The British got television right

***IronParrot*** · 02-28-2003, 01:56 AM

I don't watch television anymore. There's simply nothing on that's worth my attention.

When I think of some of my favourite television shows, there's a certain pattern to a good many of them. Red Dwarf. Monty Python's Flying Circus. Mr. Bean. Blackadder. Fawlty Towers. The Avengers.

All British.

This can't just be a coincidence. There's something the British know, or at least once knew, about good television that almost nobody in America (or here in Canada, for that matter) can grasp.

Inderjit Sanghera · 02-28-2003, 07:45 AM

I agree-British T.V is brilliant. (You forgot 'Only Fool and Horses', BTW.)

But the U.s have been reponsible for some great programs like:

The Simpsons
Family Guy
Futurama
Angel
M*A*S*H
Scrubs
My Wife and Kids
The Fresh Prince
Malcolm in the Middle
The Sopranos

Coney · 02-28-2003, 08:50 AM

People still watch television?....amazing

I think one of the reasons British TV got it right is because of the unique way the BBC is funded. We have the television license so the BBC never had to worry about ratings etc to sell advertising.

This allowed the BBC to make experimental programs that need never be accepted by the mainstream audience.

Stuff like-

Monty Python
The Sky at Night
Red Dwarf
Dr Who
Tommorows World
Countless educational programs
and a multitude of wildlife documentaries about sea cucumbers etc.

Basically, because British TV doesn't pander to the advertisers demands for mega ratings, they have been able to produce programs that are original.

I read recently that British TV companies now make more money from selling their programs around the world than they do here, so we must be doing something right

Draken · 02-28-2003, 09:19 AM

Probably a case of "prophet in his own land" here...

You'll certainly find lots of people in Britain bemoaning why we can't make a "Friends" or a "Frasier" or a "West Wing".

In comedy at least I think it's down to the writing process - British programmes have one or two writers who will "own" the show. Hence no dilution of any originality, but they do tend to run out of steam.

American comedies (I think) are written by teams of writers who bounce ideas off each other and change personnel and are able to keep established shows fresh.

Vive le difference, as they say.

Plus I'm sure everyone remembers things being better in the past, it's human nature. We MUST be due a repeat of "Boys from the Blackstuff" or "Edge of Darkness" sometime....or maybe even a "Quatermass"...

Coney · 02-28-2003, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Draken
Plus I'm sure everyone remembers things being better in the past, it's human nature. We MUST be due a repeat of "Boys from the Blackstuff" or "Edge of Darkness" sometime....or maybe even a "Quatermass"...

Very true........I've been waiting for a re-showing of "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" for decades

sun-star · 03-06-2003, 03:21 PM

Quote:

. Red Dwarf. Monty Python's Flying Circus. Mr. Bean. Blackadder. Fawlty Towers. The Avengers.

All British.

And all old British. We don't make good sitcoms any more (how's that for a generalisation?

). I mean, the last BBC sitcom (that I was aware of) was "My Family". What more can I say?

***azalea*** · 03-06-2003, 03:39 PM

I'm sure I'll be looked at differently after I reveal this, but I am a big Young Ones fan.

***IronParrot*** · 03-06-2003, 07:29 PM

Hey, Red Dwarf isn't that old.

(suddenly realizes how long it's been since he last saw it)

Never mind... ignore me

Elven Archer · 03-06-2003, 08:39 PM

I used to love Red Dwarf, i haven't seen it in forever though.
I really like Fawlty Towers, Keeping Up Appearances,and Are You Being Served? too.

Coney · 03-06-2003, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by azalea
I'm sure I'll be looked at differently after I reveal this, but I am a big Young Ones fan.

That was one of my fave programs when it was first shown....Brilliant!!

Rick, Niel, Vivian and Mike......housemates from hell

***Khamûl*** · 03-07-2003, 01:03 AM

My mother absolutely loves Keeping Up Appearances with Mrs. Hyacinth Bucket. "It's pronounced 'boo-kay'."

As for me, Mr. Bean is my favorite.

Gwaimir Windgem · 03-07-2003, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sun-star
And all old British. We don't make good sitcoms any more (how's that for a generalisation? ). I mean, the last BBC sitcom (that I was aware of) was "My Family". What more can I say?

I loved My Family!

BeardofPants · 03-07-2003, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by azalea
I'm sure I'll be looked at differently after I reveal this, but I am a big Young Ones fan.

Gotta love those Ben Elton comedies.

I remember when we first got channel 4 here in New Zealand. They ran a Brit Comedy Wednesday Night: Ben Elton's Man From A.U.N.T.I.E., Harry Enfield, Young Ones.... I was in seventh heaven!

Dunadan · 03-07-2003, 07:32 AM

The Young Ones were brilliant, especially Alexei Sayle's deranged contributions

"Have you ever noticed how revolutionaries have always been named after biscuits? You've got your Garibaldi, your Bourbon, your Peek Freens Family Assortment"

Sadly Ben Elton is now reduced to making musicals with Andrew Lloyd Banks.

