Armchair Critics - Let's Talk TV

[Neowise]

Gold Rush has a new commentator. not liking them so far, does not have the same entusiasm. Hopefully the origional is only out on holidays and not replaced.

week 2 of them

okay.. i think i know whats happening. I'm used to the US version of the show, and now for this season i'v been watching the uk version. I must see if I can find where i can watch the US version!

[nothing]

Ooooh new Doctor Who trailer just dropped! I'm very excited!

[jp liz v1]

[E.N.]

Thought people might find this interesting, I suspect there's lots to disagree with!

Hard to argue with the top three, though I didn't like Mad Men myself. I never really got Fleabag either, thought it was good but not amazing. I came to it after the hype though, that might be the issue. Delighted to see Bojack getting the love, it's a truly incredible show. And Utopia makes the list, I suspect you mostly all know my feelings on that by now

BBC Culture polled 206 TV experts from 43 countries in order to find the greatest TV of the 21st Century – here’s the top 100


1          The Wire (2002-2008)
2          Mad Men (2007-2015)
3          Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4          Fleabag (2016-2019)
5          Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6          I May Destroy You (2020)
7          The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8          The Americans (2013-2018)
9          The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10        Succession (2018-)
11        BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
12        Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
13        Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
14        Atlanta (2016-)
15        Chernobyl (2019)
16        The Crown (2016-)
17        30 Rock (2006-2013)
18        Deadwood (2004-2006)
19        Lost (2004-2010)
20        The Thick of It (2005-2012)
21        Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-)
22        Black Mirror (2011-)
23        Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
24        Veep (2012-2019)
25        Sherlock (2010-2017)
26        Watchmen (2019)
27        Line of Duty (2012-2021)
28        Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
29        Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
30        Girls (2012-2017)
31        True Detective (2014-2019)
32        Arrested Development (2003-2019)
33        The Good Wife (2009-2016)
34        The Bridge (2011-2018)
35        Fargo (2014-)
36=      Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
36=      Band of Brothers (2001)
38        The Handmaid's Tale (2017-)
39        The Office (US) (2005-2013)
40        Borgen (2010-2022)
41        Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
42        Peep Show (2003-2015)
43        Money Heist (2017-2021)
44        Community (2009-2015)
45        The Good Fight (2017-)
46        Homeland (2011-2020)
47        Grey's Anatomy (2005-)
48        Inside No 9 (2014-)
49        The Bureau (2015-)
50        Halt and Catch Fire (2014-2017)
51        Small Axe (2020)
52        This is England 86, 88 and 90 (2010-2015)
53        Call My Agent! (2015-2020)
54        Happy Valley (2014-)
55        The Shield (2002-2008)
56        The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
57        The Young Pope (2016)
58        Dark (2017-2020)
59        The Underground Railroad (2021)
60        House of Cards (2013-2018)
61        Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
62=      The Good Place (2016-2020)
62=      Pose (2018-2021)
64        Detectorists (2014-2017)
65        Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)
66        Mare of Easttown (2021)
67        RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-)
68        Stranger Things (2016-)
69        24 (2001-2010)
70        Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
71        Enlightened (2011-2013)
72        Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
73        Planet Earth (2006)
74        Utopia (2013-2014)
75        Babylon Berlin (2017-)
76        Rick and Morty (2013-)
77        American Crime Story (2016-)
78        The Killing (Denmark) (2007-2012)
79        Mindhunter (2017-2019)
80        House (2004-2012)
81        OJ: Made in America (2016)
82        Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
83        Insecure (2016-2021)
84=      Normal People (2020)
84=      Narcos (2015-2017)
86        How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
87        The Comeback (2005-2014)
88        The OA (2016-2019)
89        Dexter (2006-2013)
90        It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)
91        Westworld (2016-)
92        Show Me a Hero (2015)
93        Treme (2010-2013)
94        Louie (2010-2015)
95        Luther (2010-2019)
96        Catastrophe (2015-2019)
97        Hannibal (2013-2015)
98        Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)
99        Steven Universe (2013-2020)
100      The Queen's Gambit (2020)

[quickbeam]

Not a bad list, but missing my favourite series of all time: Rome.

I've seen 20 of them in full and a further 14 in part. One of those I'm currently watching one (The Good Wife) so will be completed in the coming weeks or months. The others I either quit or just haven't got around to completing yet. A further 4 I have queued up to watch eventually.

[Kol]

I've checked the list twice and can't see TWD, I call shenanigans.

I've only seen 7 shows, all or partially. Yeah I don't watch tv shows much, prefer movies.

[Trigger]

The office UK being ahead of the US version makes that list utterly redundant for me

[E.N.]

The office UK being ahead of the US version makes that list utterly redundant for me

I had a feeling someone would say that

[quickbeam]

I do like both versions, but I think the UK one is better. It's less of a straight out comedy as it's got pathos and a real feel to it that the US one doesn't. Also, like most UK shows, and unlike most US shows, it knew when to quit.

