British Sitcoms V's Modern TV Dramas chat and other such things

[Alf]

I'm the only person I know who's never watched this.


*****Moved from the Game Of Thrones thread as the discussion grew a life of it's own - Niamh******

[user104658]

I'm the only person I know who's never watched this.I don't understand when people have NEVER watched a highly rated / well known pop culture show like this. Like, I do get that it's not everyone's thing, I know a few people who tried an episode or two and couldn't get into it... Which is fair enough... But surely it's worth a shot.

[Alf]

I don't understand when people have NEVER watched a highly rated / well known pop culture show like this. Like, I do get that it's not everyone's thing, I know a few people who tried an episode or two and couldn't get into it... Which is fair enough... But surely it's worth a shot.I don't really watch much TV these day's. I'd rather just put a dvd on. I like watching classic British sitcoms like Steptoe and Son, Dad's Army, Whatever happened to the likely lads, Rising Damp, One foot in the grave, Allo Allo, The Royle family and Till death us do part. They're my favourites and I have all those boxsets.

They make me happy, so I ain't changing.

They don't make TV shows like they used too.

[Smithy]

I don't really watch much TV these day's. I'd rather just put a dvd on. I like watching classic British sitcoms like Steptoe and Son, Dad's Army, Whatever happened to the likely lads, Rising Damp, One foot in the grave, Allo Allo, The Royle family and Till death us do part. They're my favourites and I have all those boxsets.

They make me happy, so I ain't changing.

They don't make TV shows like they used too.

No they make better ones

[Alf]

No they make better onesViewing figures would say differently.

[Smithy]

Viewing figures would say differently.

16.1 million watched the premiere in the US alone and then millions of others WW, so nope, GoT still wins!

[Alf]

16.1 million watched the premiere in the US alone and then millions of others WW, so nope, GoT still wins!20m+ watched Only fools and horses, and that was in Britain, which is far less populated than the US.

[Niamh.]

The examples you gave are just totally different to GOTs though Alf. They're all sitcom comedy type shows which are good and enjoyable and light viewing but they're not really comparable to a show like GOTs, it's a totally different viewing experience and it's a bit silly to write something like that off out of pure stubbornness imo but each to their own I guess, you're the only one missing out

[Alf]

The examples you gave are just totally different to GOTs though Alf. They're all sitcom comedy type shows which are good and enjoyable and light viewing but they're not really comparable to a show like GOTs, it's a totally different viewing experience and it's a bit silly to write something like that off out of pure stubbornness imo but each to their own I guess, you're the only one missing outRubbish, these kind of modern drama series are all the same.

They've ruined the World of the motion picture, because they're basically just films turned into a series.

I'd rather watch a film that last for a couple of hours, then drag it out over weeks and weeks.

The cinema is dying because of these series.

[Alf]

Repeats of Dad's army are still prime time Saturday night viewing on the BBC.

Will Game of thrones be, in 50 years time?


There's no substitute for quality TV.

[DouglasS]

Game of Thrones is far superior.

[DouglasS]

Also what a load of rubbish, the cinema is thriving right now, current films are producing the biggest box offices in history and more people are going to the cinema this decade than ever before.

[Alf]

Game of Thrones is far superior.A fad.

[Niamh.]

Rubbish, these kind of modern drama series are all the same.

They've ruined the World of the motion picture, because they're basically just films turned into a series.

I'd rather watch a film that last for a couple of hours, then drag it out over weeks and weeks.

The cinema is dying because of these series.

Well actually, Game of Thrones is a book series turned into a TV series, it's far too long to turn into a movie series even as a TV series they've had to cut alot out that they had in the books. If we had to compare it to anything at all it would be more comparable to the Lord of the Rings movie series rather than any other TV series. I don't know how you are so sure that they're "all the same" considering you just admitted to not watching any of Game of Thrones

I don't know about anyone else but I still enjoy both film and TV.

