Good to see some of the older BBC series such as Edge of Darkness and Blackstuff mentioned, to which I'll add Bleasdale's GBH, featuring a Robert Lindsey masterclass, and Michael Palin equally brilliant in a straight role. They had neither the budgets nor the tech that the modern series can call on, nor did they rely much on action/violence, but I remember them all leaving me breathless and a bit shaken.
Good to see some of the older BBC series such as Edge of Darkness and Blackstuff mentioned, to which I'll add Bleasdale's GBH, featuring a Robert Lindsey masterclass, and Michael Palin equally brilliant in a straight role. They had neither the budgets nor the tech that the modern series can call on, nor did they rely much on action/violence, but I remember them all leaving me breathless and a bit shaken.
Yeah, it was absolutely brilliant. The scene with Lindsay's goons banging on the school windows has stayed with me, years later.
Another great BBC series from a few years later was Our Friends in the North
Old Grey Whistle Test The Sweeney Top of the Pops Porridge Dixon of Dock Green Fawlty Towers Monty Python's Flying Circus Softly Softly Z Cars Star Trek (original)
Good to see some of the older BBC series such as Edge of Darkness and Blackstuff mentioned, to which I'll add Bleasdale's GBH, featuring a Robert Lindsey masterclass, and Michael Palin equally brilliant in a straight role. They had neither the budgets nor the tech that the modern series can call on, nor did they rely much on action/violence, but I remember them all leaving me breathless and a bit shaken.
Edge of Darkness is excellent - I have the series on DVD and have watched it probably 7 or 8 times - a very young Tim McInnerny is in it, and the lead - Bob Peck - died way too young
Also - the BBC series of Tinker Taylor and Smileys People are excellent - have watched them so many times, never tire of them
Good to see some of the older BBC series such as Edge of Darkness and Blackstuff mentioned, to which I'll add Bleasdale's GBH, featuring a Robert Lindsey masterclass, and Michael Palin equally brilliant in a straight role. They had neither the budgets nor the tech that the modern series can call on, nor did they rely much on action/violence, but I remember them all leaving me breathless and a bit shaken.
Boys from the Blackstuff was just an amazing series and made a great impression on me at the time. It's a brilliant mix of tragedy and comedy and in Yosser Hughes has one of the great characters of British TV. I loved the episode that featured Graeme Souness.
Boys from the black stuff. A work of pure genius which was so relevant and of its time. Shake hands.
the singing detective the monocled mutineer anything Stephen Poliakoff, especially friends and crocodiles and perfect strangers GBH Underbelly Aussie crime drama The Killing Ozark Breaking Bad Sopranos The Wire (number 1 in my book ). It’s all in the game y’all’ The Sinner. Bill pullmans the don in this True Detective Legion (utter madness) the end of the fucking world 1st series Utopia
you will note from all of this that ITV have never made anything worth a wank EVER.
There have been some great shows mentioned already so, I will just add ones I think are worth watching.
In no particular order.(This is not a show, just a statement of intent).
Broadchurch Vikings The Last Kingdom A Series of Unfortunate Events Fortitude The Night Of Dexter Supernatural Stranger Things 13 Reasons Why (unedited) Night and Day (4 OD Walter Presents) London`s Burning Orange is the New Black Weeds Deutschland 83
There are probably loads more that I have enjoyed over the years.
I will be kicking myself on the way home remembering shows not added to the list.
Glad to see Better Call Saul get so many positive mentions. I suppose it is necessary to watch Breaking Bad first, but good though Breaking Bad is, I think Better Call Saul is better
Good to see some of the older BBC series such as Edge of Darkness and Blackstuff mentioned, to which I'll add Bleasdale's GBH, featuring a Robert Lindsey masterclass, and Michael Palin equally brilliant in a straight role. They had neither the budgets nor the tech that the modern series can call on, nor did they rely much on action/violence, but I remember them all leaving me breathless and a bit shaken.
