See, the thing is, that I've always told people that I've given up television. It's mindless, it's annoying. It's like a big electronic bee that you pay to keep stinging you in the ear.
Of course, there were a few shows that were very good...but they hardly outweighed the mass of junk, junk, junk surrounding them. But I'd watch The Simpsons. And Drew Carey. And SNL, sometimes. But then, it just wasn't worth it. I disconnected my cable and lived on DVDs.
Anyway, it's about 2 years later now, and I swear to all you brits on this board, you are the luckiest bunch of clowns who ever sat in front of a TV screen. Your television is remarkably sound, and I never ceased to be impressed. While I've always loved certain shows (Fawlty Towers, Red Dwarf) I found a few over the past year that just truly blew me away.
I'm speaking specifically of Series 3 of The League of Gentlemen, and either series of The Office. Truly beautiful, each honest in its own right, and so intellectually poignant that I can't help but be moved by the comedy. And that's something American television just doesn't seem to have. Emotion. Real emotion. The fact that I can sympathize more with Steve Pemberton dressed up like a 50 year old lesbian than with most American characters says a lot!
Ah, I don't know. I'd like to think I'm just bitter...but I keep crawling back to American TV lately and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It bores me...and yet I could watch just about any episode of The Office or League over and over and laugh every time.
If anybody knows of something particularly good that's been on TV over here, let me know...I'll give it a chance. I actually feel a bit let down that there's nothing I want to watch.
And don't you dare mention the American version of The Office that premiers in February. I'm trying to forget it already.
As true as it is that The Office and LoG are great, that's about it. We have just as much dross as American networks do, too. We have 200-odd satellite TV stations of crap, and most of our 'regular' TV stations are mostly awful too. Fortunately for you, plenty of great British TV filters through, while the more awful stuff is ignored...
American telivision sitcom wise, is still suffering from all the reality show wave. They're going to try and bring sitcoms back into television in the not so far future. They're already starting, but most of the shows, if not all, aren't worth watching. And, no, you're right, you really don't feel for any of the American sitcom stars of today. There are some funny shows, but the situations and characters are so characterized or ridiculous, no one could really relate to them. Not to mention, that the new wave of sitcoms have this fat or unattractive husband with this gorgeous wife.
The best place to look for great American television is TV Land. I'm a fan of the old shows. There is only one sitcom show that I watch that's running today, and that's Everybody Loves Raymond, but even that's starting to slowly go in a downward spiral.
There is Frasier, if your looking for something intelligent. I don't enjoy the show, that much, but it's worth a try I guess.
I don't think you're bitter. But I don't watch too much tv, myself. So maybe I am bitter. I like Conan O'Brian, even though it's no sitcom. In a few years we'll probably get a few better sitcoms, when the mass is sick of reality tv.
-MillsJROSS
Yeah, as far as I'm concerned, Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show, Cartoon Network's Adult Swim (Sunday) are all good enough to keep me watching. Not to mention reruns of shows like SNL, Drew Carey, Whose Line Is It Anyway (US or British)... I dunno, it's enough for me. If none of these things are on I usually just find something else to do.
I agree with the shows Trap mentioned. I also enjoy the Discovery Channel informational programs (But thats because I am a loser and like those things), Monster House with is also on the Discovery Channel, Inside The Actors Studio, Public Access when they play movies, AMC's late night silent movies, Old Yankee Workshop, Fairly Odd Parents, along with others.
I had cable TV for a few years and all that I watched was a couple of movies, it was just a waste of money cause I still watched a lot of free to air programs, but here in Australia cable is pathetic, but probably the same as anywhere, just probably not as many stations, and most of them American anyway.
I prefer British comedy to American generally, If you ever get to see a British sitcom "Coupling" watch it, It's clever, witty, well developed characters, hilarious, best sitcom I've seen in years, I just wish it was still on here, I haven't seen it for almost a year, I hope it gets played again, I have no idea if they still make it.
As far as American sitcoms go, It's gone down hill since Seinfeld finished, I don't like any that still get showed here. And for some reason Everybody Can't Fucking Stand Raymond became the next big thing, and it's really annoying.
as far as Drama/cop shows go, CSI was good at first but becomes a bit the same hence boring after a while, I did enjoy X-Files in the first few series, but nothing of note has been intersting since.
I never watched Charmed, but I can see why it's been popular, put some cute chicks in sexy clothes (or lack of) and put them on tv, it doesn't really matter what they say.
I used to like tv but now I prefer to use the computer or go to the pub.
It's good in a way that Tv has gone down hill, it allows you to do other things without thinking, "but I don't want to miss that show". If I miss a show these days, It doesn't really phase me.