[Shaun]

16m on a cable channel you have to pay for in today's world of 404930 different viewing options vs. 20m for a comedy on one of our - what - 4 channels at the time? I'm sure HBO are terrified :laugh:

[DouglasS]

Well we all have different opinions, you have to deal with it. I can actually say I've seen multiple Dad's army episodes and thought it was ****. You can't even say that about Game of Thrones.

[Alf]

Also what a load of rubbish, the cinema is thriving right now, current films are producing the biggest box offices in history and more people are going to the cinema this decade than ever before.Codswallop.

I remember when people used to be queueing a mile down the street, last time I went to the pictures there was about 6 people including myself.

[DouglasS]

16m on a cable channel you have to pay for in today's world of 404930 different viewing options vs. 20m for a comedy on one of our - what - 4 channels at the time? I'm sure HBO are terrified :laugh:

:hello::hello::hello:

It's not even comparable we're in different times with far more options for choice/telly now.

Especially including people watching online/illegally downloading, which GOT has the record for in history for most streamed/downloaded TV show, which also doesn't account to viewing figures.

Almost everyone I know here watches it illegally online.

[Niamh.]

Repeats of Dad's army are still prime time Saturday night viewing on the BBC.

Will Game of thrones be, in 50 years time?


There's no substitute for quality TV.

Again you're comparing a sitcom to a TV show with a storyline that reaches a conclusion. A sitcom like the ones you listed or more modern ones like Friends or The Big Bang Theory are always going to be repeated more often because you can watch them as stand alone episodes because of their nature. With shows like Game Of Thrones, you have to follow the story in order episode by episode or it doesn't make sense. They're not in the slightest bit comparable

[Niamh.]

Codswallop.

I remember when people used to be queueing a mile down the street, last time I went to the pictures there was about 6 people including myself.

Because as Shaun pointed out, people had limited TV channels and no access to streaming or d/ling movies online, **** all to do with TV series

[Alf]

Another big reason why your comedy shows ain't as liked as your dramas these day's is because the writers no longer have the freedom to write what's funny, just in-case someone somewhere gets offended. Political correctness has played a big part in destroying fun and laughter. Thank God for boxsets of the old classics.

[Niamh.]

Not sure what that has to do with Game of Thrones but ok

[Alf]

Not sure what that has to do with Game of Thrones but okIt means, because your modern comedy programmes are not as funny anymore, people now prefer to watch guff like Game of thrones.

[Niamh.]

It means, because your modern comedy programmes are not as funny anymore, people now prefer to watch guff like Game of thrones.

I disagree, it's not one or the other, most people are capable of appreciating both a sitcom and a drama series as they're too different viewing experiences, most people don't feel the need to have to choose one over the other like they're some sort of foes :laugh: Sitcoms may have been better back in the 70's/80's/90's, drama series in general were worse than they are now, I still watched both though.

[Smithy]

I'm the only person I know who's never watched this.

It means, because your modern comedy programmes are not as funny anymore, people now prefer to watch guff like Game of thrones.

Haven't watched it but still gonna slag it off

Logic :clap1:

[Alf]

Haven't watched it but still gonna slag it off

Logic :clap1:Of course, why not? Moaning and complaining is a great British trait that makes you feel good.

Although I didn't start by slagging it off, I just said I've never watched it, but people had to stick their oar in and tell me I'm somehow in the wrong for not watching it.

[Nicky91]

oh well i do like these sort of adventure tv shows, and it has 2 dutch actors in it, Carice Van Houten and Michiel Huisman :D

[Niamh.]

Of course, why not? Moaning and complaining is a great British trait that makes you feel good.

Although I didn't start by slagging it off, I just said I've never watched it, but people had to stick their oar in and tell me I'm somehow in the wrong for not watching it.

