For reasons that remain unclear I suddenly remembered an old Britcom today ... No, Honestly, which was the sequel to Yes, Honestly, or was it the other way round? Anyway, the only thing about the show I can remember was that she was a posh bird, and he was quite mod, but working class, and much comedic mayhem ensued.

I do remember something about their meeting at a party that she had gone to, and because she didn't like parties, she took a copy of War and Peace to read so she didn't need to interact with anyone. So of course they ended up married.

I don't know what's happening, but lately, I find that I have been watching a LOT of British television programs. All I remember from days of yore is Doctor Who and a handful of Britcoms. I generally disliked the fare BBC served up but now that has gone 180 degrees and I dislike the pap being foisted on me by American TV.

Sherlock, 11th Hour, Jekyll and Survivors have been watched and enjoyed. I have a bunch more stuff lined up to watch. Perhaps 1/3 of it is British. I hope I don't start using extra letters and reversing letters and if I do, remind me which side of the pond I am on? Thanks. :)

Hm. So Being Human is going to continue with just one of its four major cast members. I guess Spooks/MI5 had a lot of turnover as well, but nothing quite this drastic.

Maybe Continent Reassignment Surgery?

Oooh, a bit close to the.... knuckle there.

I really think they've jumped the wolf with this series :(

I've only seen the first episode of the new series, but I'm worried I may agree.

But the US version is just getting better!

Love the US version. Theyre really taking it and running with it.

I do wish the British on had ended with series 3. It was a perfect, natural end point to the story they were telling. This is just a total revamp (if you'll pardon the pun!) that retrospectively shits all over the previous story. Instead of it being about 'being human' it's about being vampires and werewolves.

Really digging Blackpool so far, halfway through episode 2. Thanks for the rec!

loved Blackpool!

Doctor Who: The Three Doctors today.

Finally got around to starting Being Human (US). Very enjoyable so far.

Trying to word things as un-spoilery as possible but if you're touchy about spoilers for the BBC Sherlock, SPOILER WARNING.

Driving myself off the deep end reading (WAY impossibly complex) theories on the Sherlock cliffhanger/finale, that I would reject entirely as just wishful thinking and overanalysis if it weren't then for the question then why did they put it onscreen? If it's not arguably production error or whatever, and obviously a conscious production choice, something that SOMEONE had to PUT in the show...

http://finalproblem.tumblr.com/theory-index has a GREAT compilation of theories, both grandiose and minor, on The Reichenbach Fall and Sherlock more broadly. Moffat and Gattiss both are such high-calibre writers, and have hinted at such complex and subtle clues, that I believe, or at least hope, that at least some of the theories are true.

Finished Blackpool/Viva Blackpool and it was everything I'd hoped and more. LOVED it.

Also watched BBC4's adaptation of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Die-hard Douglas Adams fans will hate that it's a quite LOOSE adaptation, but I enjoyed the characterizations, and I'd like to think that Adams would quite enjoy it, even if it isn't quite the same. looking forward to episodes 2 and 3, whenever those materialize.

Ibs, have you seen the BBC tv series Casanova? With David Tenant in the lead? If you havent I recommend it.

ive looked for it, never found a download!

Right. Leave it with me.


[eta] You after streaming, or a torrent? Not sure if it's available to buy from your location, so may have to be through less legitimate channels.

torrent plz

also: just finished ep. 2 of Dirk Gently and lo-o-oved it.

yeah I am really liking the Dirk Gently series. They've definitely captured something of the feel of the character in the books.

re: torrent, check your IMs

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, I heartily recommend Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth. It's a three part documentary series, where Gok looks at teens growing up and dealing with being different, sexuality, body image etc.

After a tv career helping women love their body shapes, he's turned his attention to body image for youngsters, including campaigning (successfully) to get a body image class added to the curriculum for secondary schools.

It's really engrossing and I defy anybody not to adore Gok by the end of it.

I particularly thought of you, Ibica, when I was watching the episode looking at sexuality and self-image. I think you might find it quite interesting, having been through the teen experience relatively recently.

I've been watching Frank Skinner's Opinionated on Dave (theyve been showing the whole series across a couple of nights). Figured this is one that probably hasn't made it over the water :p

This has two of my favourite comedians on the scene at the moment: Lee Mack and Miranda Hart




[eta] rewatching this one, it's mildly nsfw...

Well, this ws just confusing ...

I've watched a series or two of Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes.

A New Jersey PBS station runs episodes, and since there was nothing more interesting on TV tonight, I decided to watch ... imagine my surprise, when it turned out not to be connected to the series I've come to really enjoy. Apparently there were three movie length episodes made before what I know as the show ... with a different premise bringing Doc Martin to the village in Cornwall.

