Programmes that have aged poorly and programmes that have aged well?

[HaveYouHadYourBreak]

What programmes that you loved have surprised you on rewatching?

I've just finished the first series of This Life and was surprised at how well it has aged for the most part (but so much smoking!). It was refreshing to see people with imperfect teeth and pubic hair and wobbly bums living in a grotty house share past their early 20s. I'm re-living my youth with the music too.

But Coupling! Oof! I remember it being really good but some clips I've seen (like making sex videos without consent and the way women are talked about) demonstrate exactly why I've never seen any re-runs.

Samantha is my favourite character by far now. She is also very kind (in a no nonsense way) and a really good friend. I love the episode when she gives new mum Miranda her hair appointment and looks after Brady.

I also love Kerry Weaver in ER now. As a teenager I thought she was sooo annoying but now I totally get her frustration at trying to make everything more efficient and everyone hating you!

It's unbearably sexist at times but yes, it's also like a parallel universe now. It was a little idealistic in the late 90s but now seems incredibly naive.

Blackadder and Father Ted are still great. Still also love old Sherlock Holmes’s, Miss Marple and Poirot.
l use to watch Father Ted on the channel 4 app. But I also still have DVD’s.

I think Seinfeld has aged perfectly, for they were horrible people from the beginning - they're just even more horrible now.

I'm watching The Twilight Zone (1959!!!) and if we forget about the lack of diversity, it's surprisingly watchable.

Father Ted is on Channel 4 app.

That's because It's BRILLIANT!

Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Yy to fast show, also harry Enfield- Kevin the teenager will never age! Also some of the 90’s comedy shows like Newman and Baddiel, Mary White House experience, punt and Dennis I still like to rewatch.

er yes. But also St Elsewhere- yes it’s aged, but in a good way. Fascinating to see almost historical medicine, patients refusing black doctors, the stigma around HIV and AIDS, and how far medicine has come.

I don't recommend the books, I got a couple of chapters in to the first one before giving up - it's horrifically out-dated and he is a completely unlikeable sleeze.

Black Adder
Father Ted
Red Dwarf

all still fab 😃

Yes (Prime) Minister is utterly timeless, and was breathtakingly prescient in some respects. I watched the episode about the tobacco industry recently. It is beyond brilliant.

Hacker is PM, and he appoints a doctor as SOS for Health. The minister immediately proposes reducing tobacco consumption by banning smoking in all public places, banning all tobacco advertising including sponsorship of sporting events & increasing the tax on a pack of cigarettes until it cost about the same as a bottle of whisky. All of which subsequently happened in real life.

i haven’t read the books for over 30 years but it’s such a shame as I loved them and the tv show, and used to watch them with my mum (so many happy memories). I always imagined myself wafting round an Oxford college as an undergraduate (without the murders!)

I still love that programme but parts haven't aged well. The way they act as though being single is the worst thing ever and your life is only complete if you have a man.

It's not too old but Peep Show still has me roaring. Equating the Olivia Colman of then to the 'serious' actress of today is also fun.

I think Prime Suspect is still worth a watch, most of the men are dreadful but Helen Mirren shows them up, calls them out and stands up for herself & women generally. I have a feeling that male attitudes in the Police force haven't necessarily improved all that much. Pity about all the smoking also.

One Foot In The Grave has aged pretty well I think.

I love Morse precisely because it is so outdated. The fashion, the cars, the smoking, the decor in homes and offices. Etc etc etc

Morse seems to think he’s quite the catch with the vintage car and love of classical music, but he continuously gets knocked back because he’s a relic even in the late eighties. He dies alone and lonely with only his ‘mates’ from the police mourning him, so I forgive him for all his indiscretions. He’s from a different era.

I’ve been binge watching Law and Order recently and I’m shocked at some of the racism and homophobia. I watched it in real time and don’t recall being shocked at any of it. It’s funny how things have changed but also how I’ve changed over the years.

I watched last night. Some really good acts. I didn't like it when younger.

I am really enjoying watching New Tricks.

The Good Life is showing on one of the comedy channels atm. Its just as funny as it ever was, I always look forward to seeing Margo's extravagant outfits 😅😆

I binge watched Dinner Ladies (Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie and Julie Walters 1998) during Covid. It was so fresh it could have been made yesterday!

I don’t think Tom Good was ever supposed to be very likeable- Richard Briers was on record saying what a selfish man he was.

I used to love Goodnight Sweetheart but now I can't think why I did. I suppose I liked the idea of going back in time. Gary Sparrow was a reprobate though.

Another vote for Dinnerladies - magical writing & Victoria Wood was so generous giving all the best lines to her cast.
Ever Decreasing Circles is funny but not sure it's aged well - Richard Briers as a very frustrated man.

I think they mellowed Morse's character slightly for the TV compared to the books too. I never liked Morse but enjoyed watching Endeavour.