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I think one of the article's commenters struck gold when they stated that the author seemed to have a pre-formed conclusion, then just picked the right TV shows as "proof" to back up his conclusion.
I think one of the article's commenters struck gold when they stated that the author seemed to have a pre-formed conclusion, then just picked the right TV shows as "proof" to back up his conclusion.
I treasure & delight in oh-so-many British series, yet I don't watch "the big three" (Sherlock, Downton Abbey, Black Mirror)
cited by article's author as being evidentiary of his thesis. Nor do I watch the soap operas/serials noted for having been on the air for decades.
I've enjoyed other op/ed productions from Charlie Brooker (the guy behind Black Mirror), especially the 6-part "How TV Ruined Your Life" (which is mentioned).
I've seen a few episodes of Downton Abbey, years ago when I knew someone who was interested in it-but I didn't bother to keep following it.
Tried to watch first episode of Sherlock when it debuted on PBS a few years back, but just couldn't get into it, for whichever reasons-
I was big fan of the late Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes 20-30 years ago.
One can complain about nostalgias and dystopias, but that's hardlyexclusive to UK programming-
or to the present moment. I'd venture that the article shows a rather selective (lack of) perspective.
The writer I think largely misses the point. Downton Abbey may indeed be nothing more than a post imperial nostalgic soap opera, but it's a very well done post imperial nostalgic soap opera.
He also focuses on arguably one of the least compelling episodes of 'Black Mirror', 'The National Anthem', far better the standout dramatic piece 'The Entire History of You' - hardly an exercise in yearning for a more decent past, but a satire on the timeless superficial (the smart phone allusion is essentially a device), and betrayal.
Much of British TV, in terms of acting, direction, writing (even bad television) is often just well done.
In terms of innovation it's hard say, to imagine a show like 'Peep Show' screening on regular US television.
Mouldy, you always bring up such interesting topics to this forum and thank you for making this article available.
I really didn't read it in-depth due to lack of time right now. Will go back to it later.
Sounds like another article written by someone too young to have much of a memory and too lazy to bother to do any research.
There have been British shows on American TV for more than a half of a century. They were all over mainstream network TV during the 60s. The Jewel in the Crown does anything but look fondly back upon Victorian imperialism. That is the point of the series, what a complicated mess it was back then in India. Then there was the fabulous series Our Friends in the North, which did not get a widespread broadcast in the US, but it was here if you knew where to look for it. And of course, Upstairs/Downstairs wasn't all a fond look at the past. What about the recent Life On Mars which delved into police corruption and abuse?
I remember The Jewel in the Crown as being masterful for a TV series, it may have been the first Brit series I ever watched, besides Monty Python. I recently noticed that it is on Netflix now & I am planning to revisit it & hope that it isn't in lo-def 4x3 tv like most of that era.
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