Ahhh...GBH, remember watching that as a kid. I've just downloaded The Sinking of the Laconia Bleasdale's first production for 11 years apparently
Peep Show + South Park for comedy, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes and unashamedly Doctor Who for everything else
Clasic comedies for me: Dad's Army Some Mothers do 'ave 'em On the buses The Good Life Porridge It aint half hot mum Fawlty Towers Only Fools and Horses Yes Minister/Prime Minister The Young Ones Bottom (to name but a few) I find most 21st century comedy very un-funny, although the exception to that would be The Inbetweeners, which had me laughing out loud.
Glad to see there are some Mighty Boosh fans, love it. Charlie is the best all round episode for me. Peep show and Spaced probably my other favourite comedies, also enjoyed inbetweeners, hard not to. Drama: The wire - absolutely incredible Sopranos - brilliant Mad Men- very good Breaking Bad - really enjoyed The Walking dead - really got into this lately Boardwalk - very good with some reservations Game of Thrones - absolutely loved this (to my surprise) and looking forward to next series. I'll leave yo with one of my favourite Spaced quotes, as there are too many from the Boosh to choose from, 'you can't drink a pint of bovril'
Everyone moans about TV but as I read your lists I keep seeing programmes that I'd forgotten to put in my list, including QI, Yes, Minister, The Office, Life on Mars, Mad Dogs, etc. Favourite character is Gene Hunt in Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.
The Simpsons (up till recently) is great Harry Hill's TV Burp is an old favourtie of mine! Sherlock & Dr Who are great Come Fly With Me is hilarious
You youngsters and the modern gash you watch... Tales of the Unexpected in the late 70 and early 80's was something I always remember. Quite macabre, sinister, always with a twist in the plot, the themes were often quite dark and harrowing. I don't think material like this would get commissioned nowadays - used to find it quite profound and disturbing. The darker side of bedtime stories... The old BBC adaptations of MR James stories are very good, as well as Dickens short stories.
Tales of the unexpected was dark. Remember one story where a man had died in agony and his mother sold her soul so that he wouldn't die. Instead of getting him back, she had to watch him in agony for ever because he could never die. That was the story I could never forget.
Ahhh, favourite TV! Me and the wife have just fonished Dexter - series 1 to 6 in 9 days infact upon recommendation - and what an ending to series 6 it was! Still doesn't beat The Sopranos though. For regular viewing, you can't be older Simpsons, FG, American Dad, The Office (UK & US). South Park gets a special mention as it has consistantly gotten better over the years - the World of Warcraft episode is still one of the best! "STTTAAANNNN, STTTTAAAANNN - NOOO MY GOD"
Can't believe that is hasn't been mentioned alot but Only fools and horses is by far the best thing that has ever been on tv!!! best comedy there has ever been or ever likely to be!
Forgot to mention, anything presented by Jonathan Meades. He has a very distinctive, surreal, humorous and often bewildering style which marks him out from most other bland offerings. Meades is an expert on gastronomy, architecture and culture. J'Accuse Vegetarianism is a particular favourite of mine along with Jerry Building.
I can't believe it took until page 3 for Only Fools and Horses to get a mention. And even then it was by a skate... It is by far the best, most consistent TV programme ever made and has already proven that it stands the test of time. Aside from OFAH, I'd say Fawlty Towers, Alan Partridge, The Office and The Day Today lead the way in British comedy. From an American, Drama point of view, 24 all day long.
Just in case you think you're the lone appreciator of Mr Meades on here, Rich, I also think he's excellent. Have so ever since he first appeared around the mid-80s.
oh and Peep Show, Mighty Boosh, Sopranos, Breaking Bad, South Park (more the newer seasons, although i enjoy the old ones just as much), Monkey Dust, Big Bang Theory, The Office (both UK and the US versions are good IMO), The IT Crowd, Dark Place, Twilight Zone is very enjoyable sometimes even if it has somewhat dated!
Sons of Anarchy Mentalist House Boardwalk Empire The Bunce Boxing Hour The Wire Sopranos 24 The Office Extras
Good man and nice to know there is a fellow JM fan on here Think we need to introduce some of the younger ones on here to his wisdom.