TV Anorak: An American Intro To British TV-The R's

anorak
1. British: A person obsessively interested in a thing or topic that doesn't seem to warrant such attention.

This series of Challenge posts is an introduction to British TV shows for my fellow Americans. For instructions on how to play different region-coded DVD's, please go either here or here to read my previous blog posts that should clear up any confusion. Next up:

a-to-z-letters-r

Roger and Val Have Just Got In
This is one of the most interesting and entertaining shows I have. It's very theatrical, completely dialog driven, and plays out in real time. It follows a married couple, Dawn French and Alfred Molina, as they come home from their respective jobs. You might think it sounds boring, but this show is far from boring! But I do have to say, until you get used to the format, it does feel extremely voyeuristic! There is a second series to this show, but it hasn't been released on DVD as of yet.

Robin Hood
This is Richard Armitage as the baddest of baddies, but you can't help but feel sorry for him! This three series arch is yet another incarnation of the Robin Hood legend, but, other than the old Errol Flynn version, this is the only other one I actually liked. My impatience almost ruined it for me though. I loved the first series so much, that I couldn't wait to watch the second series, so I started looking around the web for spoilers...bad idea! Once I knew what was going to happen, I barely made it halfway through the second series before I quit watching it. The second and third series sat virtually unwatched on the shelf next to my beloved first series for years and I would cringe everytime I looked at them. But my love of Richard won out, and on a day when I was having Richard withdrawal, I started them again. Boy, was I severely angry with myself for waiting...they were amazing! Once you get past the "hump", it's one of the best shows to ever air on BBCA. I have seen Jonas Armstrong in several other series and in guest roles, but he will forever be Robin. I really wanted to put up a fan video of Richard as Sir Guy, but the good ones all had spoilers, so you'll just have to see for yourself!

Ripper Street
This is a fairly new show, starring Mr. Darcy himself, Matthew MacFadyen. Set in Whitechapel in the late 1800's, immediately following the Jack the Ripper murders, it centers around three men, two cops and a forsenic specialist (or as specialist as the 1890's can get) trying to control the streets and prevent copycat murders. It's gritty, dark, spooky and raw, but Matthew still is one of the most gorgeous men alive! There will be a second series next year, so plenty more of him to come.

And that's it for "R". "S" is huge, both in quality and quantity, so you might want to get a nice cup of tea ready!

Comments

kate n said…
Its just occurred to me that I never recommended Grandmas House, Hustle or Drop the Dead Donkey, or Rising Damp, or The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, Hercule Poirot (with David Suchet), back in the day Holby City used to be great, How not to live your life, Keeping up appearances, Luther, Material Girl (which sadly only had one series but it was good), Messiah, Mistresses (UK version), My Family, My Hero is mildly entertaining with the actor from Father Ted, One foot in the grave, Peep show, Rev, a really old comedy called Shelley, To the manor born, Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, am I getting ahead of myself? I shall save the rest of the letters then! :D