Readers have asked for favorite TV shows. Here is my list:
The Wire: Just the best show ever.
Monarch of the Glen: Charm. Soul. Hector. Kilwillie. Whisky.
Midsomer Murders (John Nettles): The other best way to fall asleep.
Miss Marple (Joan Hickson): The only Miss Marple.
The Sopranos: Answers a lot of questions about the “other” Tristate state.
Shetland: Soul. Ferries. Peacoat. Cliffs. Oceans. Brian Cox. I cannae recommend it enough. (Henshall is missed but Jensen has grown on me.)
As Time Goes By: Guernseys, Moleskins, and Chrysalis(s). And a compendium of fabulous Britishisms.
Sandhamn Murders: If Stockholm did Preppy.
Gilmore Girls: Because generational family conflict never gets old. Kelly Bishop as Emily is the acting powerhouse that makes everything else work.
Succession: Comedy pretending to be a drama. Brian Cox.
Follow the Money: Sleek Nordic-noir-tastic.
The Bridge: Swedish-Danish border - say no more.
Inspector Morse/Lewis: Best way to fall asleep. Should require a prescription.
Friday Night Lights: The show that taught Ted Lasso how to play.
Ted Lasso: It earns every emotion. (And tribute to John Wooden.)
Doctor Who (Tenet/Smith/Capaldi Episodes): Defines Class/Feral. And so very Scottish.
Sherwood/Blue Lights/The Responder: Grit-iriffic!
Mad Men. Billions. Soft spot for Law and Order Special Victim’s Unit - our youngest wrote in one of her college admissions essays that she wanted to be ‘sergeant Olivia Benson.’ (I was a white collar criminal defense attorney at the time and a former public defender - the irony was utterly lost on her).
ReplyDeleteOne small (but loud) subculture doesn’t account for the whole of the Garden state.
ReplyDeleteDitto. I was tweaked, shall we say, by that as well.
DeleteUltimately all the mafia stuff really just ends up being a plot device to tell a story about very complex people.
Delete"Shetland" is brilliant; it's own form of performance art in a beautiful, sparse landscape.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago and by coincidence not design, I bought the identical peacoat that Dougie Henshall wore in the series. Original Montgomery had slashed the price by 75% as it was end of line! Like Henshall, I usually wear it with a brushed Shetland crewneck and, in bad weather, a pair of 501s. He is greatly missed. Bring back Dougie!
DeleteForgive my rant about the new Shetland. Feel free to move on.
DeleteMore than missing Douglas Henshall, the series is desperately missing its original writer, David Kane. For me, the current series is running strictly on goodwill built up over the previous seven.
The mysteries themselves are needlessly convoluted.
The dialogue is pedestrian. How many times can you say, “Are you okay?” (A lot.) The original series had some convincing, even moving, dialogue.
The episodes are poorly constructed. Example: In the most recent series, notice that nearly every new clue is uncovered by Sandy and his computer. Ruth and Tosh’s field work is totally unproductive; they learn nothing from anyone. Luckily, when they return to the station Sandy jumps up and says, “Listen to this! I just learned that back in ’77 Archie was arrested for failing to abate a smoky chimney!” or whatever.
Sandy was an interesting character. Why relegate him to the station?
In fact, why strip away all of the supporting characters? Duncan was essential to the show. Cassie was essential to the show. Jimmy had a friendship with the fisc. There was amusing banter between Sandy and Tosh. I was interested in Tosh’s family life and her husband was charming. When you stop and think about it, this show was a lot more than just Jimmy.
Ashley Jensen is a decent actress but why should I care about her character? I keep waiting to learn something about why she’s so miserable but it’s been two seasons.
And sad to say, the actress who plays Tosh is out of her depth. She is just not strong enough to play a leading role. Wisecracking sidekick? That worked. But she does not have any range at all. Even my wife, who likes everything, said, “If Tosh rolls her eyes one more time I’m going to scream.” And why write all the humor out of Tosh’s character, anyway?
