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02-28-2003, 01:56 AM | #1 |
Fowl Administrator
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 53,420
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The British got television right
I don't watch television anymore. There's simply nothing on that's worth my attention.
When I think of some of my favourite television shows, there's a certain pattern to a good many of them. Red Dwarf. Monty Python's Flying Circus. Mr. Bean. Blackadder. Fawlty Towers. The Avengers. All British. This can't just be a coincidence. There's something the British know, or at least once knew, about good television that almost nobody in America (or here in Canada, for that matter) can grasp.
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All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien |
02-28-2003, 07:45 AM | #2 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Wolverhampton, England.
Posts: 260
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I agree-British T.V is brilliant. (You forgot 'Only Fool and Horses', BTW.)
But the U.s have been reponsible for some great programs like: The Simpsons Family Guy Futurama Angel M*A*S*H Scrubs My Wife and Kids The Fresh Prince Malcolm in the Middle The Sopranos |
02-28-2003, 08:50 AM | #3 |
The Buddy Rabbit
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Trapped in the headlights..
Posts: 3,372
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People still watch television?....amazing
I think one of the reasons British TV got it right is because of the unique way the BBC is funded. We have the television license so the BBC never had to worry about ratings etc to sell advertising. This allowed the BBC to make experimental programs that need never be accepted by the mainstream audience. Stuff like- Monty Python The Sky at Night Red Dwarf Dr Who Tommorows World Countless educational programs and a multitude of wildlife documentaries about sea cucumbers etc. Basically, because British TV doesn't pander to the advertisers demands for mega ratings, they have been able to produce programs that are original. I read recently that British TV companies now make more money from selling their programs around the world than they do here, so we must be doing something right |
02-28-2003, 09:19 AM | #4 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Durham, England
Posts: 694
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Probably a case of "prophet in his own land" here...
You'll certainly find lots of people in Britain bemoaning why we can't make a "Friends" or a "Frasier" or a "West Wing". In comedy at least I think it's down to the writing process - British programmes have one or two writers who will "own" the show. Hence no dilution of any originality, but they do tend to run out of steam. American comedies (I think) are written by teams of writers who bounce ideas off each other and change personnel and are able to keep established shows fresh. Vive le difference, as they say. Plus I'm sure everyone remembers things being better in the past, it's human nature. We MUST be due a repeat of "Boys from the Blackstuff" or "Edge of Darkness" sometime....or maybe even a "Quatermass"...
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02-28-2003, 09:23 AM | #5 | |
The Buddy Rabbit
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Trapped in the headlights..
Posts: 3,372
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Quote:
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03-06-2003, 03:21 PM | #6 | |
Lady of Letters
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England
Posts: 2,476
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Quote:
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And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool. |
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03-06-2003, 03:39 PM | #7 |
Long lost mooter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,342
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I'm sure I'll be looked at differently after I reveal this, but I am a big Young Ones fan.
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03-06-2003, 07:29 PM | #8 |
Fowl Administrator
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 53,420
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Hey, Red Dwarf isn't that old.
(suddenly realizes how long it's been since he last saw it) Never mind... ignore me
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All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien |
03-06-2003, 08:39 PM | #9 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: May 2002
Location: America!
Posts: 480
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I used to love Red Dwarf, i haven't seen it in forever though.
I really like Fawlty Towers, Keeping Up Appearances,and Are You Being Served? too.
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03-06-2003, 08:46 PM | #10 | |
The Buddy Rabbit
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Trapped in the headlights..
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Quote:
That was one of my fave programs when it was first shown....Brilliant!! Rick, Niel, Vivian and Mike......housemates from hell |
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03-07-2003, 01:03 AM | #11 |
Slacker
Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,759
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My mother absolutely loves Keeping Up Appearances with Mrs. Hyacinth Bucket. "It's pronounced 'boo-kay'." As for me, Mr. Bean is my favorite.
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03-07-2003, 01:12 AM | #12 | |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA
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Quote:
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Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle |
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03-07-2003, 02:30 AM | #13 | |
the Shrike
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA <3
Posts: 10,647
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Quote:
Gotta love those Ben Elton comedies. I remember when we first got channel 4 here in New Zealand. They ran a Brit Comedy Wednesday Night: Ben Elton's Man From A.U.N.T.I.E., Harry Enfield, Young Ones.... I was in seventh heaven!
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03-07-2003, 07:32 AM | #14 |
The Quite Querulous Quendi
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oxon, UK
Posts: 638
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The Young Ones were brilliant, especially Alexei Sayle's deranged contributions
"Have you ever noticed how revolutionaries have always been named after biscuits? You've got your Garibaldi, your Bourbon, your Peek Freens Family Assortment" Sadly Ben Elton is now reduced to making musicals with Andrew Lloyd Banks. How can anyone bemoan the current state of British comedy with Vic & Bob on the go? |
03-08-2003, 12:10 AM | #15 |
Long lost mooter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,342
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I also loved in The Young Ones when they'd go off on a tangent that would lead back to the main plot, and also those meaningless subliminal pictures they'd throw in (we used to tape it and then pause to see what it was).
My favorite episode was probably Bambi -- the scene between Neil and Rik on the train was hilarious. I always liked Fawlty Towers, too. |
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