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Underground > Film, TV & Theatre >

Recommendations for BBC Shows

17:07 / 15.12.07

Due to the writer's strike, I've been catching up on shows, and might actually run out of stuff, so I am looking for recommendations for new shows, particularly British stuff, if not necessarily BBC produced. I'm not sure what it is, just a better bench of writers, the BBC willing to take chances on ideas and let them develop, shorter series, or a larger back bench of decent actors, but I tend to think these days that the average British show (excluding reality stuff) is of better quality than the average American stuff, though not necessarily relating to production values.

Here's a short list of things I have seen, so you can get an idea of what I like:

Spaced - Simply astounding, and something I could watch every day.

Office - A masterpiece, but not for me. I acknowledge its perfection in every way, but that sort of humor just makes me feel bad and uncomfortable.

Extras - Started watching, but didn't get far, for the reasons above. Ricky Gervais is great, but his stuff is not for me.

IT Crowd - I really like the more absurdist qualities of it, something that really isn't there on American TV.

Kingdom - Nothing of real consequence, but I could watch Stephen Fry reading the phone book while eviscerating a goat.
Bit of Fry and Laurie - Great stuff.

Jonathan Creek - Found out about it after gorging myself on QI. Interesting concept, and fun to watch, but the execution can be clumsy. Never bought an iota of the chemistry between Alan Davies and Caroline Quentin, which the show seemed to hang on.

Black Books - Who doesn't love Bill Bailey?

I'm probably mostly looking for comedy, especially in the vein of Black Books and IT Crowd (because another Spaced is too much too hope for). But I'll try anything, drama and action included. I heard good things about Green Wing, is that worth checking out? I've gotta stay away from Who and Torchwood, I just don't have the time to devote to those. But I'm willing to try a whole host of shows, so throw them at me. Thanks.

17:21 / 15.12.07

I thoroughly recommend The Day Today and Brass Eye. They're all by Chris Morris, a comedian who has disappeared a bit in recent years but who has made it nearly impossible to watch the news without laughing at loud at its absurdity and pomposity. Of particular note is the Brass Eye Paedophile Special which is still makes me laugh more in half an hour than anything other single half hour show.

I'd also suggest checking out Japanese television if you're running out of entertainment during this cold Winter in which American television has ground to a halt. A lot you can find online for download or streaming. Of particular recommendation are the shows Death Note, FLCL, Bleach and Paranoia Agent, although you'll find a load more write-ups for other stuff here. Type Death Note E01 into VEOH and see how you go with it... I'd recommend watching at least the first few before you make up your mind. Make sure it's the animated show rather than the live action one.

17:36 / 15.12.07

I have it on very good authority that Chris Morris is about to unleash another tsunami of depravity. Which is nice.

Himy, if you like absurdist humour, might I recommend Channel 4's Greenwing. It's rather unhinged, but in a (mostly) good way.

19:20 / 15.12.07

Father Ted. I'd not watched any for a while until this summer when I stumbled upon repeats of the third series. I genuinely don't remember laughing so long and so hard at anything. It's still funny ten years on. Pure feel good telly. Feck!

19:57 / 15.12.07

Try Red Dwarf. Typical cheapo BBC sets and props but, at its best, very funny.

20:17 / 15.12.07

Yes, Father Ted is excellent, and it's by the writer of the (inferior) IT crowd.

21:51 / 15.12.07

If you're willing to go back a bit you could do worse than Bottom. It's basically a sitcom that's stripped down to the bone,starring Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmonson as two stupid losers sharing a flat. Features surreal characters,OTT Tom and Jerry violence and not getting any.

Mysterious Transfer Student

22:14 / 15.12.07

To follow up on El Directo's recommendations for top-quality Japanese animated shows, if - as it seems from your stated preferences - you have a taste for surrealism, black humour, absurd farce, postmodern shenanigans and character-based comedy, I'd invite you to sample one or more of Tales of Agriculture, So Long, Mr. Despair and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. All have their devoted fans on this board, are relatively short in length, come in handy 25-minute episode format and can be found on the internets.

22:14 / 15.12.07

Thanks for the suggestions.

Razor Wind, I have never heard a more apt description of my life.