I don't think anyone was saying you're in the wrong for not watching it just that they didn't understand why you wouldn't give it a go because it's so good, I'm always trying to get anyone who hasn't watched it to give it a shot and tbh so far 100% of the people I've forced to watch it now are addicted too :laugh: It's because we care Alf and don't want you to miss out :love:

[Alf]

oh well i do like these sort of adventure tv shows, and it has 2 dutch actors in it, Carice Van Houten and Michiel Huisman :DI'm relying on you in the pub quiz if Game of thrones questions come up.

[Tom4784]

Of course, why not? Moaning and complaining is a great British trait that makes you feel good.

Although I didn't start by slagging it off, I just said I've never watched it, but people had to stick their oar in and tell me I'm somehow in the wrong for not watching it.

I'd say you're more in the wrong for going into a thread for a TV show you aren't interested in and slagging it off for a reaction when you haven't even watched it.

[Alf]

I don't think anyone was saying you're in the wrong for not watching it just that they didn't understand why you wouldn't give it a go because it's so good, I'm always trying to get anyone who hasn't watched it to give it a shot and tbh so far 100% of the people I've forced to watch it now are addicted too :laugh: It's because we care Alf and don't want you to miss out :love:It sounds far too pornographic for me, I'm a good boy.

I hope children ain't watching it, My dad used to switch the TV over if a lady was in her underwear.

[Nicky91]

I'm relying on you in the pub quiz if Game of thrones questions come up.

no pressure there then :joker: :worry:

[Alf]

I'd say you're more in the wrong for going into a thread for a TV show you aren't interested in and slagging it off for a reaction when you haven't even watched it.I wasn't after a reaction. I was just showing how unique I am.

[Niamh.]

It sounds far too pornographic for me, I'm a good boy.

I hope children ain't watching it, My dad used to switch the TV over if a lady was in her underwear.

:laugh:

[DouglasS]

It sounds far too pornographic for me, I'm a good boy.

I hope children ain't watching it, My dad used to switch the TV over if a lady was in her underwear.

Loads of kids and teenagers watch it, it's just nudity.

[Niamh.]

I wasn't after a reaction. I was just showing how unique I am.

Not that unique if what you say is right and the old sitcoms were more popular than GOTs though, eh? :fan:

[Niamh.]

Loads of kids and teenagers watch it, it's just nudity.

Kids? bad parenting if they do

[DouglasS]

Kids? bad parenting if they do

My friends and I use to watch season 1 and 2 when we were like 14/15 - tbh Parents don't know what is watched on laptops/devices so it's not exactly bad parenting.

[Niamh.]

My friends use to watch season 1 and 2 when we were like 14/15 - tbh Parents don't know what is watched on laptops/devices so it's not exactly bad parenting.

You said Kids and teenagers, 14/15 is teenagers, I assumed when you said both that kids means younger than teens?

[DouglasS]

You said Kids and teenagers, 14/15 is teenagers, I assumed when you said both that kids means younger than teens?

I kinda grouped them together, I meant Kids and teenagers kinda meaning like 13-16.

[Nicky91]

You said Kids and teenagers, 14/15 is teenagers, I assumed when you said both that kids means younger than teens?

Niamh clocking Douglas :clap2:

[user104658]

To be fair, I'm not sure that a fan of dusty old British comedies would particularly enjoy a political fantasy drama :joker:.

Can't say I'm a big fan of much older British comedy, most of it really grates on me. The only older series that I find really funny are Fawlty Towers and Father Ted, and of course the latter, whilst a British production for a British channel, is really full blood Irish :D.

There are a few more recent British comedies that I enjoy too so I'm not convinced that it's gone downhill at all :shrug:. As for "PC culture" - there's stuff in something like The Inbetweeners that they'd never have gotten away with "back in the day", the same as there are things in older comedies they wouldn't say now. PC hadn't "increased", it's simply changed focus.

