BBC/AMERICA VS AMERICA TV SHOWS - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

snowcreature23 · 11-14-2008, 10:29 PM

It seems to me that England comedy like BBC/AMERICA has differ'nt taste of programs then the USA Like England can show more skin,talk more foul mouth then USA Programs, but, England people has weird scince of humor then we do for instance Monty Python,Little Britan,Kate and Kathy( a nbc show with Molly Shannon,have not seen it yet) When we do copy Englans tv shows like The Office or Couples, The Office is still doing good in rateing, but the now debunk Couples left for good.I wish They aire Are You Being Served? Which was one of the best comedy shows this side of the USA AND in England. Dr.Who is pretty good what otherWhat other shows on BBC that you liked that are on now or have been on the air in England

Marvo301 · 11-15-2008, 12:08 AM

Blackadder
Mr. Bean
Red Dwarf
The Thin Blue Line
Allo, Allo

ekkostar · 11-15-2008, 12:45 AM

I always prefer the original to the remake. The British originals of some of these shows can't compare to the American versions and are usually superior.
All of our reality shows and game shows are ripped off from Japanese and European game shows as well.

JT · 11-15-2008, 12:59 AM

Some shows are good and some are bad. To make generalizations that all of the UK's shows are better than the US's shows is ridiculous and silly. There are differences, major and minor, and I don't see a need to compare and compete.

BTW, UK television networks have had many unsuccessful shots at trying to make their own versions of US shows...universally panned versions of "The Golden Girls" ("The Brighton Belles") and "That 70s Show" ("Days Like These") immediately come to mind.

treky · 11-15-2008, 03:04 AM

they have? I never knew that.

But, getting back to the original topic: I like to watch "COUPLING" on BBC America. It's a little bit like a british version of "FRIENDS".

Also, for those in Pennslvania who can pick up the PBS station WLVT, they show "ARE YOU BEING SERVED?" Monday through Saturday nights.

comedyfreak · 11-19-2008, 05:12 AM

I like Primeval and Skin

Lastdaysofrain · 11-19-2008, 11:50 AM

That was a confusing post, is English not your first language?

Ok, so from what I think you are asking, are what are some of the best UK television shows?

I think in general television in the UK is of a higher quality than in the US just by the nature of the system over there. All television shows are handled more like a mini-series rather than a "season" like in the US. So with fewer episodes (6 or 13, instead of 22 or 24) the quality is easier to keep at a higher standard. Also generally shows only have a few writers, sometimes just one or two. Also, as far as comedies go, a lot of them star the people who wrote them. US Television is far more uptight, we have the religious right, the sponsors and the FCC restricting what can be done on network television. (also Kath and Kim is an Austrailian show)

The UK does produce some real garbage, usually when they are trying to emulate the US Sitcom formula. "Teenage Kicks", "My Family" pretty awful traditional three camera sitcoms

Some great UK shows:

The IT Crowd
Black Books
Spaced
The Day Today
I'm Alan Partridge
The Thick of It (probably the best political sitcom ever)
Brasseye
Marion and Geoff
Human Remains

FoxFan1971 · 11-25-2008, 11:23 AM

When I lived in California we had a great PBS affiliate that turned me on to a lot of British sitcoms. I'm actually watching a lot more British sitcoms than I am US sitcoms these days.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Keeping Up Appearances
Are You Being Served? (of course)
Waiting For God
The Good Life
Red Dwarf

I have a few shows coming in next week that I'm really looking forward to:

The Catherine Tate Show (She was GREAT on Dr. Who)
Wild West (Catherine Tate & Dawn French)
Big Train (Simon Pegg)

I'm always looking to find more British sitcoms (especially older ones), so if anyone has any to trade, lemme know.

11-14-2008, 10:29 PM	#1
snowcreature23 Jason is waiting. Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 16, 2007 Location: Kenai,Alaska. Posts: 758	BBC/AMERICA VS AMERICA TV SHOWS It seems to me that England comedy like BBC/AMERICA has differ'nt taste of programs then the USA Like England can show more skin,talk more foul mouth then USA Programs, but, England people has weird scince of humor then we do for instance Monty Python,Little Britan,Kate and Kathy( a nbc show with Molly Shannon,have not seen it yet) When we do copy Englans tv shows like The Office or Couples, The Office is still doing good in rateing, but the now debunk Couples left for good.I wish They aire Are You Being Served? Which was one of the best comedy shows this side of the USA AND in England. Dr.Who is pretty good what otherWhat other shows on BBC that you liked that are on now or have been on the air in England
	__________________ JUST BELEIVE

11-15-2008, 12:08 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Blackadder Mr. Bean Red Dwarf The Thin Blue Line Allo, Allo
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-15-2008, 12:45 AM	#3
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	I always prefer the original to the remake. The British originals of some of these shows can't compare to the American versions and are usually superior. All of our reality shows and game shows are ripped off from Japanese and European game shows as well.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

11-15-2008, 12:59 AM	#4
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	Some shows are good and some are bad. To make generalizations that all of the UK's shows are better than the US's shows is ridiculous and silly. There are differences, major and minor, and I don't see a need to compare and compete. BTW, UK television networks have had many unsuccessful shots at trying to make their own versions of US shows...universally panned versions of "The Golden Girls" ("The Brighton Belles") and "That 70s Show" ("Days Like These") immediately come to mind.
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

11-15-2008, 03:04 AM	#5
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	they have? I never knew that. But, getting back to the original topic: I like to watch "COUPLING" on BBC America. It's a little bit like a british version of "FRIENDS". Also, for those in Pennslvania who can pick up the PBS station WLVT, they show "ARE YOU BEING SERVED?" Monday through Saturday nights.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

11-19-2008, 05:12 AM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I like Primeval and Skin
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11-19-2008, 11:50 AM	#7
Lastdaysofrain Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 204	That was a confusing post, is English not your first language? Ok, so from what I think you are asking, are what are some of the best UK television shows? I think in general television in the UK is of a higher quality than in the US just by the nature of the system over there. All television shows are handled more like a mini-series rather than a "season" like in the US. So with fewer episodes (6 or 13, instead of 22 or 24) the quality is easier to keep at a higher standard. Also generally shows only have a few writers, sometimes just one or two. Also, as far as comedies go, a lot of them star the people who wrote them. US Television is far more uptight, we have the religious right, the sponsors and the FCC restricting what can be done on network television. (also Kath and Kim is an Austrailian show) The UK does produce some real garbage, usually when they are trying to emulate the US Sitcom formula. "Teenage Kicks", "My Family" pretty awful traditional three camera sitcoms Some great UK shows: The IT Crowd Black Books Spaced The Day Today I'm Alan Partridge The Thick of It (probably the best political sitcom ever) Brasseye Marion and Geoff Human Remains

11-25-2008, 11:23 AM	#8
FoxFan1971 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 08, 2008 Posts: 34	When I lived in California we had a great PBS affiliate that turned me on to a lot of British sitcoms. I'm actually watching a lot more British sitcoms than I am US sitcoms these days. Here are a few of my favorites: Keeping Up Appearances Are You Being Served? (of course) Waiting For God The Good Life Red Dwarf I have a few shows coming in next week that I'm really looking forward to: The Catherine Tate Show (She was GREAT on Dr. Who) Wild West (Catherine Tate & Dawn French) Big Train (Simon Pegg) I'm always looking to find more British sitcoms (especially older ones), so if anyone has any to trade, lemme know.