best british show?
10-13-02, 12:27 PM
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: dc
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
best british show?
i could never get into absolutely fabulous but i love british humor. i've been wanting to see faulty towers, everyone says it's hysterical. just curious which ones are the tops in everyone's opinion.
cheers!
cheers!
10-13-02, 01:47 PM
#3
Mod Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Outside of the U.S.A.
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Leaving aside the older classics, details of some more current favo(u)rite BritComs can be found on the International Forum:I never tire of mentioning Coupling, Spaced, Black Books but there are also such "northern" classics as Dinner Ladies and Phoenix Nights which may or may not translate to a North American audience (but which were great, nonetheless).
Last edited by benedict; 10-13-02 at 01:50 PM.
10-13-02, 03:49 PM
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Black Adder is my favorite.
10-13-02, 05:27 PM
#6
Father Ted is great. There is also a new series called Black Books from the creators of Father Ted that is highly enjoyable (and on DVD from the UK). Personally, tho, I love the britcoms that are more like continujng stories that feel more like a mini series. Such as The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin and My Secret Army. Butterflies is another Britcom that had a running continuing story line that ran thru each episode. Those types of series really need to be seen in chronological order from episode one thru the last episode, as they are not so much stand alone type shows.
Are You Being Served and Open All Hours come to mind immediately as I think of series that were great as stand alone type series, where each episode stand alone by itself.
Are You Being Served and Open All Hours come to mind immediately as I think of series that were great as stand alone type series, where each episode stand alone by itself.
10-13-02, 08:50 PM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The land of chocolate
Posts: 6,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Too many good ones to pick from (and that's just the comedies). Ones not mentioned already that I would buy (and have bought) are:
Jeeves and Wooster (a definite classic)
A Bit of Fry and Laurie
Dave Allen (everything he's done)
The Goodies (again a classic show, although a little dated now)
Brushstrokes
It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Some Mother's Do Have Them (caught a recent episode when I was in the US - forgot just how funny this is).
Dad's Army
Goodnight Sweetheart
Porridge
The Two Ronnies
Steptoe And Son (this is about the only one that I probably wouldn't get, but do enjoy catching up the odd episode)
Vicar of Dibley
Only Fools and Horses
One Foot In The Grave
And - I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned already: Red Dwarf
Jeeves and Wooster (a definite classic)
A Bit of Fry and Laurie
Dave Allen (everything he's done)
The Goodies (again a classic show, although a little dated now)
Brushstrokes
It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Some Mother's Do Have Them (caught a recent episode when I was in the US - forgot just how funny this is).
Dad's Army
Goodnight Sweetheart
Porridge
The Two Ronnies
Steptoe And Son (this is about the only one that I probably wouldn't get, but do enjoy catching up the odd episode)
Vicar of Dibley
Only Fools and Horses
One Foot In The Grave
And - I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned already: Red Dwarf
10-13-02, 09:57 PM
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I enjoyed all of naughty Jonny's suggestions (especially Red Dwarf, coming to R2 DVD November 4 
)
Also enjoyed
'Allo 'Allo
Lenny Henry Show
Chef
Hi-De-Hi
Benny Hill
Black Adder
Only Fools And Horses (had to repeat this one as it's so good
)
Auf Weidersehen Pet
Brittas Empire
Danger Mouse
The original Wind In The Willows (with David Jason as the voice of Mr. Toad)
and too many others that I'm blanking on right now.
)Also enjoyed
'Allo 'Allo
Lenny Henry Show
Chef
Hi-De-Hi
Benny Hill
Black Adder
Only Fools And Horses (had to repeat this one as it's so good
)Auf Weidersehen Pet
Brittas Empire
Danger Mouse
The original Wind In The Willows (with David Jason as the voice of Mr. Toad)
and too many others that I'm blanking on right now.
10-14-02, 03:30 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Perth Australia
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The League Of Gentlemen is very dark and extremely clever and funny.
Of course Blackadder wins hands down form Fawlty Towers and The Young Ones, but these four are the standouts.
Notable mentions though there are many
Black Books
Yes Minister
Are You Being Served
To The Manor Born
The Good Life
Dad's Army
It Ain't Half hot Mum
some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Terry
Of course Blackadder wins hands down form Fawlty Towers and The Young Ones, but these four are the standouts.
Notable mentions though there are many
Black Books
Yes Minister
Are You Being Served
To The Manor Born
The Good Life
Dad's Army
It Ain't Half hot Mum
some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Terry
10-14-02, 10:43 AM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
British drama is every bit as good as British comedy, if not better.
Upstairs, Downstairs is probably the "best British show" as a whole, followed by the original Forsyte Saga.
Upstairs, Downstairs is probably the "best British show" as a whole, followed by the original Forsyte Saga.
10-14-02, 11:17 AM
#14
Originally posted by adamblast
British drama is every bit as good as British comedy, if not better.
