Recommend British TV

[Cardinal]

I've turned a number of people on to British shows I've found, but as it's the dead season now for American TV, tell me of shows I might like.

My list includes Top Gear (x100), Blackadder, Yes Minister, Fawlty Towers, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Extras, The IT Crowd, and well, it seemed like more when I started, probably because of all the Top Gear episodes and the various specials the TG lads have hosted.

My impression is that there is just silly and stupid stuff there the way there is here, so I'm looking for something that's not the equivalent of "Two and Half Men".

[ZipperJJ]

Peep Show
Spaced
QI
The Young Ones
Bottom
Peep Show
The Office
The Vicar of Dibley
Jeeves & Wooster
Peep Show
A Bit of Fry & Laurie
Father Ted

Oh, and Peep Show.

[Cat Whisperer]

Smack the Pony.

[choie]

Perhaps it would help with recommendations if you told us what American shows you like, or for that matter, which you've liked of the British TV shows you've seen. (I can't tell if your list includes shows you've already watched or if those comprise your 'yet to be seen' list.) Do you just want comedy? Is drama okay? Do you object to old series? That sorta thing.

My own recommendations not already, uh, recommended, would include:

Red Dwarf - if you're a sci-fi fan, but not one who demands adherence to any continuity (or even any realistic premise), this is a must-see. On the mining ship Red Dwarf, the only survivors after a terrible accident are slobby, lazy, but good-hearted Dave Lister, the only human left alive three million years after the death of his crew (he survives thanks to having been in statis as punishment for bringing a cat on board the ship); the Cat, a vain, selfish, not-very-bright sentient being who evolved from the aforementioned cat; Holly, the ship's senile A.I./computer; and Arnold Rimmer, the hologram projection of Lister's old nemesis/bunkmate, whom Holly revived because Holly believed that opposing Rimmer's personality -- a mass of neuroses, cowardice, thwarted ambition, and self-loathing -- is probably Lister's best shot at remaining sane and productive. (Rimmer's the best thing in the series by a long shot.) Certainly silly but also imaginative, incisive, and quite surprisingly poignant at times.

House of Cards - if you like Yes Minister, here's another show (really a mini-series) about the machinations at the high levels of UK politics. Ian Richardson plays Francis Urquhart, the Chief Whip who'll do almost anything to crawl his way to the top. Makes Sir Humphrey look like a fluffy bunny. Funny, cruel, devastating. There are two sequels as well, so all in all you've got about nine hours to enjoy IIRC.

The Good Life, aka Good Neighbors here in the States. I recently mentioned this show in a different thread; it's a highly underrated show -- at least, in the U.S. it is; in the UK it's a perennial favorite, wise folks that they are -- about a couple of suburbanites who decide to leave the rat race and take up self-sufficiency, from making their goat's cheese (courtesy of their own goat) to making their own gas generator from pig/chicken/goat manure ... all while still living in their Surbiton upper middle class neighborhood. Much to the consternation of their next-door neighbors/best friends, who alternate between irritation and support of the Goods' unorthodox ways and the many effects their lifestyle has on their friendship. Perhaps the best ensemble cast in sitcom history, tied with the trio from Yes Minister and the quad from All in the Family. The humor here is gentler than the other two shows, and tends to be much more observational takes on society/relationships. Lots of witty fun and the performances are just stellar. Also, I think the relationship between Tom and Barbara Good is the most delightful depiction of a married couple on TV.

Without knowing your taste I'll leave this for now. :) Though I'll add, if you like relationship/sex humor, you might enjoy Coupling, which apart from some awfully stiff performances from pretty much the entire cast bar one (Richard Coyle's Jeff), grows on you quite a lot.

[Cardinal]

The list was of my current favorites.

[Cardinal]

I think for American TV, I'd list 30 Rock, House, Lost, Psych, Scrubs, The Shield, Sopranos, Weeds, The Big Bang Theory.

[GuanoLad]

Teachers
Jonathan Creek (maybe)
Primeval
Torchwood
Kingdom
Randall and Hopkirk: the Reeves and Mortimer version.

[DMark]

Well, on BBC America, I regularly tape Graham Norton Show and of late, I actually find Hotel Inspector kind of fun in an odd way...does that woman love her red coat or what?

[kbear]

If you like spy stuff, Spooks was good. It's called MI5 in North America.

