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TV Show Recommendations *NO DISCUSSION*
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Title: Broadchurch
Cast:Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant, Andrew Buchan, Jonathan Bailey, Pauline Quirke.
Genre:Crime/ Drama/ Murder Mystery.
Description: The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
Excellent series, strong story line, heartbreaking at times but brilliantly acted. plenty of plot twists, Keeps you engaged and guessing throughout. cannot recommend highly enough.
Links:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2249364/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadchurch0 -
Title: The Americans
Cast: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Annet Mahendru, Noah Emmerich,
Richard Thomas, Maximiliano Hernández, Margo Martindale, Lev Gorn.
Description: Philip and Elizabeth Jennings appear to be a happily married
couple with two kids, a lovely suburban home and a busy travel agent
business. But this facade hides a dark secret - they are Russian spies.
Both will lie, steal, murder and seduce their way to America's deepest secrets,
in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the FBI. Based on the true story
of KGB operations in 1980s America.
Seasons: 1 Season of 13 Episodes at 45 minutes per episode.
As of April 2013 a second season is on order.
Network: FX 2013
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Americans_(2013_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2149175/0 -
Title: Tales of The Unexpected
Cast: José Ferrer, Joseph Cotten, Janet Leigh,
John Gielgud, John Mills, Wendy Hiller, Denholm Elliott,
Joan Collins, Rod Taylor, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed,
Michael Gambon, Cyril Cusack, Julie Harris, Michael Hordern,
Derek Jacobi, Siobhán McKenna, Anna Neagle, Elaine Stritch,
Andrew Ray, Leonard Preston and Timothy West.
Description: Anthology shows i.e. where each episode is a separate,
self-contained story with no relation to the events or characters next episode,
are nice to dip in and out of when you fancy something different.
There is a freedom given to the story when the fate of the characters
is not guaranteed, because they don't have to "be back next week".
Tales of The Unexpected was a series where each episode featured a different
story of drama, horror or mystery, often with blackly comic undertones.
The original stories were written and introduced by the great Roald Dahl.
Here is the show's iconic titles and theme song:
Seasons: 9 series of 112 episodes at 25 minutes each.
Network: Anglia Television / ITV 1979 - 1988.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_Unexpected_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075592/
Watch this if you like:
Thrillers, Black Comedy, Mysteries, Play for Today,
Short Stories, Roald Dahl, Frederick Forsyth.0 -
Title: Porridge
Cast: Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde, Sam Kelly
Peter Vaughan, Tony Osoba, Michael Barrington, Christopher Biggins.
Description: Career criminal Norman "Fletch" Fletcher has been sent to prison again.
His new cell mate is a naive first time offender who he reluctantly takes under
his wing, in order to make their time together pass more easily.
In their cramped cell they must learn to tolerate each other and stay
ahead of the many predators and con-men who they encounter.
Keeping the peace are the prison guards - Fletcher's arch-nemesis, tough
disciplinarian Mr MacKay and the gullible, good-natured Mr Barrowclough.
Fletcher will try any scheme, trick or gamble for small luxuries - an extra orange, a
newspaper or a bit of tobacco. This he does, but always with a good heart, which
often lands him into trouble with dangerous criminal mastermind, Growty.
This hilarious and moving series was included in the British Film Institute's
top 100 TV shows of all time.
Seasons: 21 episodes at 18 x 30 mins / 1 x 40 mins / 1 x 45 mins
Network: BBC 1974 - 1977
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porridge_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071036/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
Watch this if you like:
Only Fools and Horses, 'Allo 'Allo!, Fawlty Towers, Yes Prime Minister.0 -
Title: The Wire
Cast: Dominic West, John Doman, Idris Elba, Frankie Faison, Larry Gilliard, Jr., Wood Harris
Deirdre Lovejoy, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Andre Royo, Sonja Sohn, Chris Bauer,
Paul Ben-Victor, Clarke Peters, Amy Ryan, Aidan Gillen, Jim True-Frost, Robert Wisdom,
Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, J. D. Williams, Michael K. Williams, Corey Parker Robinson,
Reg E. Cathey, Chad L. Coleman, Jamie Hector, Glynn Turman, Clark Johnson
Tom McCarthy, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Neal Huff, Jermaine Crawford, Tristan Wilds
Michael Kostroff, Michelle Paress, Isiah Whitlock, Jr.