I am definitely going to check out Green Wing shortly

As for Japanese television and anime, I have a couple series lined up and waiting, in particular Paranoia Agent (I went nuts after Paprika). I'll be diving into Death Note and Bleach sometime later. I just found myself with a particular craving for British TV.

I've been told that Red Dwarf is my sort of show. With regards to Blackadder, can I start on any series, or should I really start from the beginning?

ONLY NICE THINGS

22:22 / 15.12.07

The first Blackadder isn't very good. The second is good, the third all right, the fourth largely good. I'd start with two.

22:33 / 15.12.07

It's basically a sitcom that's stripped down to the bone,starring Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmonson as two stupid losers sharing a flat. Features surreal characters,OTT Tom and Jerry violence and not getting any.
That sure sounds familiar.

While I'm here, what good documentary programs are on BBC?

03:42 / 16.12.07

green wing is fantastic, and it shares many actors and a certain attitude with Spaced.

A recent find is "Garth Marengis dark place". Its got the cool guy from IT crowd (dean learner), and lashings of occult madness.

10:29 / 16.12.07

The first blackadder is completely different in tone - largely because Richard Curtis was sole writer and largely because it's hung up on trying to be a cross between Hamlet and Richard III, and fails mainly due to the OTT of support (including Peter Cook and did I imagine it, was that Brian Blessed shouting?) and because of the awfulness of the dynamic of Rowen's simpering and stupid Blackadder and Robinson's brains Baldrick. 2nd series finds it's feet much better, and sees Ben Elton join the writing - Blackadder becomes arch nasty self-interested social climber, Baldrick a moron, all works much better and sees the fomular repeated for the next two series. Blackadder the third is often seen as the weaker of the three good Blackadders - but I think it works fantastically well - it feels like a pantomime poking fun of the prince for the most part, but I've always liked it. By the time Blackadder goes Fourth appears, everyone knows their roles perfectly, the writting is tighter, and a little bit of pathos goes a long way. Basically, as Haus said, ignore the first series, start with the second and go from there.

11:56 / 16.12.07

I'd thoroughly recommend The Singing Detective, if you've not already seen it, which is not only one of the most incredible feats of writing I've ever seen but just one of the best TV shows ever, as far as I'm concerned. It's a six-part musical miniseries of shows an hour long that jumps between the story of a hospitalised misanthrope writer, his childhood in rural England and the setting of an old novel of his (a noir detective story) before taking all these threads and..... well, I'll let you see for yourself if you want.

This is absolutely classic BBC television from the eighties. Television at its best, produced by one of the masters of the form.

Phex: Dorset Doom

14:32 / 16.12.07

Though it's not a BBC show (it's Channel Four) I would highly recommend Peep Show- it's the odd couple arrangement of a messy and clean flat-mate done brilliantly. The title comes from the frequent use of first-person perspective with the character's often brilliant narration.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned I'm Alan Partridge, the cringe-inducing but brilliantly funny magnum opus of comedian Steve Coogan (who may be familiar to US 'lithers for the mostly crap Hollywood films he's made and being implicated, by Courtney Love of all people, in Luke Wilson's suicide attempt- what do they say about people in glass houses?). Alan Partridge is a washed-up TV presenter living in a cheap motorway hotel, desperately trying to claw his way back to the d-list from no-list.

15:52 / 16.12.07

Kingdom - Nothing of real consequence, but I could watch Stephen Fry reading the phone book while eviscerating a goat.

If you're a big Fry fan then you can't go far wrong with his "quiz" show, QI. Like all comedian-based quiz shows, it's largely an excuse for pithy one-liners, and Fry generally shines in most editions of it.

At times it feels like a bit of Stephen Fry love-in, with the contestants trying to out-joke each other for his attention, but permanent contestant Alan Davies usually off-sets their sycophancy excellently.

The official website has nice snippets of the show.

15:53 / 16.12.07

He's already mentioned QI

Peep Show=Big Yes
Alan Partridge=Absolutely Essential

16:27 / 16.12.07

Firstly, It should be noted that there is far more than the BBC we are talking about here -

Secondly, Ultraviolet. No, not that crappy film with Milla Jovovich - This is a fantastic TV miniseries featuring Idris Elba from The Wire before he went to the states.

