Is British TV really bad?

[WhereisallthequalityTV]

We live abroad and every Christmas we subscribe to FilmOn to watch some British TV and make us feel less homesick! (However bad it is, it’s always better than TV where we live!)

This year, though, it seems especially bad.

Is it me, or is it just the same handful of people presenting every show? People that the BBC inexplicably thinks the average British viewer will find interesting and charismatic. Eg Gregg Wallace.

Just seen a trailer for a couple of travel type shows with Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe and that French bloke from First Dates or whatever it was called. Who really wants to see these people doing these things? Two are panel show comedians, one is... I don’t even know, a sommelier? They don’t have anything especially interesting to say about anything.

It’s just an example but every show that comes on makes me think What a pile of utter shite.

Is there anything good on?

There has been less original and new TV made this year because of Covid, especially when it comes to travel. It's true that the same presenters and actors become ubiquitous but it's unusual that there isn't something worth watching as far as I'm concerned.

Well as people have said it,s been difficult to film, go on location ect this year so some things not made others having new rules. I enjoy Task master at the moment.

Is it me, or is it just the same handful of people presenting every show? People that the BBC inexplicably thinks the average British viewer will find interesting and charismatic. Eg Gregg Wallace.

We also live abroad and DH has observed the same thing, there's just not a lot on this year.

There’s not much on but that’s because of Covid. The main thing I’m looking forward to is the Ghosts Christmas special (Shame it’s only half an hour long).

I give you "Ghosts". Brilliant.

Ha ha BillieLurk. Excellent cross post!

There is some good tv, but much has ended up on Sky or Netflix. Covid has restricted some, but also there has been the tendency (the BBC are the worst at this) to flog something too far. Look at how many series of Not Going Out that there have been, for example. Probably Strictly and the Apprentice have had their day too.

We also have the national disgrace that is Mrs Browns Boys.

And boring Phil and Holly

Try being a massive Game of Thrones AND Harry Potter fan... you’ll spend every single drama wondering which one (or both) you know at least one actor from! 😂

Much better than American TV.

If you don't like it, don't watch it.

I like watching Romesh and especially his travel shows, he goes to places where they don’t usually go and I find it really interesting. Can’t comment on the rest.

I am disappointed that there doesn’t seem to be a new ghost story this year though (aside from Ghosts I mean ). Something really quiet and understated and with a tiny cast which would be easy to do under social distancing - along the lines of The Dead Room with Simon Callow a couple of years back. I’ve only had a quick glance through the Radio Times but didn’t see anything.

@LuckyAmy1986

I like watching Romesh and especially his travel shows, he goes to places where they don’t usually go and I find it really interesting. Can’t comment on the rest.

I agree with this - I've really enjoyed all of his travel programmes (and he's done quite a few different series now).

Compared to American TV it’s fantastic!

COVID has meant it’s been impossible to make live drama much this year

I live abroad but waxy less and less UK tv. In fact HIGNFY and Graham Norton. I'm sure there are better things but I've just lost touch after 20 years and I like documentaries. Everything on UK tv seems really dumbed down now. So I just watch French TV on catch up

Another gohsts fan. Also I liked 2What we do in the shadows."

Our tv is bloody brilliant. Best in the world I’d say.
However this year there hasn’t been much - small thing called a global pandemic seems to have affected it funnily enough 😂

Romesh in the Highlands was brilliant!
Ghosts is also fantastic and I wish it was an hour long one.
Don't forget Worzel Gummage, Call the Midwife and a new Doctor Who with daleks

Don't mean to derail the thread. But is there really a 'Ghosts' Christmas Special!

YESSSSSSSS [GRIN]

Bold Fail!

They've had the same people presenting everything for decades though. The current flavour of the month.

Not wanting to be horrible about Jill Dando, coz it was down to the bbc employing her, but at one time she did Crimewatch, the news and Holiday. Which was a bit jarring.

IsAnybodyListening indeed there is.

And Celebrity Sewing Bee. Two episodes!!

Task master is quite entertaining I think.

The current flavour of the month
Seems to be Alex Scott at the moment.