topic Re: British Shows vs American in TV and Movies

British Shows vs American

lovesallanimals — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:54:22 GMT

So I am now on season 3 of Lark Rise to Candleford and I am continuously astonished how superior these PBS shows are compared to what we have here in the US. The actors look like real people. They look their age, they have wrinkles, pot bellies, large noses, not perfect teeth, some are overweight, etc., etc. When I look at our shows over here it is like most of the actors have plastic faces, big boobs, big rears, there is so much cosmetic surgery and implants I find it distracting. They are all starting to look alike. It is such a major difference when I am watching anything on PBS it is incredible and acting is far superior. Anyone else notice this? I have to add as a side note, that one particular host here has had so much work done, her face does not move and it looks like plastic that I just cannot watch her.

Re: British Shows vs. Amrerocan

redbird — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:56:13 GMT

I watch a lot of British tv on both Britbox and Acorn and I agree the actors come in all shapes and sizes crooked teeth, wrinkles, and all..The writing is also excellent in British tv.

Re: British Shows vs American

Bookplate — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:24:50 GMT

I have long favored British shows over American. Lately I have been watching many European dramas on PBS Passport and can report the same positive feedback about them.

Re: British Shows vs American

occasionalrain — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:41:19 GMT

British comedy shows are more creative too. I prefer British humor.

Re: British Shows vs American

nwbabs — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 17:27:11 GMT

Without a doubt, count me in on the Brit Train. The acting is superb and the characters/actors realistic.

Thank goodness for PBS Passport and Kanopy (through the library) to give me options. Pulled the plug years ago and appreciate being able to stream quality programming. PBS Walter Presents programs bring other excellent series from around the world including Seaside Hotel (Danish).

Re: British Shows vs American

LavernLuvsShoes — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 17:41:05 GMT

Count me in as a Britbox lover too! ♥

As a matter of fact, I'm doing something that I never do with American TV -

I'm actually re-watching a couple of my favorite British series: Lewis (for example), and I plan to re-watch Endeavour after I'm done with that one.

Re: British Shows vs American

IMW — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:29:18 GMT

Absolutely agree. I so enjoy Leslie Manning, Olivia Coleman, etc. They look like real people, not plastic manikins.
Noticed this plastic cat eyed look on QVC host as well as vendors. They must like how they look.
The sameness is spooky like sci fi

Re: British Shows vs American

goldensrbest — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:34:16 GMT

Oh yes,British movies,tv shows are so much better.

Re: British Shows vs American

lovesallanimals — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:09:10 GMT

@nwbabs wrote:
Without a doubt, count me in on the Brit Train. The acting is superb and the characters/actors realistic.

Thank goodness for PBS Passport and Kanopy (through the library) to give me options. Pulled the plug years ago and appreciate being able to stream quality programming. PBS Walter Presents programs bring other excellent series from around the world including Seaside Hotel (Danish).

@nwbabs - I LOVE Seaside Hotel!

Re: British Shows vs American

lovesallanimals — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:10:52 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
British comedy shows are more creative too. I prefer British humor.

occasionalrain - ITA! I rewatch Are You Being Served and Keeping Up Appearances over and over. Love them!

Re: British Shows vs American

Bookplate — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:03:56 GMT

@LavernLuvsShoes wrote:
Count me in as a Britbox lover too! ♥

As a matter of fact, I'm doing something that I never do with American TV -

I'm actually re-watching a couple of my favorite British series: Lewis (for example), and I plan to re-watch Endeavour after I'm done with that one.

I not only rewatched every Lewis and Endeavour, I started with Morse and watched every one of them!

Re: British Shows vs American

Bhvbum — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 23:38:52 GMT

I agree I love the British shows, and I have discovered the South Korean shows on Netflix which are fantastic.

The totally opposite is the Hallmark Channel, it looks like the males and females have had their fill of cosmetic surgery to the point they all look weird.

Re: British Shows vs American

MerryD — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:09:48 GMT

I actually subscribed to Walter Presents so that I could watch the seasons of Seaside Hotel ahead of PBS. The final season was wonderful. It's like seeing old friends. There are lots of good shows from other countries, too. That's why shows from Walter Presents are often on PBS. I subscribe to Britbox for British shows, so many excellent ones from dramas to comedies to mysteries too numerous to mention.

Re: British Shows vs American

nwbabs — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:09:51 GMT

@LavernLuvsShoes @Bookplate

YES!!! Started with Morse and Endeavour totally had me hook line and sinker when it rolled out. The layers in Endeavour plots were so smart, well-paced and entertaining. The last episode with the old and young Morse passing each other still hangs with me.

@Bookplate wrote:
@LavernLuvsShoes wrote:
Count me in as a Britbox lover too! ♥

As a matter of fact, I'm doing something that I never do with American TV -

I'm actually re-watching a couple of my favorite British series: Lewis (for example), and I plan to re-watch Endeavour after I'm done with that one.
I not only rewatched every Lewis and Endeavour, I started with Morse and watched every one of them!

Re: British Shows vs American

nwbabs — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:21:29 GMT

@lovesallanimals Seaside Hotel is such a gem! My best friend actual went to Skagen near the northern tip of Denmark well over a decade ago. She raved about the seaside beautiful landscape there. After watching this series, I understood.

And, I have appreciated the show touching on World War II years, as well as the day to day lifestyle drama. Thanks for sharing your love of the program too!

@lovesallanimals wrote:
@nwbabs wrote:
Without a doubt, count me in on the Brit Train. The acting is superb and the characters/actors realistic.

Thank goodness for PBS Passport and Kanopy (through the library) to give me options. Pulled the plug years ago and appreciate being able to stream quality programming. PBS Walter Presents programs bring other excellent series from around the world including Seaside Hotel (Danish).

@nwbabs - I LOVE Seaside Hotel!

Re: British Shows vs American

Sakuya — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:57:13 GMT

It seems British shows also use different "film" which is more real vs what is used here.

Re: British Shows vs American

chrystaltree — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 16:55:26 GMT

For the most part I watch Acorn and Britbox. I agree British TV is superior to the schlock on American TV. American TV is all about thin beautiful young actors. THE UK and Europe tend to use actors who are representative of the general population in looks and age. If a part calls for a 60 year old woman, they use an age appropriate actress. So there is a realism in their TV shows and movies that doesn't exist here. I read that the EU has very strict laws on just how fake tv can be to avoid giving a warped view of the world to viewers.

Re: British Shows vs American

Group 5 minus 1 — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 19:41:13 GMT

Hubbs really enjoys the British shows. Me not so much.

Re: British Shows vs American

bargainsgirl — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:19:12 GMT

That is all I watch. I have PBS Passport so I can re-watch again ( Durell's!). I must also say that one of the BEST series was called "A Place to Call Home". It may be on ACORN now. SO good. I also enjjoyed Mr. Selfridge. Wish I new that story before I went to London!

Re: British Shows vs American

ROMARY — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 02:54:20 GMT

The background outdoor settings and photography are second to none. (Excellent)

Real indoor settings, too.