Only my opinion. But very disappointing.
Amen.
DeleteYou are completely right.
Delete^ Not something I hear all that often. :-)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@Sartresky. I think you are being too modest! (Apologies for the earlier typo)
DeleteNice to know I am not alone in my waning affection for Shetland. The scenery is still worth the investment of time but definitely something missing from the earlier seasons, including the rusty bicycle.
DeleteOne of my "more recent" favorites is Modern Family. The ending of each 30 minute episode is always worth it.
ReplyDeleteI found Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad to be some of the best tv ever. I thought 30 Rock was over the top hilarious. I found Doc Martin pretty engrossing. My latest delight was Death in Paradise.
ReplyDeleteYou might enjoy Gossip Girls, VV.
DeleteLionel’s tweeds in “As Time Goes By”.
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful comedy with superb casting. Nothing like it on television now sadly
Deleteenjoyed Downton Abbey so much I even watched the 2 movies that followed. I was building a townhouse around that time i designed the interior i called Victorian Modern
ReplyDeletePeter Capaldi (Dr Who) is from my home town and started his acting career in its local amateur dramatics theatre. Here's a list of my favourite British crime series -
ReplyDeletePoirot (David Suchet with Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran and Philip Jackson)
Foyles's War (Michael Kitchen and Honeysuckle Weeks)
Midsomer Murders (John Nettles not Neil Dudgeon)
Dalziel and Pascoe (Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan)
Frost (David Jason)
Shetland (Dougie Henshall)
Rebus (Ken Stott only) - very Edinburgh
Taggart (Mark McManus) - dark Glaswegian
Cracker (Robbie Coltrane)
The Professionals (Gordon Jackson, Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins)
The Sweeney (John Thaw and Dennis Waterman) - brutal 70s London
Inspector Morse (John Thaw and Kevin Whately)
Lewis (Kevin Whately and the cancelled Laurence Fox)
Endeavour (Shaun Evans and Roger Allam)
Spot on! Definitive list
DeleteThe Killing - Danish version
ReplyDeleteThin Blue Line - Swedish version
Strong seconds or thirds to these selections:
ReplyDeletePoirot
Inspector Morse
Foyle's War
I would add:
Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett)
Columbo
Yes Minister; Yes Prime Minister
All Creatures (old and new versions)
Jeeves and Wooster
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Thank you for citing Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes! He is a revelation. The Granada Television series of the '80s and 90s are faithful adaptations that push the already iconic source material even further. Gorgeously filmed - not to mention, in settings actually appropriate to some of the clothing and aesthetics featured here! (Can only assume one might get a few second glances out and about in a deerstalker hat in suburban Connecticut.) Poor Brett literally drove himself to death playing the role, so consumed by it did he become - difficult to see him playing Holmes in the later series so visibly ill. "The Priory School" is a spectacular hour of television. (All episodes available on YouTube - my pandemic discovery / comfort watch!)
DeleteI loved the original series of All Creatures Great And small. Robert Hardy was superb as was Peter Davison
Delete'Boardwalk Empire', 'Deadwood' and 'The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo' (Noomi Rapace version, 2009)
ReplyDeleteAll three parts of The Millennium series for that matter.
ReplyDeleteAs Time Goes By was a great show. Also loved The Vicar of Dibley,
ReplyDeleteand Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean, Blackadder and The Thin Blue Line.
Some under rated US programs; Picket Fences, Frank’s Place and
I’ll Fly Away.
The Thin Blue Line was brilliant!
DeleteDitto Pickett Fences. Well written, well acted, and some groundbreaking content for the era.
DeleteDoc Martin
ReplyDeleteThe best television I've ever seen is Upstairs Downstairs. Absolutely a work of genius. Developed by John Hawkesworth, who also developed the Sherlock Holmes series referenced above.
ReplyDeleteOthers that haven’t been mentioned: The Crown and the original House of Cards. Among recent dramas, Slow Horses and Line of Duty. The first season of Silk was excellent although it quickly deteriorated.