If you have kids, the Merlin show last fall was well received in my house, or the new Robin Hood.

Love the news comedy stuff like Mock the Week and Have I got News for You.

The recent Reggie Perrin show was funny.

I'm told the Inbetweeners is good and State of Play (the show not the movie) which I've just downloaded and plan to watch while I cook dinner in a minute is supposed to be good as well.

[Merijeek]

From the list you've posted so far, you'll love "Spaced". The new Dr. Who, too, of course.

-Joe

[Small Clanger]

Lab Rats, if you like The IT Crowd you're pretty much bound to like this.

Spaced it's better if you don't binge and watch the whole series in one sitting (which will be a temptation), the running gags work better if they've been left to sink in a bit. Lots of incredible nerdy SciFi references (Hawk the Slayer was rubbish!). For me personally some of the funniest stuff on TV ever.

Peep Show I found myself laughing at the next day rather than while watching it, so much of it is cringeworthy (no I don't like the Office).

The Mitchell and Web Look Sketch show with the main guys from Peep Show.

The Armstrong and Miller Show Worth a look for the yoof-speak RAF chaps alone (a quick google turns up youtube clips of these, give 'em a look).

It's just about possible you'd like Dad's Army, it's a bit over familiar for me since they've been repeating the shows for the last thirty years, but it might work for an Anglophile newbee.

Maybe back with more later.

Oh yeah, seen the Fast Show?

[Quartz]

Have I got News For You. Particularly that scene with Angus Deayton.

Are You Being Served? Staff in a department store. Plenty of double entendres. John Inman steals the show, but is given fierce competition from the others.

Ross Kemp in Afghanistan.

[Hrududu]

Have I got News For You. Particularly that scene with Angus Deayton.
What scene?

I'd recommend shows like Shameless (I prefer the first two, but lots of people stuck with it throughout the later seasons. Skins. Doctor Who. Queer as Folk. The League of Gentlemen. Black Books. Father Ted. Spaced. Jonathan Creek. The Mighty Boosh. And a reality show recommendation: The Apprentice UK.

[salinqmind]

Eastenders. Been watching for 20 years, and Phil is still getting all the bleached blonds like some kind of pig-faced woman magnet. We are 5 or 6 years behind the current show and I'm aware that many if not most of the characters are going to die or just move away, but it's taking so long!

[Smeghead]

Spaced is the finest sitcom in the last decade. Black Books is close. Green Wing was an amazing amazing show that somehow seems to have slipped under everyone's radar, possibly because it's an hour-long sitcom set in a hospital. Stop right there - I know Scrubs just popped into your head. Get it out. Forget about it. It's not Scrubs, and it's nothing like it. It's brilliant. Go get it now.

[Shamozzle]

How about Nathan Barley?

There are only around six episodes but its a biting and brilliantly hilarious send-up of internet/media/blog/etc culture. Pure Genius.

[tetranz]

Only Fools and Horses (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/onlyfools/)

[Giles]

One more that hasn't been mentioned: Ripping Yarns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripping_Yarns). Just 9 episodes, each a gem, parodying a different genre of story.

[jharvey963]

Actually, I found Not Going Out (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0862614/) to be pretty funny. It would just be reruns now, however.

J.

[AuntiePam]

It's not British but The Red Green Show on PBS might as well be.

I'll second Black Books and toss in Keeping Up Appearances, although it's not like anything on your favorites list. It's worth watching just for the one episode where Richard's finally had enough and tells Hyacinth to shut up.

[Ximenean]

Dammit, somebody always mentions Keeping Up Appearances! Now you've made me cry. ;)

One sitcom that hasn't been mentioned so far is the best one of the last 15 years or so, IMO - The Royle Family. Has that Seinfeld thing of making comedy out of absolutely nothing (but apart from that it's absolutely nothing like Seinfeld). The follow-up Early Doors isn't bad either. You'd have to be a real Anglophile to like them, I imagine.

Just looking through my DVR's list of searches, there's

Derren Brown - urbane mind reader magician who's shows are always entertaining and surprising
Howard Goodall's music documentaries
Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe - very funny and sometimes savage dissection of current TV. Some British emphasis but he also looks at US TV and general media trends.
Look Around You (first series) - brilliant spoof of educational films. I also liked The Peter Serafinowicz Show, made by the same people.
TV Heaven, Telly Hell - because it's presented by Sean Lock

[Markxxx]

My Hero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Hero_(TV_series)) was pretty good.