Ibs - you knew more than I knew as it turns out. I have rubbish sources. Except for JB - who self-promotes flawlessly and I won't hear a word said against that.

The three performing members of The League of Gentlemen are indeed coming together for a performance.
Okay, it's only on Horrible Histories.
But hey - they're back together!
And Horrible Histories is wonderful anyway. We use their programmes as teaching aids in Key Stage Two. Poo and wee and violence and a comedy song. Not a stretch for the Gents.

They play a panel of film executives, to whom a number of historical villains pitch their life stories. Even reading it, I started laughing. It's straight out of their off-the-cuff commentary on Blood On Satan's Claw where they imagine pitching that particular film to a modern studio. Except they're on the other side this time I suppose. Oh and Pemby's in this, whereas Dyson was in the commentary. If I ever get a spare copy I'll send you one, E. It's priceless.

Finished pt. 1 of 3 of Casanova. Enjoying it terribly so far.
Sundae - oh boy! i look forward to it

I would LOVE to see the Gents get together for an episode of Doctor Who or something. That would be Douglas-Adams-era epically amazing.

Mark Lawson interviewing Gatiss in an hour on BBC4!! Yey.

Glad you're enjoying Casanova, Ibs.

I envy you the next two episodes of Casanova because I adored that whole mini-series.

Have you ever heard a League commentary?
It adds another level to anything they do.
Like Pegg & Wright, it's worth spending the money to get the legal version just to hear them mither.

It's an art-form in itself. I was spoiled by TLOG and Shaun of the Dead. Most are fit only for burning. Torchwood... I'm sat here shaking my head, and yet the team give such good face at conventions..

Ta Dana, will find it tomorrow on catchup.

Putting this here instead of the funny clips thread, because amusing as it is, it is more of a discussion.

I'm loving this series of 10 O'Clock Live. They've really found their feet now. Seems to have a much clearer identity as a show.

regarding the commentary

I have noticed on a number of discs I get from netflix that the special features are disabled. Sometimes the disc is clearly labeled RENTAL. I'm sure the commentary is there, but with a different menu file that has access to that stuff disabled. the intention is clearly to differentiate what you can see via rental from what you can get via purchase. that's ok, but I am already taking a chance, albeit a small one, with the decision to watch a given movie. I *sincerely* doubt I'd ever watch a movie, love it so much that I'd want to buy it so I could listen to the commentary. I happen to own Shaun of the Dead (but not for the commentary) and I'll listen to it now that you've given it such a high recommendation. But it has to be a pretty special pig for me to take that next step to purchase.

Most of the time I just want to see the movie, and the commentary tracks don't necessarily add a whole lot. I have been doing more watch instantly than discs lately. I do miss the ability to watch subtitles with original language rather than English dubs, particularly of anime, but I can live with it. I'm not that much of a purist.

The New Jersey PBS station just started showing Doc Martin Series 5. I love the interactions with the baby ... although I would expect a doctor to do better than that.

V, I think the commentary of Shaun is worth listening to compared to other commentaries which I have found to be :zzz:
It was the first one I listened to more than once and the first one that gave me any interesting insight into the film. YMMV. Can you tell I'm nervous in case I over-egged it?

My opinion that the DVDs are worth buying simply for the commentaries mostly applies to tLoG though. Four very funny men with unusual senses of humour and sources of inspration I had never heard of (I've looked many of them up, believe me) in a room with some water and a playback. They go very slightly insane and some of their best lines are in the commentary. It doesn't really translate. An impression of Mr Kipling. Reece saying "Look at that cat!" Jeremy saying, "And the rest!" or doing an impression of a chainsaw in the distance. Made me weep with laughter when I first heard it.

Back to Shaun - if you already have it you have nothing to lose. I enjoyed the first two commentaries. But the second is more luvvie. Pegg & Wright are a great team.

The IT Crowd. I am so sorry that we don't get this here in the states. It looks like they tried a U.S. version that tanked.

IT Crowd rocks. I wish they were making more series.

I have now totally forgiven Being Human (UK) its change in direction. No, it is not the show it was. But yes, it works in its own way. It had to either end with Mitchell or change completely and they went with the latter. I was very dubious after the first episode, but am now sold. I really like the new characters, Hal in particular, and I also really like the increased role for Socha's character.

Though the plotlines are now far more about Being Supernatural than they are about Being Human, the show still has a healthy dose of the low key domestic humour which made the original so much fun (to me).

I've been catching up on their series prequels. Here's Tom's. Tom is a young werewolf. After he lost his 'dad' in the last series he's now living in Wales and looking for a job.



