What TV Shows Are You Binging On?

[Silence Dogood]

I realize the TV is the greatest enemy of guitar playing, and while I'm not a TV junky, I do enjoy it a bit more in winter.  I'm not the type to sit around channel-surfing, but I like to research something for a bit to see if it's worth my time and attention.  This means that I'll sometimes go years without finding anything to enjoy. 

I'm a bit of an Anglophile, and a fan of the English author GK Chesterton.  I recently discovered (late to the party) that a series about his Father Brown stories was made into a BBC  TV show.  I started watching is a few weeks ago and am enjoying it a lot.  There are many seasons available so it will take me a long time get through them all, especially at the rate I watch TV. 

Here is a link to the FB show: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pmw4m

If you are interested in Chesterton, and are also looking for some stimulating and thought-provoking TV, there is a show dedicated to him on EWTN:  https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/g-k-chesterton-apostle-of-common-sense
It was this show many years ago that introduced me to the world of Chesterton. 

What are you enjoying on television? 

[Hooked]

I have mostly opted out of TV the last few years - with an occasional sporting event (Tour de France and other pro cycling) the major exception. There is one current TV series I do watch - Seal Team. As a veteran, I really appreciate them making an effort to portray the life - especially the PTSD and TBI effects as well as family stresses. WIth former Navy Seals both in cast and as advisors, it is very well done.

Guilty pleasure - my DVDs of Firefly!

[jazzereh]

While I didn't think I was going to stay with it, After Life, with Ricky Gervais as the main character and so you might imagine that the language can be quite crude.  However, I've watched all seasons now having been caught up with the characters.  The show can be very touching and subtly funny.  A bit hard at times with the British accents and different than what I thought it might be at the start but extremely worth spending time with.

[Silence Dogood]

While I didn't think I was going to stay with it, After Life, with Ricky Gervais as the main character and so you might imagine that the language can be quite crude.  However, I've watched all seasons now having been caught up with the characters.  The show can be very touching and subtly funny.  A bit hard at times with the British accents and different than what I thought it might be at the start but extremely worth spending time with.

I know just what you mean about the Brit accents, etc.  When I'm watching Father Brown, I sometimes have to go back and listen again to certain characters, or even turn on subtitles.  Listening to Welsh or Scottish people can be even more challenging for an American. 

[eded]

My wife and I have been scouring Netflix, PBS, and Amazon for musician/band/studio documentaries.  And Viking stuff...  The Last Kingdom now. 

Ed

[jazzereh]

I know just what you mean about the Brit accents, etc.  When I'm watching Father Brown, I sometimes have to go back and listen again to certain characters, or even turn on subtitles.  Listening to Welsh or Scottish people can be even more challenging for an American. 

Indeed, and another one with accents to deal with is Shetland.  As you might guess, based in the Shetland Islands and at times, heavy Scottish accents.  Very good 'cop drama' though.

[Mikeymac]

The Father Brown series is a good one; think Columbo in vestments...

Some other excellent British cop/detective series my wife and I have watched:

Inspector Lewis - two detectives, Robbie Lewis, the street-wise, blue collar cop, and his partner, James Hathaway, a former theology student and very keen crime intellect which helps them solve their crimes (almost always murders). Very well written and acted.

New Tricks - as in "teaching old dogs new tricks" - another hilarious (but also serious) British detective show about a young female boss working with three older, retired cops in an "unsolved crimes unit". This was a real treasure find!

Endeavor - about the young Inspector Endeavor Morse (who was the mentor of Robbie Lewis - following the trail?), as he starts his career partnering with an older street cop, Fred Thursday. Set mostly in the 1960's, it's a well written, well acted series. Young  Morse is brilliant - almost a savant - who faces lots of challenges from other cops who are jealous of his obvious skills and talents at solving crimes.

Then there's also Doc Martin, about a top surgeon in London who develops a phobia of blood, and ends up in a small coastal town as the local GP. Great cast of characters and "the Doc" is uncomfortably socially inept and abrupt - Martin Clunes plays the character well.

Another interesting Brit series with Martin Clunes in the lead role is William & Mary - about a couple who become a blended family and have to deal with all the drama that goes with that.

For all of these I highly recommend using the Closed Caption option - makes it much easier to follow the Brit accents - but it won't help you with their unique words for things...

[Mikeymac]

If you are interested in Chesterton, and are also looking for some stimulating and thought-provoking TV, there is a show dedicated to him on EWTN: 

https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/g-k-chesterton-apostle-of-common-sense

Appreciate this recommendation! 

[Silence Dogood]

Appreciate this recommendation! 

You are most welcome.  I've been watching this show via DVR for well over a decade, but this Christmas my son gave me all the seasons on DVD.  There are several episodes I've never seen in the collection.  This show has been one of a handful of reality-altering experiences in my life. 

[Silence Dogood]

The Father Brown series is a good one; think Columbo in vestments...

