British TV Shows...

[goldenmoth]

I miss UK shows. "The Fades" looks awesome

 

[sokker]

My favorite right now is Sherlock. Yes, I know I'm late to the party, and yes.. I know all the episodes have already aired, but it's hard to keep track of new tv shows being stuck here in boring old Norway

Anyway.. I recommend everyone to watch this series! It's definitely of gay interest, with some minor gay characters and you can't miss the homoerotic moments between Sherlock and Wilson.. it's also hysterically funny, and the guy playing Sherlock is so good looking! I'm in love. Sherlock is such a great character too. I adore him, he is so rude, so funny, but yet so vulnerable! I hope they make a new season, but I kinda doubt it considering how the last season ended.. sigh Still.. you never know, I'm crossing my fingers for a new season!

 

[goldenmoth]

Weeeell, you know, the Americans aren't really making Sherlock. They're making their same old thing and just using Sherlock Holmes as a brand to sell it.

 

[guyfromNY]

Keeping up Appearances. I absolutely love Hyacinth Bucket and her Royal Doulton with the hand painted periwinkles!!!!

 

[Corny]

Merlin
Little Britain

 

[sokker]

Isn't it so perfect? Too bad it's only 3 episodes per series. S2 is even better than S1 was.

The Americans are also making a 'modern day' Sherlock show as well called "Elementary." It is set in New York and stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock and Lucy Liu as Watson. There goes the homoerotic subtext. :/

But yes, Sherlock is a must-see.

I know! 3 episodes per season is hardly enough! I want mooooore Then again.. at least we get quality over quantity (that would be the American version).

Don't even get me started on that shitfest Elementary.. I'm sorry, but making Watson a woman, and having Lucy Liu play Watson.. it's just unforgivable. Why must the Americans always shit all over everything they get their hands on? It's like THEY HAVE TO ruin great tv shows, like Being Human, Shameless, The Office.. WHY can't they just leave it alone, why can't they just enjoy the british version? Why make an inferior version to something that is already so good? It doesn't make any sense! It's fucking annoying!

Making Watson a woman is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.. like we don't have a million shows like that already? A crime solving female-male duo.. lets see, The Mentalist, Castle, Bones.. need I continue? What will make Elementary stand out? It won't. It will just be another bad cliché. Typical Americans.. ruin something good. Why did they scrap Wilson in the first place? It's funny that the producers behind Elementary say it's because they wanted to keep it more "modern" and show "diversity" with having a man and a woman.. I call BS. I think it's just because they were afraid of the homoeroticism between Wilson and Sherlock.. most Americans would freak out over that, while a woman and man working together, solving crimes, and the constant "will they, or won't they" is easier for mainstream America to swallow than constantly seeing two "male lovers" on screen every week.

I think the producers of Elementary will accomplish the exact opposite of what they are claiming.. they will take away from what makes Sherlock work, and what makes it so good: the chemistry between Sherlock and Watson that you so rarely find on tv.. how often do we see strong friendships between two men on tv? and especially between two men who love and care for each other like Sherlock and Watson do? not often enough for sure.. I really don't see how Elementary will compare to the brilliant british version, and part of what makes Sherlock so good is already ruined when they made Watson a woman, and I don't buy their pathetic excuse either. Did you know that Elementary even asked to buy the scripts from the British "Sherlock", and that they refused to sell it to them? hahahaha.. fucking brilliant! It serves them right. The less Sherlock is associated with that shit American version, the better it is.

Weeeell, you know, the Americans aren't really making Sherlock. They're making their same old thing and just using Sherlock Holmes as a brand to sell it.

And thank god for that! Like I said.. I don't want Sherlock associated with that crap American version anyway.

