Exported TV shows

[Uncle Duke]

Don't think they ever made it to the US, but there were three comedy series I really enjoyed while working in the UK from the late 90s-mid 2000s.  The first was "Father Ted", which has been previously mentioned.  The other two I don't remember the titles, hopefully if I describe them someone might be able to tell me the series' names.

1) A series about an Indian (Pakistani?) family, I think three generations in the same house hold.  Reminded me of an East Asian version of "Steptoe/Sanford & Son".

2) A series about a middle-aged hippie-type who lived in the suburbs (of London?) , I think with his wife and family.  The guy owned an American muscle car of some type, it was his pride and joy.  Only saw a couple episodes of this series, but loved it.  I'd like to order this series on DVD if I can determine it's title and can find it available.

In the mid/late 2000s, there was another series I thought was a hoot, a reality show featuring real doctors who'd set-up shop at various touristy areas.  Passersby were invited to stop and have the doctor chcek them out for some usually minor affliction.  Most of it was played for laughs, but I remember one situation where they found something seriously wrong with a guy and may have saved his life.

[Kelt]

1. The Kumars?

2. Saxondale?

[b_dubb]

It was a kids show so it should be taken as such. It was our version of Lassie.

Also consider that Australians are drunk from the age of twelve months till death. 

[missing transmission]

1) A series about an Indian (Pakistani?) family, I think three generations in the same house hold.  Reminded me of an East Asian version of "Steptoe/Sanford & Son".

Was it like a sort-of talkshow if so it might have been "At Home with the Kumars"?

2) A series about a middle-aged hippie-type who lived in the suburbs (of London?) , I think with his wife and family.  The guy owned an American muscle car of some type, it was his pride and joy.  Only saw a couple episodes of this series, but loved it.  I'd like to order this series on DVD if I can determine it's title and can find it available.

If the guy was a Dentist that it might be "My Family", but Saxondale might be a better bet

In the mid/late 2000s, there was another series I thought was a hoot, a reality show featuring real doctors who'd set-up shop at various touristy areas.  Passersby were invited to stop and have the doctor chcek them out for some usually minor affliction.  Most of it was played for laughs, but I remember on situation where they found something seriously wrong with a guy and may have saved his life.

Definitely "Embarrassing Bodies"... it's still going!

[Uncle Duke]

"Saxondale" is right, as soon as I saw the photo of the lead character I recognized him.

"Kumars" I'm not sure about, I don't remember a talk show format.  I think the family in the show I remember ran a small shop.

"Embarassing Bodies" I pretty sure is not what I remember.  I think the series had the word "Doctor(s)" in the title.

[albrecht]

"Kumars" I'm not sure about, I don't remember a talk show format.  I think the family in the show I remember ran a small shop.

Apparently Fox tried to make a similar show but a Mexican family starring Cheech Marin called "The Ortegas". Fortunately, it was dropped.

[Uncle Duke]

"Saxondale" is right, as soon as I saw the photo of the lead character I recognized him.

"Kumars" I'm not sure about, I don't remember a talk show format.  I think the family in the show I remember ran a small shop.

"Embarassing Bodies" I pretty sure is not what I remember.  I think the series had the word "Doctor(s)" in the title.

OK, just watched several minutes of "Embarrassing Bodies" on You Tube, definitely not the show I remember.  The show I watched the doctors would literally set up a small stand with a sign/flag that said something like "free doctor" at high traffic, touristy attractions around the UK.  People would walk by and have the docs look at them on the spot.  They did send some people off to have tests run, but for the most part everything was done on-site.

[missing transmission]

OK, just watched several minutes of "Embarrassing Bodies" on You Tube, definitely not the show I remember.  The show I watched the doctors would literally set up a small stand with a sign/flag that said something like "free doctor" at high traffic, touristy attractions around the UK.  People would walk by and have the docs look at them on the spot.  They did send some people off to have tests run, but for the most part everything was done on-site.

I think I vaguely remember the show you're talking about did it occasionally feature "The Barefoot Doctor" Stephen Russell?

[Tarbaby]

Another thread gave me an idea to ask which TV shows/ dramas/ sit coms have you seen that came to you from over the pond US-UK that you really enjoy? Dr Who and Star Trek (in all genres/ Deep Space ( etc) are a given.

For me I loved (in no particular order): MASH, Soap, Hill St Blues, Taxi, Happy Days, Big Bang Theory, Frazier

I'll try and think of others.

"The fall and rise of Reginald Perrin" (with the great Leonard Rosseter)
Black Adder (the medieval season)
Fawlty Towers ("Flowerry Twats")

"Clichés to me are like a red flag to a bull." CJ
"Bit of a cock up on the catering front! "-Jimmy
"I didn't get where I am today…"-CJ

[Uncle Duke]

I think I vaguely remember the show you're talking about did it occasionally feature "The Barefoot Doctor" Stephen Russell?