Hal and Leo's prequel.

Hal is an old vampire. Very powerful. Leo is a werewolf who's been kidnapped, chained up and forced to fight for entertainment. By the time we meet these two in the present day they are old friends.



Ref. point: The Battle of Orsha was in 1514.

This almost belongs in a radio thread...

Radio4 has been running the comedy panel game 'Just a Minute' for 45 years. To celebrate this anniversary, the BBC have televised the most recent series.

The host Nicholas Parsons has been there from the start.

I have also occasionally watched the IT Crowd, thanks to netflix instant. Funny, but I don't watch it frequently, I have a lot of other stuff to catch up on. I tried Being Human when it first started on BBCAmerica, but it didn't click for me.

One of my favourite programmes is a series of interviews by Mark Lawson. His interviews are very in depth. Here's his interview with Stephen Fry

Part 1:

Have you tried the US version? It has a very different style, and the plot deviates completely.

Oh, I love the SyFy take on Being Human. Amazing that the two shows can be so very different whilst still feeling related. I watch them both and get something entirely different from each.

I decided to go have a revisit with Luther.

This is actually British radio, but I don't wanna start a whole other thread...

It's just a brilliant little panel show. I think I may have posted some before somewhere, but here's one anyway:

The Unbelievable Truth

Series 4 of That Mitchell and Webb Look is now available on dah toob.

Yey! Series 6 of WILTY is underway. One of my favourite shows!

Here's ep 1 of the new series:

Annnd, down to zero.

It was pretty good, and I do sort of like New Ghost, so I'll definitely keep watching.

Am I the only Downton Abbey fan in this place?

We toured the place, called Highclere Castle, when we were there.

Attachment 38311
Attachment 38312

Nice photo!

I have never actually watched Downton. It's there in the zeitgeist but I've only ever seen ads and clips.

I'm loving these photos of you scattered about, Glatt.
Like a little Easter Egg Hunt.

Me too, especially the front and back shots of your new haircut.

Time for a new addition to the Brit TV thread:

The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff: a parody of Dickens

Here's part one of the first episode as a taster:

Incidently: Sundae, are you aware of Mark Gatiss appearing in the recent series of Being Human?

NO! Thank you.
Bless him.

There is such a phenomenon called the Gatiss Gap, where writers specifically write in a Gatiss-possible character, hoping to draw in fans from overlapping genres, and allow a space in the Radio Times for a photo of him to boost the ratings.

It's true.

Missed this previously.
Had to post.

Tennant, Who, Proclaimers, SO many more.
I squealed.

Awesome!

Don't know if I've mentioned Ideal before ..probably, at some point.

They've recently announced they're not doing another series, which i think is a bit of a shame. It had gone increasingly strange across its seven series and turned into something quite special.

It's mostly about a guy called Mos, a small time hash dealer in Salford (next door to Manchester), his girlfriend, and his friends and customers. And..a kind of low-rent but slightly bizarre criminal underworld.

Anyway. Here's a few clips starting with one from series 1. At this point things are relatively normal and haven't spiralled off into the fantastical. It features one of my favourite characters, Jenny, a regular customer. Thick as pigshit, but utterly sweet. The next ones show some of her character's trajectory.



Same character a few series along: His acting in this is brilliant. You can see the exact moment he starts to realise he is looking at her differently.





And don't watch this if you intend to see the series and value suspense. I don;t really think it;s the suspense kind of show though...

The cartoon masks on some of the characters requires an explanation, but it'll have to wait ;p

That was officialy MOST EXCELLENT

new series on the Dave channel:

Dara O'Briain's School of Hard Sums

Comedy maths type thingie. Good fun.

I haven't watched it.
I will.
But maths isn't fun.
Even when presented by Dara O'Briain.

Just as a BTW - have you come across Horrible Histories?
I have, simply through school, and I likey. Howvever I only started watching it myself when Gatiss, Pemberton and Shearsmiths were on it.

Tuned in to the wrong episode only to find Dave Lamb* (of Come Dine With Me fame) as host. He admits he reads scripts and only rarely ad-libs, but he has a wonderful voice for dry asides. Which is sometimes what they get to eat on CDWM after all.

* Not related to the dynasty which comprises George and Larry.

Watched it.
Gave up. Not my bag.

>>> Poster with dyscalculia <<<

We've started watching Downton Abbey.

It's fantastic! Also, I'm 99% sure it's the same location that was used to film Gosford Park.

Finally! Somebody else on the Cellar watching this amazing show.

Mr. Clod and I keep finding excuses to ask each other, "What is a... weekend?"