yeah, spaced is good, rather than hilarious for me. i don’t even mean it disparagingly, it was very clever and watchable, but i was enjoying it rather than rolling around laughing. more an observation than a criticism i do recommend it too.
and black books had some inspired moments. until the 3rd series where, for some reason, they completely changed dylan moran’s character into some kind of weaselly coward :-/ utterly ruined it, in my opinion, but the first two series were very good
and if you want non-comedy, old, and pretty out there, check out sapphire and steel - scared the pants out of me as a kid, but probably too dated for anyone who didn’t grow up with it.
'Allo 'Allo is pretty fun. It’s the very silll story of Remi, a restauranteur in a small French town - occupied by the Nazi’s. Well, everyone’s both obnoxious and rather sympathetic in this show. Remi is a hustling, sarcastic philanderer. His wife is a loud and self-important but rather dim. The Germans are all entertainingly bent (in all sorts of ways…) and remarkably fun.
I also enjoyed the BBC series Merlin, though it features one of the stupidest protagonists in television history, and the whole thing is a weird mash of Arthurian legends. Eventually, I was able to shrug my shoulders at the presence of Afro-british blacksmith/lady-in-waiting Guinivere* and Merlin being younger than Arthur. But it’s never dull for a moment.
And don’t forget the most underrated TV show ever: Slings and arrows
Also, because nobody’s mentioned it yet, I loved Jonathan Creek, about a magician’s trick designer turned reluctant detective.
Well. That’s a pretty broad question. What American TV show should I watch?
All of those are excellent. I don’t know many people who like Kingdom - it’s an ITV1 Sunday evening dramedy for pensioners - but it’s oddly enjoyable. Spaced and Black Books are among the best comedies ever.
House of Cards has one of the best, most evil, most likable, most believable characters ever created. If he were in the position to save the world (or at least the UK), then he would, and could, do so if he thought he would gain an advantage; if he thought he’d do better otherwise, he’d let everyone die.
His name’s Rene. I love Allo Allo, but I love farce and puns. If you don’t, you won’t like it.
They were all scared away by the evil little girl in it. One day she will slaughter the entire cast.
peep show i can’t argue with, but i do believe you’re the first person to ever describe the mitchell and webb look as brilliant. and i include mitchell and webb in that…
A couple detective series. Not standard detective stuff. Good psychological thrillers:
Wallander. U.K./Swedish, based on a great series of books by Henning Mankell. If you liked Stieg Larsson you might like this:
Cracker. I’m watching the second season of this series right now; Netflix does not have the first season, for some reason. Robbie Coltrane (aka Rubeus Hagrid), is a deeply troubled (and troubling) forensic psychologist. The first episode of season two is slow, but after that, it is very intense.
“The Office” is more cringe-inducing than its American counterpart, and much shorter (thank gawd!) but hysterical. Love the supporting character of Gareth (Dwight).
Wha…? It’s freaking hilarious. It’s the best sketch comedy show ever next to Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Definitely better than SNL, Mr. Show, SCTV, Kids in the Hall, Bit of Fry and Laurie, etc. The cheese/petrol robot bit has to be in the running for funniest bit of all time.
i do recommend it too.