The_Tank Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 When it comes to drama on television, who makes it better. In my opinion america just do it better, they have the budgets to make high quality shows, there writers are better and there shows just interest me more.Even when i was growing up and we didn't have sky and watched shows like the bill, coronation street, heartbeat. I hated watching those shows, they were just not for me.In saying that we make amazing gameshows, bring back crystal maze.Discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hmmm, UltravioletThis LifeKiller NetHustleQueer as FolkRed RidingTeachersSugar RushMessiahBergeracSpooksThe Buddha of SuburbiaThe Crow RoadLife on MarsAshes to AshesOur Friends in the NorthCrackerPrime SuspectRomeSilent WitnessSurvivors (70s and recent versions)The StreetTaggart (early stuff only)Waking The DeadApparitionsThat's almost exclusively ignoring British comedy. I admit not everything in that list is to everyone's taste but there is some great drama in there. I'm sure i'll remember more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Tank Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Never seen any of these shows, maybe hustle. The old school itv has rotted my british viewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Never seen any of these shows, maybe hustle. The old school itv has rotted my british viewing.See, the Bill, Coronation Street and Heartbeat are all family serials or soaps. There is some boundary pushing, quality, British drama on TV. You might need to watch some to see it though.It's no secret that the Americans are always trying to import our TV series (Life On Mars, The Office etc) over to their market yet we very rarely do the same with theirs. Don't get me wrong, there are some brilliant US television programs out there but there are also some quality British ones as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Tank Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I never thought of it like that, probably because the televison isn't controlled by me in my house and it seems like it goes from one crappy soap to the other, untill house and lie to me appear on sky one.Also seen taggart, not a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monster Zero Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hmmm, UltravioletThis LifeKiller NetHustleQueer as FolkRed RidingTeachersSugar RushMessiahBergeracSpooksThe Buddha of SuburbiaThe Crow RoadLife on MarsAshes to AshesOur Friends in the NorthCrackerPrime SuspectRomeSilent WitnessSurvivors (70s and recent versions)The StreetTaggart (early stuff only)Waking The DeadApparitionsThat's almost exclusively ignoring British comedy. I admit not everything in that list is to everyone's taste but there is some great drama in there. I'm sure i'll remember more.Huge omission - The Lakes!!! Best British TV ever if you ask me. Even if series 2 was completely mad.Shameless should also be included, certainly at least the first 3 series. I thought Teachers went down hill after series 2.haven't seen much of that list since I don't tend to watch TV, I usually end up buying whole series on DVD if I fancy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Stu Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 When it comes to drama on television, who makes it better. In my opinion america just do it better, they have the budgets to make high quality shows, there writers are better and there shows just interest me more.Even when i was growing up and we didn't have sky and watched shows like the bill, coronation street, heartbeat. I hated watching those shows, they were just not for me.In saying that we make amazing gameshows, bring back crystal maze.Discuss.I remember growing up in the 80s when all the drama was British and the American shows were mostly soaps and action series. That's changed a lot, especially since our obsession with reality TV and talent shows gained in the last decade. We seem to be exporting that trend to the US and importing their scripted TV shows more than anything else these days.Too many period dramas too. Fuck that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Huge omission - The Lakes!!! Best British TV ever if you ask me. Even if series 2 was completely mad.Shameless should also be included, certainly at least the first 3 series. I thought Teachers went down hill after series 2.haven't seen much of that list since I don't tend to watch TV, I usually end up buying whole series on DVD if I fancy it.Ahhh, the Lakes was fantastic. Almost like a UK Twin Peaks in places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delboy Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 i'd go for british drama and comedy over american, some great stuff has come out the states but i much prefer british stuff, mainly bbc stuff - ITV dramas can be incredibly poor, i think they try too hard to emulate the beeb at times. having said that ITV are capable of some good stuff such as the bill (though havent watched it ages) and a touch of frost. hell even midsomer murders can be quite gripping. but then again some of the dross ITV produce is shocking, anyone remember rosemary and thyme - 2 crime busting gardeners???? beyond shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teabags Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 as far as comedy goes, Britain wins everytime. And gameshows.Mind you, I don't watch much TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Stu Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 British comedy hasn't been all that great for the last few years, with the exception of Peep Show. There's been nothing of the standard of The Office, Spaced or The League of Gentlemen lately whereas the US has had greats like Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm.Although then they made Big Bang Theory, so I think we're still winning on balance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Tank Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thats why the channel dave and bravo are good for shows, watch all the good comedy from a few years ago. Mock the week is always good for a laugh, mostly because of frankie boyle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I don't really watch Drama, but I've never been one for British comedy. I like Spaced, Peep Show and The Green Wing. I think British stand up comedians are better too. As far as Sitcoms go though, I think the States do them better. They seem to really saturate the Sitcom market though, but I geuss we do the same with sketch shows. We really need to stop making sketch shows. They are just godawful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Your God Now Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I don't watch a great deal of T.V, other than sports and comedy shows.When it comes to comedy we have the likes of Spaced, Chewin' The Fat, The Fast Show all of which are genius.Where as the U.S has the likes of South Park, Metalocalypse, Seinfeld, which are some of the greatest things ever made, in my opinion.Although Dirty Sanchez > Jackass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I think Dirty Sanchez just ran with the shock factor of Jackass instead of the sillyness which is where it falters for me. I'm not all that fond of watching a bunch of Welsh skaters hammer drawing pins into their skull. I'd rather watch Dave England eat his own puke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Your God Now Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 It's all down to what you like I guess, I enjoy the shock factor much more, also the reactions of Pritchard always crack me up. Most of Jackass was complete gold right enough.Movie wise I prefer the Jackass ones.We also had "World Famous for Dicking Around", but lets not go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 The reaction of Pritchard always made me wonder why he's even doing it in the first place, and what does he actually expect? It is pretty funny when he's trying to punch and kick people he push his limits ever so slightly too far.My favourite Jackass sketch is Urban Kayaking. Ehrin and Dave are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Your God Now Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Urban Kayaking was a stroke of genius. My favourite was probably American Werewolf in London. Totally forgot about how utterly brilliant Pontius is, best cunt ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Pontius is great. Especially when he is Bunny the Lifeguard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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