Enjoyable all-family TV viewing -- I'm stuck!

[lizzietaylorreynolds]

We like to have a TV show to watch as a family (DS is 10, DD is 8). The one we all liked best is Channel 5's "All Creatures Great and Small" which was excellent, with terrific characters and lovely scenery. We're almost finished with "Anne with an E" on Netflix which we are mostly enjoying but a bit over the head of my 8 year old.

Any other suggestions? I can't find anything! It has to be wholesome and engaging. It can be period but doesn't have to be (DD would probably like something more modern, I think.) Reality shows like GBBO or Strictly, etc. don't hit the spot.

Doesn't have to be new, can be old but not offensive. Please help!

Little Lunch on Netflix might work. DD7 loves it, so I recommended it to a friend who has DS9 and DD11 and they liked it.

A series of unfortunate events on Netflix, Wednesday (not sure on the certificate but think it’s a 12a?)

My 12-year-old likes watching old Outnumbered episodes on BBC iplayer

The Durrells has a similar vibe to All Creatures, I think. It’s on Netflix.

We’ve enjoyed watching The Good Life, Spy in the Wild, Vicar of Dibley and Outnumbered as a family.

Thank you! I thought this would be perfect (as I loved the book) but first episode is about helping the mother have sex. Perhaps we should persevere ...

How about 'Saving Lives at Sea' that follows the RNLI? My lot love this. We also watch Gladiators together.

Dd was given a complete dvd set of the Muppets. She introduced all her mates to it at sleepovers. Also Tom and Jerry.

There is a BBC version of My Family and Other Animals (from the 80s I think)

Ghosts might be an option.

My DS was obsessed with Dad’s Army at that age!

Try the 1987 series of the book instead (My Family and Other Animals)

A lot of Parks and Recreation is pretty wholesome (just don't watch the ones with Tammy in them)

Death in Paradise? My teen binged all the old ones in lockdown and still watches. I don't think it's unsuitable but might go over the DCs heads a little.

The remakes of Worzel Gummidge.
Father Brown
Little house on the Prairie (there was a nice mini series too which stayed closer to the original)
Anne of Green Gables with Megan Followers.
Dr Who
Lots of 80s stuff like Sapphire and Steel and Murder She Wrote
Merlin
Robin Hood
The Musketeers
Dickens - David Copperfield
Ballet Shoes (the one with Richard Griffiths)
The old All Creatures with Christopher Timothy
Dinner Ladies

Is it cake? On Netflix. DS10 loves it ( but he loves cake!)

Race across the world

The 1% club

Mallory towers

Famous five

Young Sheldon

Ah thanks everyone, going to try lots of these - Ghosts looks perfect!

Ghosts is really good but I remember one episode mentions prostitutes, and the episode about how the politician Julian dies might not be suitable as he was 'caught with his trousers down' with his mistress and had a heart attack. So I would just check what episode it is and skip if necessary.

We've just finished Renegade Nell on Disney+, if you have access to that.

I find IMDB.com a great site to check how suitable something is. The parental guide gives goid details if risqué stuff.

Heartstopper
Malcolm in the middle
Another for the Durrells

Would call the midwife work?
Would they have any interest in oldies like keeping up appearances, only fools and horses, goodnight sweetheart? They are old but brilliant- and wholesome!
Mr.Bean is hard to beat too!

Another vote for Ghosts.

Also the BBC adaptation of His Dark Materials, it's amazing.

There’s also the running gag of being sucked off in the earlier series.

Mallory Towers

Just started watching this with 7 &10 year old DDs. Weirdly the first episode is rated 15, not sure why as it’s not more explicit than the older episodes rated PG.

Anyway 10 year old DD correctly guessed who done it so is now very invested!

We like watching
Free reign on Netflix
Also we watch lots of documentaries so channel 4 had Knowsley safari park and also an animal rescue one which was great. Also Ben Fogle travel ones are popular here too.
The babysitters club is enjoyable too

Agree with Malory Towers, Outnumbered? Young Sheldon, Worzel Gummidge.
I absolutely loved That Day we Sang. A musical by Victoria Wood, with Imelda Staunton, Michael Ball, Sophie Thompson and more.

The Inbestigators- Netflix
Little Lunch - Netflix
Brain Games - Disney Plus
Modern family - Disney Plus
Malcolm in the Middle - Disney Plus
Recess - Disney Plus
Horrible Histories - BBC iPlayer
Itch - BBC iPlayer
Creeped out - BBC iPlayer/ Netflix
Taskmaster Bleeped - Channel 4

Ghosts does have quite a lot of innuendo (mainly surrounding Julian) but a lot of it would probably go over the DCs heads. Also the context of it is quite 80s/90s sleazy politician sexual misbehaviour which is a bit old-hat now but funny for those of us who remember.