I Need a New TV Series

[Bogey]

Yup (on being great, I don't own it though I saw it on pbs)!

My wife buys all the Austen and Dickens runs, David.  We a re still missing a few BBC Dickens, but they will eventually get on our shelf.

[knight66]

Be warned, Little Dorret has won awards in the US; as your Dorothy Parker kind of remarked. Not a book to cast aside lightly; throw it as hard as you can.

I sat through about an hour of the BBC mini-series; dire....all the usual stock characters and the most maddening, thwarted love storyline and self sacrificing, put upon heroine.

Mike

[Bogey]

Be warned, Little Dorret has won awards in the US; as your Dorothy Parker kind of remarked. Not a book to cast aside lightly; throw it as hard as you can.

I sat through about an hour of the BBC mini-series; dire....all the usual stock characters and the most maddening, thwarted love storyline and self sacrificing, put upon heroine.

Mike

My wife enjoyed that one too, Mike.

[Bogey]

Well, after some youtube visits and sampling, I decided on this, as I have never watched an episode of any of the versions....



Though dated, I was hooked!

I will hit the later series a bit down the road, David.   And thank you for the mention 71 db.

[DavidW]

My wife enjoyed that one too, Mike.

That is actually one of my favorite novels by Dickens.  I don't see how it's any different from his others, he has melodrama, caricatures and over the top sensationalist plots in every single novel.

[knight66]

You are right. I suppose I get the uggies with all his little pubescent perfect girl-women and the eternal injustice they are subjected to. Little Miss Dorret is I think his most extreme example of the obsession. It reflected closely his own real life obsession with young women.

Re Dr Who, I still recall seeing the very first episode when it was first broadcast. I was hooked and horrified. I don't know whether the BBC preserved it. William Hartnell fitted the part very well. My wife has been into the new series, but I seem to have lost the taste for the concept.

Another mini-series I have been watching and got a lot out of was 'Generation Kill'. I had read nothing about it, so it came as an especial surprise to watch the extras and discover how closely it reflected reality. Some of the soldiers play themselves in the series.

Deadwood has been mentioned and I very much enjoyed the first series, the second was I think a misfire, especially what felt like a perfunctory ending. Again, I was surprised that it at least in part reflected history with a number of the characters having existed.

Mike

[DavidW]

You are right. I suppose I get the uggies with all his little pubescent perfect girl-women and the eternal injustice they are subjected to. Little Miss Dorret is I think his most extreme example of the obsession. It reflected closely his own real life obsession with young women.

A 19th century Sean!

Re Dr Who, I still recall seeing the very first episode when it was first broadcast. I was hooked and horrified. I don't know whether the BBC preserved it. William Hartnell fitted the part very well. My wife has been into the new series, but I seem to have lost the taste for the concept.

Holy cow you remember watching black and white tv!

Another mini-series I have been watching and got a lot out of was 'Generation Kill'. I had read nothing about it, so it came as an especial surprise to watch the extras and discover how closely it reflected reality. Some of the soldiers play themselves in the series.

I'll check it out!

Deadwood has been mentioned and I very much enjoyed the first series, the second was I think a misfire, especially what felt like a perfunctory ending. Again, I was surprised that it at least in part reflected history with a number of the characters having existed.

Mike

I feel the same way too, great first series, muddled second series, but I still think good quality.  I have to admit that I still haven't seen past that.   I'm such a hooplehead.

[Dana]

Well, after some youtube visits and sampling, I decided on this, as I have never watched an episode of any of the versions....



Though dated, I was hooked!

That show is bloody brilliant!

[Joe Barron]

If you've never seen Blackadder, I can't recommend it highly enough. There are four series of six one-half-hour episodes each, so it won't take you too long to get through. Hugh Laurie shows up at the end of series II and is a regular in III and IV. Big contrast to his House character.

[DavidW]

If you've never seen Blackadder, I can't recommend it highly enough. There are four series of six one-half-hour episodes each, so it won't take you too long to get through. Hugh Laurie shows up at the end of series II and is a regular in III and IV. Big contrast to his House character.

Like when he dresses up in that pink dress!   Ha he's such a goofball, it's funny to think that he's a serious Dr now.   I've only seen the WW Blackadder, supoose I should watch more.

[Joe Barron]

Like when he dresses up in that pink dress!   Ha he's such a goofball, it's funny to think that he's a serious Dr now.   I've only seen the WW Blackadder, supoose I should watch more.

You are in for a real treat. He's a scream as the prince regent in series III.

[karlhenning]

I entirely need to investigate Black Adder.  I enjoy Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean far more than some would consider quite seemly . . . .

[karlhenning]

Mr Bean in the village church seated next to Richard Briers . . . gawd, I cracks up just remembering it.

[Joe Barron]

I entirely need to investigate Black Adder.  I enjoy Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean far more than some would consider quite seemly . . . .

It's a completely different character.

[Guido]

The two best drama series of all time are in my opinion: The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. I recommend both unreservedly.

If comedy drama is your thing - there are so many to see that are great: The English version of the Office, Peep Show (amazing british comedy, in the same sort of quasi realistic style - no laughter track which is a major bonus), Black Adder as has been mentioned, Look Around You (a hilarious take off of open university science programmes).

[karlhenning]

It's a completely different character.

Yes.  I.  Know.

[knight66]

Peep Show: as mentioned, excellent. Very dark humour in it and another comedy of embarrassment. I have all the series that have so far been completed on TV. A new one is being broadcast, but I am not around to see it. I recommend it if you have a strong stomach.

League of Gentlemen also is a unique take on the very blackest of comedy. If you enjoy the bits on Youtube, then go for it. Almost all the characters are played by four actors/writers.

Enjoy.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2F4ZWTjwTU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9JeBfDdxVs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esktbEv-wco&feature=PlayList&p=1D76FFEAE2108854&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13

Mike

[Guido]

Although I like the league of gentlemen, it's a little too dark for me - every character is a hideous creation, a horrible parody of some dank aspect of humanity - it is funny, but in such a dark way that it is difficult for me to enjoy. There's no remorse either, no letting up of the atmosphere, no hope... Sort of an amazing achievement for a comedy show.

[Sergeant Rock]

I have just finished the second series of 'Mad Men'.....superb. Everything is both right and intelligent about it, no easy stock solutions to the dilemmas the characters face. The final shot of season two is like a Rockwell painting come to life, even down to the alienation and loneliness in some of his work.
I hope there is a season three as, there is so much juice left in the plotlines.

Coincidently I too just finished watching the second season. I was 13 in 1962, still recall the fear the Cuban Missle Crisis engendered. The show eerily evokes those feelings. It's like opening a scary time capsule. The show helps me understand my father's point of view too: that the 50s were the best of times--if you were a white male--which the 60s destroyed. It also reminds me how thankful I am that I was born a generation later: that the Beatles not Elvis provided the soundtrack for my coming of age.

There is a season three, Mike. It's currently airing in the states. Slate.com has an ongoing discussion here: http://www.slate.com/id/2225274/entry/2225277/  If you don't mind spoilers, it's worth reading.

Sarge

[Cato]

I entirely need to investigate Black Adder.  I enjoy Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean far more than some would consider quite seemly . . . .

I have a lady in my household who does not understand my fascination for W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, The 3 Stooges, Green Acres, 1970's-early 80's Steve Martin, and yes, Mr. Bean.

In spite of that she still allows me to be her husband!   0:)