I watch a lot of sport, Cricket, Rugby League, AFL, Tennis, so these basically cover the whole year, so there's always something to watch.
The only good show I've seen in the last few years was Coupling, so if you can find it anywhere, it's worth the watch.
here's a link http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/coupling/
If you know the show, I'm like the character Jeff
I gave up on TV in 1995. Of course, there are a few shows which pique my interest. They are mostly the shows that Trap mentioned. I really don't think it's worth it to pay X amount per month in order to watch the 2 hours of TV I might find worthwhile each week. I've been doing movies, for the most part, and downloading episodes of shows I wanted to catch (MST3k, Invader Zim, blah, blah). Currently, I do watch about 3-4 hours of TV per month, mainly in the interest of spending time with friends & family that are still into the non-interactive glowbox.
AGA--good point. I expected that you must have a lot of junk too, but didn't want to admit it to myself. :) But, the point about so much GOOD television filtering through just proves that you actually have good stuff to begin with! We don't really have too much, sadly. Nothing with any real...significance to it, you know? Nothing doing anything really...daring. Or...worth it.
Like Mills says, American sitcoms are in a formula right now...and have been for some time. Yeah, we do have Frasier, and Conan, and The Daily Show...which are great shows, don't get me wrong...but I think my frustration is that these are all old shows. And...eventually they will be gone. I wish we could keep moving ahead and stop relying on a few staggering greats to carry us through. It's actually pretty sad.
And of course there's public television, which is (relatively) exempt from corporate meddling, so that's a nice change...ah, but I don't know.
My big complaint, I guess, is one that's probably valid in every country. Why the hell do we need hundreds of channels? We don't even need hundreds of SHOWS, let alone a full cycle of shows for every one of these networks. I'm just a big fan of the way the BBC works: take your time, do episodes when you have good ideas, and not necessarily just when the summer is over. Only have six good ideas? Do six episodes...don't do twenty-eight episodes and spread out those six ideas all over a watered-down series.
God! Why does this frustrate me so much? AGS TV Network must be born.
I wonder nobody mentioned the Jerry Springer show.
I can't beileve that there are so pathetic people who would do anything just to be on tv. And there are even more pathetic people who pay to see the show and shout: Jerry Jerry Jerry Jerry, or Steve Steve Steve Steve
I tell you, i wish they had one big neck so i could squeeze the life out of all of them! <--GTA2
The British have TV licences. Maybe you need to suffer and absurdity like that to have decent TV....
But on Australian TV, News-Current Affairs, SBS, The Footy Show and Sport. All else can be ignored.
I only watch stand-up comedy and sometimes Conan O'Brien. For some reason, Irish comedians make me laugh more than any other kind.
And I agree wholeheartedly, Simple. Now I must go and see if I spelled wholeheartedly right. Actually, screw it, I don't care.
Hi every1
I live in the UK, and I have to say there are only a few shows from the US I will watch happily, those being
Malcolm in the Middle, FRIENDS, The Simpsons, Fraiser, Futurama, Family Guy, SCRUBS and I honestly think that's about it, I'll watch the odd thing if it looks good, and then usually switch back over to UK Gold to catch some Only Fools & Horses!
Us brits have the greats, the afore mentioned OFAH, The League of Gentlemen, The Office (the christmas specials were fantastic, last 2 episodes ever acording to Ricky Gervais) Fawlty Towers, Red Dwarf, The Brittas Empire, One Foot in the Grave, Phoenix Nights (well anything Peter Kay does actually!)
Well feel free to e-mail for a chat
Stu
I dont watch american tv much. snl, conan, the news and espn...and thats bout it. Most everything else sucks
I thought Coupling was alright, Tim, but nothing amazing.
Stu Helm: I agree with most of your selections as being good, but I can't stand Peter Kay. Maybe Phoenix Nights is good, I've never seen it, but I hate his stand up stuff...
24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24!!!
And the Sopranos...
And Six Feet Under...
That's probably about it.
wow, the only shows mentioned that i don't actually want to drown the writers and actors of is Only Fools & Horses (and even that just isn't funny sometimes), and Fawlty Towers, i hate all this so called "new comedy", i believe people laugh at it because they want to find it funny and not because it actually is funny, they want to fit in to today's culture by laughing at everything when they really should just be stabbing eachother in the face.
oh yeh, i also dislike most old comedy too, down with comedy!
I adore television, because it never hurts me.
Actually, one new show that I am fond of...that I didn't mention was Monk. It's not a sitcom, but I feel it's well written and funny.
I was never one for Seinfeld...I thought they complained just way too much, and they weren't nice people at all.
