U.S. vs. UK TV [Archive] - UK Cigar Forums

Soulmanure

13-03-2010, 06:58 PM

So I'm just finishing up Life on Mars (BBC version), have gotten hooked on the newer Dr. Who, love Torchwood, watched State of Play, have nothing bad to say about The Office and Extras, and so on, and so on. Oh yes, and then there are the documentaries, which tend to be fantastic (for instance, while Planet Earth was visually amazing, I find Attenborough's documentaries much more impressive all around).

Long story short, I find that I tend to prefer U.K. television over American shows, with a few notable exceptions (Sopranos, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, the early seasons of Lost, etc.) While the production values are not equal, the writing just seems to be better.

Any comments on the difference and relative quality on the two?

Lee Nub

13-03-2010, 07:02 PM

Soulmanure

13-03-2010, 07:06 PM

American for me, sopranos, battlestar, caprica, sons of anarchy, the shield , fringe etc etc. I also love watching american tv when over there, especially commercials, the disclaimers at the end of medication commercials are great, I remember one said " can cause death"

Oh man--I was on the Chicago L once and saw the best drug ad ever: "Suffer from social anxiety disorder? Don't worry: You're not alone."

Simon-JG-hr

13-03-2010, 07:36 PM

It's a hard one to call really.

I think that the top end of both is very good. It's clear that there are more shows with bigger budgets in the States, and the ones that have quality to back that up are naturally excellent. I'm waiting with baited breath for "The Pacific" to start showing in April. That said, some of the BBC's top stuff is simply outstanding, especially when you take into account smaller budgets.

I personally prefer the British documentaries, largely because it is impossible to beat Attenborough.

It's very sad to say, but we did give the world some of the most awful programmes since JLB gave us television... Big Brother, 'Insert Something Here' Idol, Someplace Hasn't Got Talent...

That said, we also gifted the world the modern version of Top Gear...

The indisputable fact is, however, that the vast majority of both American and British television is truly crap...

Robusto

13-03-2010, 07:53 PM

I was surprised at what was on the BBC satellite channel when I was in the USA just now. I felt sorry that they showed you people a BBC series called Survivors (second series) because I had just wasted about six weekly hours on this here in my lounge and it was rubbish.

I'll address this properly some time but I was thrilled the US has gone digital. I always thought your TVs broadcast in orange whenever I was in the States.

My Name Is Earl. Sublime.

Rushing through...

bigbarneyhotdog

13-03-2010, 08:05 PM

My Name is Earl is great! Randy for President! :hail: Loving Two & a Half Men also, and Everybody Loves Raymond :cool: Sons of Anarchy is pretty cool. I don't really understand British comedy, Gavin & Stacy and all that rubbish :41:I just don't find it funny

moppy

13-03-2010, 08:13 PM

For shows like Lost, Dexter, Wire, Californication etc, the US do a much better job for us.
For documentaries and comedies, the UK wins every time. Attenborough is truly amazing, Life, the old Life series such as Life on Earth, Life of Birds etc. And there really aren't many comedies that can compare to Peep Show, Inbetweeners, Black Books. The only American comedy I really like is The Office.

Stevieboy

13-03-2010, 08:28 PM

I love US comedies (I seldom watch UK stuff:()

I watch these all the time:

The Office
The Big Bang Theory
Two and a Half Men
Rules of Engagement
How I Met Your Mother
30 Rock
Better Off Ted

Sadly cancelled but sorely missed: Arrested Development....genius

JoeyC

13-03-2010, 08:43 PM

Being in the US I have to say US because thats all I watch, but there are a few UK shows that I do like, The Young Ones being my all time favorite, and there are a few older shows like Are You Being Served ( I think thats the name) that I found hilarious.
I love The Office, My Name is Earl, Frisky Dingo, Archer, Rescue Me, Two and a Half Men, Arrested Development, Big Bang Theory, South Park, and anything on the History, Discovery, or Golf Channel.

moppy

13-03-2010, 09:00 PM

Arrested Development is absolute genius, I can't wait til the rumoured movie becomes concrete.

Soulmanure

13-03-2010, 09:01 PM

Some interesting points here. I think we do have some good comedies in the states--30 Rock, the U.S. Office, a new one called Modern Family, The Family Guy, as well as the old standbys--Simpsons, Seinfeld, etc. My opinion is that we've never produced anything coming even close to Monty Python.

