"Bet that's not the first time you made a headmaster cry"
They will finally release Bad Girls on DVD over here. Only five years too late, though. Anyway, this made me think of all the fantastic British series I've come across, and naturally I made a list of the first ten I thought of. So I could pimp them to you as well, of course. I'm sneaky that way.
Series: Absolutely Fabulous
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley
What: Edina & Patsy's drunken and insane whims, while the sensible daughter of the former rolls her eyes and disapproves.
Why: Absolutely Fabulous is the comedy of all comedies. The writing is solid, it's intelligent and truly hilarious. The characters = pure comedy gold. This series is a cult phenomenon for a reason.
Series: Bad Girls
Genre: Drama
People who rule: Simone Lahbib, Linda Henry, Liz May Brice, Mandana Jones, Debra Stephenson
What: Life inside the walls of Larkhall, a women's prison. Love, loss and the drama of inmates and screws.
Why: When Bad Girls premiered in 1999 it was something new and refreshing. The storylines were realistic but entertaining, and even the toughest issues were courageously dealt with. Also, the first three series introduced one of the best lesbian storylines in television history. Quality television, even if the last few series could've been better.
Series: Coupling
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Sarah Alexander, Ben Miles, Kate Isitt
What: A group of friends, brought together by a set of random accidents, talk about sex and relationships.
Why: Excellent British humour mixed with great characters and great performances by the actors. Thanks to this show I can never go to a funeral (or any serious event for that matter) without thinking of the "giggle loop".
Series: Life On Mars
Genre: Crime/Drama
People who rule: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White
What: A police officer in 2006 wakes up after an accident and finds himself in 1973.
Why: The premise of this show alone should be a reason enough to watch. Terrific concept which is very well brought to life. Every viewer has their own theory on whether Sam really is in 1973, or if he's just in a coma.
Series: Little Britain
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Matt Lucas, David Williams
What: Skecthes about the people of Britain.
Why: Little Britain is a series people either love or hate. Me, I adore it. Some skecthes are weaker than the others, but the ones that work are pure brilliance. And the number of one-liners this series has spewed out is enormous. "Anybody? No? Dust. Anybody? No? Dust..."
Series: Murder In Suburbia
Genre: Lighthearted crime drama
People who rule: Caroline Catz, Lisa Faulkner
What: A female detective duo solves murders while complaining their bad luck with men - without realising they're actually made for each other and don't need a man at all.
Why: Why? Because this is what good television is. Everything works: the characters, the writing, the subject matter. One of the best, if not the best, whodunnit shows ever. And if nothing else, it's all worth it for Ash's sarcastic comments alone.
Series: New Street Law
Genre: Drama
People who rule: Lisa Faulkner, John Hannah, John Thomson
What: Follows the lives of barristers of two rival law firms in Manchester.
Why: Lisa Faulkner + John Hannah -> awesomeness is bound to ensue. The law aspect of the series is actually interesting, and seeing Lisa Faulkner with a wig is too amusing to pass up.
Series: Smack the Pony
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Sarah Alexander, Sally Phillips
What: Various sketches, usually something to do with the female side of life.
Why: Many of the sketches are plain absurd, but that's exactly the brilliance of this series. Everything is over the top, but it still works; the dating agency videos are classics.
Series: Spooks
Genre: Drama/Thriller
People who rule: Keeley Hawes, Peter Firth, Nicola Walker
What: The missions and spooks of MI-5.
Why: I confess that I originally bought the first series just because it had Keeley Hawes in it. But it soon became clear that the show itself is simply fantastic, and I would've watched it even without Hawes. The storylines are excellent and the excitement keeps you on the edge of your seat through every episode.
Series: State of Play
Genre: Drama/Crime
People who rule: John Simm, Kelly MacDonald, Bill Nighy
What: A thriller set in London. The story revolves around a politician, his journalist friend and a political scandal the death of a woman arouses.
Why: Crime drama at its best. I watched all six episodes at one go because I just couldn't stop. The story is fantastic, the twists work magnificently and the characters fit perfectly. One of the best mini series I've ever seen.
It was a little perplexing to see 300 and La Môme (movie about the life of Edith Piaf) on consecutive days. The contrast between blood & gory and the streets of Paris was downright beautiful. 300 was crap, there's no other way to put it, really. Me and gabriellemb tried not to laugh our asses off because the theatre was full. But Lena Headey looked lovely, so there was an upside. ♥
And wrapping things up with a few awesome YouTube gems:
Grey's Anatomy blooper reel
I have no idea where this came from, but who cares? It has Katherine Heigl and Sandra Oh almost kissing, so I have no complaints whatsoever.
Ultra Bra - Tyttöjen Välisestä Ystävyydestä
I'd completely forgotten this video, but when I stumbled upon it the other day, I realised the volume of teh gay. The girl!love storyline is beautiful.
Ultra Bra - Villiviini
Yes, another one by the same band. But in this one it's the two members of the band that end up snogging. And, once again, I'm not complaining. At all.
PMMP - Joutsenet
I've posted this one before, but it's worth posting again. The femslashy subtext is too delicious. ♥
Dragonette - I Get Around
Okay, not a Finnish music video, but I figured I'd include this one as well, since the lesbian theme is obvious.