Description: I was fortunate enough to have seen The Wire
long before all the hype started, but the hype is true - it really is one
of the best TV shows of all time.
The show details the efforts of a squad of Baltimore city police
investigating murders, violent crime and the drug trade. Each series
looks at their cases from different perspectives of a city institution, area or gang.
Some advice on getting the most from the series:
Buy the box-set
Some television series you can watch in less than perfect quality
on hard drives, streaming, dodgy downloads etc. Some shows will let
you miss one or two episodes and still stay with the plot.
This won't work with The Wire. There is no "Previously on the Wire..."
recap at the start of each episode, and tiny scenes in one episode
can have vital importance in the plot development later on.
It's worth investing in the complete box-set for this series.
Save up your pennies and buy it for yourself. Anyway, if you like it,
you will come back to it many times in the years to come.
Think of the box-set like buying a set of encyclopaedias
for you family home. This series is an encyclopaedia of storytelling,
drama and the performing arts.
Keep the remote control handy
You will probably need to use the subtitles sometimes, as I did,
due to the accents and slang used. Also, don't be afraid to rewind
key parts and go over them again before moving on. Some are
so subtle you'll need a second look - a tiny nod or delicate
turn of phrase sets up a deal or condemns someone to death.
Keep away from internet forums
Try to stay away from the internet forums discussing the series.
You might be tempted to post something like "What does this
phrase mean?" or "What happened here?" People who post
recklessly in forums can ruin it for you. Even just going to a forum
and seeing the discussion thread titles, or Googling the actors to see
where you know them from can be enough to wreck your enjoyment
of the series. Just let the story reveal itself, the way it used to
before we had the internet.
Here is a brief outline of each series, I won't go into more detail
or it would spoil it for you.
Season 1 - The Streets
The police play and endless game of catch-up to the ruthless
drug dealers of west Baltimore. Telephone surveillance may
provide the edge that brings in a major convicton.
Season 2 - The Ports
A personal insult to a senior police officer and an horrific
discovery at the docks lead to another investigation.
Season 3 - The City
An ambitious city councillor has designs on the Mayor's office.
A jaded police commander enacts a maverick plan to control the
drug trade in his jurisdiction. A newly freed prisoner must choose
to return to crime or adapt to the alien world of normal life.
Season 4 - The Schools
A group of boys face life together in school and on the streets.
A new teacher must win the trust of his students or face
chaos in his classroom. The Mayoral election battle heats up
all the way to the ballot box. The bloodless rise to power of a
new drug lord leaves one detective baffled.
Season 5 - The Media
The Baltimore Sun is a newspaper in crisis. Declining readership and
corporate cost-cutting add pressure to an already conflicted newsroom.
The arrival of a sensational story may be enough to keep the paper in business.
The city's drug/crime battle grinds on, and some police officers have had enough
of playing by the rules.
Seasons: 5 seasons of 60 episodes in total at 55 minutes per episode.
Network: HBO 2002 - 2008.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/
Watch this if you like:
Quality Drama, Police thrillers, Love/Hate,
Law & Order, The Sopranos, Cold Case,
The Shadow Line, The Departed.0 -
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Title: Restless
Cast: Hayley Atwell, Rufus Sewell, Michelle Dockery, Michael Gambon
Charlotte Rampling.
Description: A rebellious young woman is shocked to learn of
her mother's extensive war-time espionage activities. It is the 1970s
and after all this time, someone wants one final secret to stay buried
no matter what the cost.
Told in flashbacks as her mother recounts her tale, this is an engaging
stand-alone drama. Great costumes, locations and sets add
polish to a nice little story that will interest women more than
the average spy drama.
Seasons: 2 episodes of 90 minutes each.
Network: BBC 2012.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_(2012_miniseries)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2241676/
Watch this if you like:
Quality Drama, Intelligent thrillers, Spy stories,
Mad Men, Enigma (2001 Film), L.A. Confidential,
The 39 Steps.0 -
Title: The Day of the Triffids
Cast: John Duttine, Emma Relph, Maurice Colbourne,
Stephen Yardley, Gary Olsen.
