# Suggest some good recent British TV? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 2, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118 "2005-11-02T18:26:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/1 "2005-11-02T18:26:00Z")
I love British TV. But I’ve run out of things to watch, so I need some suggestions. To keep this manageable, I’m more interested in current stuff. Things that are either within or between series at the moment, or have finished up in the last year or two. (What would go on my list: Coupling, Peep Show, Spooks.) ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/2 "2005-11-02T18:31:20Z")
I’ve been watching _Nighty Night_ of late and I think this is easily one of the funniest, darkest comedies I’ve ever seen. Season 2 isn’t quite as good as Season 1 but nonetheless, I’m watching it over the usual US televisual crapfest… I recently went through a Steve Coogan kick, and ordered the _I’m Alan Partridge_ DVDs. Hilarious! Some friends in the UK suggested _Bo Selecta_. They’re not my friends anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/3 "2005-11-02T18:49:05Z")
We enjoy Footballers’ Wives - rather trashy, but it’s a fun show. First few episodes were a little slow, and then it started to roll. They’re between Series 2 and 3 on BBCAmerica - starts up again in February, but they’ll probably rerun the first two series between now and then. (Over in Britain, they’ve wrapped up Series 4, I think they’re starting on Series 5). Little Britain is a hit. I’m enjoying Bodies, although it’s somewhat graphic. I keep meaning to check out Sea of Souls, if only because the actress who played Lexie on Monarch of the Glen is on it, but I keep forgetting. We’re also getting into Viva Blackpool, which just started on BBCAmerica, and Mile High (which is on DVR, but we haven’t yet watched it). We get EastEnders on PPV, so I don’t think that’ll help, unless you get DishNetwork, and it’s pretty sucky right now. Oh, and The Robinsons - Martin Freeman’s new show. Just finished up Series 1, but definitely worth it. I’ll follow your thread, too - we’re always looking for new British shows to watch, too, especially if we can get them on DVD. E. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/4 "2005-11-02T19:02:37Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve been watching Nighty Night of late and I think this is easily one of the funniest, darkest comedies I’ve ever seen. Season 2 isn’t quite as good as Season 1 but nonetheless, I’m watching it over the usual US televisual crapfest… Have you heard of the League of Gentlemen? You may like it. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/5 "2005-11-02T19:51:58Z")
You might like **The Green Wing**. It’s an off-beat medical drama/comedy without much medicine! There’s been one series (due soon on dvd, I believe) and a second series is due next year sometime. **Love Soup** is a current programme with the same lead actress, Tamsin Greig (Fran from Black Books), with some of the same dark humour. Some of the situations, etc. remind me a bit of Coupling. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/6 "2005-11-03T10:39:27Z")
I understand _Hustle_ is coming to one of the US Networks soon (I forget which one) – stylish, lighthearted caper-type adventures of a team of con-artists; a little like a criminal _Mission Impossible._ And Robert Vaughan’s in it. ---
**Author:** ![Fortean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fortean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortean)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/7 "2005-11-03T10:59:01Z")
In these kinds of threads, people always forget to mention Look Around You. It’s hilarious, subtle, and often quiet frighteningly surreal. A good introduction to it is the website: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/lookaroundyou/](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/lookaroundyou/) Both seasons are excellent. Also not usually mentioned: The Catherine Tate Show (some people are meh, but I love it), Catterick, anything involving Vic Reeves and Hex (supernatural gubbins, a bit cheesy, but interesting to compare to US stuff). ---
**Author:** ![BadBadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BadBadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBadger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/8 "2005-11-03T11:46:29Z")
You’ve probably seen these but my votes for best series go to: [Blackadder](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/blackadder/quotes/index.shtml) - series 2 in particular [Only Fools and Horses](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/onlyfools/) - sitcom. Think it was voted up there with Falty Towers. [Cold Feet](http://www.thecustard.tv/shows/coldfeet.html) - jolly good series Thats it for the mo. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/9 "2005-11-03T12:18:15Z")
Two that I have just discovered recently that look to be quite good - although time will be the tester… [Blessed](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/b/blessed_999051007.shtml) - but that could be because we are expectant parents and the laughter was more nervous than humerous. [Broken News](http://www.brokennews.co.uk/) - an excellent satire on 24hr news programmes. Of course there is also the classic [Have I Got News For You](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_I_Got_News_For_You) - in its 15th year and still going strong, [2DTV](http://www.2dtv.co.uk/) is another that I haven’t seen for a while, but I enjoyed very much… Grim ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/10 "2005-11-03T12:41:15Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > I understand _Hustle_ is coming to one of the US Networks soon (I forget which one) – stylish, lighthearted caper-type adventures of a team of con-artists; a little like a criminal _Mission Impossible._ And Robert Vaughan’s in it. …I must second this one… The first two series just finished over here, and it was great! > **[BBC One - Hustle](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007gf9k)** > > Drama series about a team of con artists. If you get a chance, check out the **Auf Wiedersehen, Pet** boys… [http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/pet/](http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/pet/) For a reality programme with a bit of a twist, check out **Spy** , it’s facsinating stuff, and puts the whole Plamegate affair in perspective, as we see how subtle a “cover” can be, and the consequences of geting “outed.” The series had me on the edge of my seat… [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/spy/index.shtml](http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/spy/index.shtml) …and while a bit old, I’ll second watching anything **Alan Partridge** that you can find: > [@](#): > > Alan Partridge: ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’. What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn’t it? You wake up in the morning, you’ve got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you’ve got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think “Sunday, bloody Sunday!”