American tv has some greats, under its belt, it just seems rather stagnant at the moment. Though, someone mentioned SCRUBS, which I found funny, but it was never able to make it into my schedule. We have Dick van Dike, I Love Lucy, Bob Newhart, Newhart, Taxi, All in the Family, tons more. I'm certain a good comedy will come soon, hopefully.
-MillsJROSS
Quote from: Timosity on Mon 29/12/2003 00:04:23I never watched Charmed, but I can see why it's been popular, put some cute chicks in sexy clothes (or lack of) and put them on tv, it doesn't really matter what they say.
Me and my gal have Charmed days. They go something like this.
"They call me. I show up late. We sit around watching the show. I complain how crappy it is. We make out. Watch Full House. I go home."
Charmed is that good.
I have like 300 channels, but all i need to watch is HBO.
The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the list goes on and on.
That and the latest movies, which you can watch before anyone else gets em.
(http://www.hbobrasil.com.br/hbo/images/hbologo_estatico.jpg)
Although watching cable is probably much more rewarding if it's not stolen..
Wow, I'm surprised at the number of people who like Conan. You all ROCK. :D
I like SNL, stand-up comedy, and Everybody Loves Raymond -- nobody seems to like the latter, for some reason or another. I think it's hilarious, an excellent example of comedic timing, as good an example as you can have with a live audience, that is. There's also Enterprise, but I watch that simply because I am a die-hard Trek fan. I could never get into Seinfeld either, for the same reason Mills gave, that all they did was complain and act like idiots.
And what's with all this nonsense about "relating" to characters? It's entertainment, for crying out loud! I don't want to relate to the character, I don't want to feel what the characters are feeling, and all that; I just want to be amused, entertained, and I just want to laugh (if it's comedy, whcih is all I watch).
Seeing as how I don't pay for DirecTV, I don't watch all that much TV and survive mainly on DVD movies and specials, like The Best of Will Ferrell and The Best of CHris Farley, two awesome SNL DVDs. Being a subscriber to Netflix, I can watch many movies, and have been catching up on movies I've missed lately.
Bonjourno, y'all
Here's my tuppence..
Coupling. The first series was ok, but the second kinda lost it after the split-screen episode (the first ep, actually). All it is now is 4 people acting dumb, and Jack Davenport going off on a rant that is supposed to be funny. Most of the time, it's not. The only decent thing left is Jeff. It should be the Jeff show..
Now, Coupling got remade with American actors, as the makers thought "Ooh, British Humour.. our viewers won't get that..", even tho BBCAmerica it doing better and better. The show got cancelled after 4 shows, I think.
The reason us brit's make apparently better comedies? Take Friends, how many episodes did they make a year? 24? 26? Something like that. The "britcoms" (such a lame word) make 6. A year. A Christmas special, if we're lucky. Take Fawlty Towers.. it's only got, what, 12 eps? If we knocked up another 20 eps a year, would the shows still be as good? I kinda doubt it.
Now.. on to the brit-bashing section. We gave the world the Reality TV format. Sweet. We* always harp on about America dumbing down and everything. But, the truth is, we're the ones giving the lobotomy. The US stations saw the cheaply made british reality shows, like Big Brother and to a lesser extent Changing Rooms.. and now, the world is full of Joe Millionaire, High School Reunion, and an endless supply of poor quality DIY shows.
(* We, as a nation, via the media.. not any of the Brit's here, I'm sure).
The dumb thing is, tho.. I know all this from watching the idiotbox. It seems to drain time/life from me. When I at my folks, with a PC.. I don't watch it. At home, and it's on all the time. I end up watching repeats of 70's cop shows, cookery programs, quiz shows (which isn't too bad I s'pose, at least I'm learning stuff), australian soaps.. well, Neighbours, at any rate. I can't help myself. I do watch quite a few documentaries, tho.. mainly because I have five channels, and I seen most of what's on.
That's one thing that bugs me. The "TV licence". Only for the BBC. You want watch only the other channels, and not the BBC? Tough. You still need to pay the licence fee. For what? 2 normal channels, full of repeats.. no, so you don't have to watch adverts. Even tho, the other BBC owned channels, like UK Gold (all repeats, all the time) still have adverts in them. I wouldn't mind if they actually made something good with the £120-odd we'll be paying them this year. Instead of the 30 or so Simpsons eps they normal show in rotation. I'd rather be informed about this new miracle cleaning product, of fast food restaurant's newest addition to the menu.
Anyhow, I've taken up enough of your time, for now. Happy viewing (or not)..
Hugs
Iqu
Also, Monty Python changed comedy for the better, Americans are better at one liners.. yada yada, and the best American comedy at the moment is Ed - because it doesn't try to hard.
Does anyone watch Monk?