How can anyone bemoan the current state of British comedy with Vic & Bob on the go?

***azalea*** · 03-08-2003, 12:10 AM

I also loved in The Young Ones when they'd go off on a tangent that would lead back to the main plot, and also those meaningless subliminal pictures they'd throw in (we used to tape it and then pause to see what it was).
My favorite episode was probably Bambi -- the scene between Neil and Rik on the train was hilarious.

I always liked Fawlty Towers, too.

02-28-2003, 01:56 AM	#1
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	The British got television right I don't watch television anymore. There's simply nothing on that's worth my attention. When I think of some of my favourite television shows, there's a certain pattern to a good many of them. Red Dwarf. Monty Python's Flying Circus. Mr. Bean. Blackadder. Fawlty Towers. The Avengers. All British. This can't just be a coincidence. There's something the British know, or at least once knew, about good television that almost nobody in America (or here in Canada, for that matter) can grasp. __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

02-28-2003, 08:50 AM	#3
Coney The Buddy Rabbit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Trapped in the headlights.. Posts: 3,372	People still watch television?....amazing I think one of the reasons British TV got it right is because of the unique way the BBC is funded. We have the television license so the BBC never had to worry about ratings etc to sell advertising. This allowed the BBC to make experimental programs that need never be accepted by the mainstream audience. Stuff like- Monty Python The Sky at Night Red Dwarf Dr Who Tommorows World Countless educational programs and a multitude of wildlife documentaries about sea cucumbers etc. Basically, because British TV doesn't pander to the advertisers demands for mega ratings, they have been able to produce programs that are original. I read recently that British TV companies now make more money from selling their programs around the world than they do here, so we must be doing something right __________________ Blessed are the cracked, they let the light in Beatallica

02-28-2003, 09:19 AM	#4
Draken Elf Lord Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, England Posts: 694	Probably a case of "prophet in his own land" here... You'll certainly find lots of people in Britain bemoaning why we can't make a "Friends" or a "Frasier" or a "West Wing". In comedy at least I think it's down to the writing process - British programmes have one or two writers who will "own" the show. Hence no dilution of any originality, but they do tend to run out of steam. American comedies (I think) are written by teams of writers who bounce ideas off each other and change personnel and are able to keep established shows fresh. Vive le difference, as they say. Plus I'm sure everyone remembers things being better in the past, it's human nature. We MUST be due a repeat of "Boys from the Blackstuff" or "Edge of Darkness" sometime....or maybe even a "Quatermass"... __________________ I'm beset by self-doubt ....or am I?

03-06-2003, 07:29 PM	#8
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	Hey, Red Dwarf isn't that old. (suddenly realizes how long it's been since he last saw it) Never mind... ignore me __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

03-06-2003, 08:39 PM	#9
Elven Archer Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2002 Location: America! Posts: 480	I used to love Red Dwarf, i haven't seen it in forever though. I really like Fawlty Towers, Keeping Up Appearances,and Are You Being Served? too. __________________ "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: 'it goes on'." ~robert frost

02-28-2003, 07:45 AM	#2
Inderjit Sanghera Elven Warrior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wolverhampton, England. Posts: 260	I agree-British T.V is brilliant. (You forgot 'Only Fool and Horses', BTW.) But the U.s have been reponsible for some great programs like: The Simpsons Family Guy Futurama Angel MAS*H Scrubs My Wife and Kids The Fresh Prince Malcolm in the Middle The Sopranos

03-06-2003, 03:39 PM	#7
*azalea* Long lost mooter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,342	I'm sure I'll be looked at differently after I reveal this, but I am a big Young Ones fan.

03-07-2003, 01:03 AM	#11
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	My mother absolutely loves Keeping Up Appearances with Mrs. Hyacinth Bucket. "It's pronounced 'boo-kay'." As for me, Mr. Bean is my favorite. __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

03-07-2003, 07:32 AM	#14
Dunadan The Quite Querulous Quendi Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oxon, UK Posts: 638	The Young Ones were brilliant, especially Alexei Sayle's deranged contributions "Have you ever noticed how revolutionaries have always been named after biscuits? You've got your Garibaldi, your Bourbon, your Peek Freens Family Assortment" Sadly Ben Elton is now reduced to making musicals with Andrew Lloyd Banks. How can anyone bemoan the current state of British comedy with Vic & Bob on the go?

03-08-2003, 12:10 AM	#15
*azalea* Long lost mooter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,342	I also loved in The Young Ones when they'd go off on a tangent that would lead back to the main plot, and also those meaningless subliminal pictures they'd throw in (we used to tape it and then pause to see what it was). My favorite episode was probably Bambi -- the scene between Neil and Rik on the train was hilarious. I always liked Fawlty Towers, too.

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