Don't remember him specifically, but I think there was a group of three, maybe four doctors who were regulars on the program. 

Forgot to mention one other program, the animated "Danger Mouse".  DM was the funniest cartoon series I ever saw, although I think much of the humor was too Brit for American audiences.

[bigchucka]

I'll give you that guy is an amazing storehouse of cooking knowledge.  I just wish I could build a machine, that could extract it all from his head, minus all the little quips and puns and goofy jokes, basically just strip his whole personality out and leave just the info.   

The formula is part Julia Child, part Mr. Wizard, and part Monty Python.  Ya can't go stripping parts and expect it to work as well...

[bigchucka]

Yep. I remember the first time I was flipping channels and landed on the original Iron Chef. I was fascinated. I never missed an episode after that. Our family made it an event. This new show is NOT Iron Chef. 

I'm thinking I read speculation before about the original being rigged in favor of the Iron Chefs.

[maureen]

"Lark Rise to Candleford"-- a charming period drama

[zeebo]

The formula is part Julia Child, part Mr. Wizard, and part Monty Python.  Ya can't go stripping parts and expect it to work as well...

I just want an A. Brown database, where I can search for everything he knows about say, pork chops, sans witticisms.  But, I'm a dreamer.

[zeebo]

I'm thinking I read speculation before about the original being rigged in favor of the Iron Chefs.

Yeah this sounds familiar, I think for Japanese audiences they wanted the iron chefs to have great honor, and not be smacked around every week.  American audiences don't care about that, in fact we'd probably want those bigshots kicked off their pedestals.

Anyway, didn't mean to hijack the thread ... back to US/UK show exchanges.

[bigchucka]

I just want an A. Brown database, where I can search for everything he knows about say, pork chops, sans witticisms.  But, I'm a dreamer.

I remember him saying that if you want to try buying a live lobster from a store you should check it out first.  If they balk, offer to wear gloves.  If they still won't let you... buy the pork chops.

[Uncle Duke]

Speaking of cooking shows from the UK, how about the program that featured two rotund elderly women tooling around England on a motorcycle/sidecar?  They boozed it up while cooking. Mrs. Duke actually made one of their recipes, it was God-awful. 

[zeebo]

Speaking of cooking shows from the UK, how about the program that featured two rotund elderly women tooling around England on a motorcycle/sidecar?  They boozed it up while cooking. Mrs. Duke actually made one of their recipes, it was God-awful.

I remember that one, saw a couple times, pretty funny, can't remember the name though.

[jazmunda]

Also consider that Australians are drunk from the age of twelve months till death. 

That's a given.

[Uncle Duke]

That's a given.

That's because the bulk of them are of Irish heritage.

[b_dubb]

That's because the bulk of them are of Irish heritage.

Hey!! I'm of Irish descent! *hic*

[missing transmission]

Speaking of cooking shows from the UK, how about the program that featured two rotund elderly women tooling around England on a motorcycle/sidecar?  They boozed it up while cooking. Mrs. Duke actually made one of their recipes, it was God-awful.

Two Fat Ladies!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueNYY-VvXA4&feature=kp

and the current update

The Hairy Bikers

[Yorkshire pud]

Don't remember him specifically, but I think there was a group of three, maybe four doctors who were regulars on the program. 

Forgot to mention one other program, the animated "Danger Mouse".  DM was the funniest cartoon series I ever saw, although I think much of the humor was too Brit for American audiences.

DM was and still is the finest cartoon ever. I bought the boxed set for my younger brother a few years ago, as he was a great fan in his childhood. The humour was pretty dry; there was a mole who was a Yorkshire miner. I remember one scene where the narrator said 'Night fell': And a roller blind fell down revealing a moonlit sky. Hilarious comic script. Terry Scott as Penfold's voice and David Jason as DM.

Jazmunda will like this one. "He may be armed" Something up his sleeve?


Dangermouse - Series 1 - 'The odd ball runaround'

[eddie dean]

Ricky Gervais Extras - When The Whistle Blows: http://youtu.be/OGzCjxvoJNI

[Kelt]

Was the Indian shoe, "Goodness Gracious Me?"

[maureen]

I really like Black Books.

http://youtu.be/4GDDl74cbYA

And QI is amazing, probably the only quiz/game show ever created worth watching. Extremely witty people there, Stephen Fry a perfectly erudite host.

http://youtu.be/Kw8UENRItw4

thanks so much for these.  I have had a delightful feast of QI XL!!

[missing transmission]

What do USA folks make of the deeply strange UK show "Jam"

Jam Mr. Lizard

Jam - Ryan - Episode 1 Sketch 1