Best BBC Show EVAR?
Dec. 31st, 2012 05:04 pmEarlier this winter, commenting anent to the trailer for the forthcoming American production of House of Cards, an acquaintance characterized the UK original as one of the best things the BBC ever did. Much as I enjoyed Ian Richardson, I admit I don't think quite that highly of the original production. That is, as I said at the time, I don't think House of Cards would have made even my personal top ten BBC productions, even if you discount radio. Of course, once having said that, my mind started tumbling around the question of what are my top ten (or whatever) BBC productions and after some thought and poking around the internets I offer you my own personal Best of the BBC for your enjoyment. All selections based strictly on personal whim, feel free to make your own lists or suggest things I have missed. (It's arguably all sentimental favorites, but the ones I list explicitly as such are shows that I wouldn't want to try to argue for objective quality, I just like them.)
Ulrika's Best BBC Television Productions EVAR
Pride & Prejudice (1995)
Coupling
The Thick of It
State of Play
The Hour
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Black Adder (Season 2)
State of Play
Fawlty Towers
I, Claudius
Sherlock
Yes, Minister
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Gormenghast
Complete Plays of William Shakespeare
Also Rans:
House of Cards
Shaun the Sheep
The Singing Detective
Smiley’s People
Sentimental Favorites:
Poldark
Dr. Who (revival)
Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin
The Good Life
Ground Force
Hustle
Ripping Yarns
The Two Ronnies
Radio:
The Goon Show
Hancock’s Half Hour
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Popular Elsewhere, But Overrated:
Life on Mars
Torchwood
Spooks (MI-5)
The Tudors
Luther
Robin Hood
Brideshead Revisited
Would Be on the Best BBC Productions EVAR Except They're ITV
Foyle’s War
The Sandbaggers
The Prisoner
Downton Abbey
Ulrika's Best BBC Television Productions EVAR
Pride & Prejudice (1995)
Coupling
The Thick of It
State of Play
The Hour
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Black Adder (Season 2)
State of Play
Fawlty Towers
I, Claudius
Sherlock
Yes, Minister
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Gormenghast
Complete Plays of William Shakespeare
Also Rans:
House of Cards
Shaun the Sheep
The Singing Detective
Smiley’s People
Sentimental Favorites:
Poldark
Dr. Who (revival)
Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin
The Good Life
Ground Force
Hustle
Ripping Yarns
The Two Ronnies
Radio:
The Goon Show
Hancock’s Half Hour
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Popular Elsewhere, But Overrated:
Life on Mars
Torchwood
Spooks (MI-5)
The Tudors
Luther
Robin Hood
Brideshead Revisited
Would Be on the Best BBC Productions EVAR Except They're ITV
Foyle’s War
The Sandbaggers
The Prisoner
Downton Abbey