BTW.. here's my favorite scene from Sherlock.. it is so cute and lovely, kinda gay too.. and it made me ship them hard:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYpOEqGBCo[/ame]

 

[london12]

--I liked the first two series of Skins
--I am going through a Doctor Who withdrawal
--Same thing with Torchwood but I have the DVDs
--I liked the first series of Robin Hood then I realized Robin was a whiny idiot.
--I love Merlin and Shameless
--Downtown Abbey is ok...too slow for my pace
--I have to get into Sherlock..I know Ill love it
--Coupling is funny...not as funny as Friends which is weird for me to pick an American show over a Brit one
--My Family is hilarious

I think that's it. I'm from the states so...I have to find what I can

 

[redfox70]

I absolutely loved The Shadow Line!

I think I read recently that there is going to be a second series of The Hour.

Recently shown here was a 4-parter called Inside Men:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWGCVlFB-CA[/ame]

Another series I enjoyed was one called Marchlands, which starred Alex Kingston. It's actually based on an American tv series I think, but I can't remember what it was called.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2iiO92AKYM[/ame]

 

[drunkenmoron]

How has QI not been mentioned? I swear I've learned more from this than in all my years at school



And Peep Show. Epic!

 

[likecharlie]

ahhhh yes... Keeping Up Appearances Fantastic
"Isn't that your Hyacinth?" lol

also Blackadder, especially series 3 and 4,

and The Good Life:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBogWsfAS50[/ame]

 

[sokker]

Usually I can deal with 6-8 episodes a season but 3... The wait is killing me.

I agree, but then again.. they are making movies, like they said, and it takes a lot of resources.. a lot of effort too, plus the actors are VERY busy, so it would be hard to make a season longer. I would have preferred a season being 5-6 episodes, because I think 3 episodes are too short, like.. they have to rap everything up really fast, like the beginning of season 1.. then you had the middle episode in season 2 not related to Moriarty, but then the next episode it's all about Moriarty again. Sometimes I do feel that it's not coherent enough, or that what is supposed to bind the season together take up too much space compared to the other story lines.. I am used to the overall theme taking up a little bit in each episode, but at the same time focusing on other story lines.. here it's not like that, and I feel like 3 episodes.. it's just too short for it to be totally coherent.. they solved that with Moriarty being in 2 seasons, and I liked that, because I think him being in one season would be too short.. anyway, just my opinion around it all. I would have preferred at least 6 episodes, but whatever

Apparently, the British crew is kind of upset about the whole thing from what little I've read on the matter.

LMAO. I really am trying to keep an open mind (I do like Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu) but it's just ughh. Usually, I tend to stay away from American remakes. They always disappoint me. And they seem so unnecessary.

Yep. I heard they threatened to sue if it was "too similar" to Sherlock, so that might be the reason behind all the changes, still.. it doesn't make it any better. It's still disgraceful. They should just leave it alone. We already have a good tv series, and movies.. no need to make another inferior tv series imo.. we all know it's gonna suck. A female Watson? please.. I wish the Americans would just drop it.

The fandom around Sherlock is INSANE. Though Cumberbatch & Freeman seem to be confused by it. They don't get why people see a homoerotic subtext. lol

BUT. Omg, that fandom... they put out some of the hottest slash fic/slash art I've ever seen. It's totally understandable though because Sherlock and Watson's bond/relationship is so epic.

The fandom is insane, yes.. but it's totally understandable though.. I understand them more than the actors saying there's no homosexual subtext, when it CLEARLY is! That gif you posted was epic, and my favorite quote:

Wilson: "Oh please.. can we not do this this time?" Sherlock: "Do what?" Wilson: "You.. being all mysterious with your cheekbones and turning your coat collar up so you look cool." Sherlock: "I don't do that." Wilson: "Yes, you do."

How is that NOT homoerotic? come on now.. it's so obvious! I can't believe the actors are not picking up on it? Wow..

 

[Zoomie]

The ones I like which come to mind right now are QI and The IT Crowd.

