous is funny
Top Gear is really good
Heartbeat may be one you might like
My BF loves League of Gentlemen your FI might as well it is a little strange
Little Brittan also very very funny
Black Adder See Hugh Laurie (In a whole new light

There are others but I can't think of them at the moment

I HIGHLY dis-recommend The Bill BLEUGH hate that show with a passion

ETA: I ADORE Stephen Fry

 

[Rhea]

Oh, I thought of a couple more!!

Father Ted - comedy
The Catherine Tate Show - also a comedy

 

[bee*]

Date: 12/29/2007 8:56:21 AM
Author: zoebartlett
Thanks for the suggestions! I think I may have mentioned that Ballykissangel is/was an Irish show, and we're looking for anything else from there as well. *Bee, are you out there?

Hey Zoe! I'm here

I have to second Addy's suggestion of Father Ted-it's about Irish priests on "Craggy Island"-it's so, so funny! Glenroe was a soap that used to be on here all the time but as far as I know it's finished. Fair City is another soap set in Dublin but not sure if it's soaps that you're after.

For a really really funny show, you have to check out the Podge and Rodge show. They're two puppets who are not politically correct in any way but it's so funny if you don't mind a bit of cursing! You can let me know if it's only the Irish that would appreciate them as they're doing so well over here! I found the clip from Rebecca Loos when she appeared on the show-podgeandrodge ***do not look at it if easily offended!***

Can't think of any more at the moment!

 

[bee*]

here''s another clip from podge and rodge with the woman of their affections here Again, those easily offended shouldn''t click!

 

[risingsun]

I love Top Gear!! You don''t have to be a car nut to enjoy it