Song of the Day: Tal Bachman - She's So High
Series: Absolutely Fabulous
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley
What: Edina & Patsy's drunken and insane whims, while the sensible daughter of the former rolls her eyes and disapproves.
Why: Absolutely Fabulous is the comedy of all comedies. The writing is solid, it's intelligent and truly hilarious. The characters = pure comedy gold. This series is a cult phenomenon for a reason.
Series: Bad Girls
Genre: Drama
People who rule: Simone Lahbib, Linda Henry, Liz May Brice, Mandana Jones, Debra Stephenson
What: Life inside the walls of Larkhall, a women's prison. Love, loss and the drama of inmates and screws.
Why: When Bad Girls premiered in 1999 it was something new and refreshing. The storylines were realistic but entertaining, and even the toughest issues were courageously dealt with. Also, the first three series introduced one of the best lesbian storylines in television history. Quality television, even if the last few series could've been better.
Series: Coupling
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Sarah Alexander, Ben Miles, Kate Isitt
What: A group of friends, brought together by a set of random accidents, talk about sex and relationships.
Why: Excellent British humour mixed with great characters and great performances by the actors. Thanks to this show I can never go to a funeral (or any serious event for that matter) without thinking of the "giggle loop".
Series: Life On Mars
Genre: Crime/Drama
People who rule: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White
What: A police officer in 2006 wakes up after an accident and finds himself in 1973.
Why: The premise of this show alone should be a reason enough to watch. Terrific concept which is very well brought to life. Every viewer has their own theory on whether Sam really is in 1973, or if he's just in a coma.
Series: Little Britain
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Matt Lucas, David Williams
What: Skecthes about the people of Britain.
Why: Little Britain is a series people either love or hate. Me, I adore it. Some skecthes are weaker than the others, but the ones that work are pure brilliance. And the number of one-liners this series has spewed out is enormous. "Anybody? No? Dust. Anybody? No? Dust..."
Series: Murder In Suburbia
Genre: Lighthearted crime drama
People who rule: Caroline Catz, Lisa Faulkner
What: A female detective duo solves murders while complaining their bad luck with men - without realising they're actually made for each other and don't need a man at all.
Why: Why? Because this is what good television is. Everything works: the characters, the writing, the subject matter. One of the best, if not the best, whodunnit shows ever. And if nothing else, it's all worth it for Ash's sarcastic comments alone.
Series: New Street Law
Genre: Drama
People who rule: Lisa Faulkner, John Hannah, John Thomson
What: Follows the lives of barristers of two rival law firms in Manchester.
Why: Lisa Faulkner + John Hannah -> awesomeness is bound to ensue. The law aspect of the series is actually interesting, and seeing Lisa Faulkner with a wig is too amusing to pass up.
Series: Smack the Pony
Genre: Comedy
People who rule: Sarah Alexander, Sally Phillips
What: Various sketches, usually something to do with the female side of life.
Why: Many of the sketches are plain absurd, but that's exactly the brilliance of this series. Everything is over the top, but it still works; the dating agency videos are classics.
Series: Spooks
Genre: Drama/Thriller
People who rule: Keeley Hawes, Peter Firth, Nicola Walker
What: The missions and spooks of MI-5.
Why: I confess that I originally bought the first series just because it had Keeley Hawes in it. But it soon became clear that the show itself is simply fantastic, and I would've watched it even without Hawes. The storylines are excellent and the excitement keeps you on the edge of your seat through every episode.
Series: State of Play
Genre: Drama/Crime
People who rule: John Simm, Kelly MacDonald, Bill Nighy
What: A thriller set in London. The story revolves around a politician, his journalist friend and a political scandal the death of a woman arouses.
Why: Crime drama at its best. I watched all six episodes at one go because I just couldn't stop. The story is fantastic, the twists work magnificently and the characters fit perfectly. One of the best mini series I've ever seen.
It was a little perplexing to see 300 and La Môme (movie about the life of Edith Piaf) on consecutive days. The contrast between blood & gory and the streets of Paris was downright beautiful. 300 was crap, there's no other way to put it, really. Me and gabriellemb tried not to laugh our asses off because the theatre was full. But Lena Headey looked lovely, so there was an upside. ♥
And wrapping things up with a few awesome YouTube gems:
Grey's Anatomy blooper reel
Click to viewI have no idea where this came from, but who cares? It has Katherine Heigl and Sandra Oh almost kissing, so I have no complaints whatsoever.
Ultra Bra - Tyttöjen Välisestä Ystävyydestä
I'd completely forgotten this video, but when I stumbled upon it the other day, I realised the volume of teh gay. The girl!love storyline is beautiful.
Ultra Bra - Villiviini
Yes, another one by the same band. But in this one it's the two members of the band that end up snogging. And, once again, I'm not complaining. At all.
PMMP - Joutsenet
I've posted this one before, but it's worth posting again. The femslashy subtext is too delicious. ♥
Dragonette - I Get Around
Okay, not a Finnish music video, but I figured I'd include this one as well, since the lesbian theme is obvious.
Song of the Day: Tal Bachman - She's So High