I don’t know about any of you but I have had the hardest time finding good movies and television shows that I can watch with my kids. Since they tend to be night owls and we only have one television any TV watched at our house is watched by everyone. A few years back I subscribed to Netflix for the sole purpose of watching the entire collection of All Creatures Great and Small. If you don’t know about this show, it’s based on the books by James Herriot of the same name and is about a country veterinary practice in Yorkshire. This was my absolute FAVORITE show when I was a student and it made me want to move to England and become a vet. The only thing that stopped me was that I’m a total wimp when it comes to hurt animals and blood. Plus the small fact that this series is set in WW2 times and I haven’t found a way to time travel yet.
The great thing about Netflix is that they have really good recommendations. After watching All Creatures we moved on to Monarch of the Glen. This incredibly funny and sweet show is set in the highlands of Scotland and revolves around a family and village of endearing and crazy characters.
The next absolutely terrific show we watched was Ballykissangel. This show is set in an Irish village and revolves around the village pub. It has, yet again, another set of crazy and likeable characters.
Our current favorite is Doc Martin. The premise for this show is almost too funny. Dr. Ellingham is a former London surgeon who develops a phobia of blood. He then re-locates to a small Cornish Village to become the village doctor and treat the local cast of zany characters. What makes this show absolutely hysterical is that Doc Martin has no bedside manner whatsoever. This in addition to him barfing every time he sees blood make this show a real winner.
I guess I’m just a sucker for shows with offbeat characters that are set in England. Anyone know of any others?
I'm a Brit-Com fan, but the absolute best for the whole family is Keeping Up Appearances!!! We watch it over and over now my grands are hooked!!!
Posted by: Debbie S, | 09/28/2010 at 06:49 AM
I forgot Last of the Summer Wine too!!!
Posted by: Debbie S, | 09/28/2010 at 06:51 AM
All creatures great and small brings back memories, I watched every episode years ago, read the books too. How about Inspector Lynley, suspense but not too bloody. Further more I'm an addict of British costume drama, you can wake me up for them, everything from Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters ............... sigh. Combine those costume drama's with some hand quilting and you are in sheer heaven!!
Posted by: Anita Westerveld | 09/28/2010 at 08:06 AM
I hadn't heard about Doc Martin, but have seen the others. You might try Vicar of Dilby -- the vicar is played by Dawn French and if you don't know her, she's hysterical as the bawdy vicar of a very staid English village. Actually, she's also in another series we're watching now, set in late 1800s England called Lark Rise to Candleford, which is excellent, too. This is a drama about a young woman moving from country to town. Wonderful characters!
Posted by: Robin Gold | 09/28/2010 at 09:09 AM
We love Netflix and BBC too. I have been watching Robin Hood with my hubby. It's very action packed but fun. Thanks for more ideas.
Posted by: annette | 09/28/2010 at 11:16 AM
I love Doc Martin and was very sad to watch the last episode but it was hilarious!
I remember watching All Creatures Great and Small when I was young and reading all the books. Thanks for reminding me as my daughter would love the books now. I will keep an eye out for the other two shows.It has been years since I watched it but I also loved Northern Exposure when it was on. Another comedy with off beat characters.
Posted by: Anne D | 09/28/2010 at 02:30 PM
Midsomer murders, Judge John Deed and Morse are all classics and very English! Also Martin Clunes was previously in Men Behaving Badly - very funny. Ros
Posted by: Ros Burton | 09/28/2010 at 04:30 PM
you might also try hope spings, about a set of wives of bankrobbers, on the run, stranded in a highland village.
Posted by: Carolien | 09/29/2010 at 08:17 AM
Oh, i forgot... being human, about a vampire, werewolf and ghost trying to fit in society, and Desperate romantics, about the romantic painters, very funny.
Posted by: Carolien | 09/29/2010 at 08:19 AM
Haven't heard of any of your recommendations, except All Creatures Great and Small. I loved the show and I loved the books. I'll keep your recommendations in mind. I'm always looking for something good to watch.
Posted by: Michelle | 09/29/2010 at 11:08 AM
Its so funny to see Americans liking British programmes. We get so many of your programmes.
Another one to look out for is
'Hamish MacBeth'. Also set in the Scottish Highlands about a local policeman and his little dog. Made around 1995.
Many of the programmes you list were broadcast on Sunday nights for family viewing.
Nan in Bonnie Scotland
Posted by: Nan | 09/29/2010 at 02:31 PM
Finally scrolled down far enough to find "comment" section. As far a naming your Fish Frenzy fish goes, how about "Gillbert Green"? Thanks for your consideraton. L-o-v-e your patterns.
Posted by: Charae Hemphill Dabb | 10/08/2010 at 02:48 PM
We are Netflix people, too :) Especially watching a whole season's worth of a show back-to-back, it's great not having to wait a whole week to watch one episode.
We appreciate your recommendation of these three shows....already, we have watched all of Doc Martins Season 1 & really like it!
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