Comfort and inspiration for a nation

[altariel]

So rewatching that Mitch Benn video (AS I HAVE BEEN RIGHTLY DOING ALL AFTERNOON), I think there are only a handful of the TV shows mentioned that I have never watched: Charlie and Lola, Fireman Sam, and Horrible Histories (don't have kids around the house - tho' even then I've seen Teletubbies and In the Night Garden!). I'd heard of them though. Everything else I've seen at least one episode, or tuned in at some point (Last Night of the Proms, Glastonbury), or I've used the service (iPlayer, website, World Service). I don't listen to the radio much, but I recognized all the broadcasters, and I think I've seen them all do something on the tellybox, and I think I've heard all the radio shows mentioned. I can't quite make out all the things mentioned at the end, and I haven't actually watched everything on BBC Four (yet). Anyway I'd be really interested to know what other people's recognition and viewing or listening levels were. You know, from a sociological perspective. How well did he capture a kind of universal experience of things BBC.

Comments

[inamac.livejournal.com]

I think I've seen one episode of Horrible Histories, but not the other two you mention. Generally I keep an eye on the BBC's children's drama output (and why has no one yet reviewed the new season of Sarah Jane Adventures? (Though I am as remiss in this as anyone else).

I note that, despite being 'tweeted' about their appearance in the song there was no mention in today's Mayo and Kermode show...

And I'm all in favour of making this a Christmas No.1.

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

There is a lot of stuff Mitch mentions that I don't particularly like - like Ab Fab - but that is not the point. I think I've seen or heard most of the stuff he mentions, and BBC4 is often a joy, particularly its science documentaries, but all that he mentions, whether I like it or not, is widely watched and loved. Of course, speaking as someone who thinks the licence fee is worth it for In Our Time alone...

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Since you have been watching it all afternoon, you are clearly in a position to supply a list of names which we can tick?

I spent the afternoon (well, a recent bit of it) making yet another icon from one of the shows mentioned.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Charlie and Lola *rock*. (Though the books are even better, and Lauren Child's slightly older girl character, Clarice Bean, is brilliant - I so identify with her Mum!

[communicator.livejournal.com]

I've typed it up if anyone wants to cut and paste

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

I've seen/heard at least a snippet of everything on there. Everything on the cards, at least. And this is me you're talking to, who Doesn't Watch Telly. (Though I do live for radio.) I'd say he captured it fabulously, but then he's about our age and educational background (I just Googled to check)

Hitchhiker! Douglas Adams! John Peel!

(did I mention Doctor Who?)

Finally, a suitable use for my Ivor the Engine icon!

[watervole.livejournal.com]

If you like Postman Pat, you'll like Fireman Sam.

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

"I have this little sister Lola. She is small and very funny..."

As you can tell, Nora loves the books (& the TV show as well). But Excuse Me That is My Book is the best one IMO.

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

It;s a brilliant list. Of course it doesn't include every good programme - that would be impossible - but it does an excellent job of showing the breadth pof the BBC's programming over the last 55 years or so. (I think that the earliest may be "Hancock" from the second half of the 1950s, if you exclude things like "Woman's Hour" that have been going on for ever.)

He's evident;y not a fan of soap opera, as I don't recall "The Archers" or "Eastenders" being included, and "serious" drama seems to be under-represented (no "Wednesday Play" IIRC, for instance). But those are just quibbles.

[fallingtowers.livejournal.com]

If you want a rough estimate by a non-Brit as to how many programmes she recognized, I'd say about 30% to 40% -- mostly those that were produced in the last 5 to 15 years or that are considered enough of a classic to be out on DVD, even in Germany (like Yes, Minister!).

[wormwood-7.livejournal.com]

Watching the video I was surprised to find how many of the shows mentioned I have seen at least once, approx 80%, and I am not the most ardent of TV watchers. A reminder of how long I have been here...
The average quality of the programs produced by the BBC is actually pretty high, the rubbish notwithstanding, compared to most places. Every time I go back to my birth country I am starkly reminded of it.