# What Imported TV do you like to watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 15, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206 "2007-05-15T17:27:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/1 "2007-05-15T17:27:12Z")
That is, what shows do you watch, and enjoy watching, that are 100% imported from another country? Yes BBC and Japanese Anime does count, so lets hunker down for a heavy amount of both. clarification: MXC would not count, as it has been repurposed and comes across as a ‘new’ show offering. I am after shows that are by a vast majority, 90% + untouched / unlocalized. I offer Brianiac: Science Abuse. This gem comes from the BBC and comes through US tv on G4 tv. Im sure the UK dopers (Especially those on the SDMB) know the show I am talking about. For the ““Yanks”” who don’t know, Take equal parts Jackass and Mythbusters and put them in a blender. Segments of Brainiac include: Things you can run through. - A Wall of some sort (Styrofoam, Wooden Fencing, Cling Film / Shrinkwarp) is put up, for someone to attempt to run through. Which Fruit Floats? -Fruits are put into a pool, to see which float. Blow or Glow? Chemicals are mixed to form either an explosion, or a harmless glow. What is Britains Stainiest food? What foods make your wee change color? And in an experiment that Mythbusters did: How many helium balloons does it take to lift someone? And same to Jackass: They spent time shocking UK celebs. --Cranking up the juice each round, untill the Celebs gave in. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/2 "2007-05-15T18:32:02Z")
Brainiac’s actually produced by Granada for Sky TV, not the BBC. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/3 "2007-05-15T18:35:57Z")
Doctor Who. Trailer Park Boys. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/4 "2007-05-15T18:44:29Z")
I like the New Dr Who series and I am looking forward to July when they air the 3rd season. I love, absolutely loved the “Brilliant” comedy, [Coupling](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0237123/). This is the best comedy series I have seen in a long time. Rent it if you have not seen it. I am of course a lifelong Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fan. I don’t think the Op was looking for what are now ancient shows however. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/5 "2007-05-15T18:56:36Z")
Doctor Who Torchwood ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/6 "2007-05-15T19:03:39Z")
[QUOTE=Hirka T’Bawa] Doctor Who Torchwood [/QUOTE] What channel do you get Torchwood on or how do you get to see it? I would like to see this show. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy8467](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/7 "2007-05-15T19:27:12Z")
I recently discovered Coupling on BBC on demand and I admit that I am hooked. It just seems quite a bit wittier than any sitcoms that we have across the pond. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/8 "2007-05-15T19:32:56Z")
I can’t get enough of BBC America. Some of my favorites: Doctor Who [also on Sci-Fi] The Office Peep Show The Mighty Boosh (Viva) Blackpool Look Around You Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares The F-Word Saxondale Knowing Me Knowing You/I’m Alan Partridge Footballers Wives (Overtime) Of those shows, however, BBC America is only airing Footballers Wives: Overtime. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/9 "2007-05-15T19:35:53Z")
The Japanese series Ninja Master on g4. It’s essentially an obstacle course show where regular guys/athletes compete in vaguely ninja themed obstacles. The challenges are ridiculous and more often than not no one makes it to the final round. There was a serial shown on the asian channel here in LA titled Ko Ko Ro (I swear it was Japanese but it might have been Korean). I got hooked on it. Kind of typical young girl coming of age stuff but instantly relatable and fun. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/10 "2007-05-15T20:15:01Z")
[QUOTE=Lisa-go-Blind] Look Around You [/QUOTE] Now I wouldn’t have expected an American audience to get that particular show, because it depends on two very British references - “TV for Schools” educational programmes, circa 1978, and the long-running BBC science show _Tomorrow’s World_. So, er, well done 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/11 "2007-05-15T20:22:55Z")