I'm not going to explain the plot, because as fun as that is what has brought me back time and again has been the writing and directing. Episode 3 ranks up there as one of the best hour long episodes of drama series.

Just watch it.

17:20 / 16.12.07

I think it has been noted that we're talking about more than the Beeb

17:34 / 16.12.07

Given your love of Spaced and, I assume, the abundance of pop culture riffing within, The Mighty Boosh deserves a mention. While they tend to divide audiences, it's safe to say there's nothing similar in uk comedy today. Playful, adventurous and achingly hip in a very NME sort of way, the Boosh is another 'one square and and one scruff stuck together' concept except each episode plays more like a mini Sinbad flick than a trad. 3 camera setup: they travel to the jungle or the arctic tundra, battle underwater transsexuals and demonic grannies and banter like a pair of squabbling gimps, and stick in songs and animated sequences willy-nilly. Most marvellously of all, the whole thing is done on the sort of cardboard budget which would make 70s Who whince.

I think you'll love it.

Our Lady Has Left the Building

17:48 / 16.12.07

Right, let's do this thing.

Try and get ahold of Bleak House, from a few years back. It's Dickens done in half hour chunks and, unless you're a Dickens scholar the format is exactly right, it's not a costume drama, Dickens was writing soap operas for Gods sake (Off-topic: Anyone looking forward to Oliver Twist?). Most BBC costume dramas I last for about fifty minutes of the first episode and then switch off, this held me riveted.

The first series of Big Train involving most of the people involved in Father Ted, The Day Today, Brass Eye... The second series is inferior. And while we're at it, Jam which is deeply scary and utterly hilarious, often at the same time.

There was a documentary series on the concentration camps a year or two ago, Auschwitz which, if you can find it, is worth a look, though, to state the blindingly obvious, extremely fucking harrowing and upsetting. On a lighter tip, Simon Scharma's three series Simon Sharma's History of Britain and Simon Schama's The Power of Art are wonderful, if occasionally parody-worthy, studies of their subjects.

The only other thing I will recommend for now is Copenhagen, a wonderful film of a wonderful play by Michael Frayn about responsibility and scientific truth in the Second World War. It stars Daniel Craig and Stephen Rea at the top of their games.

jentacular dreams

18:29 / 16.12.07

Fifteen storeys high is great. A little surreal, but great. It's based around two flatmates in a high-rise tower block, both of whome are, shall we say, quirky. Written by and starring Sean Lock, who's appeared on QI a few times, and the second series is co-written by Mark Lamarr. There should have been a third (just in case anyone from the beeb happens to be reading).

Porridge is easily one of my favourite older comedies - quickfire humour set in a prison. And if you're watching Bottom, I'd recommend The Young Ones - similar, but far more surreal, and about a group of students in the 1980s - and like Blackadder it's cowritten by Ben Elton. Rising Damp is almost a counterpart in some ways, centred around the life of a landlord. It also stars Richard Beckingsdale (who filmed it at the same time as he was starring in Porridge), though the main role is played by Leonard Rossiter (see the Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin for more absurdist humour).

Yes [Prime/]Minister is widely considered one of the best BBC comedies. It's about a minister and his civil servants as they try to manipulate one another into achieving their political/governmental aims. Some of the jokes should be award winning in of themselves.

Sorry, my television consumption is largely limited to comedies and news, both of which I started watching with my dad since I was knee high to a grasshopper (etc etc). I could recommend some good news programmes, but they don't age nearly as well.

Oh, has anyone mentioned Doctor Who?

[edit] - I see they have now.

21:42 / 16.12.07

Only in the context of not watching it for fear that it will take over their lives. To which I'd offer the same advice as I would any prospective Bleach N00B: watch Dr. Who and let it take over your life.

00:09 / 17.12.07

Damn, didn't see the mention of QI, sorry!

Watch Doctor Who. It probably won't take over your life, unless you want it to. It's fairly manageable and you can dip your toe into a lot of the new series episodes without getting mired in new series continuity (or old, for that matter).

