GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 Dear Friends, Do you recall what British TV used to be? British TV was once a gift to the whole world. Here is just one exemplar of what I am referring to: “Laurence Olivier Presents”, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Olivier_Presents I’m talking about decent SYNTACTIC COMPLEXITY in the script! I’m talking about something fit for the Upper Crust, and don’t be ashamed if you side with the upper classes, My Friends. Here, I am not speaking of pretentiousness in the least, but just a bit of intellectual stimulation which has now become a rare commodity. Why has British TV become so dumbed down since 1976? I believe that this circumstance is directly attributable to the Americans, and their 1976 Bicentennial Celebration of the American Revolution, and the dumb-dumping of good tea into the Boston Harbor. When the British witnessed the dumping of so much good tea into the sea, this became just a step too far, and British TV began its long decline resultantly. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then maybe watch this number from Laurance Olivier Presents: Now do you see what I’m driving at? I wish I could now return to 1976, and then travel to London, and never leave. I once had the opportunity to remain in England, but chose to return to the US where I spent my university years. It was a toss up at the time, because I had toyed with the idea of engaging in studies at the University of East Anglia, after reading some old novels, back then. I would have made this post longer, as usual, but this morning I am feeling a bit petered out. Regards, Gamma G. Please Note: As a true Anglophile, I do not blame the British for becoming a bit miffed at the sight of so much wantonly wasted tea in the sea. Note2: Here in Thailand, instead of Leo, why not try a Gin and Tonic while watching via UTUBE all of the dramas uploaded on Laurence Olivier Presents? No doubt, your better half will love these too, maybe even better than Thai Soaps; she might find them! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 While watching "The Collection", please be on the lookout for the BEAUTIFUL harpsichord (33:25). I think it must be a harpsichord and not a piano. As you know, JS Bach wrote almost exclusively for the harpsichord and NOT the piano, which was, at the time, a newfangled thing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreFarang Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 Dumbing-down of almost everything. And don't forget the trigger warnings... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JonnyF Posted July 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 18, 2023 Benny Hill is still doing great in Spain, they love it. https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/world-news/959369/benny-hill-enjoys-a-revival-in-spain The decline has happened in the last few years unfortunately, where political correctness has ruled out most forms of humour to the point that most re-runs need "trigger warnings" and comedians get cancelled or even assaulted on stage for telling jokes. More serious shows/series have also been affected, where historical figures have to be played by someone of the opposite sex, race etc. just so the producers can prove they are "right on". 3 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 Should anyone, these days, be wondering what made Olivier so special, then maybe no need to look any further than this: Magnificent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 So then.... Is the instrument shown in The Collection (1976 Drama) a harpsichord or a piano (UTUBE 33:25)? And, for that matter, what is this: (https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/whats-the-difference-between-a-harpsichord-and-a-piano/) Interesting, right? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluebluewater Posted July 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 18, 2023 The "world" does not care one little bit about British TV. 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 38 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said: Should anyone, these days, be wondering what made Olivier so special, then maybe no need to look any further than this: Magnificent! I felt privileged to watch Sir Antony Sher's live performance in Richard III, it was mesmerizing. RIP. TV has always dumbed down, as it caters for the lowest common denominator in the audience. Occasionally a gem is found in the byre's muck. One such example is "Sun on the Stubble", a 1996 coming of age TV serial set in the wheat-farming belt of Australia's Eyre Peninsula. My pet peeve is the canned laughter which is used on almost every American TV show to support the notion it is comedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 It is noticeable how most truly great TV now comes for the US (Succession, Better Call Saul) or South Korea (Squid Game). 