Description: A fantastic meteor shower has left most of
humanity blind and helpless. As society breaks down and the
rule of law falls apart, one uninjured man desperately tries to
make his way to safety.
But more terror is to come. For years, humans have kept Triffids,
large plant-like creatures, captive and harvested their oil.
These towering, aggressive beasts are now free to roam
and hunt the weak and vulnerable for food.
This is a great example of the BBC's philosophy of "Science-Fiction
on a Shoestring" There's not much in the way of special effects,
but quality acting and genuine suspense compensates for low production
values. Sometimes it feels like watching a play in a theatre.
This approach to making TV programmes started with Quatermass and
was perfected in Doctor Who. Anyone who remembers being scared as
a kid watching the Daleks or the Cybermen will appreciate this series.
This series was re-made as a two-part Christmas Special in 2009
featuring Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson and Eddie Izzard. Fans of
the re-imagined Doctor Who would also enjoy this big-budget 21st
century version of the Triffids story.
1981 Version
Seasons: 1 series of 6 episodes of 26 minutes each.
Network: BBC 1981.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Triffids_(1981_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081850/
2009 Version
Seasons: 1 series of 2 episodes of 90 minutes each.
Network: BBC 2009.
Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Triffids_(2009_TV_Series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1332653/
Watch this if you like:
Doctor Who, 28 Days Later, The Walking Dead, Revolution,
Quatermass, I am Legend, The Road,
Post-apocalyptic thrillers, Retro sci-fi.0 -
Title: Archangel
Cast: Daniel Craig, Yekaterina Rednikova, Gabriel Macht,
Avtandil Makharadze.
Description: A British academic visiting Russia becomes
ensnared in a plot to uncover the final terrible secret of the
of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.
Based on the best-selling book by Robert Harris.
Seasons: 1 episode of 133 minutes.
Network: BBC 2005
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archangel_(Robert_Harris_novel)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426911/
Watch this if you like:
Quality drama, Political thrillers, Spy stories,
Restless, The Americans.0 -
Title: Doomsday Gun
Cast: Frank Langella, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin, Michael Kitchen
James Fox, Clive Owen.
Description: The Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, attempted many
times to acquire weapons of mass destruction. One such project became
infamously known as the Supergun Scandal. This film is a dramatization
of the design, assembly and operation of this enormous cannon that
could fire projectiles the size of telephone boxes hundreds of miles away.
This quality made-for-TV movie is based on the true story of the naive
and arrogant Engineer who designed and built the Supergun, oblivious to
the damage it could cause. His devotion to his craft blinds him to a gathering
web of espionage, politics and greed that may cost him more than just his
place in engineering history.
Seasons: 1 episode of 106 minutes.
Network: HBO 1994
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Gun
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109650/
Watch this if you like:
Political thrillers, Spy stories, World History.
The Sum of All Fears, Tom Clancy books,
Frederick Forsyth books, Gerald Seymour books.0 -
Title: And the band played on
Cast: Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Ian McKellen, Glenne Headly,
Richard Masur, Saul Rubinek, Lily Tomlin, Jeffrey Nordling, Donal Logue,
B.D. Wong, Patrick Bauchau, Nathalie Baye, Phil Collins, Steve Martin
Richard Gere, David Marshall Grant, Ronald Guttman, Anjelica Huston
Ken Jenkins, Richard Jenkins, Tchéky Karyo, Peter McRobbie,
Charles Martin Smith, David Clennon, Swoosie Kurtz, Lawrence Monoson
René LeVant.
Description: This is a made-for-tv movie, based on a best-selling book
chronicling the discovery and spread of the HIV virus and AIDS.
A dedicated scientist must overcome prejudice, bureaucracy
and human arrogance to isolate and understand a deadly new disease.
There is a touching montage at the end that details people living with
HIV/AIDS, including many famous faces. Matthew Modine leads an all-star
cast in this powerful drama.
Seasons: 1 episode of 141 minutes.
Network: HBO 1993
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_the_Band_Played_On_(film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106273/
Watch this if you like:
Quality Drama, CSI, Forensics shows, World history.0 -
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Title: Veep
Cast:Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale
Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, Reid Scott, Sufe Bradshaw.
Description: Selina Meyer is the US Vice President or "Veep".
