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What is it With the English and Popular TV Shows?

by tagiscom
31 replies
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Ok, l have bit my tongue for long enough, but have to post this.

We, Australia seem to get TV series from the UK, that are very popular over there, and usually flops over here?

The obvious question is why? I thought that the English were civilized, and Australians were less so, since we are mainly penal colony based with some tourists thrown in for laughs?

So, the latest example is "Get Me Out Of Here" a survivor, style series with has been celebrates, doing apparently disgusting things with food?

The show was at something over a million and is now about 585,000 viewers, or in other words a flop in the making.

My Mother tried to watch it, (see Africa) but the ants and rats put her off for life).

This was a bit hit in the UK, and is flopping here.

Another example is...

A show with people that watch tv, etc, and comment on it, apparently another big hit over there, but guaranteed to flop over here!


And of course we have the star out of the music trivia ABC series, "Spiks and Specks" who has bombed in AU, with a interview type show, but is a bit hit over there!

The show is disguising and degrading at times.


So, why???

Maybe the youth of Britian, go for weird s***, or is it something else?

Or maybe the CEO's of Australian tv stations are 20 something and don't get it????

Channel 10, (AU) has pumped millions into the Africa one, and the ratings are already showing a substantial drop, well below other longer term shows.

I think that most Aussies, if pressed into creating a hit show, would think, gee l think that the ugly rat and food contests are a dumb idea, and won't work in AU!

Anyway, rant over, for now, hope you English know why, l am just guessing?

  • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
    Banned
    Cos so many POMS jump ship in Oz.
    Also wasn't Australia a Brit penal colony waay back when?
    Deep down that's all it'll ever be to them.
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

      Cos so many POMS jump ship in Oz.
      Also wasn't Australia a Brit penal colony waay back when?
      Deep down that's all it'll ever be to them.
      Ooooooookkkkkk?

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      • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
        Banned
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        Ooooooookkkkkk?
        No offence. You know me.
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  • Profile picture of the author peterj
    I thought Oz was still a penal colony just that now the Brits also lease it out to other countries. So all of those people you thought were immigrants, well....

    Might also explain some of the program buying choices.
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    • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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      Originally Posted by peterj View Post

      I thought Oz was still a penal colony just that now the Brits also lease it out to other countries. So all of those people you thought were immigrants, well....

      Might also explain some of the program buying choices.
      Think they sold it off to China IMO.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    If it makes you feel any better, they do the SAME thing with the US! All in the family, who wants to be a millionare, I believe married with children, etc.... all imported from BRITAIN! And don't forget benny hill, etc...

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Producers are starving for content and most feel if something works anywhere they take a good look at it.
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

      Think they sold it off to China IMO.
      Yes, unfortunately a ring of truth to that one!

      Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

      No offence. You know me.
      Yeeeesssss, but l suggest you go get a Dropbox free 2 gig account, the image you posted doesn't show in AU?

      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      If it makes you feel any better, they do the SAME thing with the US! All in the family, who wants to be a millionare, I believe married with children, etc.... all imported from BRITAIN! And don't forget benny hill, etc...

      Steve
      Ok, but "Who wants to be a Millionaire", was a pretty good show, at least initially it was, it is some high paced nighmare currently! More like Musical chairs with a timer than an intelligent strategy contest!

      Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

      Producers are starving for content and most feel if something works anywhere they take a good look at it.
      There must be some seriously stupid producers out there? I mean, can't they tell when something is a good idea and garbage?

      But l have to admit that some producers have physically edited a movie, because their football, cricket, beer and fast car mentality couldn't handle it!

      I saw that happen with The Time Machine, 1966 version, where most of the time travel part in his lab was edited out!

      Thankfully it was the only time some twat destroyed a classic.

      Maybe producers should take creative thinking classes, or IQ tests?


      But these days free TV is like a store with most of the decent products taken off the shelves and put into the paid TV store up the street.

      Not many B grade products or shows out there that work?

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      • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        Yeeeesssss, but l suggest you go get a Dropbox free 2 gig account, the image you posted doesn't show in AU?
        Image? What image?
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      • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        Yes, unfortunately a ring of truth to that one!



        Yeeeesssss, but l suggest you go get a Dropbox free 2 gig account, the image you posted doesn't show in AU?



        Ok, but "Who wants to be a Millionaire", was a pretty good show, at least initially it was, it is some high paced nighmare currently! More like Musical chairs with a timer than an intelligent strategy contest!



        There must be some seriously stupid producers out there? I mean, can't they tell when something is a good idea and garbage?

        But l have to admit that some producers have physically edited a movie, because their football, cricket, beer and fast car mentality couldn't handle it!

        I saw that happen with The Time Machine, 1966 version, where most of the time travel part in his lab was edited out!

        Thankfully it was the only time some twat destroyed a classic.

        Maybe producers should take creative thinking classes, or IQ tests?


        But these days free TV is like a store with most of the decent products taken off the shelves and put into the paid TV store up the street.

        Not many B grade products or shows out there that work?

        Sorry to hear it for you folks down under.

        IMHO, American TV has never been better with all of the different networks/channels starving for content.