I dig Tony Shalhoub a lot and the show has a very Columbo-esque feel to it.
read the damned thread DG and you'll find out that someone does...
the only TV i watch is adult swim on sundays [there's only so many times i can watch THE LOST FAMILY GUY EPISODE!!1! on the weekdays] and...
well that's it really. that's the only television i set aside time in my day for.
late at night i take breaks from the computer to watch random shows on at night like discovery channel [now the science channel, and they tell you every commercial break that they changed their name! how happy i am for them!] any random show on tech tv that isn't stupid or about robots fighting and def poetry jam [i love]
eric
and real sex of course.
GET TO BED BEFORE I GET HILLBILLIES TO VISIT YOU IN THE NIGHT!!!
Iqu: I think coupling lasted about 5 shows here. People thought it was too racy to be shown on NBC. Provo and South Bend (home of BYU and Notre Dame) refused to even show the show. controversy insued, and the bad publicy, along with cricts destroying the show, caused it to be cut.
DG, I also watch Monk sometimes. Its the only program my mom ever watches, (ok, that, and the one about the detective who has that huge mustache...perot maybe?) and I always end up needing her while she's watching it.
Me:Mom?
Mom: not now dammit! monk!
me: oh. *goes to watch monk*
My daily viewing program is limited to History Channel. TV Serials ask for too much loyalty - "be every day/week at ___ hours on your couch!".
I (like Barcik) am pretty much on the History Channel. I watch Call For Help and The Screen Savers on techTV daily. I tune into TLC and Animal Planet as well. Mostly educational stuff.
Tuesday nights I watch 24 (best show on TV in my opinion)
Thursday I watch Scrubs (best comedy on TV in my opinion)
That's about it for me.
When the reality TV shows die out I will do several happy dances.
I think most of the drivel on the TV now-a-days is designed for the brain-dead masses. So much of the world today are under educated and need mindless crap on TV to keep them occupied. It's all formula and nobody (rarely) tries anything original/new.
])]v[
of course, we brits are lucky that our country is so small. This means that we all know the people on TV personally, and can go down the pub and tell them they suck. This way, only people with no friends (and thus no-one around them to tell them they suck) ever get on TV. And have you never noticed that friendless people are always the most entertaining? Well I sure have!
Darth is right. 24 & Scrubs are the best two American shows on at the moment.
As for British comedy, what did everyone think of the last two episodes of The Office? Personally I thought they were great - despite the predictable ending, it was a nice way to round it all up.
To be honest, I've seen a lot of Six Feet Under, and it didn't really impress me. It seemed pretty...heavy-handed. I don't know...kind of a, "look at how weird this is! Keep looking! it's getting weirder!" sort of vibe. It DOES have its moments...but I stopped watching after a bit of season 2.
And also Terran mentioned about how we don't need to relate to the characters if it's only entertainment...but for some people (and I may entirely be the odd man on this, which is fine :) ) entertainment IS relating to characters. Which is why great novels can be read over and over again...because you want to spend time inside these peoples' minds. If it was just the plot, you'd never have to read a novel more than once. Same for television...if you're just watching for the plot, or to see a coconut fall on Gilligan's head...you only need to watch once. What really impresses me is a truly layered, complex character.
Which are difficult to write, especially in TV, I'm sure. And difficult to act as well. But that's why they're so rewarding to see when you do find them. :)
Still haven't seen 24 or Scrubs, though. I may well check them out. On someone's advice I put on TV Land when I was going to sleep last night and it was an All in the Family marathon. Now that was good timing. ;D
I watch Scrubs quite a bit.. It's not in quite as rigid a format as most sitcoms that are on now. I can't predict what everyone is going to say like I can with Friends..
I also like Conan O'Brien and SNL. Conan's show has some of my favorite sketches. Simple, tastless, and genuinely funny. It's also the only network show that has decent musical guests.. SNL has been hit or miss lately. There have been some really good shows, and also some really bad ones (The "zing" sketch.. wtf?)..
I watch CSI, mostly because I'm interested in the camera work and special effects.. I wish the stories and dialog were as good as the show's looks.
Other than that, there's not really a lot that I watch regularly.. Monk looks really good, but I never seem to be around to watch it.
I only watch a few shows anymore, because I'm mostly on my computer.
A few of my favourites are:
Men Behaving Badly (UK), 24 (US), Conan (US), Monty Python(UK), Scrubs (US), Skithouse (OZ), Rove Live (OZ), Micallef Programme (OZ), Red Dwarf (UK), Doctor Who (UK), Enterprise (US) and Stargate (US).
I mentioned Doctor Who, and might I just say that I am sooo glad that they are making a new series. When I have kids, I'm gonna make them watch the old series and the new, simply because Doctor Who rocks!
