Watchable: UK
I don’t really know why I like British television so much. Maybe it’s their humor (or humour, should I say) or that it’s not as accessible in America and its one of those “I want what I can’t have” type love-affairs. Regardless, the UK entertainment industry has given me a lot. I really have my dad to thank for bringing me up watching Monty Python, Father Ted, and Keeping Up Appearances all of which I still watch and made me the hilarious person you know and love today. I think I was bred for loving dry, British humor. When I really got into it though was in high school. My favorite band was McFly, notably one of the biggest boy bands of the time, maybe of all time, but that might just be my prejudice. You might know one of their frontmen, Tom Fletcher from this video or this video and I would like to put it out there that I always thought we would be great friends. You might also know bassist Dougie Poynter from dating Ellie Goulding recently. Regardless, they’re amazing and I still love them.
I would spend a lot of time, as one does, looking up interviews they did with Ferne Cotton, watching their behind the scenes of making a music video, or McFly Funny Moments videos on Youtube. There’s no turning back once you’ve watched 45 minutes of funny band moments. That’s what happened with me and One Direction back in 2009. As I’m sure we all know, the depths of YouTube are vast and it’s a very deep rabbit hole of suggested videos. One video lead to another and while I was still watching McFly do things, it was on shows that on their own caught my interest. The celebrity panel quiz show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks was the gate way to loads of amazing shows as guests came on to plug their new season of whatever. (Side note: I know the celebrity panel quiz show format would never work in the US because geographical restrictions but seriously someone should get on that.) There were tons of seasons (or series) but the best ones were when Simon Amstell was hosting.
Years later and here I am, still obsessed with the BBC and the shows that I have to watch on Youtube instead of being thankful that I live in a country where I can watch The Bachelor and Parks & Rec without restrictions. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite shows that aren’t too difficult to watch. Some are on Netflix or Hulu. Some you have to search for on Youtube. One is currently airing the first season on Bravo. All are amazing in their own unique way.
The Mighty Boosh
CLIP — Watchable on Youtube
Noel Fielding is actually insane. I love him, but he’s insane. The Mighty Boosh is kind of like a weird alternate universe of Monty Python, but there’s a gorilla and I’m still not entirely sure why he’s main character. It’s definitely quirky and eccentric, but it’s pretty funny. It’s like Flight of the Conchords if everyone was on drugs and British and they worked in a zoo.
The Office
CLIP — Watchable on Netflix
Everyone is always like “oh my god, you watch The Office? You know the UK version is soo much better!” Okay, chill Darren, no one was talking to you. Yes, obviously the original version of anything is probably going to be better than some random spin-off (not saying our Office is random, it is amazing and I love it). I didn’t really like this version at first, but that’s because sometimes you have to really pay attention. I hate to say don’t start at the beginning with this series, but I would suggest watching the pub quiz episode (Series 1 Ep 3) first to kind of get in the groove before diving into the beginning. It’ll give you a taste of the dialogue and dynamics of everything before you start. I’m not saying it’s better than the US version, but I am saying it’s really, really good. And it’s only 2 seasons and a special so it doesn’t take long to get through.
The Only Way Is Essex
CLIP — Watchable on Hulu
Looking for a show to fill the void The Hills left in your life? Well, just your luck, this is The Hills on performance enhancing drugs any pro athlete would gladly get busted for. TOWIE will suck you in and you’ll be shaken from your dream-like state when you realize you're 3 seasons in and you just watched Bobby have a funeral for his car at a junk yard. You’ll learn so many great lessons, like how to look reem, smell reem, and be reem plus how to yell at people in the streets. It’s honestly probably the most dramatic and unrealistic show but I seriously love it. Every episode starts with a disclaimer stating that these are real people and real relationships although some of what they do may be given a little sprucing up for your entertainment. Or to quote their wikipedia page “real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way,” or whatever. This show will make you laugh, it might make you cry (?), but it will definitely make you feel better about yourself and the world just seems like a brighter place knowing that Joey Essex is a real person. Fun fact about the cast: Mario Falcone is previously mentioned Tom Fletcher’s brother-in-law.