[jp liz v1]

Fleabag 4th WTF???

[Barna77]

I've checked the list twice and can't see TWD, I call shenanigans.

I've only seen 7 shows, all or partially. Yeah I don't watch tv shows much, prefer movies.

To be fair, TWD lost the plot long time ago. 
It became a soap with the odd zombie thrown in to keep the fans happy.



I've watched just over nearly 40 of them, full or parts.

That OA tripe should be removed from that list and any copies of it burned in a bonfire.

[quickbeam]

To be fair, TWD lost the plot long time ago.
It became a soap with the odd zombie thrown in to keep the fans happy.



I've watched just over nearly 40 of them, full or parts.

That OA tripe should be removed from that list and any copies of it burned in a bonfire.

True. But, to also be fair, several of those that are on the list went down the drain a lot worse. Looking at you specifically, Dexter!

What's OA?

[Kol]

I've checked the list twice and can't see TWD, I call shenanigans.

I've only seen 7 shows, all or partially. Yeah I don't watch tv shows much, prefer movies.

To be fair, TWD lost the plot long time ago. 
It became a soap with the odd zombie thrown in to keep the fans happy.



I've watched just over nearly 40 of them, full or parts.

That OA tripe should be removed from that list and any copies of it burned in a bonfire.

Might be true though it has been one if the top watched tv shows for a number of years, it is bizarre it is not in the top 100 let alone the top 10.

[jp liz v1]

The office UK being ahead of the US version makes that list utterly redundant for me

I prefer the US one also

Is Afterlife on the list?

I prefer Young Sheldon than The Big Bang Theory

[Necro]

I do like both versions, but I think the UK one is better.  It's less of a straight out comedy as it's got pathos and a real feel to it that the US one doesn't.  Also, like most UK shows, and unlike most US shows, it knew when to quit.

I think it depends on your feelings regarding Ricky Gervais. I don't particularly like him at all tbh so hence I prefer the US version. My dislike of him actually put me off watching the US Version for ages because I thought the world needed a US David Brent as much as I needed another hole in my head

I think the US version fleshes out characters better too, granted they had a much longer run.
I agree though that it didn't need Season 9 and probably most of Season 8, half of 9 is nearly unwatchable as they turn Pam into a dislikeable character through her treatment of Jim and struggle to rescue her at all really (mind you I kind of enjoyed how the final episode leaned into that in the Q&A session)

[Zaph]

I do like both versions, but I think the UK one is better.  It's less of a straight out comedy as it's got pathos and a real feel to it that the US one doesn't.  Also, like most UK shows, and unlike most US shows, it knew when to quit.

I think it depends on your feelings regarding Ricky Gervais. I don't particularly like him at all tbh so hence I prefer the US version.

I've never seen the US version, and conversely it's mainly because I don't particularly like Steve Carell.  I know Ricky Gervais definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea, and I only like him in some things myself, but The UK Office is one of the finest comedies of the last 20 years imo.

[quickbeam]

I think it depends on your feelings regarding Ricky Gervais. I don't particularly like him at all tbh so hence I prefer the US version. My dislike of him actually put me off watching the US Version for ages because I thought the world needed a US David Brent as much as I needed another hole in my head

I think the US version fleshes out characters better too, granted they had a much longer run.
I agree though that it didn't need Season 9 and probably most of Season 8, half of 9 is nearly unwatchable as they turn Pam into a dislikeable character through her treatment of Jim and struggle to rescue her at all really (mind you I kind of enjoyed how the final episode leaned into that in the Q&A session)

You're not meant to like David Brent, so weirdly, I think not liking Ricky is actually an advantage. He plays the boss from hell that we've all (probably) had, so it works not to like him in a strange way. He's a bit like the Gary Cole character from Office Space.

Mike Scott on the other hand was a man-child who would drive me up the wall in real life, and got away with far more than he ever would have been allowed to get away with in real life. But somehow everyone in his office still admired him. I've seen "top ten Office moments" videos and, which include his goodbye to Pam at the airport where we just see them and don't hear them. I don't particularly like that moment, because, for me, the character hadn't earned the respect that Pam was showing him with that gesture.

[Barna77]

That OA tripe should be removed from that list and any copies of it burned in a bonfire.

What's OA?

Blind girl goes missing. Reappears some years later, she's no longer blind. She tells, rambling, her story to a group of people, which, by episode four, I wanted they would die in some painful way. 

Don't waste your time watching this.

To be fair, TWD lost the plot long time ago. 
It became a soap with the odd zombie thrown in to keep the fans happy.

Might be true though it has been one if the top watched tv shows for a number of years, it is bizarre it is not in the top 100 let alone the top 10.

I used to be a big fan, but I gave up and haven't watched it in years.

[quickbeam]

Blind girl goes missing. Reappears some years later, she's no longer blind. She tells, rambling, her story to a group of people, which, by episode four, I wanted they would die in some painful way. 

Don't waste your time watching this.

What's it called? Is it just called OA?