[DouglasS]

Niamh clocking Douglas :clap2:

This is literally just a discussion, you need to learn how to read situations properly :crazy:

[Nicky91]

This is literally just a discussion, you need to learn how to read situations properly :crazy:

sorry :sad:

[Niamh.]

To be fair, I'm not sure that a fan of dusty old British comedies would particularly enjoy a political fantasy drama :joker:.

Can't say I'm a big fan of much older British comedy, most of it really grates on me. The only older series that I find really funny are Fawlty Towers and Father Ted, and of course the latter, whilst a British production for a British channel, is really full blood Irish :D.

There are a few more recent British comedies that I enjoy too so I'm not convinced that it's gone downhill at all :shrug:. As for "PC culture" - there's stuff in something like The Inbetweeners that they'd never have gotten away with "back in the day", the same as there are things in older comedies they wouldn't say now. PC hadn't "increased", it's simply changed focus.

Yeah I wouldn't have been a huge fan either bar those two. A bit more modern day ones like The Office, Extras, Peep Show, The IT Crowd are all very good though imo

[user104658]

Kids? bad parenting if they doYeah it's really not a kids show, not just for graphic content, but I don't think many kids under 12 could really follow the politics :think:.

To be fair I don't mind my 7 year old seeing (non-sexual) nudity on TV, it's just human bodies, and I'm not really opposed to her seeing fantasy violence and I don't care at all about swearing... But GoT has a lot of violent sex scenes, not to mention all of the incest, and no child can process things like that!

My wife does tell her the very watered down "Tale of Arya Stark" as a bed time story though :joker:. She also likes The Flash as a bedtime story, though she won't watch it even though it would be fine. She's not into superheroes, she says. Unless it's in bedtime story form apparently :think:.

[Niamh.]

I kinda grouped them together, I meant Kids and teenagers kinda meaning like 13-16.

My daughter just started watching it this year and she's just turned 17, I wouldn't allow my 13 year old to watch it but tbh he's got no interest in watching TV series other than superhero ones at the moment

[Alf]

To be fair, I'm not sure that a fan of dusty old British comedies would particularly enjoy a political fantasy drama :joker:.

Can't say I'm a big fan of much older British comedy, most of it really grates on me. The only older series that I find really funny are Fawlty Towers and Father Ted, and of course the latter, whilst a British production for a British channel, is really full blood Irish :D.

There are a few more recent British comedies that I enjoy too so I'm not convinced that it's gone downhill at all :shrug:. As for "PC culture" - there's stuff in something like The Inbetweeners that they'd never have gotten away with "back in the day", the same as there are things in older comedies they wouldn't say now. PC hadn't "increased", it's simply changed focus.TV programmes don't come more political than 'Till death us do part' and Alf Garnett's views on the World.

I learned far more from watching sitcoms then I ever did at school.

[Niamh.]

Yeah it's really not a kids show, not just for graphic content, but I don't think many kids under 12 could really follow the politics :think:.

To be fair I don't mind my 7 year old seeing (non-sexual) nudity on TV, it's just human bodies, and I'm not really opposed to her seeing fantasy violence and I don't care at all about swearing... But GoT has a lot of violent sex scenes, not to mention all of the incest, and no child can process things like that!

My wife does tell her the very watered down "Tale of Arya Stark" as a bed time story though :joker:. She also likes The Flash as a bedtime story, though she won't watch it even though it would be fine. She's not into superheroes, she says. Unless it's in bedtime story form apparently :think:.

Yeah GOTs is filled with such a massive combination of totally inappropriate and disturbing stuff, incest, torture, rape

ah the Flash, that's me and my sons favourite thing to watch together

[user104658]

Yeah GOTs is filled with such a massive combination of totally inappropriate and disturbing stuff, incest, torture, rape

ah the Flash, that's me and my sons favourite thing to watch togetherShe properly refuses to get into marvel and DC :bawling:. Maybe in a few more years. She does like Harry Potter and that is basically superhero stuff right?