Often unappreciated and overlooked, she stumbles from one
crisis to the next with her entourage of fixers and spin-doctors in tow.
Sparkling political comedy from Armando Iannucci.
Seasons: 1 season of 8 episodes per season at 23 minutes each.
Second season on TV at present.
Network: HBO 2012
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veep_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1759761/
Watch this if you like:
Political comedy, The Thick of it, Yes Prime Minister,
In The Loop, Four Lions.0 -
Title: Micro Men
Cast: Alexander Armstrong, Martin Freeman.
Description: There's more to the BBC than quality drama.
Throughout it's history it has provided a great deal of educational
material and programming that has significantly contributed to
people's quality of life all over the world.
In the early 1980s, seeing that the future lay in computers,
they began the BBC Computer Literacy Project. This would
promote computers in schools and to the wider public. People
would be encouraged to use computers and experiment with
programming, applications and of course, playing games.
In this one-off drama, two electronics boffins compete fiercely
for the contract to build Britain's flagship home computer - the BBC Micro.
Based on the true story of Sinclair and Acorn computers, this is a
light-hearted and entertaining look at an important chapter in
modern technology's history.
Seasons: 1 episode of 84 minutes.
Network: BBC 2009.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_Men
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1459467/
Watch this if you like:
Computers & Technology, History programmes.0 -
Title: Secret State
Cast: Gabriel Byrne, Charles Dance, Douglas Hodge,
Gina McKee, Rupert Graves, Ruth Negga.
Description: In northern England, an accident at a military contractor's
chemical plant leaves many dead and injured. The British Prime Minister must
uncover the truth behind the explosion.
Within his own government and security services, dark forces are conspiring
against him to take control to serve their own interests.
This taut thriller examines the relationship between politics, industry and
the hidden agendas of the ruling classes.
This four-part drama is based on the book "A Very British Coup" by Chris Mullin.
This novel was also dramatized for television in 1988, starring the great
Ray McAnally, itself an excellent political drama.
Seasons: 4 episodes of 50 minutes each.
Network: Channel 4 2012.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_State_(TV_miniseries)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1960029/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Very_British_Coup
Watch this if you like:
Quality Drama, Political Thrillers, A Very British Coup,
House of cards, Syriana (2005 film).0 -
Title: Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities
Cast: Roy Billing, Matthew Newton, Anna Hutchison,
Peter Phelps, Asher Keddie, Peter O'Brien, Katie Wall
Jonny Pasvolsky, Dustin Clare.
Description:
Underbelly is a series of five separate, self-contained dramas about
actual organized crime gangs and investigations in Australia.
The first series, Underbelly is a chronicle a drug gang turf-war in
Melbourne in 1995 - 2004.
The next series, the one I have recommended, is
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities and is the dramatization of
the explosion in the Heroin and Cannabis trade in 1970s Melbourne
and Sydney. This became known as the "Mr. Asia" syndicate.
The third series, Underbelly: The Golden Mile, is based on the nightclub
and sex-trade in Sydney's Kings Cross area between 1988 to 1999.
I have not seen the fourth series, Underbelly: Razor which is
about Sydney in the 1920s and 1930s.
Underbelly: Badness premiered in Australia last winter.
It is a depiction of criminal activity in Sydney between 2001 to 2012.
I have not seen this fifth series.
A sixth season Underbelly: Squizzy about an Al Capone
type criminal called "Squizzy" Taylor set in Melbourne 1915 between 1927
has been filmed and will air later in 2013 in Australian TV.
Overall the show is similar to Love/Hate, but with a proper police
perspective added and the portrayal of actual criminals and investigations.
There is an active discussion over in All Things Retro about Australian
television shows:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056920258
Seasons: 5 separate seasons of between 8 to 13 episodes of 50 minutes each.
Network: Nine Network 2008 - 2012.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbelly_(TV_series)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbelly:_A_Tale_of_Two_Cities
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbelly:_The_Golden_Mile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbelly:_Razor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbelly:_Badness
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underbelly:_Squizzy
Watch this if you like:
Love/Hate, The Sopranos.0 -
Title: Portlandia
Cast: Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein.
