Top 5 TV Programmes

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Banz's Top 5 TV Programmes

Takeshi's Castle	This isn't high art but in it's own way it's as funny as anything on the box. The format is simple; 100 members of the public are whittled down to a handful by attempting physical games. Games such as trying to cross a slender and wobbly rope rope bridge while footballs are fired at them from a cannon. Or trying to run across a river using stepping stones, some of which are made of floating polystyrene. The health and safety people must be on extended leave but this just adds to the excitement. So if you like the idea of seeing people taking big tumbles often from a height and into a muddy pond then this is the show for you.
Red Dwarf	This is an example of what happens when you choose not to go out at the top but that shouldn't detract from the first 6 series. Every show was a 'must see' and the characters developed from fairly humble beginnings through the quality of the writing. It used it sci-fi setting to great effect and populated its universe with strange aliens, planets peopled solely by waxdroids and a monster made from mutated mutton vindaloo.
The League of Gentlemen	I was late to join TLoG when I was advised to tape the whole first series when it was repeated on cable. At first I was puzzled and wasn't quite sure if I was watching a sketch show, a sit-com or, in fact, any sort of comedy at all. Slowly it started to make sense - well sense is perhaps not the right word - and from there I was hooked. The three main stars play the bulk of the characters and somehow manage to make them all unique, be they man, woman or something in between.
Countdown	This game show is a favourite of word game loving students, pensioners and the long-term unemployed. The format is simple - the contestants pick 9 letters and then have to make the longest word. Every 4 or 5 goes things change radically and the contestants get to choose numbers which they have to combine mathematically to get as close to the random target. After 45 minutes someone wins and gets to fight again the next day - sort of like Gladiator but with a speech saying "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. I'd like 1 from the top row and any 5 small numbers".
Fawlty Towers	A classic which stands up to repeated viewings. The sense of madness pervades each episode as things steadily get worse for poor Basil, although it has to be said he doesn't do himself any favours. Each show seems to have been honed to perfection in terms of dialogue and action and the fairly standard cast of characters really come alive.

Vic's Top 5 TV Programmes

The Simpsons	The world is divided into two types of people - those who like The Simpsons and those who don't. Thankfully we outnumber them and it's only a matter of time before they come over from the dark side.
The X-Files	I came across The X-Files at about episode 6 of the first season. I was instantly hooked. The mysteries were the initial attraction but the chemistry between Mulder and Scully and the story arc made it cumpulsive viewing.
Malcolm In The Middle	Another dysfunctional family in my Top 5. Like The Simpsons there is so much more to Malcolm In The Middle than first thought. Racously funny and sharp, this is the best TV show to come out of the USA in the last couple of years.
Six Feet Under	Brilliantly acted and written, Six Feet Under takes an interesting premise and makes it original without ever being gimmicky. You love all the characters (especially with their flaws) because they're all so real.
Seinfeld	Seinfeld was the show on TV for so long. Full of catchphrases, eccentric characters and the irrascible George Costanza. We miss it so...

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