But with live action TV she's into utter trash like "My Babysitter is a Vampire", "Victorious" and "Sam and Cat" with Arianna Grande. Try watching THAT, Alf, then come back and say that GoT is bad :umm2:.

[Niamh.]

She properly refuses to get into marvel and DC :bawling:. Maybe in a few more years. She does like Harry Potter and that is basically superhero stuff right?

But with live action TV she's into utter trash like "My Babysitter is a Vampire", "Victorious" and "Sam and Cat" with Arianna Grande. Try watching THAT, Alf, then come back and say that GoT is bad :umm2:.

Yeah my daughter like superhero stuff now but she didn't up until maybe 3 years ago

[Nicky91]

isn't this going way offtopic now :umm2:

[Alf]

isn't this going way offtopic now :umm2:Don't worry Nicky, we're just debating.

I'm educating these people on the joys of the classic British sitcom.

[Niamh.]

Don't worry Nicky, we're just debating.

I'm educating these people on the joys of the classic British sitcom.

:laugh:

Nicky is right though, I might make a new thread with these posts

[user104658]

isn't this going way offtopic now :umm2:Yes. Damn you Alf :fist:.

And he would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for this pesky kid.

[Alf]

:laugh:

Nicky is right though, I might make a new thread with these postsNo need to, I'll stop now, I've said my piece.

[Niamh.]

No need to, I'll stop now, I've said my piece.

too late! It's a good chat

[user104658]

Can we talk about how un-funny Dad's Army is now?

[Niamh.]

I think I watched maybe half an episode or so of that. I also never found Only Fools and Horses very funny. I did like Bottom

[Alf]

Can we talk about how un-funny Dad's Army is now?For pure light comedy, it's number 1. That's why it's still being shown on Saturday night prime-time almost 50 years later, and also still shown worldwide.

The show has it's own museum in Thetford, Norfolk.

There is also a statue of lead character Captain Mainwaring in Thetford.

http://vanderkrogt.net/statues/extra/gb/gbee021-0039.jpg

Only last year, they made a big screen movie of the show.

If you don't find it funny, then I suggest a trip to the doctors, to find out what's wrong with you.

[Niamh.]

By that logic though you should also give GOTs a go due to it's popularity

[Alf]

By that logic though you should also give GOTs a go due to it's popularityI hear this all the time from my mates, and it gets annoying.

I think the first one I was told to watch was Lost, then The Sopranos. There was Breaking bad, Mad men, CSI, The Wire, Six feet under, Game of thrones, Orange is the new Black, Stranger things and many more.

But the thing is, I like to laugh, and I'm not going to watch something just because it's current and the popular thing to do, I'm going to watch what makes me laugh and happy.

I've tried to get my mates into Steptoe and Son, Till death us do part and other classic sitcoms, but they're as interested in them, as I am in the programmes they watch.

These classic sitcoms were before my time and I've discovered them and I am addicted to them, and I'm not alone, I've met many like minded people online. How many people in 30-40+ years time will discover and be addicted to these modern dramas?

I know I'm winning.

[Niamh.]

Winning what though? It isn't a competition. Why is it one or the other? Plenty of people enjoy both

[Locke.]

Only Fools and Horses is great and probably the best British comedy of all time but lets not pretend it's even half as good or half as popular as a worldwide phenomenon that gets over 25 million viewers per episode on a pay per view channel that is also contesting with illegal downloading and about 500 other channels. 2 million people watched the UK premiere of GOT at 2am a couple of weeks ago on SkyAtlantic, nobody would ever stay up that late to watch a sitcom for half an hour.

Game of Thrones has museums made after it, the Queen has been on set, its stars have gone on to huge movie careers despite the show still being on air, its boosted tourism in the multiple different countries it is filmed in, boosted book sales for the series it is based on, and is by far the most popular TV show of all time worldwide (much bigger than the other ones you mentioned that your friends have also recommended).