        IMHO it has never been better for all aspects of the business from the actors to the writers - as far as opportunities are concerned.

        Over here the free networks have a bunch of good shows no matter what your taste is and original programing is off the charts with dozens of networks/channels trying to make a splash.

        Within the next 5-10 years the cable companies in the U.S. will not have the grip on TV entertainment that they have now - thanks to internet streaming - that can be also sent to a TV.

        People around the world will be able to afford and access lots and lots of great programming via the internet.
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          We don't watch game shows, or reality TV. But the BBC is popular in our home.

          Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who...are must see TV. Some of the best dialog I've ever heard.
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          • Profile picture of the author tagiscom


            Exactly! Ok, it might be a smiley thing, but cutting and pasting an image doesn't always work.

            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            We don't watch game shows, or reality TV. But the BBC is popular in our home.

            Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who...are must see TV. Some of the best dialog I've ever heard.
            Hmmm, you forgot to mention the "Dan Riffle, How to Show", l particularly liked the "Bubble Wrap a Grissly for Mailing" segment!

            But all l watch is the Block, (Aussie idea) so at least channel 9 have some sense!

            I don't get that cooking show thought, it is more popular than the Block, but l can't fathom why?

            I mean how many times can someone watch someone cook Pink Duckling soup with french imported bread crumbs, blah, blah.

            If l was on there the french judge would be the first to go! I might get a bad mark for putting too much Scorpion venium in the dish, though, but it would be worth it!

            Here is a list of the Hell freezing over, list that we will never see in AU!

            Stargate, any series, especially Stargate Atlantis.
            Time Tunnel, not the BS modern one.
            Lost in Space!
            Twilight Zone, B/w
            Star trek, any! The last one was Star Trek Voyager, but it was too popular so the last series was never shown, then of course, the lot was pulled.
            The list goes on!

            Grrrrr!
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          • Profile picture of the author Midnight Oil
            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            We don't watch game shows, or reality TV. But the BBC is popular in our home.

            Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who...are must see TV. Some of the best dialog I've ever heard.
            I agree with you on Downton and Sherlock. Doctor Who . . . I've tried watching that several times since I was a kid and could never get into it.

            Others worth mentioning:

            Luther - Idris Elba is amazing. All that speculation a few weeks back about him taking over as Bond at some point, meh. I'd much rather see Luther hit the big screen as a franchise.

            Broadchurch is excellent.

            The Fall - Gillian Anderson at her best.

            Southcliffe

            On queue: Hinterland, Happy Valley, The Paradise, Wallander . . .
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            • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
              Originally Posted by Midnight Oil View Post

              I agree with you on Downton and Sherlock. Doctor Who . . . I've tried watching that several times since I was a kid and could never get into it.

              Others worth mentioning:

              Luther - Idris Elba is amazing. All that speculation a few weeks back about him taking over as Bond at some point, meh. I'd much rather see Luther hit the big screen as a franchise.

              Broadchurch is excellent.

              The Fall - Gillian Anderson at her best.

              Southcliffe

              On queue: Hinterland, Happy Valley, The Paradise, Wallander . . .

              I watch only the Musketeers and Copper from BBC-America.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            We don't watch game shows, or reality TV. But the BBC is popular in our home.

            Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Doctor Who...are must see TV. Some of the best dialog I've ever heard.
            I think you might enjoy Idiotest on the Game Show Network. I don't care too much for the host, but the questions are pretty cool. It's more like an IQ test than a knowledge test in that you won't know the answers but will have to figure them out instead.

            I don't know if this show is a good example or not, I just picked a video at random:

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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

    We, Australia seem to get TV series from the UK, that are very popular over there, and usually flops over here?

    The obvious question is why?
    It's because you buy the wrong ones. The very cheapest ones.

    You're looking at a very small and very unrepresentative sample of what we have over here. The commercial arm of the BBC, in particular, which handles the rights sales to other countries, has some fantastic stuff for sale, too, which you're not getting a chance to see.

    That may improve, in future, in one sense, if their plans to expand the BBC iPlayer and allow people in other countries to see all those programmes, in exchange for a small monthly subscription-fee, come to fruition.

    .
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  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

    The obvious question is why? I thought that the English were civilized, and Australians were less so, since we are mainly penal colony based with some tourists thrown in for laughs?
    I haven't ever seen any of the programmes you mention except for about 10 minutes of Gogglebox. From what you describe they seem aimed at people that haven't quite kept up with evolution, or chavs as we call them, and there are a fair few of them that live over here. Maybe they're just a couple of decades too early though for the average Australian.
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      It's because you buy the wrong ones. The very cheapest ones.

      You're looking at a very small and very unrepresentative sample of what we have over here. The commercial arm of the BBC, in particular, which handles the rights sales to other countries, has some fantastic stuff for sale, too, which you're not getting a chance to see.

      That may improve, in future, in one sense, if their plans to expand the BBC iPlayer and allow people in other countries to see all those programmes, in exchange for a small monthly subscription-fee, come to fruition.

      .
      Thanks Alexa, hit the nail on the head, they buy crap that is doing well in their country of origin or in the UK, and try to push it over here..