[mascaroni]

You wouldn't like "The League of Gentlemen", it's local show, for local people...

[Rhythmdvl]

It was only around for six episodes, but we loved Jekyll (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497298/).

The actor (James Nesbitt) also went on to do Murphy's Law (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408403/), which is something of a cop show (but BBC America didn't carry the whole thing, so I could be wrong).

I'd also second the MI-5 recommendation, though it seemed to go less heady and more 'spolody in its later seasons.

Thanks for the heads up on Spaced!
(ETA: Whoa -- Spaced stars Simon Pegg!)

[teela brown]

I like many of the recommendations mentioned upthread, and add my heartiest recommendation for Doc Martin, of which I have become a drooling fangirl.

Premise: brilliant but Aspergers-y London surgeon moves to a small quirky Cornish village to take up practice as a GP for a reason as spoilered below. This series combines some recognizable elements of House, Monk and Frasier. It's beautifully filmed on location in a real Cornish village and you'll see many great Brit actors you'll recognize. And Martin Clunes is perfectly perfect as Doc Martin.

He can't practice surgery anymore because he has developed a phobia of blood.

[Quartz]

What scene?

The Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=have+i+got+news+for+you+angus+deayton+scandal&aq=4&oq=have+i+got) versions don't do it justice.

[Loach]

The recent Reggie Perrin show was funny.

Recent? I had no idea.

I like British cop shows and I am a fan of Robson Green so I would recommend both Touching Evil and Wire in the Blood. Both are available on Netflix. I also add my recommendation to MI5.

[Hamlet]

Green Wing was an amazing amazing show that somehow seems to have slipped under everyone's radar, possibly because it's an hour-long sitcom set in a hospital. Stop right there - I know Scrubs just popped into your head. Get it out. Forget about it. It's not Scrubs, and it's nothing like it. It's brilliant. Go get it now.Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! It's an outstanding show that certainly takes some risks (not all of them work out), but is amazingly quick witted, intelligent, and damn funny. And you can watch each episode numerous times, because you will always catch a new witty remark or visual gag. I highly, HIGHLY recommend Green Wing.

[Apollyon]

Jonathan Creek (maybe)
Maybe? Maybe?! :D

After the fashion of (but not as good as) choie's excellent summaries:

Jonathan Creek is a series of modern day mysteries featuring the eponymous character, a likable and eccentric originator of stage magic effects who lives in a windmill and works for ego-centric and womanizing famous illusionist Adam Klaus. Jonathan is "encouraged" to undertake solving these apparently supernatural mysteries (for "encouraged" read convinced, tricked, forced, etc) by ambitious investigative journalist and author Maddie Magellan (Series 1-3). I haven't seen the later series, but 1-3 are very good.

And one other, if you liked Yes Minister and Blackadder, you might well enjoy:

The New Statesman an irreverent black humour/satire series lampooning the then Conservative British government, starring Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard, a (to quote Wiki) "selfish, greedy, dishonest, devious, lecherous, sadistic ultra-right-wing Conservative back bencher", and his self-serving ambitions to rise in politics.

[GuanoLad]

Maybe? Maybe?! :D"Maybe" in the sense of I wasn't sure if it fit within his own likes or dislikes. I enjoy Jonathan Creek rather a lot, and thought it got better after Maddie left and Julia Sawalha came along. There was a new special out last year, which I also enjoyed rather a lot, so I'm hoping it will mean more is on the cards. (Ah, I see there will be an Easter Special next year)

[teela brown]

This is a good thread to ask if anyone can recommend a show starring Robbie Coltrane: Cracker, I believe it's called. A friend of mine told me about it. Does anyone like it?

[Aspidistra]

Cracker is great, in a rather House-ish sort of a way. Lead character is brilliant, but rather a dick, and somewhat personally fucked up. Gets very dark in places. Coltrane's a damn good actor.

[Captain_Awesome]

The British Film Institute's list of top TV programmes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Greatest_British_Television_Programmes) is a good place to start.