[quickbeam]

@Barna77 you're Spanish, right? I watched the original Gran Hotel and thought it was fantastic. At least, I saw the first season and that was great, but never seemed to catch the rest of it if/when it aired. ABC did a remake that was piss poor though.

[Barna77]

Blind girl goes missing. Reappears some years later, she's no longer blind. She tells, rambling, her story to a group of people, which, by episode four, I wanted they would die in some painful way. 

Don't waste your time watching this.

What's it called?  Is it just called OA?

Yep. 
"The OA", #88 on that list. It's a Netflix show.

[Barna77]

@Barna77 you're Spanish, right?  I watched the original Gran Hotel and thought it was fantastic.  At least, I saw the first season and that was great, but never seemed to catch the rest of it if/when it aired.  ABC did a remake that was piss poor though.

I know the name but I never watched it.

Netflix lately has added lots of (European) Spanish content. I never got into "La casa de papel / Money Heist".
Loved watching Coccaine Coast and The Mess You Leave Behind, specially because of the home sickness value. 

Elite is a guilty pleasure though 

[ShaneU]

I've checked the list twice and can't see TWD, I call shenanigans.

I've only seen 7 shows, all or partially. Yeah I don't watch tv shows much, prefer movies.

I've watched all of TWD and it's been a steep drop in quality since the first few seasons.

No Boardwalk Empire on the list is a joke. No Peaky Blinders? Love/Hate? The Bodyguard? Sons of Anarchy? I would have The Witcher on there too. Fargo and Dark should be higher

[quickbeam]

What's it called?  Is it just called OA?

Yep. 
"The OA", #88 on that list. It's a Netflix show.

Oh, sorry, I'm a dope

[jp liz v1]

The Dexter revival/spin-off Dexter: New Blood starts on Sky Atlantic on Monday November 8th at 10pm

[jp liz v1]

Ooooh new Doctor Who trailer just dropped! I'm very excited!

Is this Jodie's last?

[Kol]

Just finished Squid game last night, not something I'd normally watch mainly as I'm lazy to read subs. Really enjoyed it though, thanks for recommending it folks.

I will probably try AIB also on your recommendations.

[nothing]

Ooooh new Doctor Who trailer just dropped! I'm very excited!

Is this Jodie's last?

No, it's this series plus some specials next year, then she's done and RTD returns

[cee_jay]

Just finished Squid game last night, not something I'd normally watch mainly as I'm lazy to read subs. Really enjoyed it though, thanks for recommending it folks.

I will probably try AIB also on your recommendations.

I could have written this, almost word for word!
I liked it to a point... There were just some stuff that were a bit farfetched for me. I will watch AIB though based on the reviews - a guy in work recommended it too, and he said it was better.

[Neowise]

Just finished Squid game last night, not something I'd normally watch mainly as I'm lazy to read subs. Really enjoyed it though, thanks for recommending it folks.

I will probably try AIB also on your recommendations.

I cheated and watched the subbed version, but i ended up having to pause and google translate a pile of things, like phone conversations and signs, cos they weren’t subbed

I do usually prefer subbed to dubbed, but went with dubbed here

[jp liz v1]

Is this Jodie's last?

No, it's this series plus some specials next year, then she's done and RTD returns

I wonder is it a black or trans Doc next

[nothing]

No, it's this series plus some specials next year, then she's done and RTD returns

I wonder is it a black or trans Doc next

Maybe, almost certainly female

[jp liz v1]

Was it Jodie's own decision to leave?

[aaronjennings]

Was it Jodie's own decision to leave?

Seems like it from the reports. The current showrunner, Chris Chibnall, and herself apparently decided they would both take their respective roles for three seasons and call it a day then. So by all accounts, it seems to have all gone according to plan from everyone's POV

[ari101]

Been streaming this (Season 2):



and this (Season 4):

[E.N.]

They're on season 4 of The Sinner?!

Watched the first one, it was good bit felt very standalone. I remember the second series getting pretty lukewarm reviews so never watched it. Are the later ones any good?

[ari101]

They're on season 4 of The Sinner?!

Watched the first one, it was good bit felt very standalone. I remember the second series getting pretty lukewarm reviews so never watched it. Are the later ones any good?

Yup there are 2 episode out in America

2 was very... disturbing, but equally I couldn't stop following it, definitely worth a watch I think
3 was hit and miss, despite having Matt Bomer as eye candy
4 I've just started but am intrigued

[jp liz v1]

They're on season 4 of The Sinner?!

Watched the first one, it was good bit felt very standalone. I remember the second series getting pretty lukewarm reviews so never watched it. Are the later ones any good?

I enjoyed Season 2 with Bill Pullman the most, think Season 4 is more on him again 

Matt Bomer saved 3 which was hit and miss 

I'd recommend Innocent both Seasons, short UK dramas

[jp liz v1]

The actor who played Gunther on Friends has died from cancer

James Michael Tyler

RIP

[quickbeam]

Oh no!