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 20 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said: So then.... Is the instrument shown in The Collection (1976 Drama) a harpsichord or a piano (UTUBE 33:25)? And, for that matter, what is this: (https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/whats-the-difference-between-a-harpsichord-and-a-piano/) Interesting, right? This, below pictured, is a piano. But, have you ever seen a Loooooonger one? There must be something wrong with the video's ASPECT RATIO, here? András Schiff is even better than...The Ghoul! Leeds was once such a great city. I used to read old novels which mentioned it. Now, Leeds is all about football, a sign of our declining times. God do I ever detest football! And American football is even worse, by a hair. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 18, 2023 (edited) 41 minutes ago, bluebluewater said: The "world" does not care one little bit about British TV. This is what's wrong with the world, these days, among a few other things. I would have wished to see the culture preserved rather than dismantled. Football has become the new opium of the masses, and I refuse to be drawn in by either religion or football. Football, and the reporting of football, should be banned on the BBC. Edited July 18, 2023 by GammaGlobulin 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Lacessit said: I felt privileged to watch Sir Antony Sher's live performance in Richard III, it was mesmerizing. RIP. TV has always dumbed down, as it caters for the lowest common denominator in the audience. Occasionally a gem is found in the byre's muck. One such example is "Sun on the Stubble", a 1996 coming of age TV serial set in the wheat-farming belt of Australia's Eyre Peninsula. My pet peeve is the canned laughter which is used on almost every American TV show to support the notion it is comedy. Speaking of "muck", I have always felt that we humans have not yet fully raised ourselves out of the swamp. And now, with AI on the horizon, perhaps we never shall. Edited July 18, 2023 by GammaGlobulin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAArdvark Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Everyone moved to Thailand and stoped paying the taxes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdey Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 There has been a plethora of intelligent TV series from the UK over the years. Not sure which can be classified as dumb. Prime Suspect The Thick of It Killing Eve Luther Yes Minister Sapphire & Steel Every Le Carre drama Mastermind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sqwakvfr Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) Compared to American TV shows British content is still Golden. From Inspector Morse and then Lewis to Line of Duty and Doc Martin reruns are better than the crap that comes from ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox. Oh yeah and the classic BroadChurch with the great David Tennant and Olivia Coleman(the next Judi Dench) are shining examples of great television and acting. Edited July 19, 2023 by sqwakvfr 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LALes Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Corporate control of all Western media for 40 or 50 years has resulted in the dumbing down of the cultures. Especially evident in this century with the express intent of making a world full of ignorant wage slaves. Pravda and Izvetsia could only dream of such total control of the populace. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandtee Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 On 7/18/2023 at 9:39 AM, GammaGlobulin said: This is what's wrong with the world, these days, among a few other things. I would have wished to see the culture preserved rather than dismantled. Football has become the new opium of the masses, and I refuse to be drawn in by either religion or football. Football, and the reporting of football, should be banned on the BBC. Having left England over thirty years ago I had been lucky enough for over fifty years to experience good TV drama. Dramas that gave food for thought and in an English language that was clear and understandable. Much the same as the films that came out of Hollywood in those days. Nowadays the dialogue is almost unintelligible sometimes. But then maybe, I'm a "It wasn't like that in my days" old <deleted>. I'll be downloading Alan Pinter.???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chongalulu Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Plenty of good quality programmes -- plenty of dross too- just as in the old days ,but you have to be able to learn to how to discriminate. AND it's on demand at your convenience. Sounds like a cry of " nostalgia ain't what it used to be”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GammaGlobulin Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 16 minutes ago, nchuckle said: Plenty of good quality programmes -- plenty of dross too- just as in the old days ,but you have to be able to learn to how to discriminate. AND it's on demand at your convenience. Sounds like a cry of " nostalgia ain't what it used to be”. NOPE! (But I would balk at being so bold as to say that you have no perspective, because I am sure that you do.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Not just in the UK. TV in NZ has become so appallingly woke and humourless that I will not watch any program made in NZ. Used to be some excellent shows back in the 70s, but that was long ago. Also, the ads are so frequent and annoying that even if it's a movie I won't waste my time with NZ TV. At least the BBC didn't have ads when I was living in London, and did have repeats of great shows. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 14 hours ago, Gandtee said: Having left England over thirty years ago I had been lucky enough for over fifty years to experience good TV drama. Dramas that gave food for thought and in an English language that was clear and understandable. Much the same as the films that came out of Hollywood in those days. Nowadays the dialogue is almost unintelligible sometimes. But then maybe, I'm a "It wasn't like that in my days" old <deleted>. I'll be downloading Alan Pinter.???? One of the best dramas that was ever shown on British TV was "Edge of Darkness" with Bob Peck ( not the American remake, which was garbage ) in 1985. I doubt anything that good will ever be seen on tv again. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PremiumLane Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 On 7/18/2023 at 7:53 AM, OneMoreFarang said: Dumbing-down of almost everything. And don't forget the trigger warnings... Fancy being triggered by a trigger warning 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker88 Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 At least some things are available on YouTube. Here is a 1978 BBC production with the late Julian Bream teaching a Masterclass on playing Sevilla. Watch the last few minutes to fully appreciate what skill and passion are. It was in the 1980s that BBC had Reilly: Ace of Spies and Rumpole of the Bailey, both of which occasionally appear on some cable channel in the US. The actor playing Felix Dzerzhinsky in Reilly is riveting, while Leo McKern shines in both productions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 22 hours ago, sqwakvfr said: Compared to American TV shows British content is still Golden. From Inspector Morse and then Lewis to Line of Duty and Doc Martin reruns are better than the crap that comes from ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox. Oh yeah and the classic BroadChurch with the great David Tennant and Olivia Coleman(the next Judi Dench) are shining examples of great television and acting. Depends what you like though. Blacklist was very enjoyable. Even CSI was entertaining. Not all newer shows are a waste of time. I liked Game of Thrones as much as anyone. However, I've moved away from western shows to Japanese and Korean ones, which are not yet bogged down with wokeness. Netflix has a reasonable selection. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarraMarra Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 (edited) On 7/18/2023 at 3:25 AM, brewsterbudgen said: It is noticeable how most truly great TV now comes for the US (Succession, Better Call Saul) or South Korea (Squid Game). lol yes just like the Yanks tried to do Faulty Towers. Everything they have tried to copy from UK TV is abysmal and comes with a Cringe factor of 10. Id like to see the Yanks copying Benny Hill or Till Death us do part. Edited July 20, 2023 by BarraMarra 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jor Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 2 hours ago, BarraMarra said: lol yes just like the Yanks tried to do Faulty Towers. Everything they have tried to copy from UK TV is abysmal and comes with a Cringe factor of 10. Id like to see the Yanks copying Benny Hill or Till Death us do part. They did copy Till Death Us Do Part - they renamed it Archie Bunker but Archie was but a shadow of Alf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarraMarra Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Some Brit TV Shows can never be copied jor. There was a comedy in the 70s called Love thy Neighbour Hillariouse but in today's Snowflake culture it would not be allowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sqwakvfr Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said: Depends what you like though. Blacklist was very enjoyable. Even CSI was entertaining. Not all newer shows are a waste of time. I liked Game of Thrones as much as anyone. However, I've moved away from western shows to Japanese and Korean ones, which are not yet bogged down with wokeness. Netflix has a reasonable selection. Blacklist was an exception and it is now ending after 10 seasons. James Spader will be missed. I think the entire CSI franchise has been overdone (the original, Vegas, NY and Miami). CBS appears to be out of new ideas because some of it's programs are rehashed from the past (Magnum, SWAT, CSI and even the three FBI shows were done before and beforeI). I have never seen a single episode of Thrones and I dropped Netflix a few years ago and the only show I miss is Fauda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Derek Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 That's what happens with multiculturalism. You end up with no culture at all. Language, idiom and centuries of accumulated sophistication are all dumbed down to cater to the lumpenmass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andycoops Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Thankfully I don't have access to any mainstream UK TV and nor do I want it. I only watch BBC news and any documentaries and sports feeds, like the current Open that are available on my Truevisions satellite feed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now