Looking for TV recommendations

M

maskaggs

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From the new guy (posting here after being made very welcome in the Newbie thread):

I noticed a thread on Dr. Who and it reminded me of something I've been wondering - what shows could I possibly find on DVD (preferably Netflix) that are similar to the Yes, Minister / Yes, Prime Minister series? Of course Netflix will make automated recommendations, but I was hoping someone here would have the appropriate expertise to point me in the right direction. I know those two shows are pretty old, but for whatever reason I just can't get enough of them.

I know my request is pretty broad, but would like something to quench my thirst once I finish the series for the second time!
 
Thanks for the suggestion - the show's Wikipedia entry makes it sound as though it'll be right up my alley. Unfortunately it isn't available on Netflix's instant queue, so I'll have to exercise that whole patience thing while I wait for the DVDs to arrive by mail.
 
Do you mean you want sitcoms in the same writing vein or genre as Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister... obviously check out other sitcoms by the same writers although I'm pretty sure Sir Anthony Jay didn't write any other comedy material and Jonathan Lynn was coming towards the end of his career writing with YM & YPM...

But I'd say the original 1970s Reginald Perrin would be worth a go...
 
One of the best political dramas was "House of Cards" with Ian Richardson, again quite a few years ago. Also "G.B.H." starring Robert Lindsay, and if it comes to that, "Citizen Smith" (Lindsay again). Here's some IMDb links:
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Here are some of my favourite British comedies of the top of my head

blackadder series ( I don't think the first one is as good as the other three , the ending to 4 is the best ending to a comedy)

Fawlty towers

Porridge ( I love this )

One foot in the grave ( Is Victor Meldrew a member of TSR ?)

Father Ted ( So funny )

Steptoe and son

Red Dwarf (Sci-fi based , earlier series are better )

The young ones

The office ( the original with David Brent )

The league of Gentlemen ( might not appeal to everybody )

The mighty Boosh ( a little bit surreal )

Knowing me,knowing you ....Alan Partridge (Aha! )

Reginald Perrin (Brilliant )

Rising Damp ( Leonard Rossiter )

Only fools and horses ( Some people hate David Jason )

Monty Python

Dads Army
 
Imho the new statesman is only similar to yes minister due to the fact its about politics.
The comedy is far more 'edgy' and different in its approach. Yes minister was very 'sly' in its approach, New statesman was utterly in your face and remarkably irreverent.
It was funny defiantly, but certainly not the same style.

Its a hard one to say tbh.

I cant really recommend anything 'similar'. I just list some of my Favorite shows of recent times -
I.T Crowd, Outnumbered (A MUST watch if you have never seen it), The Big Bang theory, Father Ted (How i miss this show..), My current favorite and returning later this year for season 6 - IDEAL.

BTW if you on the lookout for comedy and dont mind watching your Monitor - try out <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.seesaw.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.seesaw.com</a><!-- m -->
Its what emerged from the failed attempt by BBC / ITV / Channel 4 to create a rival to Hulu. - Some paid content but mostly free.
 
Not quite the same era but The Thick of It is perhaps a more current take on a similar theme, if you don't mind Peter Capaldi swearing quite a bit.

Rising Damp or Are You Being Served might be worth a shot
 
Proinsias said:
Not quite the same era but The Thick of It is perhaps a more current take on a similar theme, if you don't mind Peter Capaldi swearing quite a bit.

Rising Damp or Are You Being Served might be worth a shot
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Although I've never watched it, I've heard very good things about The Thick of It, and I expect it compares quite favourably to Yes, Prime Minister. Had a quick look at Amazon to see what other people bought, and Rumpole of the Bailey came up. Rather appropriate what with SWMBO being in such regular use on shaving forums.
 
Proinsias said:
It's up there with the best of them Pig Cat. You can't really go far wrong with Armando Iannucci.
Click to expand...

Just finished watching the first series of it tonight. I'd caught bits of it before and had watched In the Loop, but didn't realise how utterly brilliant it is. It cuts straight to the heart of the way politics seems to be now. Also, there's never been a better sweary character than Malcolm Tucker. It's uncanny some of the stuff that's alluded to in the show, I think the second episode has a bit about an expenses row, preempting all the nonsense that's gone on in the last year.
 
Wow, plenty of things to consider!

I did read from Wikipedia that The New Statesman is pretty edgy, and I see what you mean now about YM/YPM being much more subtle, or perhaps low-key. In any case, there are still nearly 2 months before I have any real commitments again, so plenty of time to check out the recommendations.
 
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