Would you like a Jellybaby?
edit: Just spotted this at Darkhorizons.com
24 (TV): FilmReviews.Net reports that the BBC has dropped plans to air the third season in the UK after negotiations with FOX failed.
Too bad mates.
People occasionally mention older shows as being the now-expired holy grail of television. "If only we could have a show like ____ again, it was absolute genius." Bullshit. TV's always sucked and there have usually been a couple of exceptions. Star Trek (Original)? It had one of the largest followings for a series for quite some time. It was absolute crap. Some of the writing, situations and characters were impressive but the show itself was laughable. What about older Sit-Coms like ____? Very few Sit-Coms have ever been worth a damn. Honestly, I have a lot more respect for Everybody Loves Raymond than I do for Cheers. I don't mean to put down everyone's TV preferences but if you take away the nostalgia factor, how much TV has ever been *good*?
Quote from: Simple on Mon 29/12/2003 22:32:32And also Terran mentioned about how we don't need to relate to the characters if it's only entertainment...but for some people (and I may entirely be the odd man on this, which is fine :) ) entertainment IS relating to characters. Which is why great novels can be read over and over again...because you want to spend time inside these peoples' minds. If it was just the plot, you'd never have to read a novel more than once. Same for television...if you're just watching for the plot, or to see a coconut fall on Gilligan's head...you only need to watch once. What really impresses me is a truly layered, complex character.
You're right. You know, when I hear "entertainment," the only word I can think of is "comedy". And, true, Enterprise, the non-comedy, isn't very profound most of the time. I do know what you mean, about getting into a character, but I'll only watch non-comedies if it's Trek or a movie. :P
So when I said that relating to characters wasn't important, I was thinking about comedies: the only thing I ever watch. :)
QuoteSo when I said that relating to characters wasn't important, I was thinking about comedies: the only thing I ever watch.
I don't agree. Look at Everybody Loves Raymond (and yes, I am well aware of the fact that not everybody loves him), I think the show is funny because I can relate to them. The characters are extreem sometimes, but there is a lot of truth in that show as to how people feel towards there family. I think that's the reason people either like this show or hate it. Because you can either relate to the characters, or your family make up is different, so you don't see the comedy (not that this applies to everyone, sometimes your taste in humor is different, too).
And I do see shows that are *good* from way back when. I think the shows I mentioned would be considered *great* tv. They are shows I enjoy watching and find they are worth my time. Nostalgia? There are plenty shows that I don't like that are old. Like Bewitched. Anyway, the argument about nostalgia doesn't make sense, because you'd only be nostalgic about something you enjoyed or found funny previously.
-MillsJROSS
The argument about nostalgia makes perfect sense. I wasn't saying that we think all old shows are wonderful merely because of nostalgia but that we tend to see older items we enjoyed with a bit of favoritism. We tend to see things that we watched and enjoyed in our teens (or younger) through rose-colored glasses. I did not say, however, that nobody had a right to enjoy these things. One show you mentioned, "Bewitched," quite a few people enjoyed. As far as that goes, take the plot synopsis, editing capability, the "effects" used for "magic", the characters and summarize their worth without any bonus points given for the fact that you once enjoyed it. It's utter tripe. I am fully willing to admit that one of my favorite older shows, Get Smart, was patently ridiculous. It did, at least, have the redeeming value of having a particularly poignant point of view in the beginning years of the Cold War. It encouraged its viewers not to take stuff too seriously (our enemies & ourselves). I could name a dozen or so shows that I watched quite a bit of while growing up and I realize now how cheesy they were. It doesn't stop me from enjoying them still, mainly for nostalgia's sake.
I'm only intended to express my point that complaints about current television programming is similar to the way that everybody gripes about anything new. We often claim that some of the best stuff happened years ago. Hell, that's part of what the AGS group is about. We recognize the average banality evidenced in today's game offerings and strive to re-live and re-make the gaming experiences that we felt were the best. If you take this post as condemnation, you've got it all wrong. It's merely honesty.
I'm really digging american infomercials.. even more entertaining than actual shows.
Then there's Iron Chef USA with Will "The Chairman" Shatner
and The Daily Show, I guess.
I like Conan, Dave, and Jay in that order. I despise Craig and I don't really like the Jimmy Kimmel show, but that's mainly because Andy Milonakis (Penis) is often on the show.
Quote from: Os Último Quão Queijo ^_^ on Tue 30/12/2003 02:03:01
24 (TV): FilmReviews.Net reports that the BBC has dropped plans to air the third season in the UK after negotiations with FOX failed.
Too bad mates.
