I recently made a list of things I want and at the top of the list was “to visit London”. The last few years I have, like much of America, have been steeped in British Media. The Great British Bake Off is probably the most popular, but there is Peep Show, Taskmaster, the growing hate of the Monarch, and so on.
This year has been British heavy for me, even compared to other years. Here is what I have been watching and listening to.
Taskmaster [TV Show/Podcast]
Between November and February of last year I watched all (at the time) episodes of Taskmaster. I almost immediately started a rewatch, this time doing a ranking of the season (coming soon!). It’s truly a silly and pointless show, but it is legit one of the funniest things I’ve watched in the last decade. And you know what’s great, you can watch it all for free on Youtube!: https://www.youtube.com/@Taskmaster
Give it a try. Maybe start with season–sorry–series: 1, 7, or 16. Or try this one, 12 minute task. The first I ever saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgSDcHPgCc
Oh! And they have an official Taskmaster Podcast, hosted by one of the former contestants, Ed Gamble. I’ve only recently just started listening, but I have a feeling I’ll be listening to it frequently in the near future. https://www.taskmaster.tv/podcast
Trying [TV Show]
I have no longing for having kids, but I do think an accidental pregnancy would fix me. Trying is about a couple desperate to have a child, and struggling to do so. It starts off with fucking on a bus, but the last episode I watched, I think the couple was in like 3 scenes together. It’s a fun enough show, and I like all the shoots that take place in actual London, but I’m finding series 4 a slog. I think couples would have a fun time watching this though.
Slow Horses [TV Show]
Slow Horses is an Action/Drama about British spies (MI5) mostly spying on themselves. The cast is great, and works so well together. Topped off with Gary Oldman as the alcoholic, cynical, old man yelling at clouds. He’s great.
It’s a quick 18 episodes over 3 seasons.
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster [Podcast]
Sometimes you just need to hear two to three British people talking for an hour or so. They have a good mix of British guests (Paul Hollywood, Jamie Oliver) and American guests (Jason Mantzoukas and Paul Rudd). It’s fun to hear the slight and sometimes significant differences in the two cultures as well. Why isn’t curry a bigger part of my life?? (Oh because America didn’t colonize India probably, huh?)
Listen and find out more here: https://www.offmenupodcast.co.uk
Grand Designs [TV Show]
I want Kevin McCloud to follow me around my day to day life and critique every decision I make. I would be 100x the person I am now if he did. It’s not quite Taskmaster Easy to watch, but it’s pretty easy. Some seasons are at times available on Netflix and Amazon Prime. You can watch a 24/7 channel of Grand Designs on Amazon’s Freevee. AND you can also find on Youtube a lot through non-sanctioned channels. Try this: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=grand+designs
If you love houses, you’ll love this show.
Would I Lie To You [TV Show]
The British are really onto something here: another show where all, or at least a good chunk, are available for free on Youtube. I think all TV Shows should do this.
Would I Lie To You is a short and sweet celebrity panel show that’s low stakes and fun. Look at those three blokes, what’s not to love. Give it a watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@WILTY_TV
What am I missing? Please tell me the good British shows to watch. I can’t get enough.