Upstairs, Downstairs is probably the "best British show" as a whole, followed by the original Forsyte Saga.
British drama is every bit as good as British comedy, if not better.
Upstairs, Downstairs is probably the "best British show" as a whole, followed by the original Forsyte Saga.
10-14-02, 11:18 AM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Palm Springs and Los Angeles
Posts: 23,236
Received 110 Likes
on
99 Posts
Jeeves and Wooster
Blackadder, esp Blackadder goes Fourth
Fawlty Towers is genius.
Monty Python everyone knows about
And an oldie but a goodie
Only when I laugh...
And of course the Ali G Show - respect.
Blackadder, esp Blackadder goes Fourth
Fawlty Towers is genius.
Monty Python everyone knows about
And an oldie but a goodie
Only when I laugh...
And of course the Ali G Show - respect.
10-14-02, 07:38 PM
#18
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The land of chocolate
Posts: 6,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by redhenry
The League Of Gentlemen is very dark and extremely clever and funny.
The League Of Gentlemen is very dark and extremely clever and funny.
"Are you local?"
I simply cannot hear the words "local shop" anymore without thinking of the LoG.
Has anyone here seen UltraViolet? It's an X-Files type series (6 episodes) about a group who hunt vampires. The great thing is, not ONCE do they actually use the word "vampire", but it's obvious what they are.
One series that I do wish they'd release on DVD is the Francis Urquart series (House of Cards/To Play the King/Final Cut). It has the great Ian Richardson in it playing a very corrupt Prime Minister of Britain.
10-14-02, 09:04 PM
#19
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I lived in England for 4 years as a kid, let me see if I can remember (that was a long time ago )
1. The Goodies
2. It's a knock out! (awesome live action show with bizzarre challenges)
3. Monty Python
4. The Young Ones (this was after I was back in the mid 80's)
)1. The Goodies
2. It's a knock out! (awesome live action show with bizzarre challenges)
3. Monty Python
4. The Young Ones (this was after I was back in the mid 80's)
10-15-02, 12:34 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't believe no one mentioned So Grahm Norton probably the best late night talk show. I found myself actually laughing out loud, something I rarely do when watching TV. Great stuff.
10-15-02, 01:52 AM
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Flava-Country!
Posts: 3,964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So does anyone remember On The Buses? The wacky adventurens of a slacker bus driver, his con man ticket taker and the Pointy Haired Boss of a supervisor? I only vaugly remember the show, mostly because it was on just before Doctor Who.
10-15-02, 03:17 AM
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Originally posted by El-Kabong
So does anyone remember On The Buses? The wacky adventurens of a slacker bus driver, his con man ticket taker and the Pointy Haired Boss of a supervisor? I only vaugly remember the show, mostly because it was on just before Doctor Who.
So does anyone remember On The Buses? The wacky adventurens of a slacker bus driver, his con man ticket taker and the Pointy Haired Boss of a supervisor? I only vaugly remember the show, mostly because it was on just before Doctor Who.
I just watched the first three episodes of On The Buses.
Great show
Here's my list
Fawlty Towers
Till Death Us Do Part
Dave Allen At Large
Kenny Everett Video Show
Morecome And Wise
the Two Ronnies
Not The Nine O'clock News
Porridge
Mr Bean
The Young Ones
Haven't seen Spaced,hear a lot about it. Is it shown in the US?
10-16-02, 01:37 PM
#23
Moderator
Originally posted by goLUCKY
Second sight - with clive owen was a good murder mystery series.
Second sight - with clive owen was a good murder mystery series.
French & Saunders - the parody of "Fellowship of the Rings" which I recently saw on British Airways tv had me in tears, by far the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.
I also saw a comedy show called "The Skit Show" which was extremely clever in that most of it, if not all the vinettes were derived from word play.
I really want to own the "Monarch of the Glen" series but it looks like it's exclusively on VHS through BBC America.
Not comedy but a critical acclamied Police soap-opera series that I wish I could see more often of is the series called "The Bill"
Anyone know of the series called "The Office". Just saw it was released on Region 2 DVD, and was curious if anyone could fill me it on what's it all about.
10-16-02, 02:10 PM
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Does anyone remember The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin? I saw a few episodes in the 70s.
Monty Python
'Allo 'Allo
Young Ones
Red Dwarf
Dave Allen
Are You Being Served
occasionally I enjoy Keeping Up Appearances
I've recently seen a few episodes of Murder Most Horrid. They were very funny.
Monty Python
'Allo 'Allo
Young Ones
Red Dwarf
Dave Allen
Are You Being Served
occasionally I enjoy Keeping Up Appearances
I've recently seen a few episodes of Murder Most Horrid. They were very funny.
10-17-02, 01:47 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Roscoe, IL USA
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I saw Coupling for the first time over the weekend on BBC America and thought it was hilarious. Father Ted and Keeping Up Appearances are also very funny. I also watch Changing Rooms and Ground Force whenever they are on.