Besides, seasons of Who are in nice 13 episode (14 including Christmas specials) chunks, which are much more manageable than a lot of the unwieldy 22 episode US dramas.

00:19 / 17.12.07

So much good, good stuff already mentioned. I recommend Look Around You. It's a recent(ish) comedy gem which I reckon you'll enjoy, given what you've mentioned so far. Series 1 is a loving spoof of old UK schools science programmes, whereas series 2 more resembles Tomorrow's World. It's silly, absurd and very clever (like the best unexpected jokes in The Simpsons, say) and was co-written by and stars Peter Serafininowicz who's in Spaced/Shaun Of The Dead and voiced Darth Maul etc etc. I'd also recommend his show, er, The Peter Serafinowicz Show. It's a bit hit and miss, but it's floored me a couple of times with some genius moments and he's a fantastic impressionist and performer generally.

09:37 / 17.12.07

Doesn't the appeal of Look Around You have a lot to do with being being brought up on that that stuff? It's a very britcentric experience, if you ask me.

10:44 / 17.12.07

Yeah, I did wonder about that. While there's definitely those elements of recognition and nostalgia that will be lost on a non-Brit viewer, I'd hope the jokes still stand up on their own.

Closed for Business Time

12:17 / 17.12.07

As a Scando and a fan of L.A.Y. I stand as pudding proof of your thesis Mike M. We might have had quite similar programming in Norway. I believe the Norwegian National Broadcasting Company were practically worshipping at the altar of BBC back in the 70's and 80's.

12:45 / 17.12.07

My point was that when recommending shows to the foreign hordes I think it's best to prioritise stuff that either fits neatly with the expressed preferences of the person in question, has something in common with television they have previously enjoyed, or has clear cut universal appeal. Of course Himy could like L.A.Y - I'd say it fits the first of my criteria pretty closely - I just wouldn't put it to the top of my list.

17:06 / 17.12.07

I have seen the first series of Look Around You and thought it was hilarious. I had not realized that there was a second series, but I am tracking it down now. And unlike say, Black Dossier, I don't think there is as much of a cultural imperative to understanding that show. That sort of programming was universal.

The Mighty Boosh, taking a quick look, it seems like a cracked out, adult version of Pee Wee's Playhouse. Is that accurate?

I'm a big QI fan, and it's a shame that they don't seem to have plans to release the first series DVD here in America. Or that BBC America doesn't show it. It's not a gameshow that I think would do well here, as firstly there is such a nasty anti-intellectual streak running through American society (possibly exacerbated by the election year), and because we don't have (in my opinion), a stable of educated funny-people. Maybe some cartoon writers, but no one that is very recognizable.

I have heard good things about Garth Marenghi, I will have to check that out as well. Alan Partridge doesn't sound as if it will be something I like, it's that same cringe-worthniess that turns me off the Gervais stuff. Someone suggested Ultraviolet to me, and I think I could use some action to fill the void.

I appreciate the suggestions, one and all, and I will try to get through most of it. When watching British televsion, I simply assume that there is sometimes going to be cultural references and jokes that I don't get. I'll often go look them up later, and the moments I don't get usually do not detract from my enjoyment as a whole.

17:26 / 17.12.07

Yeah, I should've twigged that Alan Partridge probably wouldn't be up your street. It's just that, along with its other virtues, it's genuinely one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

18:19 / 17.12.07

I'd also add a voice for Alan Partridge - it's cringe worthy, yes, but it's also one of the best crafted comedies that BBC and britain has produced in years.

Ultraviolet is smart, looks great and is very seriously acted but from that great point of view of a person dragged out of reality and shown something absurd and told that it's true. It's fantastic, and Jack Davenport's otherwise dull and blandness works very well as that person dragged out of reality.

For some reason I thought it was just comedies being recommended. If not, and we are going old school, I cannot rate Edge of Darkness highly enough - when I first saw it as a wee nipper, it was one of the greatest bits of television acting I remember ever seeing. That and the Dennis Potter stuff (Singing Detective, Pennies From Heaven) really were amazing.

18:49 / 17.12.07

I second Haus's shipping forecast assessment of the various series of Blackadder, and put in yet another vote for Greenwing. I wish it wasn't over.