The following comedies are also worth finding (in a rough order of preference),
The Day Today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozHDTAXB5HE&feature=related)/Brass Eye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFNs2mOkKzc),
Outnumbered (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyq6XTkGPPI),
15 Storeys High (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-WGGupQ8ng),
People Like Us (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SwECTyXaA4),
Big Train (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIIAQME1Uhg&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=535419022785F179),
Lead Balloon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCWGNWdH_Ps) and
Pulling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsemm_acIz8),

I'd also second the above recommendations for Peep Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkrGOhLJuhY) (a personal favourite), Spaced (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1yuhBtdHL0), QI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MrKxzqJhR8&feature=related), Screenwipe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIyg2a72uV4), Look Around You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-c2zVBKh4),
Black Books (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3tFEoWNv50) and Have I Got News For You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOD_3ouRfec&feature=related).

The BBC nature (http://www.youtube.com/user/BBCEarth) programmes are compelling viewing i.e. Life On Earth, Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Life in the Freezer etc. (especially those presented by David Attenborough), and Louis Theroux's various documentary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT_WHiHaXdw) subjects are also worth investigating.

[Fugazi]

This looks like a good thread to ask... Does anyone know if Merlin is going to have a 2nd season?

[Robot Arm]

One sitcom that hasn't been mentioned so far is the best one of the last 15 years or so, IMO - The Royle Family. Has that Seinfeld thing of making comedy out of absolutely nothing (but apart from that it's absolutely nothing like Seinfeld). The follow-up Early Doors isn't bad either. You'd have to be a real Anglophile to like them, I imagine.There was a British comedy called One Foot in the Grave. There were a few episodes that were a single, unbroken scene from start to finish. 30 minutes of just the two main characters waiting in an airport or stuck in traffic, and it worked.

If you ever run across Murder Most Horrid give it a try. It was an anthology with Dawn French playing a different character in every episode. (It pretty much had to be an anthology, most episodes killed off a signifigant portion of the cast.) The one with Amanda Donahoe as an assassin had one of the funniest moments I've ever seen on television.

There's also an Australian series called The Games that was excellent. It was a mockumentary set among the organizing committee for the Sydney Olympics. Think British satire but a bit more in-your-face. (Just a tiny bit.) A highlight is when two of the committee members have a meeting with the stadium contractor and ask him how long their 100 meters track is. "About 100 meters" was not the answer they were looking for.

[Kal]

This looks like a good thread to ask... Does anyone know if Merlin is going to have a 2nd season?According to the BBC's Merlin site (http://www.bbc.co.uk/merlin/faq/show), yes, in Autumn.

[bathsheba]

I like all the things you listed and I also liked Jam and Jerusalem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_&_Jerusalem) which apparently is Clatterford in the US.

[Alka Seltzer]

Another mention for Spaced, it's from the makers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz which you might have heard of.

Black Books is another favorite of mine.

[don't ask]

I mentioned in a recent thread that Cracker may be the single best TV series I have ever seen.

Looking for something from far, far left field that is a cult favorite with me and my friends Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Marenghi's_Darkplace). There are only 6 episodes but they are unforgettable. It's an experience.

[kbear]

I the same vein as Cracker, The Prime Suspect series was also excellent.

The thing I actually like about British TV is that the series runs are much shorter than in North America. A story arc stretched over 6-10 episodes doesn't become tedious like a 20 episode season can. Prison Break and that endless Scylla storyline comes to mind.

[Cardinal]

Have I got News For You. Particularly that scene with Angus Deayton.I HIGNFY is a great idea for a show, but it's so inside as to British news that it goes over my head largely. I went to the youtube link, but can you give me a clue as to what you're referring? Is Deayton the host? Can you give a hint as to what to look/listen for?

[GuanoLad]

Angus Deayton was the host since the beginning, until he himself was involved in a scandal*, that was the big news on one of the show's broadcast weeks. Paul Merton ribbed so mercilessly over the scandal, that Deayton (whose sole job was to read from an autocue) was completely flustered. Eventually he was let go from the job over the scandal.

*The scandal, incidentally, was that Deayton had gone out with a woman who turned out to be a high class prostitute.

[Smeghead]

It got fairly nasty, with some genuine bad feelings. Stephen Fry has said he'll never go on HIGNFY because of how Angus was treated.

[Cardinal]

I recognize Angus from somewhere. Didn't he work with Rowan Atkinson? I'm seeing Rowan when I see his mannerisms and hear his intonation.