Description:
This is alternative comedy sketch show. Fred and Carrie play loads of characters
in the trendy city of Portland, Oregon. They are like a lot of the "arty crowd"
you see in Temple Bar, in galleries/coffee shops, or at those farmer's
markets selling home-made crafts and overpriced tat. If you remember the
Seattle Grunge music scene or know any fashion-concious "geeks", you'll enjoy this show.
Some of the show is a bit hit-and-miss, but tip over to youtube, check out
some sketches and see what you think.
Here are some of my favourite skits:
The Dream of the 90s
Bad Art Good Wallls
She's making Jewellery now
DJ Night
Nerd Public Service Announcement
Seasons: 3 seasons of 27 episodes at 22 minutes each episode.
Network: IFC 2011 -
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portlandia_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1780441/
http://www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia
Watch this if you like:
Clever satire, Alternative comedy, Harry Enfield, The Fast Show, PhoneShop.0 -
Title: Edge of Darkness
Cast: Bob Peck, Joanne Whalley, Joe Don Baker, Charles Kay, Ian McNeice.
Description: A policeman's daughter is murdered in an attempt to conceal
a fearsome nuclear conspiracy. This atmospheric and taut drama will take you
back to the height of the Cold War and bring the huge news stories of the day
into stark and humane focus. This series was included in the British Film
Institute's 100 greatest TV shows of all time.
Seasons: 1 season of 6 episodes of 50 minutes each.
Network: BBC 1985.
Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_of_Darkness
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090424/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
Watch this if you like: Quality drama, Spy stories, Cold War thrillers,
Secret State, A Very British Coup, Cracker, The Shadow Line,
Defence of the Realm (1985 film).0 -
Title: Traffik
Cast: Bill Paterson, Lindsay Duncan, Fritz Müller-Scherz, Jamal Shah, Julia Ormond.
Description: In England, a senior politician tries to get tough on drugs,
but his own daughter is a heroin addict. In Germany, a pampered wife must uncover
her husband's secret life. In Pakistan, a struggling family man will do anything
to make ends meet. This drama reveals heroin's journey from the poppy fields of
Asia, to the docks of Hamburg and finally to the addicts on Britain's streets.
This drama was re-made as a very successful feature film in 2000 starring
Michael Douglas, Benicio del Toro and Don Cheadle. It was then re-made
again as a mini-series for American TV. If you liked the film, you'll probably
enjoy the original series.
Seasons: 1 season of 6 episodes of 50 minutes each.
Network: Channel 4 1989.
Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffik
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096716/
Watch this if you like: Quality drama, Intelligent thrillers,
Cracker, The Wire, Traffic (2000 Film).0 -
Title: A Very British Coup
Cast: Ray McAnally, Marjorie Yates, Geoffrey Beevers, Hugh Martin, Keith Allen.
Description: A popular socialist Prime Minister must tread carefully
not fall victim to a secret plot to discredit him and seize power.
The book this mini-series was based on was also the basis for the 2012
Channel 4 mini-series Secret State. This series was included in the British
Film Institute's 100 greatest TV shows of all time.
Seasons: 1 season of 3 episodes of 50 minutes each.
Network: Channel 4 1988.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Very_British_Coup
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094576/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
Watch this if you like: Quality drama, Political thrillers,
Yes, Prime Minister, Secret State, House of Cards, The Shadow Line.0 -
Title: The Shadow Line
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christopher Eccleston, Rafe Spall, Lesley Sharp,
Antony Sher, Stephen Rea, Richard Lintern.
Description: After nearly being shot dead and left with significant
memory loss, an honest cop is investigating a seemingly routine drug
trade murder. However, he unintentionally triggers a collision course with
a sinister group who will stop at nothing to protect themselves and their
interests. But a missing suitcase full of money and an unreliable memory
means he may not be so honest after all.
Seasons: 1 season of 7 episodes at 60 minutes each.
Network: BBC 2011.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_Line_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1701920/
Watch this if you like: Quality drama, Police thrillers,
Prime Suspect, Cracker, Edge of Darkness.0 -
Title: Yes Minister / Yes, Prime Minister
Cast: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds.
Description: Jim Hacker is a new government minister in this situation comedy set
in the corridors of British power. On hand to assist, befuddle, thwart and control
is senior civil servant, Sir Humphrey Appleby. Striking a a balance between loyalty,
pragmatism and protecting Hacker's posterior is junior civil servant Bernard Woolley.
