What Foreign TV Shows Should Catch On Here?
TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 February:
What Foreign TV Shows Should Catch On Here?
Bastable | Friday, February 21, 2003 - 08:38 pm     I travel a lot, and there have been many times that I've fallen in love with shows abroad, only to be unable to access them once I return to North America. For a while, I wondered if Britain's "Father Ted" would EVER catch on, but hallelujah, it's finally airing fairly regularly on BBC America, so there's a small audience for it now, and it's on video. Ever seen it? It's about three priests banished to a lonely Irish island after they betrayed their parishes--one for gambling, one for being a complete moron, and one for being drunk 24/7. It's hilarious! One character, their maid, does nothing except offer people tea. Hysterical. Other favorites: From Australia: "Kath & Kim," which mocks suburban life. Really funny stuff, on a cult fave there, but unknown here. "Neighbours," the syrupy Melbourne-based daily soap opera where Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue started their careers as young actors. Shown in like 100 countries worldwide, but not (big surprise) America. Anyone else have faves they've seen that they wish would become huge hits a la "Fawlty Towers" or "Are You Being Served?"? |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 05:59 am     I don't watch a whole lot of television besides the reality shows when I am home, so I don't watch a lot on the road either. When I was in London, however, I found myself watching television just for the commercials. So many of them were absolutely brilliant, not to mention hilarious. |
Cyn | Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:25 am     OK, I'll say it... I miss the news from Ruatavi 2 in the Republic of Georgia. Their news shows contain some of the best journalism I have ever seen in the world. Their accountability and convictions in their job is outstanding. It was also the first station bought back from the State after the downfall of the CCCP. They really are dedicated to the integrity of journalism. There are myriads of reasons why they succeed. I also relly like "The People Versus" It's a cool game show! Rustavi 2 write up: "From the creators of the world famous "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" comes a new game show "People Versus". The show is on air in Great Britain, Hong Kong, Russia and now in Georgia. This is the second licensed format show produced in Georgia and is already a huge ratings success for Rustavi 2. "The People Versus" is a general knowledge quiz show where a contestant answers question set not by the program makers but by the viewers at home. If the contestant answers incorrectly, the viewer who set the question that is answered incorrectly can win a cash prize. This is the first game show in Georgia where viewers can participate by sending in the questions. In the period of first three months, Rustavi 2 has already received over 30 000 questions submitted by the viewers." This next show "Our Neighborhood" is one of those shows you have to watch in order to know what everyone's talking about in the morning. hahaha. Well, that's if you're lucky enough to have power that evening or even luckier to have a generator. Rustavi 2 write up: "3D animated series, is a witty political satire that centers on one very average neighborhood in Tbilisi, where very ordinary Georgians live and cope with their everyday problems. An old guy who does not have a name lives in the same neighborhood and incidentally he is the cause of all the problems the neighbors have. Every Georgia knows on what real person the old guy's character is based." ))This show is so intelligent and so awesome the way that it bridges a gap between the generations and opens intelligent dialogue about intelligent things while still keeping it real. You could translate this to make it work in the US, but you would have to do alterations to the characters, but I don't know.(( if you're interested: rustavi 2 address |
Twiggyish | Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:30 am     I love Keeping up Appearances..LOL |
Heyltslori | Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 08:39 am     I remember this show on about 10 years ago (maybe more) called Good Neighbors. It was a british show aired on PBS about this couple....Tom and Barbara who quit their jobs and decided to be self-sufficient. They planted a garden, bought some animals and decided to see if they could live away from the "corporate world." It was really funny...especially their neighbors. I think that would make for a funny sitcom if they aired it again on a regular channel in America. |
Squaredsc | Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 09:42 am     i love british comedy and decorating shows. i wish bbcamerica had homefront in the garden(laurence is on this one). i also love changing rooms, absolutely fabulous, vicar of dubley(sp), father ted, keeping up appearances, fawlty towers. |
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