… that you might not know about me. I have decided to start a list of 100 things you might not know about me, the plan is to write something once a week, no promises on the frequency, but I’ll do my best. I have been thinking about this for about a week, the first thing on my list needs to be a good one, as I sit here, at my Dad’s house, watching my favorite weekend PBS shows, I have to choose this is the first on the list of 100 things. I like watching Britcoms. It’s something I have enjoyed for many years, in no particular order, here are my favorites:
- Are You Being Served
- Are You Being Served Again
- Mulberry
- Keeping Up Appearances
- Only Fools And Horses
- The Vicar Of Dibley
- Yes, Minister
- Yes, Prime Minister
- Mr. Bean
- Black Adder
- The Thin Blue Line (it’s OK, that’s the best I can give it)
- Fawlty Towers
- The Young Ones (yes, I know, but it’s good for a laugh…)
- ‘Allo ‘Allo (I didn’t like this one at first, the second time around it grew on me)
- The Royle Family
- Open All Hours
- Dad’s Army
- Last Of The Summer Wine (I’m watching this one as I type)
- Red Dwarf
- Father Ted
- Coupling (another one I didn’t like at first, but grew to like it)
- Supernova (a fairly newish one)
- As Time Goes By (a particular favorite)
- Chef! (yet another I despised at first, but it became another favorite)
- Goodnight Sweetheart
- Kiss Me Kate
- To The Manor Born
- Waiting For God
- My Hero
- Good Neighbors (also called “The Good Life”)
Wow, I didn’t realize the list was so long until I started listing them, some of these shows air frequently on PBS, some I have only seen one season’s worth. Bob and I used to watch several Britcoms together, it was one of our weekend rituals, he tells me that he really didn’t care for most of them, but he enjoyed “our time” watching them together, that made it all the more special to me. Some of the ones he liked were Keeping Up Appearances and As Time Goes By.
Sitting here watching Britcoms is a bittersweet activity for me, we don’t get Britcoms in our new life, while it’s fun to watch them again, but it would be so much better if Bob were here, sitting next to me, enjoying all of these shows. :)
So there, that’s my first of 100 things you might not know about me, but now you do. :)
Wretha
13 Responses
Have an AYBS website in case you are interested. :-)
Jayne, I LOVE Britcoms! It’s funny because I generally don’t like American sitcoms. :)
Wretha
Hi Wretha,
as a Brit I’d like to thank you for pointing out that we do some things well, esp sitcoms! We get alot of US imports and I think sometimes we doubt our ability to create home grown gems. It’s great to see our comedies giving as much pleasure over there as they do here!
Jayne
Michael
I didn’t like Coupling at first, but once I saw the very first episode, THEN the show really made sense to me, if you haven’t seen the beginning, try to see the first few shows I’m sure you’ll enjoy it even more, maybe your local video rental store will have it, it’s worth checking out (pun intended).
I would put Dr Who in the Britcom category, it does have comedic qualities, I watched a couple of shows, but probably will not get to watch it when I get back home. I’ve also seen HitchHiker’s Guide, but didn’t care for it, it’s just too hokey for me, yeah I know, I like Red Dwarf and I’m calling HitchHiker’s Guide hokey, go figure… :)
Wretha
Hi Wretha,
Just catching up on your blog. The wife and I watch Britcoms almost every week! Personal favs are Red Dwarf and Black Adder. Coupling is new to us, we’ve only watched a few, but it is growing on us as well. I know it’s not a comedy, but Dr. Who also rates a high mention in my book of British TV.
Also, a long time ago I saw The HitchHiker’s Guide to The Galaxy on PBS (early 80s?). That is a classic, if you ever get to see it.
Great list, keep it up!
Michael
Diamondback
Ohhh, I know what you are talking about, I think it was also called “Good Neighbors”, that’s how I remember it, anyhoo, I was trying to remember the name of that one and couldn’t, I didn’t find it in the very comprehensive list of Britcoms where I got all the other show titles, so thanks for reminding me, I’ll add that to the list. :)
Wretha
Sorry wrong title. I was thinking of “The Good Life” not the simple life. I’d never recommend Paris Hilton for anything. “The Good Life” is a great British sitcom from the 70’s about a couple that decides to get out of the “rat race” and become self sufficient in their life. Going off-grid, growing their own food, making their own clothes, etc. The neighbors think they’re nuts but support them in their lifestyle. Very funny.
-Diamondback
Scavenger
I’ve heard the name, but don’t believe I’ve seen the show, can’t even remember where or when I heard the name…
Wretha
Diamondback
Thanks for your comment, I have seen that show a couple of times, but I am not into Paris Hilton or her little friend, I felt like they were making fun of rural people and lifestyle, nope, can’t deal with that sort of nonsense, they will put anything on TV, I’m glad I don’t watch it much anymore…
Wretha
If you get a chance, check out “The Simple Life” it should be right up your alley.
Diamondback
Many years ago I used to watch Dave Allen At Large. Do you remember that one? Does it still come on? I loved that guy.
Chris
Sid
Thanks for your comment, Open All Hours and Only Fools and Horses is on my list, the first is a particular favorite, the latter had to grow on me… I’ve seen Porridge, that one that only aired one season on PBS where I lived, I didn’t care for it (I kept waiting for Ronnie Barker to stu-stu-stutter while rubbing his hands) and since it only aired for one season, it didn’t grow on me.
You must be a fan of David Jason and Ronnie Barker, I am too. :) I find it interesting, but sometimes disconcerting that many of the same actors tended to play in several different series, I suspect that was why some of the shows I watched had to “grow on me”, I just couldn’t get the image of the the previous character out of my head while watching them play a new character.
Wretha
I also enjoy most of the britcoms on your list, 3 other shows you must try to see are Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours and Porridge.