. > > Aidan Walsh: I really hate to do this to you, Alan, but it’s actually a song about… > > Paul Tool: Yeah, bloody Sunday is actually about a massacre in Derry in 1972. > > Alan Partridge: A massacre? Ugh. I’m not playing that again. > [@](#): > > Smell my cheese, you mother! A Haaa!!! [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/partridge/quotes\_generator.shtml](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/partridge/quotes_generator.shtml) …also old, but if you like comedy and sci-fi, check out **Red Dwarf.** [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/reddwarf/](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/reddwarf/) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/11 "2005-11-03T13:03:40Z")
Not new, but I think it came out in 2001, but PBS is running a show here called **“2000 Acres of Skye”** that I really like. It only ran for 3 seasons, and has real likeable characters. Takes place on a fictional island off the coast of Scotland. Not having cable, I have to get my Brit fix on PBS. ---
**Author:** ![Nimue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Nimue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimue)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/12 "2005-11-03T14:02:11Z")
> [@The Big Cheese](#): > > Not new, but I think it came out in 2001, but PBS is running a show here called **“2000 Acres of Skye”** that I really like. It only ran for 3 seasons, and has real likeable characters. Takes place on a fictional island off the coast of Scotland. Not having cable, I have to get my Brit fix on PBS. Is this something currently on? I’m very interested in it but didn’t see anything about it on the PBS website. (Alas, no listings on Netflix or Amazon, either.) I realise that different PBS stations may broadcast different programs, but I looked through the listings of some of the Wisconsin stations and didn’t see it, either. As to the OP, I was really enjoying a series called NY-LON on BBC America, about a trans-Atlantic romance. Unfortunately it got unexpectedly cut off several weeks ago, but after a huge outcry on the BBC America forum it sounds like they’re going to re-start the series Saturdays at 6 PM beginning this Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/13 "2005-11-03T14:29:37Z")
> [@grimpixie](#): > > [Broken News](http://www.brokennews.co.uk/) - an excellent satire on 24hr news programmes. I agree that this was very very funny, but may not have staying power, due to the obviousness of the humour. > [@](#): > > Of course there is also the classic [Have I Got News For You](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_I_Got_News_For_You) - in its 15th year and still going strong, [2DTV](http://www.2dtv.co.uk/) is another that I haven’t seen for a while, but I enjoyed very much… Vigorous nods for both of these. And **[QI](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/qi/)** is another HIGNFY humour/panel show which will appeal to SDMB types, given its focus on urban legend, old wives tales, and little-known and wrongly-known facts. Another vote also for **The League of Gentlemen** - IMHO one of the two best creations from British TV in the past decade, the other being **[Brass Eye](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/b/brasseye_66602480.shtml)**. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/14 "2005-11-03T14:31:29Z")
they just ended season 2 a couple months ago. I asked our station why they ran season 1 & 2 in the spring, then reran them in the summer without showing season 3-where eveything gets tied up neatly-or not so neatly. They replied and said they would rerun all seasons 1-3 in the spring of 2006. It’s only about 25 total episodes though. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/15 "2005-11-03T14:41:05Z")
**Little Britain** “I am Dafyd, the only gay in this town.” ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/16 "2005-11-03T15:33:27Z")
No thanks. (Well, it \*was \* a question!) ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/17 "2005-11-03T16:32:42Z")
> [@plnnr](#): > > **Little Britain** > > “I am Dafyd, the only gay in this town.” We’ve been walking around saying “Yeah, I know.” and “I don’t like red.” for three months now. (We both think we’re Lou, apparently.) It’s actually starting to get old. We need new catchphrases. And I’ve put **Viva Blackpool** on my must-see list now (I think it’s just called _Blackpool_ in the UK, though). It’s really odd, and the sex scenes interspersed with singing really creep me out, but damn if I wasn’t completely enjoying this week’s episode. I really wish we could get the ‘real’ British networks over here instead of what BBCAmerica deems ‘proper’ to show us. E. ---
**Author:** ![Nimue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Nimue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimue)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/18 "2005-11-03T17:13:55Z")
> [@Elza B](#): > > I really wish we could get the ‘real’ British networks over here instead of what BBCAmerica deems ‘proper’ to show us. What? Surely you’re not sick of Cash in the Attic, Changing Rooms, and Benny Hill? ---
**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:** [November 3, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/19 "2005-11-03T17:31:39Z")
I have a question about Blackpool (or Viva Blackpool). The main character owns an arcade, but wants to transform it into a casino. Here in the US, arcades usually just have children’s video games. So what types of games are in British arcades? I thought I saw slot machines in the Blackpool arcade. As for British TV, I enjoyed watching State of Play over the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118/20 "2005-11-03T17:35:58Z")
> [@Nimue](#): > > What? Surely you’re not sick of Cash in the Attic, Changing Rooms, and Benny Hill? Oh, never :rolleyes: . Actually, we watch BBC World News at 6 PM most nights, and then it’s a fight to the remote to see who can change it from Cash in the Attic (or Changing Rooms, still not sure which one it is) the fastest! **Dewey** , we wondered about that, too, and our guess was that an arcade has things like the slot machines where you can win money, but a casino has the tables. It seems like the Blackpool casino has a distinct lack of tables for blackjack or roulette (unless it does, and I’m just not paying attention well enough). E. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-some-good-recent-british-tv/329118.md?page=2)