Recommended Television Programmes

[LMcD]

'World On Fire' started on BBC 1 last night. A terrific opening episode to Peter Bowker's 7-part WW2 drama following the fortunes of families and individuals against the backdrop of a seismic, and unflinchingly depicted, military conflict. Sean Bean, whose versatility may sometimes is overlooked, is as authentic a bus conductor as was Andre Previn.

[Nick Armstrong]

'World On Fire' ... Sean Bean, whose versatility may sometimes is overlooked, is as authentic a bus conductor as was Andre Previn.

Ep 1 recorded for proper watching at a suitable moment soon. Very much looking forward to it.

[Stanfordian]

‘A Confession’ - I love it, love it, love it!

Crime drama based on true events started on ITV on 2 September at 9.00pm, and continues at the same time and place every Monday for six hour-long episodes. Cast included Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton and Siobhan Finneran.

With the internal and external accountability procedures shown in this and other Police drama series, I wonder how the Police force manages to recruit new officers.

[johncorrigan]

‘A Confession’ - I love it, love it, love it!

Crime drama based on true events started on ITV on 2 September at 9.00pm, and continues at the same time and place every Monday for six hour-long episodes. Cast included Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton and Siobhan Finneran.

With the internal and external accountability procedures shown in this and other Police drama series, I wonder how the Police force manages to recruit new officers.

We are the same, Stan. Great performances from all, especially the brilliant Imelda Staunton, and a steely and surprise performance from Doc Martin regular, Joe Absolom.

[Bryn]

I note that the BBC recently again re-broadcast "The Cult Next Door", about the tight-knit self-proclaimed 'Maoist' group under the tutelage of Aravindan Balakrishnan, in what appears to be a concerted series of items which might be seen as relating to the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. Another such programme is the well researched documentary regarding the brutal suppression of the student initiated protests in Tien An Men Square. Along with the current news coverage of the Beijing military parade and the major protests in Hong Kong, do I spot a theme?

[Serial_Apologist]

I note that the BBC recently again re-broadcast "The Cult Next Door", about the tight-knit self-proclaimed 'Maoist' group under the tutelage of Aravindan Balakrishnan, in what appears to be a concerted series of items which might be seen as relating to the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. Another such programme is the well researched documentary regarding the brutal suppression of the student initiated protests in Tien An Men Square. Along with the current news coverage of the Beijing military parade and the major protests in Hong Kong, do I spot a theme?

Quite difficult to figure what that theme could be, given that "the West" has effectively given the Peoples' Republic carte blanche since it became a, and then practically the epicentre of global capitalism. Are the broadcasting media paying their acknowledgements to the belated worries of powers that be? I watched the "It was I who told you everything you now know about Tienman Square, cos I was there" "documentary". Never did like Kate Adie.

[Jazzrook]

Fascinating BBC4 programme on Betty Davis and her influence on Miles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008zbz

JR

[Serial_Apologist]

Fascinating BBC4 programme on Betty Davis and her influence on Miles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008zbz

JR

I saw that - it was on a bit late for my beauty sleep, so thanks for providing the link, JR.

The preceding programme, on the birth of British rock and roll, was also very good indeed, with great shots of the ways British youth dressed in the 1950s, and well-informed too, with mention of the input of British jazz artists, without however mentioning many names. F'rinstance, Joe Harriott played for a time in Tony Crombie's Rockets - which I just mistyped "rickets", though there was probably quite a bit of that around too back then. Amazing to see some of the early Brit rockers looking so good and in such good spirits, for their years!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sgbw2

[Dave2002]

Interesting TV programmes

I found this series on British Canals interesting - Channel 5.

https://www.channel5.com/show/building-britains-canals/

It never ceases to amaze me how much time and effort is spent promulgating rubbish - often fiction programmes - whereas history and science programmes are obviously a minority interest. No wonder our country is in the state it is.

Some people are even "proud" of being ignorant of science and mathematics.

[Bryn]

I found this series on British Canals interesting - Channel 5.

https://www.channel5.com/show/building-britains-canals/

It never ceases to amaze me how much time and effort is spent promulgating rubbish - often fiction programmes - whereas history and science programmes are obviously a minority interest. No wonder our country is in the state it is.

Some people are even "proud" of being ignorant of science and mathematics.

It's what being truly Br[ex]itish is all about.

[LMcD]

Might this be merged with the 'Television Programmes' thread?

[teamsaint]

It's what being truly Br[ex]itish is all about.

I expect all these interesting programmes are popular in Scotland, NI, London, Welsh speaking parts of Wales, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and other similar areas.

[Dave2002]

Might this be merged with the 'Television Programmes' thread?

Perhaps it could, though I didn’t find the existing thread when I decided to post. I did search beforehand.

Of course this thread should differentiate against “uninteresting TV programmes” - which is maybe a better description for a lot of the broadcast output.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Might this be merged with the 'Television Programmes' thread?

Done. (Dave's right - the Search Facility isn't the most helpful in existence.)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I came across this wonderful programme by chance - a glorious antidote to the League Table mentality that passes itself off as Education:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0008mzr/a-carryin-stream

... sadly, only available until Tuesday (it should be compulsory viewing for any politician, on continuous play without food until the message sinks into even their challenged intellects). A taster here -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07mvfw2

just look at the quality of creative work produced by these 10 - 12 - year-old kids in a rural school in Northern Ireland - gives a good indication of what the programme's about (the i-player blurb doesn't really suggest the gem of a programme that this is).