[Robot Arm]

It got fairly nasty, with some genuine bad feelings. Stephen Fry has said he'll never go on HIGNFY because of how Angus was treated.I just watched it on youtube. It got a bit savage, but that show seems like it could get a bit savage on whoever is in the news. And after a story like that comes out, is there any way to get over it gracefully?I recognize Angus from somewhere. Didn't he work with Rowan Atkinson? I'm seeing Rowan when I see his mannerisms and hear his intonation.IMDb does shows him as "Man on Park Bench" in an episode of Mr. Bean. (He was on a first series episode of Blackadder, but if you recognized him as one of the Jumping Jews of Jerusalem you've got a better memory than I.) He was the neighbor on One Foot in the Grave, and had a cameo as himself in Coupling, illustrating Jeff's theory of why celebrities hook up with other celebrities.

[SciFiSam]

I second Cracker, Black Books, Spaced, House of Cards, Jonathon Creek, and One Foot in the Grave - some episodes of that made me laugh uproariously one moment, then almost burst into tears the next.

I'll add Coupling and Drop the Dead Donkey. They're both easy to find online in torrents or streaming episodes. Coupling is seriously under-rated; it has some of the funniest set-ups I've ever seen on TV anywhere. Find the clip of Jeff chatting up the Israeli woman even if you don't want the rest. :D

HIGNFY and MtW are two of my favourite shows, but I'm not sure how well they'd translate to other countries - they're too tied into British current affairs and British pop culture.

[Kal]

I recognize Angus from somewhere. Didn't he work with Rowan Atkinson? I'm seeing Rowan when I see his mannerisms and hear his intonation.Apart from the stuff mentioned by Robot Arm, Deayton often played the straight man in Atkinson's live shows.

[Cardinal]

That's what it is, but where? I went quickly through his live show that I have (Jesus as a really good magician, the resentful play-actor loser), but I didn't see him.

I know, he was the voice of The Invisible Man on Rowan's Live Show. I wonder if that's the only thing I know him from.

[Kal]

He was in the live show recorded at Boston University. I know this because I've just finished watching it at Google Videos.

[dropzone]

It's not British but The Red Green Show on PBS might as well be.Possibly the most realistic portrayal of Guys From a Certain Area (and it dips WELL below the 49th parallel). I watch it to keep in touch with my peeps, but I'm not sure how it would sell south of Chi. (thinking) They fish, sometimes with illegal tackle, screw up home improvements, blow shit up, and destroy cars they are trying to fix? Okay, it's pretty universal. Favorite character: Edgar Montrose, the one who is actually PAID to blow shit up. Played by Graham Greene (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001295/), who recommends a few well-placed sticks of dynamite to solve all of life's problems. His clothes are always smouldering and he's missing several fingers. Favorite line: "I saw that one. You know, the native guy was okay, he should have got the Oscar. But the rest of it... was a yawn. Now what they needed there was for one of those buffalo to get backed up with methane, catch his hoof on a piece of flint, go off like a big furry grenade! KA-BOOM!... Talk about your burgers to go."

Note that Greene was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor for "Dances With Wolves." I'll second Black Books and toss in Keeping Up Appearances, although it's not like anything on your favorites list. It's worth watching just for the one episode where Richard's finally had enough and tells Hyacinth to shut up.Unfortunately, or fortunately if your MIL and her sister are American Hyacinth Buckets, that means you have to work your way through the rest of the series to appreciate it. Without the personal connection it becomes rather pedestrian, except for the brilliant performances by Patricia Routledge.

[Apollyon]

"Maybe" in the sense of I wasn't sure if it fit within his own likes or dislikes.Heh, fair enough (and why there is a grinning smiley). :)
I enjoy Jonathan Creek rather a lot, and thought it got better after Maddie left and Julia Sawalha came along.OK, good to know. I haven't seen any episodes post-series 3 yet (not sure I've even seen them available in NZ).
There was a new special out last year, which I also enjoyed rather a lot, so I'm hoping it will mean more is on the cards. (Ah, I see there will be an Easter Special next year)These specials seem to be something of an interesting oddness of British TV shows and their inclusion or exclusion in DVD season sets is rather erratic. (Which explained why I could remember a particular Creek show from TV but was initially mystified when it wasn't in the series 1-3 discs I bought). :(

[Smeghead]

That's what it is, but where? I went quickly through his live show that I have (Jesus as a really good magician, the resentful play-actor loser), but I didn't see him.