Some other excellent British cop/detective series my wife and I have watched:

Inspector Lewis - two detectives, Robbie Lewis, the street-wise, blue collar cop, and his partner, James Hathaway, a former theology student and very keen crime intellect which helps them solve their crimes (almost always murders). Very well written and acted.

New Tricks - as in "teaching old dogs new tricks" - another hilarious (but also serious) British detective show about a young female boss working with three older, retired cops in an "unsolved crimes unit". This was a real treasure find!

Endeavor - about the young Inspector Endeavor Morse (who was the mentor of Robbie Lewis - following the trail?), as he starts his career partnering with an older street cop, Fred Thursday. Set mostly in the 1960's, it's a well written, well acted series. Young  Morse is brilliant - almost a savant - who faces lots of challenges from other cops who are jealous of his obvious skills and talents at solving crimes.

Then there's also Doc Martin, about a top surgeon in London who develops a phobia of blood, and ends up in a small coastal town as the local GP. Great cast of characters and "the Doc" is uncomfortably socially inept and abrupt - Martin Clunes plays the character well.

Another interesting Brit series with Martin Clunes in the lead role is William & Mary - about a couple who become a blended family and have to deal with all the drama that goes with that.

For all of these I highly recommend using the Closed Caption option - makes it much easier to follow the Brit accents - but it won't help you with their unique words for things...

Some excellent recommendations here.  If I ever make it through all the Father Brown episodes I'll have to come back to this list. 

[StringPicker6]

Foyle's War is an amazing British crime show that takes place during WWII. Michael Kitchen plays Foyle, fantastic actor!

[Silence Dogood]

I cancelled cable and this is the first time I've been without it in over 20 years.  It feels nice to not be wasting $200 a month, especially since apps can now be purchased for the channels you want to really watch.  I signed up for Brit Box and it's been great.  I binged my way through Father Brown and am now having to wait till new episodes drop.   I'm now making my way through This Farming Life on BBC Scotland.  It follows a few different farming families in Scotland through daily life.  One of the reasons I'm watching is because it's like getting to travel and see new places in a raw context.  I like it a lot.  There are several seasons so it'll be a while before I'm caught up. 

[Silence Dogood]

My wife and I started watching the Father Brown series over again and are enjoying it even more this time around.  Spring time means warmer weather and plenty of stuff to do outside, so I won't be watching much TV till winter.  I've also been playing lots more guitar since I got a new electric rig! 

[Silence Dogood]

Finished Father Brown again for the second time and am looking forward to season 10.  We started re-watching Lark Rise To Candleford, another great show made by the BBC.  Set in the very early 1900s, it's about the people of a small hamlet called Lark Rise and those of the nearby town of Candleford.  It's a really great period-style show.  Highly recommended. 

[StringPicker6]

Great recommendations! I'm in the middle of the new season of Doc Martin that is a popular BBC show.

[247hoopsfan]

If you haven't seen Longmire, I highly recommend it.  Six seasons, sheriff in small town Montana always taking on the bad guys.

[B0WIE]

My wife loves Father Brown.

I've been spending a lot of time in the yard, building stuff, so listening to YouTube on my phone is my TV. There's a lot of good history shows so I'm learning about ancient civilizations.

The one series I've watched in the past year was Stranger Things. I kinda hate everything on TV now but really enjoyed this show. I grew up in the 80's and this show really captures the sense of wonder that 80's movies had for a kid like me back then.

[B0WIE]

If you haven't seen Longmire, I highly recommend it.  Six seasons, sheriff in small town Montana always taking on the bad guys.

Longmire is among my all time faves. That's one of the series that ended around the time I stopped watching TV for the most part.

Also, the audio books are fantastic if you're on a road trip. Especially a trip to the outdoors.

[Silence Dogood]

My wife loves Father Brown.

I've been spending a lot of time in the yard, building stuff, so listening to YouTube on my phone is my TV. There's a lot of good history shows so I'm learning about ancient civilizations.

The one series I've watched in the past year was Stranger Things. I kinda hate everything on TV now but really enjoyed this show. I grew up in the 80's and this show really captures the sense of wonder that 80's movies had for a kid like me back then.

YouTube and podcasts are a go-to for me as well.  Both have helped me learn a lot.  Same goes for audiobooks. I like the fact that I get to learn while doing other things.

I was also an 80s kid (I'm 48 now), and from a small town, and I watched Stranger Things too.  It was pretty much like going back in time and they nailed just about every aspect of the period.  I think the story started really strong, but I don't like where the vibe of the show is headed.  I think that's why I like period-type shows better from the BBC: they don't have all the seemingly obligatory modern "values" crammed into the story, that for me at least, ruin it. 

[StringPicker6]

I have to agree about the Stanger Things show. I'm 47, and I loved the 80's nostalgia, but now they are throwing in sexuality issues with the young characters, and it's out of place and unnecessary.... I guess it's just today's entertainment trend.