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Post by CRAMBAM on Jun 1, 2012 20:02:49 GMT -5
Not for nothing, but the Brits do make some pretty good TV.
Two TV shows I HIGHLY recommend besides Doctor Who.
1. Merlin--Four, 10 episode seasons have aired so far. The show is ongoing. Very much worth catching up on. The chemistry between Merlin (who is very young in this incarnation), and Arthur (a young, arrogant prince), is worth watching the show alone.
2. Robin Hood (2006-2009)--I'm in the middle of the second of three seasons now. This show is outstanding. In some ways, similar to Merlin, but obviously, a much different universe. The villain alone is worth watching. The guy who plays the Sheriff is hilarious.
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Post by captainbasil on Jun 3, 2012 11:03:21 GMT -5
From reading my posts, it's no secret that I'm a big fan of British TV. One of my favorites isn't even run in the U. S. anymore. That's Midsomer Murders. This show is essentially a movie length contemporary Traditional English Village Mystery every episode. I also love Last Detective with Doctor Who Peter Davison. Heck, there are tons of good shows. I would be here all day if I even tried to list them all.  |
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Post by StarFuryG7 on Jun 3, 2012 15:08:00 GMT -5
I thought I posted a message yesterday very similar to what I'm about to say now, but apparently all I must have done was preview it before shutting down my computer. :::Sigh:::Not for nothing, but the Brits do make some pretty good TV. Two TV shows I HIGHLY recommend besides Doctor Who. 1. Merlin--Four, 10 episode seasons have aired so far. The show is ongoing. Very much worth catching up on. The chemistry between Merlin (who is very young in this incarnation), and Arthur (a young, arrogant prince), is worth watching the show alone. 2. Robin Hood (2006-2009)--I'm in the middle of the second of three seasons now. This show is outstanding. In some ways, similar to Merlin, but obviously, a much different universe. The villain alone is worth watching. The guy who plays the Sheriff is hilarious.
Incidentally, Andrew Lincoln, who plays the lead character in "The Walking Dead", also played a principal character in season 1 of "Strike Back".
And notice here how the marketing for this show is screwed up given that Cinemax did not air the first season of the show.Strike Back seasons 1 DVD Boxsetwww.box-set-dvd.com/strike-back-seasons-1-dvd-boxset_p6587.html Strike Back - Official Studio Press Release for 'Cinemax Season 1' on Blu-ray and DVDtvshowsondvd.com/n/16998~actually Season 2Notice that they're both advertized as "Season 1", but only the first link above is the actual season one, whereas the second link is actually Season 2, which was never show here I don't think because it depicted the U.S. military in a rather unflattering manner. That didn't particularly sit well with me to be honest, but it was otherwise a very well done first season. The cast completely changes by season 2 however, and one of the leads is actually an American playing a British soldier there.Strike Back - IMDB www.imdb.com/title/tt1492179/Season: 3 | 2 | 1 Year: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 ===================================== MI-5"Spooks" (original title) www.imdb.com/title/tt0160904/
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Post by CRAMBAM on Jun 3, 2012 16:31:56 GMT -5
British TV does tend to be PC as much as the US, but I wouldn't let the race of Guinivere push you away from Merlin. It is a very good show.
If any of your recommendations are on netflix, that would be a nice help.
One cool thing about British TV is that it's not too hard to catch up because their seasons are short and they don't stay on the air that long.
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Post by Mel on Jun 3, 2012 17:17:42 GMT -5
From reading my posts, it's no secret that I'm a big fan of British TV. One of my favorites isn't even run in the U. S. anymore. That's Midsomer Murders. This show is essentially a movie length contemporary Traditional English Village Mystery every episode.
I love Midsomer Murders. According to imdb.com, it's still in production. Season 15 aired this year in the UK. Maybe they'll bring it back to the states.
Now and then Inspector Morse or Inspector Lewis airs. I just caught the reruns of Sherlock, an updated version, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead. It was pretty good. As you probably know, Cumberbatch is the villian in the next Trek movie. |
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Post by StarFuryG7 on Jun 3, 2012 18:08:00 GMT -5
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Post by captainbasil on Jun 4, 2012 18:33:11 GMT -5
From reading my posts, it's no secret that I'm a big fan of British TV. One of my favorites isn't even run in the U. S. anymore. That's Midsomer Murders. This show is essentially a movie length contemporary Traditional English Village Mystery every episode.
I love Midsomer Murders. According to imdb.com, it's still in production. Season 15 aired this year in the UK. Maybe they'll bring it back to the states.
Now and then Inspector Morse or Inspector Lewis airs. I just caught the reruns of Sherlock, an updated version, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead. It was pretty good. As you probably know, Cumberbatch is the villain in the next Trek movie.Oh yes, Midsomer is definitely still in production. If you don't know they have replaced John Nettles (Tom Barnaby) who wanted to retire. I can't wait to see the new John Barnaby episodes ( Tom's Cousin), but we're over a year behind in DVD releases over here.  As a Holmes purist, I have a little trouble with Sherlock but the cast is very good. It's my hang-up. I will seek therapy.  |
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Post by Mel on Jun 5, 2012 5:53:46 GMT -5
No, I didn't realize that John Nettles had retired! He was the main reason I watched the show. It will be interesting to see his character's cousin in the role.
