If only I could put together TV Schedules (Top Ten TV Programmes... Ever!)

Member Name: Coxy1974

Product:	Top Ten TV Programmes... Ever!
Date:	06/02/07 (228 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic pieces of television

Disadvantages: Some of you may not have a scooby what I'm talking about & not to everyones taste!

So what are the top ten TV Programmes?

I've enjoyed reading through other peoples reviews on this subject and thought I'd add my own.

I don’t watch that much television (don’t really have the time!) but I do like to catch my favourite shows when I can.

I’m not into watching Soaps or anything like that so some of you may think my choices a bit boring really but then again, this is my list so hey ho. So in no particular order

Only Fools & Horses

Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Uncle Albert, Boyce, Marlene, Trigger and Co. I actually enjoy the later episodes with Uncle Albert. I loved the episode where Del Boy goes to lean on the bar only to find that the hatch has been lifted and falls directly through. The Batman and Robin episode makes for a great laugh but my all time favourite episode has to be where they actually make it rich. The rocking Reliant Robin at the end is so funny. Such a pity they had to ruin it by making further episodes where they lost it all. It would have been great if they’d ended it here.

This Life

Cult 90’s show that ran for 2 series on BBC2. Centres around a group of 20-something lawyers, some of whom share a house owned by Miles. What I liked about this programme is that the characters are really strong and the show is really well written by Amy Jenkins and each character is really believable. Anna was my favourite character, mainly because she was a strong female but she did have her problems but blocked them out with booze and drugs. Millie and Egg were introduced as a couple however, Millie ends up having an affair with her boss and then decking a female colleague at Miles’ wedding for telling Egg. Brilliantly directed making for a cracking piece of television. They made a one off special of This Life recently but I missed it!!!!!!

Pride and Prejudice

The BBC adaptation of one of Jane Austens best known novels. This book is one of my favourites so when I heard that the BBC were doing this adaptation I was interested to see how it would pan out. When I saw it I was astounded by how well they had cast the central characters. Colin Firth as Mark Darcy is spot on, he brings the aloofness to the character that I always saw in the book. Jennifer Elhe as Elizabeth Bennet was perfect in delivering the biting, cutting remarks with just the right amount of sarcasm that comes over in the book. The most brilliant piece of casting for me was Alison Steadman as Mrs Bennet. She played the obnoxious social climber with the right amount of ‘over the topness’ you’d expect for the character to work anything like the book.

2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps

Centres around 5 characters from Runcorn. Gaz is a mechanic and obsessed by sex and brilliantly played by Will Mellor. Ralf Little plays Johnny who is now married to Janet. Janet is best friends with Donna who is dating Gaz. Add to this the tactless and gold-digging Louise and you’ve got a brilliant mix. Some of my favourite episodes include the episode where Johnny sees Corinthiun (his and Janets son) keep sticking his fingers down his nappy and when he sees Gaz do this immediately thinks that he is Gaz’s son (Janet and Gaz slept together shortly before Janet found out she was pregnant). Johnny takes Corrinthiun to Gaz and gives him to him. Janet and Johnny’s wedding day where they get stuck in the back of the Iceland truck is priceless.

Dinnerladies

Written by Victoria Wood. This ran for 2 series on BBC1 in the late 90’s and centred around a group of canteen staff at a factory. It dealt with some very sensitive issues in a light hearted way. Julie Walters played the part of Victoria Woods alcoholic mum. Brilliant acting all round. If anyone remembers Acorn Antiques then you'll recognise Celia Imrie as the hapless manager in all the mayhem.

One Foot in the Grave

Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew is perfectly cast. I guess a lot of us have a bit of Victor about us. I know that I certainly find a lot of things irritating that Victor did however, I’m not quite as vocal as Victor. Long suffering wife Margaret deserves a medal for putting up with him for so long. I had to laugh at the episode where Victor burnt the soles of his feet and the Christmas special where they spent the whole holiday in Portugal in that grotty hole instead of the villa they were supposed to be in.

The Vicar of Dibley

I didn’t find this very funny when it first appeared on our screens but it kind of grew on me. Dawn French is a naturally funny woman and plays her part with perfect timing. I love the end scenes with Alice where she tells a joke and Alice never gets it. I loved the Christmas special where Geraldine finally got married! Seemed quite fitting for her to end up getting married in her pj’s because her dress got splattered with mud.

Absolutely Fabulous

I loved it from the very first episode. Jennifer Saunders owns a PR company and lives in Holland Park with her straightlaced daughter Saffron played by Julia Sawalha. I wasn’t keen on the casting of Joanna Lumley as Patsy, Edina’s posh friend, however she soon proved she has perfect comic timing. My favourite episode has to be when Patsy burns Edina’s kitchen by passing out with a burning cigarette. When she pops up, fag still in mouth, hair intact wondering what happened. Jane Horrocks is also superb in this programme as air head Bubble, Edina’s PA. When she gets a dog and keeps it in her handbag then utters the famous line of ‘A dog is not just for life, it’s for Christmas!’ Genius.

The Young Ones

Rik Mayall is excellent as Rik in this. Adrian Edmonson is hilarious as Vivian and I love Nigel Planer as Neil the hippy. This series was always a little surreal with talking vegetables, Vivian got ‘pregnant’ but it was really just a huge fart he needed and Mike blew up the house when he lit his cigar after Vivian had farted, Neil joined the police and was taught how to use his Walkie Talkie by Alexis Sayle, they all went on University Challenge as well and kept calling Bamber Gascoigne ‘Bambi’. They usually had a band on the show in the middle of the programme – most memorable was Madness singing Our House. I really can’t believe that my parents used to let me watch this when I look back at it now.

How Clean is your House?

I love watching Kim and Aggie bully people into making their homes clean and tidy. Being a bit of a cleanliness freak I am constantly amazed by the amount of crap that people keep and the state they let their houses get into. It’s a shame that people do this as 30 minutes a day keeps the house hoovered, dusted and bathrooms sparkling. I suppose I love seeing how other people live too so maybe I just like this show to have a nosy around other peoples houses!

So there we go – my favourite ten TV shows. Probably boring to some but to me these are the things that keep me entertained!

Summary: IMHO - Brilliant, Classic television