Unofficial Tex Murphy

Speaking of tv shows, as of late I've noticed my viewing habits have had a very ... British taste to them.

Over the last few months I've been following Dr. Who, Torchwood, Sherlock, and Being Human. Before this year, I don't think I've ever watched BBC programming, save for Monty Python stuff. I have to say, the brits really know how to act. They really know how to put a story together. And I dare say, they're becoming better at it then Hollywood.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

Sherlock was absolutely amazing and I'm absolutely floored that I might have to wait till 2014 for season 3 to finally get around to showing us just how Sherlock managed to cheat death. But at that rate, I'm not sure if Moriarty is really dead either now, since we know Sherlock isn't. Something very fishy happened at the top of that building. (I've got my own ideas, and I know they had something to do with that girl from the morgue, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see.)

I ended up watching Dr. Who all the way through to the current season. I only caught what was on Netflix, so I haven't seen any of the current years season, but from what I watched. Rarely does a TV show make me cry. This show makes me cry. I mean bawl like a little girl. You become so attached to the characters somehow that when something bad happens to them, it isn't like a show, it's like something happening to your friends.

So here recently, I've been trying to watch as much British television as possible. They have it so right with their line-up of shows.

Anybody from the UK, or anyone who watches british programming have another series to recommend? I can't seem to get enough.

I've been a long fan of the British shows. Comedy, Sci-Fi, and Mystery. It's all good.

Some of my favorite British series have been:

As Time Goes By (See Judi Dench before she became M).
All Creatures Great and Small (See Doctor Who #5 from way back when)
Sherlock Holmes (Produced by Granada with Jeremy Brett. He's the closest thing to the book you'll find on TV)
Hercule Poirot (I think the older ones are better than the recent ones that have deviated too far from the books)
Fawlty Towers (Short run but hilarious episodes with John Cleese)
Good Neighbors
Black Adder (Comedy with a historical twist)
Are you Being Served
Red Dwarf (Sci-fi)

I watched tons of British TV on PBS growing up. Now with BBC America and the internet, I get to see lots more old an new shows.

There are lots you can find on lists like "best british comedies" etc. like this one, so I'll just list a few and those not already mentioned above.


Fantasy / Sci-fi Series:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (BBC version)
Chronicles of Narnia (BBC version) - Beautiful intro music.
Merlin (had its finale episode on TV here on Christmas)

Old comedy series (80s, 90s or earlier), :
Keeping Up Appearances
Steptoe and Son
Dad's Army
Father Ted
The Young Ones (wild and crazy like Monty Python)

Recent comedy series (2000s):
IT Crowd
Black Books
The Mighty Boosh (weird and random like Monty Python)
The Revolution Will Be Televised (political / topical, but a lot of segments feature a little intro to make it accessible to people who aren't as informed on politics (like me to be honest). Only 6 episodes seem to of been produced, I guess it was shortlived, but I enjoyed it).

I don't usually watch too much tv, but probably all the shows I'd recommend from the BBC are in the list above.

Dr Who is great, but you will find that you prefer one doctor above others (whoever you prefer is down to individual taste I think!). The voice in the globe in the last episode was Sir Ian McKellen.

Sherlock is good too - and the two main characters are both in major movies at the moment - Martin Freeman in the Hobbit, and Benedict Cumerbatch (whilst also being the voice of Smaug) is the baddie in Star Trek 2 out next year.

Poirot is good, but most don't match the books - nearly all are set in the 1930s/40s, even though the books were generally written to match the year in which they were written. BTW Sam, I have known one of David's brothers (Peter) for about ten years, but never met David.

Blackadder is excellent - I'm sure the sets will look cheap and dated, but they were written so well - and half written by Richard Curtis of Love Actually/4 Weddings fame.

Father Ted is actually Channel 4, but great fun.

The Mighty Boosh - Like Sai says, love it or hate it, but I loved it.

My wife loves Doc Martin if it's of interest - a village-y medical drama.

Demonlawyer wrote:Father Ted is actually Channel 4, but great fun.
My wife loves Doc Martin if it's of interest - a village-y medical drama.

Doc Martin is a great show. It's a comedy too as well as drama. They'll be filming a sixth season next year, though it may be the last one according to rumour.
Its actually not BBC either, but on ITV. But I was thinking that the topic wasnt limited to BBC (from the last sentence anyway, I could be wrong though).

But another good one from BBC is Jonathan Creek. Great show if you like a crime solving series with a twist.

Steptoe & son a real classic & always loved some mothers do have them!

I love Sherlock and Poirot. Maybe I'm just a mysterious person.

Sherlock is tops on our list and we eagerly look forward to the next series.

Also, DL has built in me greater anticipation for the next Star Trek by stating Cumberbatch is going to be the baddie. How cool.

Yeah Jim, I'm with you ... Just hearing Cumberpatch is gonna be in the next Star Trek made it a must see for me, even though it already was. Sherlock has made me respect the hell out of him as an actor. Series 3 couldn't get here quick enough for Sherlock.