I know, he was the voice of The Invisible Man on Rowan's Live Show. I wonder if that's the only thing I know him from.

I believe he was also the presenter when Rowan was doing his Shakespearean actor lecture.

[Smeghead]

I just watched it on youtube. It got a bit savage, but that show seems like it could get a bit savage on whoever is in the news. And after a story like that comes out, is there any way to get over it gracefully?

Yeah, I kind of agree. His career was based on mercilessly mocking people who publicly screwed up, so how could he expect any less for his own screwups? But what I've heard is that there was already quite a bit of tension backstage, and it just got ugly, I guess. I don't know all the details.

[GuanoLad]

Here's a show you might like, if you are good at understanding Brits with thick Geordie accents: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

[Raza]

Hopefully not too off-topic, but I loves LOVES me some People Like Us, but can't find it for sale in the US. Any leads?

[Eyebrows 0f Doom]

Hopefully not too off-topic, but I loves LOVES me some People Like Us, but can't find it for sale in the US. Any leads?
It will be released on DVD on September 1.
People Like Us: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/People-Like-Us-Chris-Langham/dp/B002AS460U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1244731690&sr=8-1)

[FalconFinder]

Coupling and One Foot In The Grave have already been mentioned, but I think those two have got to be the funniest British shows I've ever seen -- even Monty Python comes in second (and I LOVE Monty Python!). The episode mentioned when Geoff chats up the Israeli woman is called "The Woman With Two Breasts." I think I came close to having a stroke from laughing so hard!

Last of the Summer Wine is another good show. It's not uproariously funny, but I find it immensely enjoyable to watch.

In the same enjoyable vein are: As Time Goes By and Mulberry

[amarinth]

Spaced is the finest sitcom in the last decade. Black Books is close. Green Wing was an amazing amazing show that somehow seems to have slipped under everyone's radar, possibly because it's an hour-long sitcom set in a hospital. Stop right there - I know Scrubs just popped into your head. Get it out. Forget about it. It's not Scrubs, and it's nothing like it. It's brilliant. Go get it now.The first season of Green Wing is available on Hulu.

I accidentally spent a day watching it.

[Dublin11]

Here's a show you might like, if you are good at understanding Brits with thick Geordie accents: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

Not only Geordie accents, but Liverpool, London, Birmingham and Bristol. Only three of them were from Newcastle after all.
Dennis, Neville and Oz - Newcastle
Barry - Birmingham
Moxy - Liverpool
Bomber - Bristol/West Country
Wayne - London
I always found Bomber's accent the most impenetrable. Though I'd imagine Moxy the stuttering Liverpudlian might defeat someone who was not from these shores. :D

God, I loved Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
I fancied Neville something rotten. And he must be the biggest drip ever to be seen on telly. How weird was I? :D

[zenith]

Apart from the stuff mentioned by Robot Arm, Deayton often played the straight man in Atkinson's live shows.

Deayton also played Victor Meldrew's nemesis ,Patrick,(or was Victor Patrick's nemesis?) in One Foot in The Grave.

[Merijeek]

Coupling and One Foot In The Grave have already been mentioned, but I think those two have got to be the funniest British shows I've ever seen -- even Monty Python comes in second (and I LOVE Monty Python!). The episode mentioned when Geoff chats up the Israeli woman is called "The Woman With Two Breasts." I think I came close to having a stroke from laughing so hard!


While that episode (along with most of Coupling) is great, "The Man With Two Legs" is even better.

-Joe

[Pushkin]

Peep Show I found myself laughing at the next day rather than while watching it, so much of it is cringeworthy (no I don't like the Office).

The Mitchell and Web Look Sketch show with the main guys from Peep Show

Really? I found them to be at extremes to each other. Peep Show is just fantastic and while it really just seems like it couldn't get better, each season outdoes the last. On the other hand, I laughed at the "Do you think we're the bad guys" Nazi joke, which was IIRC the first joke on The Mitchell and Web Look, then the rest of the series went straight downhill.

Apart from that, a great list so far, I'd especially second QI and most notably amongst the BBC's documentaries, anything by Sir David Attenborough.

