h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I thought as we are about to leave Aunty it might be good to look at some of their greats.

Dennis Potter's stuff is right up there for me.

The 'Singing Detective' is my favourite I think..though 'Brimstone and Treacle', which was actually banned for many years is probably about equal, (I'm talking the original 'Play for Today' one..not some thing Sting did much later.

Here's a brief excerpt from 'Singing Detective'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDOe7Npinl4

What are your favourites?

Doctor Who. I don't think I need to elaborate.

Sticking with Dennis Potter, Pennies From Heaven, and Blue Remembered Hills.

Non-Potter; I, Claudius.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Smiley's People.

Boys From the Blackstuff.

The Borgia's

I've just remembered another Potter Play For Today called Schmoedipus, which knocked me out when I first saw it. Tim Curry was magnificent. I've just googled it and discovered that I wasn't quite 13 at the time. Almost every Play For Today was so wonderful, I watched them all the time. Where is a 13 year old kid today going to be exposed to that level of intelligent grown up drama?

Schmoedipus was made as a film, check this out: starred Gary Oldman, Theresa Russell and Christopher Lloyd; directed by the wonderful Nicholas Roeg; written by DP. I've seen it, and it still wasn't as good as the two-room-set Play For Today.

Quatermass

The Goons

Morecambe and Wise

The temptation to just keep on listing is great, but I won't. Can I add a rider to this thread? Don't just list, take a few words to explain your choice.

Most of their older Natural History programmes, and the ground breakers like Civilisation, Ascent of Man and Cosmos (the latter two I've recently purchased on DVD), The David Attenborough Maxi-series, Coast, Blue Planet. Too many to list. In fact, my most watched station except for Film 4 and Time Team. Was Scrap-heap Challenge, but they've scrapped that!

And folks say there's now't on television except dust? I seriously struggle with Freeview, and with On-Demand? who needs satellite?

Just watched an excellent programme called 'The Disappearing Isle' by BBC Alba on BBC iPlayer. Even Mum was hooked.

MMF

>>The 'Singing Detective' is my favourite I think..though 'Brimstone and Treacle', which was actually banned for many years is probably about equal, (I'm talking the original 'Play for Today' one..not some thing Sting did much later.<<

Forgot that was a radio station.

I'm sure there was a similar BBC2 tv programme, on Tuesdays, in the late '70's, that was similar. Used to watch it when babysitting my Sisters while my parents went to the Theatre.2-4-1 as opening night!

MMF

'The Singing Detective' stayed with me for a long time. I have to agree that that was drama of the best quality

Also, I remember a David Atenborough series in the early 90's ('93/'94), called 'Life in the Freezer', which captured my imagination more than anything from the natural world in a long time. In particular, the scene where a seal was thrown high above the water by a whale - brutal yet beautiful
The whole series deserves a re-run, as it seems to be terminally under-rated

Being Human - I think that's one of the best British shows ever made.

Everything by David Attenborough, Gormenghast a few years back.

'Being Human' escaped my mind because I didn't include the Freeview channels, however, this is one of the best series not to be on mainstream BBC.

because it hasn't been picked up by BBC1 or 2;
because it's the best thing 3 have brought to air. I initally thought this would be sh*t, but the premise fell far short of the actuality. It had an unexpected depth & it gave the viewer the ability to actually care for the characters, reguardless of their unexpected circumstances.On paper, the premise must have looked carp,- a werewolf, a ghost & a vampire as a houseshare, but the actors brought their characters to 'life'. It's one of the most engaging & must see programs on TV

PS. John Mitchell, the Vampire, is the sexiest human alive (or not)

Let's not forget Top Of The Pops, and its more mature cousin, The Old Grey Whistle Test. Music shows at their best, without either of which there would be no Jools Holland.

Good suggestions all.

I'll add another thriller: Edge of Darkness (A17526008)

Comedy: Python, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Fawlty Towers (the list is endless)

Edge of Darkness -

That's the only programme my dad ventured from the kitchen to view.

Therefore, I have to give it at least a 4*

'Don't Scare The Hare.'

I've been enjoying Merlin, actually, if we want to venture into TV. Excellent 'family' viewing in my opinion.

Slightly off topic, I think the BBC should be applauded for bringing us programmes like Wallander and The Killing, excellent foreign language programmes that commercial channels wouldn't generally be interested in showing.

Homegrown shows- Torchwood is great, Merlin is good too.

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

B

Dad's Army