I loved Lewis even though they turned this sunny character turned into such a curmudgeon. Endeavour turned me off. Morse seemed (still seems) to exist on another plane altogether. There was something about the way John Thaw played the character that gave you a sense that something important was going on. Morse was more art than entertainment.
Among American shows: Frasier and Cheers are good for a laugh and of course Seinfeld. I’ve seen every episode of the Dick van Dyke show a dozen times. I was devoted to St. Elsewhere.
I still watch repeats of Cheers and Frasier even though I've seen every episode many times!
DeleteRight there with you, they never get old.
DeleteMy favourite British comedy series
ReplyDeleteDad's Army (Arthur Lowe)
'Allo 'Allo (Gorden Kaye)
Only Fools And Horses (David Jason)
Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister (Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington)
Phoenix Nights (Peter Kay) - very dry Lancastrian
Rab C Nesbitt (Gregor Fisher) - very dry Glaswegian
Fawlty Towers (John Cleese and Andrew Sachs)
Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson)
Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson)
The New Statesman (Rik Mayall)
The Office (Ricky Gervais)
The Thick Of It (Peter Capaldi)
I'm Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan)
Absolutely Fabulous (Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley)
The Vicar Of Dibley (Dawn French)
Keeping Up Appearances (Patricia Routledge)
The Fall And Rise of Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter)
Gavin and Stacey (James Corden)
"Absolutely Fabulous" is hilarious, and doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
DeleteI would add “Are You Being Served?” and “To the Manor Born” to this comprehensive list.
DeleteSomehow, I missed out the wonderful Father Ted!!
ReplyDelete-Vera
ReplyDelete-Shetland
-Doc Martin
-Lewis
As British/Australians , found it difficult to catch the accents in Sopranos and The Wire . If those shows were like Swamp People etc , they'd have subtitles .
ReplyDeleteCaptions on
DeleteWhy has no one mentioned Brideshead or Jewel in the Crown?! Or Testament of Youth or Parade's End or Upstairs Downstairs? I feel so alone.
ReplyDeleteI waxed eloquent about Upstairs Downstairs above. And you are right about Brideshead.
DeleteMad Men, just for the period in which it is set. Some say it’s the best drama but I don’t think it competes with my favorites below. Old standards like Andy Griffith and The Rifleman, and Gunsmoke. Hill Street Blues, my favorite show ever. The West Wing. Inside the Actors Studio (used to watch on Sunday nights at 8 before getting in the car and driving from Norfolk, Virginia, the 3 hours back to DC for the work week). Law and Order, just for Jack McCoy’s flap pocket dress shirts (J Press?). And my favorite, C-SPAN’s Q&A. -JDV
ReplyDelete@JDV: That is a very interesting comment about Inside the Actors Studio. For many of us Boomers who sort of grew up on television, I think that TV shows can be can be associated with specific memories. For me, it was Sunday nights with my family, Alistair Cooke, and Masterpiece Theatre.
DeleteThis! Grew up watching Masterpiece Theatre with my grandmother. “I, Claudius” was the first featured program I recall. Can’t see Siân Phillips in anything without being transported back in time to that living room. Happy days!
DeleteNYPD Blue right up there with Hill Street Blues.
DeleteJackie and Alice and Art and Trixie always make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteSartresky, You are right. I missed your homage to Upstairs etc. Now I feel much less alone. Very comforting.
ReplyDelete‘Soap’ was the best American comedy. Burt was more likeable than his in laws the Tates.
ReplyDelete‘Ted Lasso’ joke wore thin after a couple of episodes. Now Richmond on Thames is plagued with American tourists looking for the film locations.
ReplyDeleteDr. Who has dragged on for too long. William Hartnell was the best doctor. Memories of my sisters hiding behind the sofa when the Daleks appeared.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it has drug on for too long with some of the series but the Doctor Who of Smith and Tenant was fabulous !!
Delete‘Arrested development’ ? Assorted nutcases and the blue man group.