[Alf]

Only Fools and Horses is great and probably the best British comedy of all time but lets not pretend it's even half as good or half as popular as a worldwide phenomenon that gets over 25 million viewers per episode on a pay per view channel that is also contesting with illegal downloading and about 500 other channels. 2 million people watched the UK premiere of GOT at 2am a couple of weeks ago on SkyAtlantic, nobody would ever stay up that late to watch a sitcom for half an hour.

Game of Thrones has museums made after it, the Queen has been on set, its stars have gone on to huge movie careers despite the show still being on air, its boosted tourism in the multiple different countries it is filmed in, boosted book sales for the series it is based on, and is by far the most popular TV show of all time worldwide (much bigger than the other ones you mentioned that your friends have also recommended).Don't be silly.

25 million viewers worldwide you say? Only fools got that just in this one country.

Come back in 30 years and see what is still relevant. Only fools will be loved by generations to come. Game of Thrones is just for your time.

There was a drama I used to love called Prisoner cell block H, how many of the modern generation are watching that now, none, but the modern generation are still watching Only fools and horses.

[Brother Leon]

I hear this all the time from my mates, and it gets annoying.

I think the first one I was told to watch was Lost, then The Sopranos. There was Breaking bad, Mad men, CSI, The Wire, Six feet under, Game of thrones, Orange is the new Black, Stranger things and many more.

But the thing is, I like to laugh, and I'm not going to watch something just because it's current and the popular thing to do, I'm going to watch what makes me laugh and happy.

I've tried to get my mates into Steptoe and Son, Till death us do part and other classic sitcoms, but they're as interested in them, as I am in the programmes they watch.

These classic sitcoms were before my time and I've discovered them and I am addicted to them, and I'm not alone, I've met many like minded people online. How many people in 30-40+ years time will discover and be addicted to these modern dramas?

I know I'm winning.

Bolded the ones you definitely need to watch to save you time :hee:

[Alf]

Bolded the ones you definitely need to watch to save you time :hee:My reply to people who tell me to watch The Sopranos is always the same.

Why would I watch that, when I could watch the Godfather trilogy instead?

[Locke.]

Don't be silly.

25 million viewers worldwide you say? Only fools got that just in this one country.

Come back in 30 years and see what is still relevant. Only fools will be loved by generations to come. Game of Thrones is just for your time.

There was a drama I used to love called Prisoner cell block H, how many of the modern generation are watching that now, none, but the modern generation are still watching Only fools and horses.

Nope, 25 million viewers on HBO. Worldwide would likely be over 200m.

[Alf]

Nope, 25 million viewers on HBO. Worldwide would likely be over 200m.That's because most people haven't got the brains to go out and buy classic British sitcom boxsets, so they have to make do with the garbage that gets served up for them on the telly nowadays.


Just sheep watching what they're told to watch. I refuse to Bahhhh!

[Lostie!]

I don't understand when people have NEVER watched a highly rated / well known pop culture show like this. Like, I do get that it's not everyone's thing, I know a few people who tried an episode or two and couldn't get into it... Which is fair enough... But surely it's worth a shot.

I know plenty of people who've never watched it and have no intention to start simply because it's not the sort of show that interests them. Makes sense tbh, it's a bit sheep-ish for someone to watch something that they're not really actually that interested by just because so many others watch it. :laugh:

Of course, not watching and then commenting on it's quality (or apparent lack of) makes much less sense.

[Niamh.]

I know plenty of people who've never watched it and have no intention to start simply because it's not the sort of show that interests them. Makes sense tbh, it's a bit sheep-ish for someone to watch something that they're not really actually that interested by just because so many others watch it. [emoji23]

Of course, not watching and then commenting on it's quality (or apparent lack of) makes much less sense.I get that logic however I put off reading the books for ages because it's not my kind of thing, eventually a friend of mine convinced me to try them and I never read a series of books so fast