Apparently **What Exit?** and I share the telly at certain times. Those were the four I wanted to mention. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/12 "2007-05-15T20:24:05Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] Now I wouldn’t have expected an American audience to get that particular show, because it depends on two very British references - “TV for Schools” educational programmes, circa 1978, and the long-running BBC science show _Tomorrow’s World_. So, er, well done 😉 [/QUOTE] Maybe **Lisa’s** a military brat like me. I love _Look Around You_, mostly because I watched TV for Schools before I started school, and even during classes in primary school. And I was a _Tomorrow’s World_ addict. Maggie Philbin, she was nice… _Look Around You_ is so brilliantly done, down to the countdown clock and the retro Beeb idents. I would add _EastEnders_, _Peep Show_ - no idea why BBC America is still showing, what, season 2? It’s on Season 4 in the UK now. I started watching the new Paul Whitehouse/Harry Enfield show, but it’s not exactly necessary for me to watch it… _EastEnders_, on the other hand, is probably my favorite show right now. I hadn’t watched it regularly since the late 80s. I think it’s fair to say I’m addicted! ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/13 "2007-05-16T01:33:29Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] What channel do you get Torchwood on or how do you get to see it? I would like to see this show. Jim [/QUOTE] We are not allowed to mention the method I aquire the Torchwood epsidoes on this board. However, if you want to email me, my email is in my profile. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/14 "2007-05-16T01:49:07Z")
Davincis Inquest-Canadian Mosaic-news from Iraq,Israel,Iran,Kuwait etc How It’s Made-From Canada Foreign Exchange-Fareed Zakaria interview show ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/15 "2007-05-16T02:20:46Z")
No love for _Extras_? Better than his original The Office, IMO. So very sad it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/16 "2007-05-16T02:42:32Z")
Well, \*\*Extras \*\* is by no means a 100% British show any more than \*\*Rome \*\* was a 100% American show. Yes, it was good, though. Let’s see here… \*\*Look Around You \*\* – the original 15 minute series was ten kinds of awesome. The second series was painfully bad to watch. \*\*Torchwood \*\* I only managed to choke down because I’m a \*\*Doctor Who \*\* fan. Otherwise, dear God…that must be how Star Trek fans feel about **Voyager**. I highly don’t recommend it. It’s like someone went around perusing the Doctor Who slash fiction sites and wrote the episodes based on that. \*\*Blackpool \*\* I watched because David Tennant was in it…and it was ok, I didn’t think it was spectacular (although the old fogeys singing “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” was a lot of fun). I’m very curious to see how it translates to CBS this year. **Coupling** …well, it’s done well enough on a technical level (the episode where what’s-his-name discusses names for breasts could match \*\*Arrested Development \*\* with its twisty-pay-attention-or-you’ll-miss-the-gag payoff) , but I generally don’t enjoy shows in which I hate all the main characters. So I never got too into it. **Mighty Boosh** …well, that’s just a strange, strange show. Wouldn’t put it on my favorites list, and I’d rather not ever watch Series Two again, but the first season was fun enough…plus, those two seem to be in every other British show these days as guests stars… **Saxondale** …couldn’t get into it. Felt about the same way for **Suburban Shootout**. Clever ideas, execution…a little boring. I recently got my hands on **Snuff Box** , because I was a fan of \*\*Garth Merenghi \*\* and **Dean Lerner** …wow, that’s some twisted, twisted stuff. Also loved **Jonathon Creek**. And no other love for **Trailer Park Boys**? For shame… ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/17 "2007-05-16T02:47:19Z")
**Hustle** - British show about a group of grifters. It airs in the US on AMC on Wednesdays. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/18 "2007-05-16T02:56:47Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] Well, \*\*Extras \*\* is by no means a 100% British show any more than \*\*Rome \*\* was a 100% American show. Yes, it was good, though. [/QUOTE] How is _Extras_ not 100% British? Because HBO co-distributed it with the BBC? ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/19 "2007-05-16T02:57:47Z")
I’m in Canada and for our purposes I won’t count America TV as imported. But from the UK: The Office Extras Little Britain ITV’s F1 coverage. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206/20 "2007-05-16T03:01:35Z")
_MI-5/Spooks_. Great show. Also a _Torchwood_ fan so far, but I’m only a couple eps into season one. Tried the first episode of _Primeval_, and it was okay. Summer is slow for TV so I may try more of it and see how it goes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-imported-tv-do-you-like-to-watch/404206.md?page=2)