Since someone has already mentioned a show or two that Chris Morris had a hand in, I'll nominate his series Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_(TV_series)). Quite surreal, for something equally so, but perhaps a bit less vulgar, try Monkey Dust (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Dust).

[Lobsang]

I've turned a number of people on to British shows I've found, but as it's the dead season now for American TV, tell me of shows I might like.

My list includes Top Gear (x100), Blackadder, Yes Minister, Fawlty Towers, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Extras, The IT Crowd, and well, it seemed like more when I started, probably because of all the Top Gear episodes and the various specials the TG lads have hosted.

My impression is that there is just silly and stupid stuff there the way there is here, so I'm looking for something that's not the equivalent of "Two and Half Men".


I never got into Ashes to Ashes or Life on Mars. And I did watch the IT Crowd a few times but I considered it lame, and I don't think I laughed once.

Top Gear is the best show on earth (And the new series begins in seven days - YAY!)

Extras and Fawlty Towers [and the british version of The Office] have both [all] done that which few shows do - end on a high. The saddest thing in TV is when a show is dragged out, spread too thin. Only Fools and Horses made this mistake. Best sit-com ever, and then they began to drag it out. There've been a few good moments (the moment they became millionaires) but this doesn't save the fact it was alive longer than it should have been.

Oh and Spaced. I don't think Spaced was dragged out too much. One of my favourite people on TV is Simon Pegg.


edit: PS: Did anyone see the advert for the new series of Top Gear? Is the kid playing the hamster [Richard Hammond] his actual son? Because the resemblance and voice are uncannily similar.

[GuanoLad]

Not only Geordie accents, but Liverpool, London, Birmingham and Bristol. Only three of them were from Newcastle after all.I did know this, but didn't want to confuse the issue. Geordie accents seem to me to be the kind that mystify Americans the most, though. Though scouser accents like Moxey's seem to confound them, too.

I always found Bomber's accent the most impenetrable.It wasn't his accent, just his mumbling beardy enunciation, I think. Though maybe that's the same thing.

[Harmonious Discord]

Hyperdrive (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/hyperdrive/)
Spaced (http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/88/index.jsp)
Black Books (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A2582075)
Doctor Who
Torchwood
Primeval- It has gotten better or I wouldn't add it.

[Pushkin]

Top Gear is the best show on earth (And the new series begins in seven days - YAY!)

Not having a TV, I had no idea. I'll have to ask the parents to tape it for me.

[Hrududu]

I didnt think we were due another series of Top Gear until the autumn. Yay.

As for the Angus Deaton stuff. There was always the hint that Paul and Angus hated each other. Even though the show was there to mock people involved in scandals like that I think it got a bit nasty. Paul took way too much pleasure in sticking the knife in. It left a bit of a bad taste. I didn't know that Fry had decided to never go on the show because of it though.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is one of my favourites too. Its been on for years but the later seasons with Simon Amstell hosting have been my favourite.

[alexandra]

Speaking of Angus Deaton, has anyone mentioned Nighty Night yet?

The first series is excellent, though it's very dark with few likeable characters.

[Pushkin]

I didn't see enough of it to think to mention it. Somehow that 's reminded me of another series I didn't get a chance to catch, Catterick, was it as good as the little of it I saw seemed to be?

[Smid]

Teachers
Jonathan Creek (maybe)
Primeval
Torchwood
Kingdom
Randall and Hopkirk: the Reeves and Mortimer version.

Hey, you've done a good list of what I wouldn't watch in brit tv...

[Smid]

Ok, its one of those loaded questions...

Old british television, its pretty much comedy?

Well, Monty Python, Young Ones, Comic Strip Presents, Red Dwarf, Men Behaving Badly, Coupling, Spaced, The Day Today, Alan Partridge, Father Ted, Brass Eye, Absolutely or Nightingales.

Recent british stuff? Well, theres not a lot I'd put in there. IT Crowd perhaps. I've loved Inbetweeners recently on Channel 4... Its a struggle to name them...

[GuanoLad]

Hey, you've done a good list of what I wouldn't watch in brit tv...I was trying to make a list that matched up with the stuff he already listed. I actually agree that some of those aren't particularly good quality television, but they're fine enough as entertainment.

Though having said that, I doubt your and my tastes would align very often.

[SimDemo]

3 abolute classics are...and I suggest everyone at some stage of their life should watch the following:
I'm alan Partridge
The Royle Family
shameless