      No, doubt paid tv, would get all the good stuff! Grrrrrr!
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      • Profile picture of the author rondo
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        No, doubt paid tv, would get all the good stuff! Grrrrrr!
        Did you know Foxtel have dropped their prices recently so it's pretty affordable now.
        I think it starts at $25/month for 40 channels.

        Andrew
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        • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
          Originally Posted by rondo View Post

          Did you know Foxtel have dropped their prices recently so it's pretty affordable now.
          I think it starts at $25/month for 40 channels.

          Andrew
          Yeah, l know, but that is not taking into account installation fees, etc.

          As well as the fact that l am caving into the reason why free to air is crap!

          I pretty much have online access to all my fav, shows, but am annoyed that l have to go online instead of watching it on tv, which used to be the case!

          Grrrrrr!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rainmakernz
    The trend for reality type TV programmes is still high but viewers are turning off as the programmes have to get weirder and weirder to get audience attention. Traditional British fare of comedy, drama and especially cop/suspense do very well because in my humble opinion that's what they do best. While I like some US TV tend to stay away from their comedy as its too in your face, I got the joke the first time no point beating us over the head with it.
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      The trend for reality type TV programmes is still high but viewers are turning off as the programmes have to get weirder and weirder to get audience attention.
      Traditional British fare of comedy, drama and especially cop/suspense do very well because in my humble opinion that's what they do best. While I like some US TV tend to stay away from their comedy as its too in your face, I got the joke the first time no point beating us over the head with it.
      Yep, good indication that the trend is coming to an end!

      When a soapie gets weirder and dumber then it is on its last legs!


      I read about the Africa one today, apparently the developers are more than happy with the ratings eventhough it is 755, compared with the block, 850, or the dumb kitchen one, with over 1 million!

      And they are signing up more has beens for the next series!

      Apparently the present bunch are there to relaunch their careers or for the challenge?

      Yeah, great challenge to swim through Elephant P** or eat live grubs, more dumb than anything else!


      I suppose free TV is organized stupidity!

      Or organized, repeating crap?


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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    things arent all bad

    im getting back into watching coronation street ever since gail got jilted and tyrone is in the klink
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    Sounds like the first step of an imperialist plot to retake the former territories and rebuild the empire to me.

    That is how I would do it, anyway. Just sayin'...
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Jack Gordon View Post

      Sounds like the first step of an imperialist plot to retake the former territories and rebuild the empire to me.

      That is how I would do it, anyway. Just sayin'...
      Hmmm, sounds like you are talking about the Hunger Games, where no one goes hungry, and the elite, rich wear "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" music video hand me downs?

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      • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        If it makes you feel any better, they do the SAME thing with the US! All in the family, who wants to be a millionare, I believe married with children, etc.... all imported from BRITAIN! And don't forget benny hill, etc...

        Steve
        Well over here we just watch quality English shows only.

        I've never seen anything from America and I've never heard an American accent on my TV.

        And I have absolutely never been subjected to ghastly Aussie shows like neighbours and I don't know who Steve Irwin is.

        Nope. No foreign stuff here. It's like North Korea but with Downton Abbey being played occasionally.

        One thing Steve, what has Married with Children got to do with Britain?

        Married... with Children - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

        I've never heard of "All in the family" either, then again that appears to be American too.

        What am I missing here?

        All in the Family | Archive of American Television
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  • Profile picture of the author Insano
    Starting from "Red Dwarf" to "Only Fools and Horses" timewarp to "Missfits", "Dr. Who" "Torchwood" "Sherlock" "Constantin"... I think the currently best TV shows are made by in UK - exceptions are "Game of Thrones" and "Supernatural" though...
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Originally Posted by Insano View Post

      Starting from "Red Dwarf" to "Only Fools and Horses" timewarp to "Missfits", "Dr. Who" "Torchwood" "Sherlock" "Constantin"... I think the currently best TV shows are made by in UK - exceptions are "Game of Thrones" and "Supernatural" though...
      Timewarp??? We haven't got that one, but we probably never will, unless it is timewarp celebrity has-beens?

      Hopefully it isn't a rehash of Quantum Jump, or something like that; the occupying someones body got a bit annoying after a while!

      Game of thrones, yes, they just turned a very successful computer game into a tv series!

      Clever but l can't get into it!

      But they did do, Love Thy Neighbour, (one dud) and that disguising crappy comedy where men dress up and play disgusting characters, another big hit over there that bombed here!

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      • Profile picture of the author Insano
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post


        Game of thrones, yes, they just turned a very successful computer game into a tv series!

        Clever but l can't get into it!
        are you kidding me??? please google - Song of Fire and Ice
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        • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
          Originally Posted by Insano View Post

          are you kidding me??? please google - Song of Fire and Ice
          Ok, just had a look, yes, quality production, etc, but it looks like Harry Potter/Lord of The Rings/Eloi-Time Machine, (white hair)/Merlin without Merlin, sort of deal, still not into it!

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  • Profile picture of the author Insano
    What I ment are the books based on which the TV show has been created, probably the best stuff Ive read in my life, and Ive read a lot
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