Netflix has many Midsomer DVDs for rent. However, the DVDs from 2011, with Cousin John Barnaby, aren't yet available. That said, I'm told that the 2011 season is available via streaming. I don't have that option.
I expected to dislike it. For one, I couldn't see Cumberbatch as Holmes, and I didn't like the idea of an update. But I was intrigued enough to watch. I found it interesting how the old stories were updated to the 21st century. It worked for me.
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Post by CRAMBAM on Jun 5, 2012 7:00:39 GMT -5
I watched the first season of Holmes. It was ok, but didn't capture my interest like other UK shows. I passed on the second season.
I'm enjoying Robin Hood a lot. Very controversial ending to season 2. I'll wait until I finish the run before I start reading online comments on that stuff since I could inadvertently be spoiled.
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Post by StarFuryG7 on Jun 5, 2012 11:01:42 GMT -5
See if you can get your hands on the UK first season of "Strike Back" starring Richard Armitage and Andrew Lincoln. It was very well done and I think you'll enjoy it. There are only six episodes and I found myself wishing there were more by the time I got through them.
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Post by Mel on Jun 5, 2012 14:12:43 GMT -5
From what you've told us about it, I'd love to see it. You're right, Netflix doesn't carry it. If it's for sale, I can't afford it. Gotta wait until someone makes it available for viewing.
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Post by captainbasil on Jun 24, 2012 15:33:26 GMT -5
Netflix has the science fiction series Outcasts on their streaming program. I had read about this for some time and I think it was on BBC America but I missed it. I only watched a few minutes of the first episode because my wife was not home and I thought she would really like it. What I saw was very interesting. If you have not checked it out already you might want to give it a try. |
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Post by CRAMBAM on Jun 25, 2012 10:00:02 GMT -5
What's the premise of the show?
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Post by captainbasil on Jun 25, 2012 11:06:33 GMT -5
What's the premise of the show? It's about an Earth Colony. Contact with Earth is sporadic at best. Something has happened on Earth. I'm not sure what yet but I suspect it's nothing good. ;D |
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Post by StarFuryG7 on Jun 25, 2012 16:34:47 GMT -5
Yes, BBCAmerica did air the entire series. There were only eight episodes altogether because the show didn't perform well in the UK, and so it was canceled. It's not for everybody, but I enjoyed it. I wish it had lasted longer than it did because it had potential.
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Post by Mel on Jun 27, 2012 22:40:26 GMT -5
<sigh> I liked it a lot better when, long ago, BBC1 and such pre-approved the run of a show, no matter what the ratings were. Unfortunately, they learned this trick from us. 
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Post by gavin1701 on Jun 28, 2012 16:01:45 GMT -5
Cancellation is ripe over here mainly budget reasons. Lots of shows get cancelled because it's an either or situation. Latest was that the BBC couldn't afford The Fades and Becoming Human, so they were forced to axe the former. Doctor Who is fortunate because they make tons of money worldwide but even they have to run to strict budget guidelines.
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Post by Mel on Jul 1, 2012 16:33:58 GMT -5
Oh! Perhaps I was very wrong! Does the UK even have ratings? What about advertising? Are demographics involved, like the coveted (male)18 to 49 group over here? Where does the BBC gets it's money, just from the license fees?? Are royalties involved when UK shows air here in the states? Or are those based on rental fees? Or what? I'm very curious!
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Post by gavin1701 on Jul 2, 2012 13:05:34 GMT -5
The channels are constantly in ratings wars. The BBC is funded by license fees and I believe government funding as well. If the show is doing lousy, then chances are it will be canned or moved to a smaller station (BBC 2, BBC 3). I'm sure the worldwide popularity factors a lot in a shows longevity but it will be secondary to its performance over here. Merchandising, DVD sales, overseas sales will definitely bring in more money.
Bottom line though, if you are spending £20 million on a series of Doctor Who, you need the ratings to back up the investment. The BBC need to verify that they are spending the license payers money responsibly on programming that is popular.
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Post by CRAMBAM on Jul 3, 2012 14:03:32 GMT -5
I'm glad the ratings on Doctor Who remain high.
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Post by Mel on Jul 4, 2012 0:58:53 GMT -5
I think that's fascinating! Thanks for the info! I'm curious about how ratings are determined, if you care to share more.
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Post by captainbasil on Sept 1, 2012 7:27:02 GMT -5
Has anyone else checked out Copper on BBC America ? It's actually about policemen in 1864 New York , but it's made in the U.K. My wife and I have only watched the first episode so far but it's pretty darned good.
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Post by StarFuryG7 on Sept 3, 2012 0:27:50 GMT -5
Has anyone else checked out Copper on BBC America ? It's actually about policemen in 1864 New York , but it's made in the U.K. My wife and I have only watched the first episode so far but it's pretty darned good. I'm watching episode three right now, and saw the prior two episodes, so yeah, I've been following it, but I prefer "Hell on Wheels". |
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Post by CRAMBAM on Sept 3, 2012 10:09:53 GMT -5
I have the day off today. Maybe I'll check out the pilot.
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