 

[pinoaguilar]

Being Human
Downton Abbey
Sherlock
Merlin
the fades
Graham Norton
all excellent shoes. I love BBC America

 

[sokker]

--I liked the first two series of Skins
--I am going through a Doctor Who withdrawal
--Same thing with Torchwood but I have the DVDs
--I liked the first series of Robin Hood then I realized Robin was a whiny idiot.
--I love Merlin and Shameless
--Downtown Abbey is ok...too slow for my pace
--I have to get into Sherlock..I know Ill love it
--Coupling is funny...not as funny as Friends which is weird for me to pick an American show over a Brit one
--My Family is hilarious

I think that's it. I'm from the states so...I have to find what I can

Trust me when I say this.. you will love Sherlock.. I am kinda embarrassed to admit this, but I'm addicted to it. It's just sooo good! I love all of the story lines (well.. maybe except for Irene Adler.. didn't like her very much), the homoerotic subtext between Sherlock and Watson is so cool, and they even have some minor gay characters, and a lesbian too.. the openly gay actor Russel Tovey also had a guest role on the show, plus I love the gay jokes. They're not offensive at all, trust me, just light hearted fun. It's realistic though.. two guys living together, spending that much time together, and who also care for each other.. who wouldn't jump to the conclusion that they're gay? It's realistic imo, and I love the fact that the writers probably did it to say "we appreciate our gay fans", if I'm not mistaken one of the producers or writers of the show is gay, and you can clearly tell by the way he managed to include gay characters, even if they are minor. They probably know that the fandom is huge and that they have a lot of gay fans, as well as straight There's like 4-5 "gay" scenes each episode. I fucking love it!

Oh yeah, and I can't forget the most awesome part.. the guy playing Sherlock is very good looking, but he's not only that, he's also an AMAZING actor, seriously.. I'm not just saying this. He is fucking brilliant, and he is perfect to play Sherlock. I have only seen him in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (he played gay in this movie btw.. tiny role, so if you don't like boring movies I don't know if it's really worth seeing) and Sherlock, but he nailed both of those roles. I will definitely see War Horse when that comes out on dvd, and he's in the upcoming Star Trek sequel too. He's very busy these days, he's in high demand.. and I can't say I blame the producers, he really is a wonderful actor, so I can see why he's so popular. Actors like him don't come around very often. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see him winning an Oscar in the future, yes, he really is that good. He has a special look too, it takes some getting used to, he's not conventionally sexy or hot.. but I find him VERY attractive.. I don't know what it is, there's just something about him that's so sexy.. his good looks and confidence maybe, because as I said.. he's not really conventionally handsome, he has a special look.. I think people either find him ugly or hot.. lol.

Being Human
Downton Abbey
Sherlock
Merlin
the fades
Graham Norton
all excellent shoes. I love BBC America

I agree with all of these! I would also add the first two seasons of Being Human. Do not watch the last season unless you like sappy, contrived and clichéd love stories. But the first two seasons were very good imo, and it's with Russel Tovey, who you just gotta love

I get what you mean. I think part of the reason it can feel a bit disjointed is that the creators view the episodes are more or less self-contained. Like, they're 3 Sherlock films but with a few plot threads connecting them.

As for it feeling rushed, yeah. Especially with Moriarty. I became so obsessed with him. I needed more. So much crazy-sassy goodness. lol

I look forward to some amazing new villains. But he was the perfect match for Sherlock. I shipped it hard.

Perfect villain is perfect.

lol, IKR. This the article I saw it in: Holmes and Watson 'just good friends'

They are so in denial. Like the characters they play.

Last time I was this invested in a duo from a British tv show...

