Recommended Television Programmes

[jayne lee wilson]

I've gone back to First Dates (C4/on demand) recently, and its still surprising me with its freshness and honesty. They've just begun a Teen First Dates series which is a very touching reminder of that uneasy mix of vulnerability, nervousness and bravado of those painfully formative years.

Great after-dinner viewing with more wine; I love the new Liverpudlian waiter David, as gloriously, gorgeously Liverpool-camp as they come,
like a better-looking Holly Johnson.

****
And another plug for Resident Alien (Sky One).... Episode 5 was the weirdest and most wonderful yet. It still doesn't seem to know whether its a black or offbeat comedy or something deeper, the adaptation to human norms of the ultimate outsider etc.... but that very uncertainty of tone is one of its main attractions. Bizarre show, on its way to Cult Status... and always with a great soundtrack - US folk/rock/pop well off the beaten...
It even does good cliffhangers.

Remember Northern Exposure? Res-Alien plumbs no great depths, but there's something of that townful of eccentrics about this, and a vein of Twin Peaks in the mix.
But no series link! Waiting a week for each episode is terrible! But at least it makes Thursdays special.

[LezLee]

Am I the only person on the forum who owns up to enjoying ‘The Bidding Room’. Other than the occasional unsold item it appears that the bidders most times pay far above what items are worth but it is good harmless entertainment and what appears genuine love of the collectibles/ resaleables that are purchased - and the dealers not short of spare cash.

I too, love The Bidding Room. There are several good afternoon programmes dotted around.

[johncorrigan]

Remember Northern Exposure?

No better TV series for me - the box set is still a go-to when we can't decide what to watch - wonderful ensemble cast, funny, quirky and great landscape.

[BBMmk2]

Anybody been watching A Discovery of Witches on Sky One? Brilliant, just brilliant! Ss1 & 2 are currently available with the final season coming at a tv near you!

[alywin]

I sympathise with the covid overload but an advantage of this programme is that it deals simply with the science - no politics, no blame game etc.

Not only that, but it even spent 5 minutes on "Long Covid" and the possible overlap between that and ME/chronic fatigue syndrome. One of these days, doctors may even stop saying that they've never seen anything like it before and acknowledge that most of the symptoms are actually what ME/CFS patients have been claiming to suffer from for decades ...

[oddoneout]

Not only that, but it even spent 5 minutes on "Long Covid" and the possible overlap between that and ME/chronic fatigue syndrome. One of these days, doctors may even stop saying that they've never seen anything like it before and acknowledge that most of the symptoms are actually what ME/CFS patients have been claiming to suffer from for decades ...

As someone said, there might be said to be some sort of silver lining from Covid-19 for those who have been struggling for decades with the non-recognised conditions. From the point of view of those suffering from long Covid they will (or should) have the benefit of what work has already been done on helpful treatments/approaches and, possibly more importantly, what is not helpful. The "exercise your way out of it" has caused many problems and perhaps can now be set aside given that current advice for long covid seems to be " be kind to yourself and go easy". If nothing else, if it helps to dispel the idea of post-viral fatigue being "a bit tired" (a bit like saying clinical depression is being "a bit down") that will be a bonus.

[johncorrigan]

Don't know if anybody's watching 'Bloodlands' on BBC1 - all I can say is that I did not see that coming last night!

[antongould]

Don't know if anybody's watching 'Bloodlands' on BBC1 - all I can say is that I did not see that coming last night!

Neither did we JC ........

[gradus]

Neither did we JC ........

Quite a turn-up.

[kernelbogey]

Man in Room 301

Recommended - but you have to keep your wits about you because of increasingly frequent jumps between times in the story. But the story is good, and the denouement satisfying. Fairly dark, and with an almost continuous sense of menace. All 6 episodes are on BBC iPlayer.

[DracoM]

[Dave2002]

Neither did we JC ........

Neither did we - now wondering if that's ruined the rest of the series. Still, there only a few more.

The Finnish series seems interesting so far. Needless to say, the language is 99% incomprehensible, though I think the Finnish for "boy" may be the same (at least as pronounced) as in Swedish.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Delighted to find the "Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" Series 1 episodes 1 and 2 on the iPlayer last night.
We watched episode one - obviously of its time but to our sensibility, still funny. I trust this means they are showing the series and more will be available. Looking forward to the arrival of the (late, great) Geoffrey Palmer character - Jimmy IIRC.

Also - only half an hour - as opposed to virtually every programme nowadays stretched out to fill the hour slot (with padding, I presume to hold up for a commercial airing at less than an hour of content).

[Rolmill]

Delighted to find the "Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" Series 1 episodes 1 and 2 on the iPlayer last night.
We watched episode one - obviously of its time but to our sensibility, still funny. I trust this means they are showing the series and more will be available. Looking forward to the arrival of the (late, great) Geoffrey Palmer character - Jimmy IIRC.

Also - only half an hour - as opposed to virtually every programme nowadays stretched out to fill the hour slot (with padding, I presume to hold up for a commercial airing at less than an hour of content).

Yes, Jimmy ("there's been a cock up on the catering front") makes his first appearance in episode 2, which I watched on 'live' TV yesterday evening. A little dated, as you indicate, and rather less than PC in current terms, but still quite amusing. I'll continue watching if more episodes are aired.

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes, Jimmy ("there's been a cock up on the catering front") makes his first appearance in episode 2, which I watched on 'live' TV yesterday evening. A little dated, as you indicate, and rather less than PC in current terms, but still quite amusing. I'll continue watching if more episodes are aired.

It amuses me when the most innocuous old films are shown on Talking TV which are prefixed with a wording that "this film contain language that may be considered discriminatory today", or words to that effect.