Later, Hacker is elected Prime Minister, and now has the fate of the entire realm in
his hands. Diplomatic faux pas, struggles with vested interests, and above all
maintaining Hacker's public profile become the back drop for this sublime satire.
This is the definitive political comedy, and rightly earned a place in the first ten of
the British Film Institutes 100 greatest TV shows of all time. Here is a quick excerpt:
Seasons: 6 series of 40 episodes in total at 30 minutes per episode.
Network: BBC 1980 - 1988.
Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086831/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
Watch this if you like: Shakespere's comidies, Black comedy, Political drama,
Frasier, The West Wing, The Thick of It, Veep, House of Cards.0 -
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Title: Operation Good Guys
Cast: David Gillespie, Ray Burdis, Dominic Anciano, Perry Benson, John Beckett,
Mark Burdis, Roy Smiles, Gary Beadle, Kim Taylforth, William Scully, Hugo Blick.
Description: This is a spoof of a fly-on-the-wall documentary series about an
"elite" team of UK police taking on an organized crime boss. They are absolutely
useless and their characters get more surreal and hilarious as they show goes on.
Anyone who remembers those hard-hitting police undercover shows
like The Cook Report or World in Action will enjoy this.
Much of the show was improvised by the cast, which lends a real pureness
to the hilarious conversations they have about everyday things.
You can see a lot of this show's influence in subsequent series like The Office,
Extras, The Thick of It and Veep.
Seasons:3 Seasons of 21 episodes in total.
Network: BBC 1997 - 2000.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Good_Guys
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134257/
Watch this if you like:
Modern Family, The Office, Extras, Veep, The Thick of It.0 -
Title: PhoneShop
Cast: Tom Bennett, Martin Trenaman, Andrew Brooke, Javone Prince,
Emma Fryer, Juliet Cowan, Kayvan Novak.
Description: It's a very funny sitcom about the staff working
in a mobile phone shop. There is no recorded laughter from an audience
and the humour is very much like The Office and Extras.
Again, improvisation from the cast plays a major part in the
hilarity that goes on in the show.
Seasons: 2 Seasons of 6 episodes (As of April 2013 a third season is being filmed).
Network: E4 / Channel 4 2010 -
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhoneShop
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1742965/
Watch this if you like:
Extras, Fonejacker, Veep, Party Down.0 -
Title: Prime Suspect
Cast: Helen Mirren, John Bowe, Zoe Wanamaker, Colin Salmon, David Thewlis.
Description: Helen Mirren is a police detective chasing a serial killer.
It's 1991 and the police force is still very much a man's world. The first
series sets an impressive standard that is equalled several times during the
course of this excellent police drama.
This series was included in the British Film Institute's 100 greatest
TV shows of all time.
Seasons: 7 seasons.
Network: ITV 1991 - 2006.
Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Suspect
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098898/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
Watch this if you like: Quality drama, Police thrillers,
Cracker, A Touch of Frost, Inspector Morse.0 -
Title: Cracker
Cast: Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Christopher Eccleston,
Ricky Tomlinson.
Description: Robbie Coltraine plays a criminal psychologist who helps police
understand and "crack" violent and seemingly deranged criminals. He must battle
his own demons of a marriage on the rocks, borderline alcoholism and a niggling
gambling addiction along the way. This series was included in the British Film
Institute's 100 greatest TV shows of all time.
Seasons: 5 seasons.
Network: ITV 1993 - 2006.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_(UK_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105977/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
Watch this if you like: Quality drama, Police thrillers,
Prime Suspect, A Touch of Frost, Inspector Morse.0 -
Title: Party Down
Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr,
Lizzy Caplan, Jennifer Coolidge, Megan Mullally.
Description: This is the story of a struggling group of actors and wannabees
trying to make it in Hollywood. To pay the bills they work as party caterers.
The show is about all the goings on at the events and parties that they must
service. Popular culture, celebrity and success gets sent up in this amusing
and clever comedy.
Seasons: 2 Seasons of 10 Episodes per season at 23 minutes each.
Network: Starz 2009 - 2010.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_Down
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1073507/
Watch this if you like:
PhoneShop, Extras, Fonejacker, Veep.0 -
Title: Game On
Cast: Ben Chaplin, Mattthew Cottle, Samantha Janus, Neil Stuke.