Just in case anyone reads this and starts crying, Sky One are showing the third series of 24 in the UK in the new year (I predict around February), so um.............if you don't have Sky then continue crying.....
You know, I realize now that pretty much everybody who posted here has said, "Yeah, I only really watch X, Y, and Z anymore..." and then possibly went on to list one or two other occasional shows.
You guys have given me a lot of hope. You're not addicted to television like too many of my friends (and family members). I guess it doesn't really matter what you watch, as long as you watch it because you like it and benefit in some way from it...and not just watch it because it exists.
Hm. I learned something wonderful today, and this time it had nothing to do with an underage girl.
I don't watch too much TV, but I surf the internet a heap -- I have a theory that I'm substituting TV viewing for net surfing mainly because I hate most of the crap on TV.
Avoiding TV leads to a lot of free time -- Thus, I net surf.
i'm the same as DG
i've just substituted but there's still a lot of crap on the internet
however there's more porn than tv
Doesn't anyone watch never mind the buzzcocks? The host, Mark Lamarr, is the funniest person I know. I think it's still running on one of the two BBC's, but I don't know for sure, since I haven't had the chance to watch a lot of television lately.
One thing I don't like about american television is how it always has to be so formal. Why does Drew Carrey have to mention about ten times every episode (that improv show) that the points don't matter. It annoys me, because frankly, anybody who doesn't get that should blame himself and start using his brain. In british television, they never cater to the lowest common denominator. They always do things the best way, which is never the way of least resistance.
Belgian television, fortunately, is more like the BBC. Which reminds me - that guy who said that the USA invented reality tv should check his facts. Two belgian guys pioneered it in the show "The mole", and a dutch guy commercialised it the next year with the first Big Brother.
Yeah, Buzzcocks was/is great, but I'm not sure that Mark Lamaar's humour is actually his own, or if he has a great writing team, combined with good timing... Oh, and it was on BBC 2.
On a side note, one of the most popular Australian comedy series at the moment is called 'Kath and Kim'.
Has anyone seen it?
If so, what do you think?
Yeah, I've seen it, I can laugh at it, but I don't really like the characters much. My parents watch it, but that's only cause the ABC is the only station they watch. Glen Robbins spoils it for me a bit cause his charcters in general suck, although he pulls them off well, I just can't stand him, I think it's psychological since Uncle Arthur. If I watched it more I would probably enjoy it and grow to like Kath and Kim, I do like the style of the typical dry aussie humor, but it doesn't draw me in enough.
I did enjoy CNNNN
I'm not a big fan either, but my mum and girlfriend are a-gaga for it.
However, I do like Kel's character.
I also loved CNNNN, but being a journo student I'm a-gaga for shows like that (Backburner, MediaWatch, etc, etc)
I also loved John Safran's Music Jamboree -- did you see that too, Timmy?
Back on Kath and Kim, what I actually meant (and forgot to include in my previous post) was if any non-Australians have seen Kath and Kim?
What about "Hey, Dad"?
how would we pick up kat and kim? would that air on bbc or something? I know for at least the states, the only channels we can get outside the US (and only if we buy expensive packages) that I know of are bbc and telemundo....with the odd european soccer match on some english sport channel.
Quote from: DGMacphee on Wed 31/12/2003 06:35:49
I also loved John Safran's Music Jamboree -- did you see that too, Timmy?
No, I didn't see that, I haven't seen much of John Safran since 'Race around the world' where he showed how to break into Disney Land without a ticket, atleast I think that was him, He had some clip a few years ago, but haven't seen any of his recent work (that I know he was involved with)
What's with Aussie sitcoms, they're pretty few and far between, and usually pretty crap, I can't remember the last successful one, Hey Dad was ok. I think what it takes for Aussies to actually like stuff is for it to be popular overseas first. Eg. Russell Crow (Even though he's from NZ) including his fucked up band, Steve Irwin. It's all pretty sad really.
I doubt many Aussie shows are played on free to air TV overseas, especially in America, there's a few crap ones that get played in the UK like 'Neighbours' & 'Home & Away' They're more popular there than here, which probably keeps them going. You hear of shows being exported but never hear about if they're successful.
There's probably a bit of sport shown on Fox, and a couple of other networks but probably not much and at strange times. England would get Cricket, Union & League on pay tv, probably Sky or something.
There's not as much TV of anysort made anywhere compared to America, I can't believe there are actors out of work over there, they're just not trying hard enough.
That's why there's heaps of crappy shows, just too many with a few good ones hidden in amongst them.
Does anyone get any Aussie shows?
Has "The Secret Life of Us" made it to the UK yet?