Gene & Sam from Life on Mars. So badass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYxGm1T2Ve4

I'm sorry about my post.. I posted it in a hurry this morning and I had a hard time explaining why I don't like the seasons being so short, but it seemed like you got the picture, because how you explained it.. that's exactly how I feel! Disjointed and rushed are two words perfect to describe it. That's exactly it! I know it's supposed to be stand alone "films", with a few plots binding them together, but sometimes I just feel like it's not working. Don't get me wrong, I still looooove Sherlock, but yeah.. sometimes I do feel that the show would maybe be better if they extended it, so it could feel more "together" and "complete" if you get what I'm saying

And yes.. I don't get how the actors don't see the homorerotic subtext when basically everyone else sees it! lol. With the quote I posted.. where John actually comments on Sherlock's cheekbones.. that was an actual quote from the show.. I mean.. how can they not see that as being homoerotic? it's almost like they're in denial, just like you said.. it makes me wonder if they even read the scripts they get, because it's pretty damn obvious that it's gay gay gay And in that scene I mentioned.. it even seemed like Watson had a little crush on him! It was adorable. Again.. I'm embarrassed, but I love these characters, and the show, soooo much!

And damn.. don't even get me started on Moriarty.. he was fucking perfect! I think part of why it worked so well too was because he shared so much chemistry with Sherlock! Like damn.. you could just feel the chemistry through the screen. In one scene when they stood close to each other I was thinking "just kiss each other already!" lol. This show is seriously the gayest show I've seen in a long time, and I don't even know if it's intentional! Because they have no major gay characters or anything like that, but it's still so gay, because there's so much homoerotic subtext present. Damn.. I love this show! Too bad we have to wait a whole year for new episodes.. someone even said it wouldn't air until summer 2013, so it's more like 1 1/2.. ugh

 

[redfox70]

0_0 Whaaaat. I neeeed to see this. Like ASAP. Thanks for recommending it! I'm always looking out for the newer shows.

No problem

I can't really think of many other good recent shows that haven't already been mentioned, but there are two which I particularly enjoyed. I know you've mentioned Downton Abbey but I don't know if you're into period dramas generally but one I want to mention is The Crimson Petal and the White. You'll probably recognise Chris O'Dowd from The IT Crowd as well as Mark Gatiss in the trailer.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLAJMDeRYuk[/ame]

The other show I want to recommend is The Promise. Again, I don't know if it's your kind of thing, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oR4jtQGIYc[/ame]

A not so recent recommendation is Criminal Justice. There have been two series of this, each consisting of five episodes dedicated to one storyline.

Series 1​

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnvY1mx0R3c[/ame]

Series 2​

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4NxC9yV7yA[/ame]

How long have you been watching shows from over here? What about not so recent ones?

 

[lolalola70]

Law and Order UK is wonderful. Is it still being made? Haven't seen it on BBC America in quite a while.

 

[redfox70]

^ Yes, it's still being made. In fact the last episode of the 6th series was broadcast last month. Personally I stopped watching it after the 1st series as I thought it was rather dull. Certainly not a patch on the American original.

 

[timboy]

The new Upstairs Downstairs is worth a look

 

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

The new Upstairs Downstairs is worth a look

I have to admit to finding that one a little disappointing. I think maybe it's because I felt they tried to do too much in too little time and I never developed any real sympathy for the characters but it WAS beautiful to look at.

LOVE Downton Abbey
LOVED Skins

and I'm in for Dawn French in ANYTHING.

Just to stand up a little for we Americans I am also enjoying the US versions of Shameless and The Office. The US Skins and the US Prime Suspect, however, should be locked at the bottom of the sea.

I have ZERO interest in Elementary.

Here's one of my favorite episodes of oldie but a goodie:
(and I love the Whigfield reference in the beginning!)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=727CASwSaSc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=727CASwSaSc[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1mnom10VZA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1mnom10VZA[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g27M3h6P8cQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g27M3h6P8cQ[/ame]

 

[justdra]

I feel in love with Are You Being Served? I had to go out and buy the whole series and have almost completely finished. The whole cast is hilarious but the older lady is one of my favs. She does some very physical comedy for her age and size and I also like Mr Humphries. He was doing drag long before drag became popular, lol. The only thing that I found odd was that a hit show had main characters who's teeth were as jacked as some of theirs were.