Description: Three flatmates - A frustrated shut-in, a slightly promiscuous
career woman and a wimpy nice guy share laughs, drama and copious amounts
of tea in this 90s forgotten gem.
This sarcastic and down-to-earth sitcom was a great antidote to the squeaky-clean,
sugar-sweet weekly doses of Friends.
Seasons: 3 Seasons of 6 Episodes per season at 29 minutes each.
Network: BBC 1995 - 1998.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_On_(UK_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111976/
Watch this if you like:
Frasier, Smack the Pony, 'Allo 'Allo!0 -
Title: The Critic
Cast: Jon Lovitz, Nancy Cartwright, Christine Cavanaugh,
Gerrit Graham, Doris Grau, Judith Ivey, Nick Jameson, Maurice LaMarche,
Park Overall, Russi Taylor.
Description: This is an animated comedy show set in New York.
Jay Sherman, voiced bymJon Lovitz, is a film critic. His frustrated love-life,
artistic pretention and general patronisingnattitude to the films he reviews
are hilarious. Loads of 90s films and celebrities are lampooned in this short-lived,
but very funny show.
I didn't know until writing this description, but there were internet episodes
made in 2001 that follow up on the series after it was cancelled.
Seasons: 3 Seasons - 2 on TV 1 on Internet - 33 in total.
Network: ABC / Fox / Atom Films 1994 - 2001.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Critic[/url]
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108734/
Watch this if you like:
The Simpsons, Family Guy, Shows that make fun of popular culture.0 -
Title: Phoenix Nights
Cast: Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, Paddy McGuinness, Neil Fitzmaurice, Steve Edge
Toby Foster, Archie Kelly, Janice Connolly, Bea Kelley, Justin Moorhouse, Daniel Kitson
Ted Robbins.
Description: Peter Kay stars and directs this brilliant homage to the culture
and humour of a northern England working man's club well past its sell-by date.
Features a great supporting cast of characters, with many talented comedians
and well-known faces. It is surprisingly touching in parts, but always brings
the house down with a song.
Seasons: 2 seasons of 12 episodes in total at 24 minutes each episode.
Network: Channel 4 2001 - 2002.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Nights
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0273379/
Watch this if you like:
Peter Kay, Northern English club humour, Old-school stand up comedy.0 -
Title: The Stone Tape
Cast: Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Michael Bates, Iain Cuthbertson.
Description: The BBC used to show specially made ghost stories at
Christmas, very scary stuff, apparently. This one was written by Nigel
Kneale and broadcast on Christmas night 1972.
A group of electronics boffins working in secret on a new recording
medium are setting up their laboratory in an old mansion house.
Silly rumours abound about the place being haunted, until one of the
scientists encounters something truly terrifying. Determined to find out
more, they set about using their equipment and skills to understand
a terrible event that happened in the house long ago. But that knowledge
may come a very high price.
Definitely one to watch late at night with the curtains drawn and the lights off.
Seasons: 1 episode of 90 minutes.
Network: BBC 1972.
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Tape
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069316/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Ghost_Story_for_Christmas
Watch this if you like:
Doctor Who, The Ring (2002 Film), Alien (1979 film), Ghost Stories, Horror.0 -
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Title: Abigail's Party
Cast: Alison Steadman, Tim Stern, Janine Duvitski, John Salthouse,
Harriet Reynolds.
Description: In a quiet suburban street, some neighbors gather for a
civilised drinks party. Seething resentment, rampant sexual tension,
racism and class rivalry all bubble beneath the surface of this brilliant
adaptation of a play for the small screen. When Googling the links for
this summary, I found that the play is coming to the Gaiety in
Dublin this June.
This was broadcast in 1977 as an episode in the BBC's "Play for Today"
anthology drama series.
This one-off drama was included in the British Film Institute's
top 100 TV shows of all time.
Seasons: 1 episode of 102 minutes
Network: BBC 1977
Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abigail's_Party
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075622/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_for_Today
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100
http://www.gaietytheatre.ie/
Watch this if you like:
Quality drama, Cringe-inducing comedy, Fawlty Towers, One foot in the Grave.0
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