Edit: There was one cool (extreemely bad but cool) soap/drama/comedy? a few years back called "Pacific Drive" It was an absolute classic, it was sort of like Melrose place but more sex & set on the Gold Coast QLD, Here's a few examples of character from it:
A Canadian & Kiwi who were both Male prostitutes,
One successful business women slut who slept her way through everything
A real estate guy who was a sex addict which came from an affair he had with his step mother at 14
A Lesbian that was Married to the Canadian prostitute
A couple of insane people & plots that were so bad, it was the funniest show on TV.
It was played overseas, and was more popular somewhere in Europe but it was axed after a year or so.
Quote from: Timosity on Wed 31/12/2003 15:14:27
Does anyone get any Aussie shows?
Has "The Secret Life of Us" made it to the UK yet?
Yarr; I think either the third or fourth series just finished - it has a late-night slot on a free-to-air channel (not the BBC). I've never watched it myself, but I'd guess it would have to be reasonably popular for them to continue screening it.
We do get quite a few Aussie kid's shows, oddly; 'Round the Twist' springs to mind (I remember it being really popular in the early 90s), as does 'Mission: Top Secret' (which was nowhere near as popular, but I liked it depite it's inherent cheesiness); I think that there was also one set in an under sea lab or something, with a mermaid or alien who could communicate with whales; I forget what it was called, but I'm pretty sure it was from Oz. These were all a good few years ago, of course - I don't watch kid's TV too often, now. And of course, Neighbours' primary audience is kids just home from school - it's on straight after the children's segment on the BBC.
Interesting how it seems that TV execs think that kids can handle foreign accents in TV shows, but adults won't be able to.
Neighbours and Fosters are Australia's two great exports - if either of them was to stop, the UK would collapse in on itself in an orgy of violence and destruction.
Orgy--violence--destruction. Three of my favorite words! Well, orgy, anyway. Whatever follows it is alright by me.
What time are you thinking? Should I bring the wine?
QuoteNeighbours and Fosters are Australia's two great exports - if either of them was to stop, the UK would collapse in on itself in an orgy of violence and destruction.
If we stopped exporting Fosters, then Australia would be overrun by it since nobody here drinks it... except for sad people.
QuoteI also loved John Safran's Music Jamboree
Up the back, on the left (was that the answer? haven't seen it for ages). John Saffran rocks. I really liked the episode where he strapped a video-camera on his dog, sent him to the beach and then made a music video clip out of it, and sent it in to Rage.
I really hate Kath and Kim, the characters just get really annoying, and to be quite frank, I hate Victorian accents.
QuoteI think that there was also one set in an under sea lab or something, with a mermaid or alien who could communicate with whales; I forget what it was called, but I'm pretty sure it was from Oz.
You're talking about the really crap Ocean Girl. Sadly, it was from Oz.
QuoteWhat about "Hey, Dad"?
NUDGE!!! Do any Aussies remember My Secret Valley? Also, has anybody overseas seen anything by the D Generation, like the Late Show or Frontline?
I hear that heartbreak high was relatively popular in the Netherlands, is there confirmation here on that?
I remember seeing that a few times, although I didn't watch it much. It was on the late-afternoon kids' hours on BBC, iirc.
I loved Hey Dad till they replaced Nudge with Arthur McArthur -- stupid little fat kid!
I also loved Mother and Son, but there's no chance of a reunion now that Ruth Cracknell is dead and Garry McDonald has had several breakdowns.
But I also loved All Together Now, mainly cause of Bruno Lucida (I think that's his name -- the guy who played the Jon English's agent).
And I'm a huge Late Show fan, especially Shitscared.
I bought the Champange Edition DVD of the Late Show recently for $50 -- best money I ever spent as it's got over 6 hours of footage plus audio commentary from all the gang, plus special guest commentary from Pete Smith, Bud Tingwell (GRAMPS!) and ex-Victorian premier Joan Kirner (For non-Aussies, she dressed up in full rock gear like leather jacket and so forth and sang Joan Jett's "I love Rock 'n' Roll", while her Health Minister David White played guitar).
I'll try and copy a clip from the DVD for non-Aussies.
Beaten only by Roy and HG getting Charlie Perkins to sing "I'm wishing for a white christmas".
And I agree that Mother and Son was sublime.
[Don't worry everyone, we're just doing our version of talking about Best Buy]
Quote from: Las Naranjas on Fri 02/01/2004 06:27:36
Beaten only by Roy and HG getting Charlie Perkins to sing "I'm wishing for a white christmas".
I still have a soft spot for Pete Smith singing "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)"
Roy and HG are great, I love when they have international guests, they have no idea how to interpret their humour, or even know whether it is humour or not. Although Dave Groll has been a guest a few times and is an exception to the rule.