The Inbetweeners
CLIP — Watchable on Netflix
The Inbetweeners is my go-to. To be honest, it’s on in the background as I write this. It’s clever and real and it really brings you down to Earth in terms of what British guys are really like. I don’t even know what to write about this show. It’s genuinely just really funny and something that if they aired it on IFC or Adult Swim would be a hit. I believe MTV tried to remake it, but I never watched it because I didn’t want to scar myself. In addition to three wonderful seasons, they made two movies which are also on Netflix and equally amazing. This would also probably be a really great series to start watching if you’re new to British television because they speak clearly so the slang is easy to pick up and the humor is universal.
The Great British Bake-off
CLIP — Watchable on Netflix and PBS
You’re going to hear a lot about Bake-off soon. It’s really that good. Of course, over here it’s called The Great British Baking Show, but it will always be Bake-off to me. First of all, Mary Berry is a gem and we need to protect her. And Paul Hollywood is infinitely better than that rando they got to co-judge with Mary on The Great Holiday Baking Show. You won’t believe how much I talk to the TV while this show is on. I’ve lost count of how many times bakers forget to turn on the oven when they put their bakes in. One time, they were making ice cream and someone took this guys ice cream out of the freezer and forgot to put it back so it was melted and he literally just threw it away in an ice cream rage. It was incredible. When they think they have time to make another batch of cookies when Mel and Sue tell them they only have half an hour left, like are you kidding me Carol, you don’t have enough time, they’re going to have a soggy bottom and you’ll never be Star Baker. Another thing I like about this show that my brother pointed out to me is that there’s no fluff. Like it starts and they’re baking within the first 4 minutes. So if you like watching people bake things that you can’t bake or pronounce this is a fun one.
Skins
CLIP — Watchable on Netflix
Don’t judge a show by the terrible MTV spin-off. The spin-off was terrible and I know because I watched the one episode that aired. It was line for line the exact same but with all the funny parts taken out. First of all, when I heard they were doing an American version, I was excited until I found out it was going to be on MTV. To remake this show and give it a chance it should have been on Starz or HBO. I’d liken Skins to The O.C. or Gossip Girl, but with more drugs and more nudity, funnier, but just as dramatic. Like Weeds. There are multiple seasons, some with different casts, but the first four seasons are the best. I saw season five but I couldn’t tell you what happened. Nicholas Hoult wasn’t in it so I kind of stopped caring. Each episode focuses on a different character, which I’ve never really been a fan of in other shows, but it really works in this one. Also my favorite episode (Season 1 Ep 6) is the one where they go to Russia on a school trip. So at least watch up to that one so we can chat about it.
Bad Education
CLIP — Watchable on Youtube
Imagine getting your teaching degree after four years of not really going to class and being hungover when you did, but somehow you managed to graduate and get a job teaching regular-level students at a public school. Then you show up the first day of class and realize you're way over your head and not sure what you got yourself into. Also, there is another teacher who's super hot and your principal is a 40 year-old man who says "on fleek" in a non-ironic way and cosplays Lord of the Rings. That is what this show is. It's truly great and highly recommended.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire
CLIP — Watchable on Bravo
It's no secret that I love everything about the Real Housewives franchise. Andy Cohen has truly blessed us as a nation. When we got the Melbourne series and Ladies of London I didn't think it could get any better, but then, low and behold, we are blessed again with The Real Housewives of Cheshire. It's everything you can imagine. On an episode I saw recently, one of the wives threw a birthday party for a rabbit. It was a really nice party, too. They're not aggressive like New Jersey but not as chilled as Melbourne, but somewhere in between. They don't fight with volume or table flipping but with strong words and not inviting people to their parties. It's amazing and another jewel in Andy Cohen's wonderful crown. Season 1 is airing on Bravo on Saturdays, but eventually like all RH shows it will probably be on Hulu soon. Tanya is the best, enjoy her boxing episode.