I always forget that we got reality t.v. from you guys--I don't know if I can forgive you for that, especially since my wife watches The Bachelor, for which there ought to be a law.

And thanks JoeyC--I'd forgotten about The Young Ones. I loved that show growing up!

Robusto

13-03-2010, 10:27 PM

Joey. Soul.

If you liked The Young Ones, you would probably like Bottom if you don't know it.

uLvS_w9gy8g

Robusto

13-03-2010, 10:45 PM

Do you have a Chris Morris in the States making programmes about children smelling like hammers? If you do, please lob in a clip.

kx4ixXQFUQY

G-man

14-03-2010, 12:57 AM

JoeyC

14-03-2010, 01:04 AM

Joey. Soul.

If you liked The Young Ones, you would probably like Bottom if you don't know it.
]

That seems funny I'll have to check that out, I recognized Rick is that Vivian as well?

Soulmanure

14-03-2010, 01:29 AM

"Let's rip this dog's brains out." Nice one. But what does a hammer smell like?

Soulmanure

14-03-2010, 01:31 AM

Do you have Forehead Tittaes over there?

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5a52180b80/forehead-tittaes-w-marion-cotillard?rel=prog_related&rel_pos=1

Mr Moore

14-03-2010, 02:01 AM

Bottom was brilliant, in fact everything Rik mayall done was brilliant, I loved Alan B'stard.

shuckins

14-03-2010, 02:15 AM

what is the one where the guy sits on the stool and drinks scotch while telling jokes?
haven't seen the show in a long time and can't remember his name...

Drewmidorn

14-03-2010, 02:57 AM

I must be the only guy living that thinks Dr Who is really badly written, with some very dull story lines.

Robusto

14-03-2010, 08:03 AM

"Let's rip this dog's brains out." Nice one. But what does a hammer smell like?

I don't know but because of that shock doc I think about it every single time I tap-tap a nail.

monkey66

14-03-2010, 08:15 AM

It's a rich lexicon. Lot's of great stuff at the top end on both sides of the pond. I have to also mention South Park here as it is some of the best satire I have ever seen.

celsis

14-03-2010, 08:50 AM

Gavin and Stacy and the Office just don't make me laugh! Maybe it's a generational thing?

daverave999

14-03-2010, 09:14 AM

I wouldn't like to choose one over the other-I think there are gems from both sides.

Rather than list what everyone else has above I'll add these in too: The Day Today, Fast Show, Monkey Dust, Modern Toss, Red Dwarf (first 6 series only...), Day of the Triffids (80s version) and so on. Add in House from the US.

State of Play (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362192/) was mentioned earlier and I have to say this was one of the best things I'd seen in years and years. Great plot, cast and script. Watch it if you haven't seen it.

Simon-JG-hr

14-03-2010, 09:29 AM

State of Play (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362192/) was mentioned earlier and I have to say this was one of the best things I'd seen in years and years. Great plot, cast and script. Watch it if you haven't seen it.Excellent shout. Had completely missed it when it was on first, so wasn't aware of it. I rented the film version (American-ised), and then found out that it had been a BBC series. Found the series on DVD at HMV dirt cheap, bought it, loved it.

Pantomimehorse

14-03-2010, 01:00 PM

I have to admit I mostly watch American dramas and comedies thanks to my pal Don Load sending them to me, most of the really good Brit tv is the classic stuff, fools and horses etc, there is the odd new gem though, but even though a series over here will last for 6 episode while in the US its more like 20!

Soulmanure

14-03-2010, 02:50 PM

Excellent shout. Had completely missed it when it was on first, so wasn't aware of it. I rented the film version (American-ised), and then found out that it had been a BBC series. Found the series on DVD at HMV dirt cheap, bought it, loved it.

Agreed. I actually saw the American version first and thought it was a pretty mediocre film; when I came across the BBC version much later, I was confused, and after watching I realized what a cool show it was and how Hollywood mangled it.

And South Park is great satire, along with Family Guy and The Simpsons--do you have any adult oriented cartoon series?

This thread is great--so many shows to check out now. I haven't heard of Gavin & Stacey, but it seems to be pretty well-received here.

