A British series, “The Bounder”, with Peter Bowles,ran only 14 episodes.
Good choices.
Does The Good Place count? Four 13-episode seasons.
Speaking of Netflix series, I have an unreasonable love for One-Punch Man. One season thus far (with 12 or 13 eps). It’s like anti-manga manga.
Thank you so much for turning me on to London Irish. It’s delightful and is filling the Derry Girls shaped hole in my heart.
Nah, man. We’re talking about little shows that aren’t on the big broadcast networks that nobody ever talks about but you really enjoyed. Suggesting The Good Place is like saying “hey, Pikachu is a tiny being. Does he count as an un-known character?”
OK, I don’t get this one. Both great shows, but how are they in any way similar? Are you referring to Peter Falk’s Columbo?
Thanks for the recommendation, My son and I love it. But no longer on Netflix. You should be able to watch it here.
The way Natasha Lyonne plays her character, as a crusty New Yorker who goes from person to person and asks questions. It’s tenuous, I admit, but I couldn’t help but think of Columbo a lot while I watched.
How about Party Down? Twenty episodes over two seasons. Aired on Starz but also available on Hulu. It’s about the staff of a Los Angeles catering company and each episode is set at a party they’re catering. Reminds me a bit of Taxi.
One of the best shows I’ve EVER watched.
Did you stick with this? I’m mid-way through season 4 now (having waited for the full season to air before binging it). I’m struck by how much the show shifts directions each season, getting darker and darker.
Yeah just finished it tonight. It’s a weird little show but I like weird! You’re absolutely right about the shifts each season. I guess that means it’s a character driven show. The original plot ended with season 1 but we still like to see these characters be weird.
Another vote for The Detectorists. Great cast, gently funny.
Last Tango in Halifax Dramady about an elderly couple and their grown children. Four seasons (so far), but only four eps per season. Stars Derek Jacobi.
Oh, Baskets! …I was thinking of this one - it’s whimsical, touching, tragic and bizarre, yet hilarious…Louis Anderson won an Emmy for playing Ma Baskets - you begin to care so much for her. Martha Kelly is a standup comedian playing a deadpan character. I sometimes catch a rerun episode on cable in the middle of the night.
Sex Education on Netflix is great.
All UK shows:
I’ll second Moon Boy
Whites (centers around a high end chef)
Rev (about a priest or vicar or whatever they are called)
Ted Lasso - Only 10(I think) episodes and my wife and I have watched four of them. Very fun show, often very funny, and Ted Lasso is one of the most likeable characters on TV. He’s just upbeat and friendly and it really is a great performance from Jason Sudekis.
Ah yes, stars Olivia Colman, before she hit megastardom.
A brand spanking new one so not in the US yet (will be on HBO Max) - It’s A Sin, about the aids crisis in 80s London. Ok, depressing subject, but beautifully made, witty and heart warming. Great sound track too. Just five episodes.
Normal People, based on the book of the same name, a young romance set in contemporary Ireland. 12 episodes, just one season.
I may destroy you - the stand out series of 2020 in many people’s opinion, written and starred by amazing emerging talent Michaela Coel. 12 episodes in total. Worth every second.
Yeah, I’ll come back and reiterate that this is the perfect “little” show. Aside from Louie Anderson’s Emmy win, I don’t think this show ever really got much mainstream attention. In fact, you’re the first person (besides my wife and me) that I’ve ever come across that’s actually watched it.
To the OP: Baskets is totally worth your time! It’s streaming on Hulu.
Yeah I’ve definitely been watching Baskets! Just forgot it in the OP.
Ted Lasso was great! I thought it would be cheesy and predictable - fish-out-of-water story, everyone beats up on Ted, he can’t catch a break. Ha ha watch him bumble. But it turned out to be way more than that. Definitely some top-notch writing.
I May Destroy You was good. I loved Michaela Coel in Chewing Gum. This series is obviously more grown-up but she goes at it hard. She really is not afraid to take chances and break convention with her writing.
Has anyone here watched the Australian “Summer Heights High”, a wonderful little Mockumentary (only 6 episodes total?) that for my money, when taken in whole, is actually more entertaining than “Best In Show”, “A Mighty Wind” or “Waiting For Guffman”.
Of course, these days here in 2021, if you admit enjoying this series you are apparently a racist, homophobe and monsterous bigot, but at least one that understands subtle (and not-so-subtle) satire and dry humor mixed with juvenile potty jokes.