As a bit of a bit of trivia, Michael Palin was originally cast in the Robert Lindsay role because Lindsay was contracted to do a film. But when the film fell through, Bleasdale offered that role to Lindsay (his first choice), and gave Palin the role as the teacher. I remember reading Palin saying something like he'd never been so relieved.
In Random Order although BB is deservedly at the top.
Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul. Hustle Downton Abbey The Split Peaky Blinders (minus the last series which was chuff) Morse/Endeavour Cracker Sea of Souls Vicar of Dibley Blackadder Faulty Towers I'm Alan Partridge.
In Random Order although BB is deservedly at the top.
Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul. Hustle Downton Abbey The Split Peaky Blinders (minus the last series which was chuff) Morse/Endeavour Cracker Sea of Souls Vicar of Dibley Blackadder Faulty Towers I'm Alan Partridge.
The West Wing.
Judge John Deed
Pesky Blinders has gone on too long and the storylines for me have got a bit ridiculous. I thought it was excellent in the early series.
In Random Order although BB is deservedly at the top.
Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul. Hustle Downton Abbey The Split Peaky Blinders (minus the last series which was chuff) Morse/Endeavour Cracker Sea of Souls Vicar of Dibley Blackadder Faulty Towers I'm Alan Partridge.
The West Wing.
Judge John Deed
I forgot about Cracker, I thought it was a brilliant series.
Boys from the black stuff. A work of pure genius which was so relevant and of its time. Shake hands.
the singing detective the monocled mutineer anything Stephen Poliakoff, especially friends and crocodiles and perfect strangers GBH Underbelly Aussie crime drama The Killing Ozark Breaking Bad Sopranos The Wire (number 1 in my book ). It’s all in the game y’all’ The Sinner. Bill pullmans the don in this True Detective Legion (utter madness) the end of the fucking world 1st series Utopia
you will note from all of this that ITV have never made anything worth a wank EVER.
I'd forgotten about Legion, which is actually quite hard to do. As you say, utter madness. Still got the last episode to watch.
Comments
Power
Another great BBC series from a few years later was Our Friends in the North
Old Grey Whistle Test
The Sweeney
Top of the Pops
Porridge
Dixon of Dock Green
Fawlty Towers
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Softly Softly
Z Cars
Star Trek (original)
Also - the BBC series of Tinker Taylor and Smileys People are excellent - have watched them so many times, never tire of them
Northern Exposure
Blackadder 😗
Very Peculiar Practice
This Life
plus
Our Friends in the North
Survivors (original 1970's BBC version)
4 Better Call Saul
7 24
8 Law and Order
In no particular order.(This is not a show, just a statement of intent).
Broadchurch
Vikings
The Last Kingdom
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Fortitude
The Night Of
Dexter
Supernatural
Stranger Things
13 Reasons Why (unedited)
Night and Day (4 OD Walter Presents)
London`s Burning
Orange is the New Black
Weeds
Deutschland 83
There are probably loads more that I have enjoyed over the years.
I will be kicking myself on the way home remembering shows not added to the list.
West Wing
Mad Men
The Wire
Frasier
The Sweeney
Minder
Ozarks
The Bridge
Ray Donovan
Bordertown
Still Game
Better Call Saul
Breaking Bad
Got
Breaking bad
Missing
Tunnel
This is England
Taboo
Chenoble
Sons of anarchy
Fortitude
Futurama
Sopranos
Broadwalk empire
Hustle
Downton Abbey
The Split
Peaky Blinders (minus the last series which was chuff)
Morse/Endeavour
Cracker
Sea of Souls
Vicar of Dibley
Blackadder
Faulty Towers
I'm Alan Partridge.
I enjoyed all those old comedies like The Two Ronnies and Some Mothers Do Have ‘em. And Are You being Served.
A series enjoyed at the time, not so much now was The Black and White Minstrel Show. Just imagine if they tried to show repeats of that one now.
Person of Interest is a show I've never managed to finish but have loved what I've seen so far.
Broadchurch
US:
House
Veep
Arrested Development