Kdot

14-03-2010, 03:33 PM

I like a mixture of both, the budgets are bigger state side but I hate it when they start churning out episodes with no plot advancement ie lost and heroes.

many recent UK shows have not caught my attention, just dont find them entertaining...

good shows that ive watched recently

sopranos
the wire
homicide
Oz
the shield
cleveland show
family guy
30 rock
Being Human
Lead Baloon

monkey66

14-03-2010, 03:38 PM

loved Oz but no one else seemed to have watched it?

eggopp

14-03-2010, 03:41 PM

stargate,and more stargate... cant get enough

Kdot

14-03-2010, 03:48 PM

loved Oz but no one else seemed to have watched it?

same here, i think it was shown late night on channel 4 for a bit when it first came out but then dropped, i bought some of the box sets in the days before torrents

Mr Moore

14-03-2010, 05:02 PM

loved Oz but no one else seemed to have watched it?

Oz was brilliant mate. watched them all.

rokkitsci

16-03-2010, 03:16 PM

I personally prefer the British documentaries, largely because it is impossible to beat Attenborough.

True.

Also, please to include "I, Claudius" probably one of the best series EVER on the telly.

The indisputable fact is, however, that the vast majority of both American and British television is truly crap...

Absolutely indisputable.

Soulmanure

16-03-2010, 04:54 PM

Anyone watch the Rome series? It was an HBO series featuring mainly British actors--I enjoyed it, though apparently it just got too expensive to keep going.

Oh yes, and I'm also a fan of the Alan Partridge shows--Steve Coogan is hilarious.

Soulmanure

11-04-2010, 09:10 PM

So, on the basis of some of this discussion, I finally got around to Gavin & Stacy. Well, a bit underwhelmed, but I can see why it's popular.

However, I'm totally loving Jekyll--that is kick ass.

Pandyboy

11-04-2010, 09:26 PM

I have to say that Gavin and Stacey is ok.

I love the Big bang theory, must be the geek in me.

Also I am re watching my Men behaving badly box set for the umpteemth time, really funny makes me laugh even though I've seen it loads before.

Also for me Family guy is one of the most hilarious things to come out of the states. I can't believe that no one has mentioned futurama (the 4 serise not the long eppisodes).

Also check out Black books and Father Ted some of the best chanel 4 commedy.
:cool:

gt3911

11-04-2010, 10:00 PM

I must be the only guy living that thinks Dr Who is really badly written, with some very dull story lines.

I'm with you here, I just dont get it at all :der:

Not into the gavin and stacey deal either.

Generally its a mix of both for me, it seems to have to be UK for the documentaries though.

Surprised no one has mentioned breaking bad, or even mad men.

But yeh, the usual I suppose for American shows
Sopranos
My name is early
Scrubs
Two and half men
Lost
Sons of anarchy
I quite liked heros at first, but just got bored of it.

I think my Dad has watched every episode of mash 10 times over too.:rolleyes:

Cigar-aficionado

12-04-2010, 12:41 PM

UK comedy really does come out tops but when it comes to drama etc then I have to say some of the US prograsmmes are absolutely brilliant such as Fringe, The Unit etc. From the UK we do have some excellent ones as well though such as Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes...Gene Hunt rules :hail:

Robusto

12-04-2010, 01:37 PM

I found myself unexpectedly sitting in front of the whole of this last night when I was rummaging around for my DIE HARD collection.

It is such utter UTTER shite that I think I'm hooked, already.

USA BOTL - You are SO lucky to escape a drecky TV format that reminds me so much of prime-time French TV.

The wrinkled man on the throne pretending not to be Dame Edma Everage is Andrew Lloyd-Webber. He is a clearly a master of the Syrupy Showbiz Ta Ta Speech.

Anyone else suddenly hooked can watch the lot on BBC iPlayer.

The part where the week's losing Dorothy has to hand over her ruby slippers is just about as bucket-filling as camp can get!

CLICK THIS! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80TdtK-tLpU&feature=PlayList&p=8A8965275600ECA0&playnext_from=PL)

Robusto

12-04-2010, 01:44 PM

I want to see...

maybe...

some COMPASSION... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpzSmr3_xYo&feature=channel)

lmfao :849:

No more.
For now.

Pandyboy

14-04-2010, 01:29 AM

One thing that always makes me laugh a lot is Alan Partridge, what a ledgend!!!!

:hail:

Soulmanure

14-04-2010, 02:06 PM

Steve Coogan is a genius.

Robusto

14-04-2010, 02:55 PM

Yup. :smoke:

Pandyboy

14-04-2010, 10:54 PM

Also check out a guy called Charlie Brooker. He does 2 programs called screenwipe and newswipe on BBC4 and will be starting a new serise of You have been watching on Chanel 4 soon. Check him out on you tube I think he is funny as f..k!!!!