ReplyDeleteI tend to watch more documentaries in my dotage, but here are a few favorites, including a few old sitcoms, that I don't mind watching over and over: As Time Goes By, To the Manor Born, Yes Minister, Frasier, Antiques Roadshow (British version), any nature documentary with David Attenborough narrating, The Planets with Prof. Brian Cox on the BBC, and Solar System - in fact, I like anything by Brian Cox. I did like The Sopranos but I don't think I would ever watch the series again because of the violence, except for the episode called "Pine Barrens" (episode 11 of season 3) for its mix of humor and suspense. Currently on Netflix, I am hooked on The Last Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteJeeves & Wooster!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it is only available on youtube, but thank heavens for that.
DeleteFoyle's War, Mad Men, Morse, All Creatures Great and Small ( new and original),
ReplyDeleteHomicide..Life on the Streets - same author as The Wire and it’s now on Peacock
ReplyDelete'Treme': characters and musicians struggling to reestablish themselves in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Produced by the same people who created 'The Wire'.
ReplyDeleteSherwood, Blue Lights and The Responder- YES. As noted, depending on your grit tolerance level. Some of the British crime dramas will keep you awake at night.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading this blog for a while, and I think this post holds the record for the most comments in the shortest period of time.
ReplyDeleteMany posters have suggested shows that I would have mentioned as well, but just to add to the mix:
Line of Duty: UK-based procedural starring Adrian Dunbar. Not only is this a great show, it has the added bonus that there are six seasons. (But it's a UK-based show, so the seasons are shorter.) Coaching tip: if you take a shot every time Dunbar's character says "bent coppers", you'll wind up on the transplant list.
Ridley: also stars Adrian Dunbar. It's got a more rural, small town setting and is relaxing in spite of itself. Don't watch too soon after Line of Duty; give yourself some time to mentally erase the earlier character.
The Responder: Martin Freeman (Watson in Sherlock) is fantastic as a street cop (I know, but trust me) in Liverpool. The accents are so thick you almost need the captions, but it will draw you in. Don't like to binge? Block out the weekend; you'll be on the sofa for a while in spite of yourself.
Guilt: Two seasons. Stars the gray-haired guy from Shetland. I'd describe him further, but that would spoil Shetland if you haven't seen it.
Foyles War. Yes, lots of people have suggested it and I agree with them, but I just have to upvote this series. It's being rebroadcast and we're watching it for the second time. It's just so...comforting? Reminiscent of the old days when fascists were the enemy.
Finally: it's not a series, but I have to plug the move Local Hero. I watch this film once every two years. Say want you want about art-house favorites, classics, etc. This will draw you in and leave you wistful. Bonus: 80% of it takes place in a small coastal town in Scotland.
All the best...
-Mike
I rewatch Local Hero every once in a while also. Mark Knopfler score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DB-uJ0TxKQ
DeleteAll Creatures Great and Small- both original and remake
ReplyDeleteDetectorists.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Texan but will recommend two recent UK shows: Slow Horses and The Gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteAlso three recent American shows: The Agency, The Diplomat and Lioness. Funny, all three deal with foreign affairs.
Slow Horses is excellent TV. As are the books. I thought the theme song was a Mick Jagger impersonator, but it was actually him singing! I know the area where it was filmed. Surprised it works in Texas. A group of reject intelligence employees sidelined in a shabby office rather than sacked and led by a man with very poor personal hygiene who is a heavy drinker, but a man who knows the ropes and is always one jump ahead.
DeleteI live in Austin, which is far different from the rest of the state. High-tech, the University, and the capitol created an education level here that looks more like Boston than the rest of the state. About 25% of Texans have some college education, while in Austin about 25% have an advanced degree.
DeleteI was not thinking of educational achievements. No slight on Texans. Different oulook, life experience and surroundings are more what I had in mind.
