# Americans, what are your favorite British shows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665 "2015-03-22T05:38:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/81 "2016-10-10T03:40:19Z")
I just saw an ep of Eastenders today. Miserable old Pauline doesn’t want lezzy Sonya to visit with Chloe and wants her and Martin to be her only ‘parents’…I first started watching 20 years ago. As the old joke goes, ‘so it was later, the same day, that…’ ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/82 "2016-10-10T04:25:39Z")
Since the OP didn’t specify that it had to be a TV show I’ll mention “The News Quiz” which I save, looking forward to listening to it on my drive to work Monday Morning. Runner up would be Melvyn Bragg’s “In Our Time.” ---
**Author:** ![oliversarmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@oliversarmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oliversarmy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/83 "2016-10-11T02:44:20Z")
So many, but: Inspector Morse Inspector Lewis Broadchurch Good Neighbors Fawlty Towers Monty Python’s Flying Circus Grantchester Life on Mars The Two Ronnies I, Claudius To the Manor Born Top Gear Blackadder Ashes to Ashes 'Allo 'Allo Yes, Minister Yes, Prime Minister Sharpe (entire series) Father Brown All Creatures Great and Small I could go on and on ---
**Author:** ![TheInimitableMaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TheInimitableMaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheInimitableMaven)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/84 "2016-10-11T02:56:05Z")
A small update to **[this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18256004&postcount=79)**. Additions: _Doc Martin_ (should have added this then…used to be a HUGE PBS staple of mine several years ago), _Father Brown_, and _Sherlock_ (THE UTMOST BRILLIANT MODERNIZATION EVER…I was very hesitant as a Sherlockian who is an immense fan of the original canon, but am so, SO glad I took the plunge.) Hoping to add: _Inspector Morse_, _Midsomer Murders_, and _Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell_ (got’em lined up on my Netflix queue…after finishing _Sherlock_, plan to watch Strange/Norrell next for Halloween viewing). ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/85 "2016-10-11T03:59:22Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I loved it but thought the OP was looking for current shows more than syndication. Otherwise somewhere between Python and Benny Hill I would have had to find room for Sister Wendy. She was informative and amusing in equal parts and nothing like her could ever quite make it on US broadcast/Network TV. I loved _Sister Wendy_. And _Benny Hill._ _Miss Marple and Poirot_ _Keeping Up Appearances Are You Being Served?_ ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/86 "2016-10-11T15:04:37Z")
Looking back over the thread, I’m surprised to realize that no one (including me) has mentioned _Mulberry_. I rather enjoyed it for the short time that it was shown here. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/87 "2016-10-11T15:19:20Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > Children’s shows? The vast Gerry Anderson puppet Sci-Fi output of _ **Thunderbirds** _ but also _ **Captain Scarlett, Joe 90, Stingray** _ were childhood favourites and, ironically, shamelessly aped US shows. Then he moved from puppets to actors and churned out \*\*\*Project UFO \*\*\*and _ **Space 1999** _. In the US, it was just called _UFO_. _Project UFO_ was a different program running at the same time, purporting to be based on actual Air Force UFO reports. As a youngster, I enjoyed the Anderson shows: _Supercar, Fireball XL-5, Stingray_ (I used to have a Troy Tempest hand puppet), _Thunderbirds,_ and _Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons._ They also did a Western called _Four Feather Falls_ that I only learned of recently. But we didn’t get _Joe 90_ over here, as far as I remember. I watched the live-action shows, too, but IMHO the puppets were less wooden. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/88 "2016-10-11T17:43:57Z")
The Great British Baking Show. Everyone is so humble and nice to one another! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/89 "2016-10-11T17:54:33Z")
How do people get British TV? I know a few of these mentioned are on PBS, but most I’ve never heard of. Are they on the internet? Does cable offer BBC? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/90 "2016-10-11T18:33:26Z")
There is a cable channel called BBC America, although it shows programs from ITV, Channel 4 and other UK outlets as well as BBC stuff. (And increasingly, non-British content, like Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it’s just started to show CSI: Miami. At least with TNG, they have the excuse that the lead actor is British.) Other shows are available via Region 1 DVDs but you have to seek them out. And there’s a streaming service called Acorn TV that shows a lot of stuff, mostly detective dramas from what I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/91 "2016-10-11T18:52:36Z")
_Peep Show_, which I love, has been mentioned. I was recently shown a clip by someone on this Board of another show by the two _Peep Show_ guys called _That Mitchell and Webb Look_. You can find various clips on YouTube. Hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![TheInimitableMaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TheInimitableMaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheInimitableMaven)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/92 "2016-10-11T18:53:47Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > Looking back over the thread, I’m surprised to realize that no one (including me) has mentioned _Mulberry_. I rather enjoyed it for the short time that it was shown here. _gently smacks her head_ I can’t believe I forgot it myself…I LOVED _Mulberry_ when my PBS carried it a few years ago. Very, very underrated show…I just wish it had a longer run and a proper ending (we never found out if Mulberry would side with his father, Death, or his mother, Springtime/Life…but based on his overall gentle and at times comical nature, I think I know which way I would have bet). ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/93 "2016-10-11T18:57:21Z")
