Your recommendations for TV for 8-11 yr-old boys?

[roisin]

My boys watch very little TV - c.7 hrs a week max, they don't ask to watch more, which suits me fine. But for some time now (over a year) they have been fixated on The Simpsons, and watch it 5x a week.

This is giving them a rather skewed view of the world, and I would prefer them to transfer their affections elsewhere.

Any suggestions?

(They watch Dr Who/Primeval - that sort of thing already. In the past they have enjoyed Blue Peter and Raven.)

Hmm, my dcs' choices range from the very silly (Basil Brush, Hider in the House) to the more factual (nature programmes, especially anything with Nigel thingy in, like Prehistoric Park).

They're 9, 8 (and 4) and still love Raven and Blue Peter.

DS1 (9.5) has in addition to Dr Who and Basis Brush etc just got into Top Gear. He loves it and it is full of the sort of humour that appeals to boys of his age. Nobody else in the family is at all interested in cars and I can't stand the programme. He is allowed to watch it on Fridays on Dave (8.00-9.00).

DS is not 7 till August but he likes a lot of the stuff on Nickelodeon - Drake and Josh, H2O, Zoey101 - are aimed at slightly older so they have dating and kissing but no violence.

He also loves Are you Smarter than a 10 year old.

Brainiac Science Abuse
Animal Park
Bear Grylls
Ray Mears
Scrubs

Or an Match of the Day (not live! we record it for them)

Ninja Warrior
Takeshi's Castle

This is helpful and interesting: please keep them coming.
DS1 has a strange fascination with vintage comedy: he's currently working through a set of Yes Minister DVDs

But I want somethign they can both enjoy together.

And mine are COMPLETELY addicted to I'll Do Anything and Strictly Come Dancing. Which I find quite hilarious.
But it is nice to snuggle up with them on a Saturday evening and watch TV together.

Roisin, DS2 has just finished watching rental DVDs of 'Allo Allo', 'Keeping Up Appearances' and 'Fawlty Towers'.
He loved them all.
Now onto 'Jeeves and Wooster'.
It is so funny to hear the catchphrases that I remember from my childhood.

Some great ideas there from taweret, ds has loved some clips of Some Mothers do 'ave 'em, Dad's Army and Fawlty Towers recently
Ds still loves Basil Brush and Raven, also Newsround and Evacuation to the Manor.
We watched The Passion together but that was a seasonal thing, and to my utter shame he currently likes Top Gear