Also, to make up for my ineptitude at effectively embedding images into these blog posts, I've instead opted for youtube clips. Because in five clicks, it just works.
Now, I don't watch a whole load of TV these days. Seriously, my TV viewing is mostly restricted to the news, the odd episode of Masterchief (mainly to complain at how the higher production values have ruined the show a bit and on how much of a tool John "The Toad" Torode is), a Louis Theroux documentary or even- shamefully- Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents (usually to gripe bitterly like a retired landscape gardener living in an opulent area of Hampshire countryside about the lack of restrain shown amongst the youth of Britain these days). However, maybe if some of the shows I list below were still on the box, I'd probably devote a bit more attention to it.
Spitting Image (February 1984 - February 1996)
Spitting Image was a satirical puppet show which mainly targeted contemporary British politicians and the Royal Family through Margaret Thatcher's (in)famous tenure in office as Prime Minister, with a range of puppets from herself to Cher to Ronald Regan to Michael Jackson all featuring on the show. Spitting Image was an irreverent romp through the current affairs of the time, and seemed to take the sting out of the economic and political hardships that Britain were encountering. It seemed no one was safe from Spitting Image's comedic wrath. Memorable skits included Adolf Hitler as Margaret Thatcher's next-door neighbour/love affair, Prince Philip's racially-insensitive comments towards the Chinese and a politically-inept George Bush Snr. on Question Time.
I actually remember Spitting Image from my childhood- it ceased production after 18 series in February 1996, but repeats were shown of most of the episodes on British television channels such as UK Gold and Granada Plus until around 2003), with the outlandish-looking puppets attracting my attention and appealing to my child-like innocence. However, as I grew older, I began to understand that there was nothing innocent about it. I reckon that a show like this is just what we need in another time of political/social disillusionment.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (January 2008 - April 2009)
As a big fan of the Terminator universe, I went crazy when I saw this was going to be on TV. Written to basically erase Terminator 3 from the canon time-line (and the somewhat disappointing taste from one's mouth), TSCC takes place two years after Terminator 2 in 1999, where a young John Connor and his heroine mother Sarah are just settling down after preventing Judgement Day from taking place at the hands of its arbiter- Skynet and the machines.
This temporary peace is disturbed after yet another cyborg pursues John for his life, and the Connors discover that the impending war against the machines is still yet to be won. John and Sarah jump across time along with a female Terminator ally to 2007 in order to prevent the rise of the machines (no, I do not mean the film) in a different time-line.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles enjoyed moderate viewing success during its first season. However, season one was unfortunately cut short due to the writers strike in 2008, and then a slump in ratings in season two (most likely brought about by John Connor pursuing a love interest mid-season) meant that the oft-rumoured season three was put paid to.
Torchwood (2006-present)
Firstly yes, I do realise that Torchwood is technically still a running series. However, it hasn't seen a sustained run of more than five episodes since June 2008.
Torchwood was a novel concept, taking everything good about the 21st-century revival of Doctor Who and adapting it for a more "mature" audience (hey, episode two is literally about an alien which thrives on orgasmic energy and subsequently vaporises anything it has sex with). While I really couldn't care less about Doctor Who these days, I could sure watch some more Torchwood, a show which is essentially about a bunch of socially-inept space coppers protecting the streets of Cardiff from a slew of extra-terrestrials regurgitated out of a temporal rift, conveniently placed in the Welsh capital.
Although the production value does often make it seem a tad tacky when it comes to the actual aliens/special effects, the characters in the show are interesting and I found it to be well-written and compelling. Another TV series which appeals to my fondness for light science-fiction mixed with a present-day setting.
The Royle Family (September 1998 - November 2000)
Never have banal family conversations been so entertaining.
The Royle Family was a comedy drama which featured the simplistic portrayal of a benefit-dependent family in Greater Manchester and their every day "adventures". Most of the program took place in the living room around the television or at the dinner table, with casual conversation which provoked not rib-tickling laughs, but instead heart-warming giggles at the sort of drivel that many of us experience every day in our own homes. Much of what is said is simply exaggerated ever so slightly or tinted with a touch of irony, as the majority of it could form a believable family time chit-chat in front of the telly.
The Royle Family has been brought back for Christmas specials in recent years, and it's always been adapted to observe current affairs in contemporary Britain. I would love to see this show come back- however, having already had a good run with plenty of air time, specials and critical acclaim, perhaps it would be a prime case of too much of a good thing.
Well, that's all I've got for now. I urge those of you who haven't seen these programs to check 'em out. Hey, it's not like there's much better on right now, is it?
1 comment:
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was epic. Went a little fuzzy during season 2 but really picked back up near the end. I was gutted when it ended : (
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