Crazyhead a UK show reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Howard Overman, the creator of Misfits.* Great performance by Susan Wokoma, plus some very clever touches. Snuff Box, starring Matt Berry – a comedy genius – about the lives of two royal hangmen. Mostly a sketch comedy spun off from them lounging around the Executioner’s Club. Very dark humor and very funny.
Berry also starred in Toast of London as a vain actor. The humor is pretty dark and bawdy, as Berry – who is not as good as he thinks he is – deals with life. One gag is about his archnemesis, Ray “Bloody” Purchase, whose wife is a prostitute who only charges Ray for sex.
Derry Girls, a comedy set in Northern Ireland in the 90s, where a group of teen girls deal with life in school during the Troubles. Saoirse-Monica Jackson is fall-down funny as Erin, who tries to deal with romance and other craziness. The opening gag is one of the funniest ever, and how could you not like a show where a statue of Mary cries dog piss?
*If you haven’t seen Misfits, watch it now, especially if you’re a fan of Umbrella Academy. It is the best superhero show that has ever been on TV.
Derry Girls is one of the funniest things on TV right now. If you can sleuth it out, it’s worth seeing series creator Lisa McGee’s previous show, London Irish. It’s like Derry Girls but with more swearing, riding and (a lot more) drinking. It only ran one season, so there’s just six episodes. Sister Michael and Father Peter are both in it (the latter is a regular), and Ardal O’Hanlon even has a small role, just as in Derry Girls.
I thought it was brilliant. Do watch beyond the first two or so episodes before you give up, as it seems a lot bleaker than it is at the beginning. It’s pretty dark, yes, but warm-hearted too.
I agree with the above post which made me think of another similar.
In The Dark (Netflix, 1 se 13eps) is pretty light. The first episode and beginning event is dark but the characters and writing keep it upbeat throughout the season.
Surprised it hasn’t been mentioned yet, critical and award darling Fleabag on Amazon is two seasons of six episodes each. The episodes are even short, so it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Ash vs. the Evil Dead is harder to watch, because it’s not on any of the major streaming sites. It’s also a bit longer at three ten episode seasons. If you like Evil Dead, Bruce Campbell, or Lucy Lawless, then it is worth watching.
From 2008, so a little early, but The Middleman was amazingly great. “Fighting Evil So You Don’t Have To.” The adventures of a young woman who is recruited to be an assistant to The Middleman, who is backed by the Organization Too Secret To Know. 1 season, 12 episodes.
Just watched this one. Another show for which the thumbnail description Amazon gave turned me off, but actually this show was right up my alley. It’s been a long time since a cliffhanger at the end of a season hit me this hard.
Most of what I would suggest has already been suggested, the rest forgotten (for the time being, at least).
I did like The Sinner on Netflix, 2 seasons of 8 episodes. Stars Bill Pullman. It’s two (mostly) separate stories united by Bill’s quirky but insightful lawman/detective character. Although it’s a crime drama (which I usually ignore and ordinarily wouldn’t recommend), it’s well done and the characters make it worthwhile. And you can’t go wrong with Carrie Coon, who’s a major character in one of the seasons.
Am I right in thinking the only regular white-skinned cast member was an alcoholic Jewish attorney, who was helpful in getting Frank to bridge the North-South cultural barrier?
I didn’t mention it in my OP but I meant I was looking for little shoes that not only were limited episodes but also limited acclaim. Fleabag is great but everyone’s seen it (exaggeration yes but it’s popular…)
Here are a few that when I mention them to people, they’ve never heard of them. I’m in the U.S. and watch these on AcornTV so maybe they’ve gotten more fanfare in their countries of origin.
Ackely Bridge - for those of you who mentioned Derry Girls. You might like this one, too.
Kingdom - 18 episodes and staring Stephen Fry
Mystery Road - 12 episodes over 2 seasons
Jack Irish - 12 episodes over 2 seasons, plus 3 90-minute movies
I’ve been meaning to make an appreciation thread for TBS comedies, but this thread looks like as good a place as any for it.
The most grounded of the TBS comedies, which are usually pretty whacky. Probably my least favorite of them but still good.
Absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite shows while it was on.
Wyatt Cenac was excellent in this. Agreed that it wasn’t rip-roaring like Wrecked or The Detour, but it was quite good.
Other TBS comedies I loved:
The Detour - (TBS, cancelled) Starring Jason Jones and Natalie Zea, this show is a little longer than the others (4 seasons) but it achieves Peak TBS Comedy Wackiness. Natalie Zea is a national treasure.
Miracle Workers - (TBS, currently airing season 2) - Starring Daniel Radcliffe, this anthology comedy takes it to a whole 'nother level. The first season is about angels trying to keep things running while an incompetent god (Steve Buscemi) is an unending font of bad ideas. Season 2 is set in the dark ages with no supernatural element at all. Currently my favorite show on television.
I liked the first season of Miracle Workers a lot more than the second, as it seemed to hold together better. This current second season is a bit of a mess.
The first season episode when god went to pitch his restaurant idea to his parents had me cracking up. The best were his over-achieving siblings who of course had created perfect utopias with their planets.
“Go on, tell them what a giraffe is…”
“It’s a dog with a leg for a neck.”
“Why, son?!”
Actually, of course, youtube has that scene. Slightly different than I remember, but pretty close.
I recommend “The Booth at the End”. It’s quite low budget, but has very good acting. 2 Seasons, only 5 episodes in each season, and each episode is short. 8.4 / 10 on IMDB.
If you like Rockford Files, then watch Stumptown.
If you like Columbo, then watch Russian Doll.
If you like Murder She Wrote, then watch Agatha Raisin.
If you like Cadfael, then watch Father Brown.