DeleteHigher education levels lead to broader, more thoughtful interests in entertainment. Plus, a large percentage of the residents here are from out of state and have different perspectives. Culturally, demographically, and politically, Austin differs greatly from the rest of Texas.
DeleteThe Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin in my all time favourite. A few things have come close, like the Office, Shetland and Fawlty Towers.
ReplyDeletePutting in a plug for Nicola Walker, whose acting never fails to amaze me. First encountered her in “Last Tango in Halifax,” then “Unforgotten,” and now “Annika.” I believe her character in “Annika” has a Scandi connection, Muffy, which you might enjoy. She’s always breaking the fourth wall to talk about myths and literary matters.
ReplyDeleteThe Amos ‘n’ Andy Show (78 Half-Hour Comic Episodes from 1951-53). If you haven’t seen them yet, then you’re in for a real treat.
ReplyDeleteHilarious action with the most lovable cast of characters you’ll ever encounter. Wonderful people from a different era. Tim Moore starred as the Kingfish with Ernestine Wade as his wife, Sapphire. Spencer Williams played Andrew H. Brown, and Alvin Childress was Amos.
Unfortunately, the visual quality of these currently on YouTube black and white classics is poor, but the audio is fine. Someone should please restore these gems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrFiKcBdCx8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNt8JOE2Vfk
Have watched many of those suggested. Would add Seaside Hotel (in Danish with subtitles), Last of the Summer Wine which ran on British television from 1973 to 2010, and Ballykissangel from Ireland.
ReplyDeleteThe wonderful Last Of The Summer Wine was the longest running sitcom in British television history. If my memory is correct there were 339 episodes. I'm watching one of the re runs as I type this
DeleteCorrection - only 294!
DeleteWhat ... no Dexter ??? And, what about Breaking Bad ???
ReplyDeleteI could have included Breaking Bad. In fact, that is the show we are currently watching again.
DeleteI think Vince Gilligan's work is excellent (stressful by design), but not quite as resonating with me. :)
I agree. (See above.). TV does not get any better in my estimation.
Delete‘The Fast Show’ particularly the characters Unlucky Alf, Swiss Toni and the Mediterranean weather girl ‘Scorchio’. May not work for Americans (Johnny Depp excepted).
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are really enjoying Severance on Apple TV. it can best be described as a dystopian, sci-fi, workplace mystery. Very visually interesting, great performances, and a plot that has kept us guessing. I only hope it comes to a satisfying conclusion. We all have seen too many shows keep us on the edge of our seats, only to end with a letdown.
ReplyDeleteGreat list -- 10 of these are my favorites and you have a few that I need to watch. Thank you
ReplyDeleteUnlucky Alf. It's grim up North.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D_Dwes9SQg9k&ved=2ahUKEwiK8LWt2piMAxXTYEEAHcIoNzQQwqsBegQIExAG&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw0smi8Yx7Nt1sh3hCy-tt81
The Seaside Hotel
ReplyDeleteThe Avengers and Wild Wild West
ReplyDeleteRecently added Outlander to my list!
ReplyDeleteBad Sisters
ReplyDeleteThe Hour
ReplyDeleteI'm currently watching:
ReplyDelete*Vienna Blood*(PBS Passport)
*The Pitt*---HBOMax
*The White Lotus--Season 3*---Parker Posey is *hilarious* as a rich, Southern Belle.
*Zero Day* with DeNiro et al---Netflix.
Joan Hickson - the ONLY Miss Marple! Amen, sister!!
ReplyDeleteThe good wife series
ReplyDeleteI guess I’m just an old fogey (40 years ago I was a young fogey), but my wife and I don’t have a lot of tolerance for the F-word in our house, so shows like Succession and The Wire usually don’t get past the first or second episode. Our daughter once tried to get us interested in Succession and when I told her that there wasn’t a single character that I liked or had any sympathy for, she said, “ That’s the point. They’re bad people and you’re not supposed for like them.” My response was “Why should I have a bunch of unpleasant people I don’t like in my living room every week.” Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI very much agree
ReplyDelete