Did anyone catch 'The Cream' during the Rugby World Cup, there was this old mens choir that sang some really funny DIRTY songs, it was classic. (but the show in general was lame, compared to The Dream, or State of Origin, or Changi, woops that was John Doyle, no relation to Mr Slaven)
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/cream.jpg)
note the logo
Mother and Son is one of my all time favourites, I'm not a big fan of Garry MacDonald (although he's a great actor) but Ruth Cracknell was brilliant, she used to live up the road from me. RIP
The other day My mum showed me her Old Girls School Newsletter cause she was mentioned in it and on the same page there were also articles on Ruth Cracknell, and Nicole Kidman, (none of them were there at the same time but all successfull graduates)
[Sorry to keep up country specific shit, but you can get the DVD at Spud McFuks]
Mother & Son was probably shown on the BBC years ago, and Didn't Roy & HG recently (coupla years ago maybe) host a show in England?
Quote from: DGMacphee on Fri 02/01/2004 12:53:14
Quote from: Las Naranjas on Fri 02/01/2004 06:27:36
Beaten only by Roy and HG getting Charlie Perkins to sing "I'm wishing for a white christmas".
I still have a soft spot for Pete Smith singing "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)"
I still have a soft spot for Mike Whitney singing "I Will Always Love You".
I think this is one of the best examples from The Late Show: http://www.sylpher.com/DGMacphee/Photoshop/Shirty_3.avi
Sorry about the size, but I need to relearn Gordian Knot.
Hehe, Shirty... one of Russell Crowes early acting jobs. ;D
on the topic of british comedy. I no that it is the best but it ain't perfect.
The BBC has had a load of crap comedies and well as good ones.
Only fools and horses is hilarious and one of the best. Red Dwarf and Coupling are masterpieces. The Office is shit.
Fast show, goodness gracious me, little britain and the kumars are funny.
Did anyone ever watch Big Train? God that was a weird cult comedy that it did make me laugh sometimes.
Anyway, did anyone ever see the Beeb comedy TLC? What a load of shit that was. An obvious brit rip-off of scrubs that didn't work (but I don't like scrubs anyway).
Comedy is going downhill on both sides of the atlantic as the writer run out of ideas.
May i ask why you don't like The Office but think Coupling is a masterpiece?
Yeah, I'm curious as well.
I think The Office is pretty amazing, if only for the acting. A lot of shows have the ability to make their audience feel awkward, but The Office is the only one I've seen so far where the characters themselves are made convincingly awkward.
And how is Little Britain since you mentioned it? The only real review I found for it called it "League Lite." Which could be good, or bad.
They take a cross-section of... weird people and social stereotypes from Britain, and play them up. It stars two guys, who play all the roles, male or female. It can be hilarious at times. It is quite similar to LoG in many ways.
I find Office totally boring. OK it has made me laugh a few times but too few.
Office is too dull and samey and that christmas special was rubbish. Yes the actors are good. In fact there the only good thing about it.
Coupling is much funnier and very well crafted with great actors, great scripts and good characters like JEFF and his phases like the
Melty Man(I'll never forget that one)
Giggle loop
Nudity buffer
and steve funny speech about cushions and their purpose. WATCH IT!
The situations the characters get themselves into in Coupling are hilarious. Never before have I seen such a extremely well put together comedy.
Steven Moffat is a comic genius!
Office is rancid.
One other comedy/gameshow I'd like to mention:
DISTRACTION!
Coupling seemed far too stilted and reliant on scripted gags then the result of the entire production, that is scripting + acting + set work and so on and so forth.
But that's the greatest weak point in sitcoms generally.
And it serves to show how sublime LoG is.
I don't know if it's been mentioned, but...
Black Books!
I found out that conan o' brien excisted... the 25th of december :'(.
Since then I've been trying to download every clip of the show that I find. The Ozzy clip, the simpsons voice actors clip, ANYTHING! I love the "albums" The fake ones, where there's always a celebrity who kicks one of his friends ass.
CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN,
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Quote from: DGMacphee on Sun 04/01/2004 05:54:14
I don't know if it's been mentioned, but...
Black Books!
w00t! I loved Black Books, but I'm not sure if they're making another series or not. Bill Bailey is great in that - I think he's a great comedy performer. I've also seen some of his stand-up stuff (although not as much as I'd like) & it's hilarious because of the energy he puts into it.
Little Britain was a big surprise for me - I've always liked Matt Lucas, but never seen David Walliams before, so I didn't really expect much. If you do get a chance to see this outside the UK, then watch it - very similar to Log, and much funnier (IMO).
deltamatrix - I saw one episode of TLC. It was crap. I vowed then never to watch it again.
And everything Phil said about The Office is true. Death to anyone who says otherwise.