Nobody seems to have mentioned [Wolf Hall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kT2lMkhldc) or The Great British Bake Off (best reality show ever) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/94 "2016-10-11T18:57:23Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > How do people get British TV? I know a few of these mentioned are on PBS, but most I’ve never heard of. Are they on the internet? Does cable offer BBC? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There is a cable channel called BBC America, although it shows programs from ITV, Channel 4 and other UK outlets as well as BBC stuff. (And increasingly, non-British content, like Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it’s just started to show CSI: Miami. At least with TNG, they have the excuse that the lead actor is British.) Other shows are available via Region 1 DVDs but you have to seek them out. And there’s a streaming service called Acorn TV that shows a lot of stuff, mostly detective dramas from what I can tell. A previous post reminded me of YouTube. A fair number of UK shows are available, in whole or in part, on YouTube. I’ve been spending down time at work watching old episodes of QI, for which entire episodes are on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/95 "2016-10-11T20:01:28Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > A previous post reminded me of YouTube. A fair number of UK shows are available, in whole or in part, on YouTube. I’ve been spending down time at work watching old episodes of QI, for which entire episodes are on YouTube. Yeah, I’ve been playing _The Champions, Department S, The Vicar of Dibley, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased),_ and _The Baron_ (which I’d never heard of before) on YouTube while working around the house. Haven’t been giving them my full attention, but, hey, it’s YouTube; if something sounds interesting I can play it back. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/96 "2016-10-11T21:07:34Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > How do people get British TV? I know a few of these mentioned are on PBS, but most I’ve never heard of. Are they on the internet? Does cable offer BBC? Acorn TV, baby! [https://signup.acorn.tv/](https://signup.acorn.tv/) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/97 "2016-10-11T21:22:29Z")
Only mentioned once so far, and it’s worth another, **One Foot in the Grave**. Had one of the best final episodes ever; not the laugh riot of _Newhart_, but beautiful in its own way. And there’s an Australian show I loved that I think would appeal to the same fans who like British comedies, **The Games**. It was a faux documentary about the organizing of the Sydney Olympics. If you’ve ever seen the youtube clip [The Front Fell Off](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM) it’s the same guys who made _The Games_, and the same sort of deadpan humor. And there was a show ages ago that ran on _Masterpiece Theater_ in the U.S., **Private Schulz**. It was a comedy about a German petty criminal during World War II who gets involved with an SS scheme to crash the British economy by flooding it with perfect forgeries of 5-pound notes. Haven’t thought of that show in ages. Looks like it’s on youtube; I’ll have to check it out again. > [@parkona\_driveway](#): > > **Only Connect.** Teams of contestants are shown four clues and must figure out the connection between them. How difficult could that possibly be? > > Fiendishly difficult. > > The show’s austerity is distinctive (especially for US viewers), and possibly refreshing. There are no prizes, no audience, and the players rarely laugh at presenter Victoria Coren Mitchell’s jokes. (I think she’s hilarious.) I find the format of the questions very interesting. And you’re right, it is incredibly difficult. I think it would be a bit easier if I knew the cultural references (or if there was an American version); I’m never going to get a question about _Blue Peter_ presenters. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/98 "2016-10-12T01:50:32Z")
In the newer area: Line of Duty Our Girl (well the first series with Lacey Turner as the lead) George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces / Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year Sherlock ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/99 "2016-10-12T07:34:15Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > No love for any of our documentary series? > > Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation? > David Attenborough’s Life on Earth? > Jeremy Isaac’s World at War? > Prof. Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe? > > I suppose they don’t fit into the category “shows”, but still, I’d be interested to know if they’re shown / how they’re received. I watch **a lot** of documentaries (mostly on public broadcasting) and have never seen a British one that wasn’t fascinating. I don’t think anyone’s mentioned _ **Connections** _ yet; I remember James Burke also had a regularly scheduled science show with audience participation when I lived in Britain during the '70s. My favorite documentaries will always be _ **The World at War** _ and _ **The Ascent of Man** _. (Incidentally, I’m a fan of just about every other show mentioned in this thread.) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665/100 "2016-10-12T07:42:21Z")
Has anyone mentioned _ **The Prisoner** _ yet? (The original, with Patrick McGoohan.) Or, for that matter, McGoohan’s _ **Danger Man** _ (aka _ **Secret Agent** _)? Another such show I liked was _ **The Persuaders** _, with Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. (Sadly, it only lasted one season.) Game shows: \*\*\*Weakest Link \*\*\*and _ **Mastermind** _. A comedy I watched several years ago on BBC Entertainment: _ **My Family** _. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-what-are-your-favorite-british-shows/715665.md?page=6)