To expect decent television

"has anyone noticed how many tv presenters model themselves on Dan Cruickshank?" Why,, FGS - he's so irritating, saying obvious things in that breathless manner!

feetle; he's my secret passion......

I have Frankie recorded to watch on my own, not DH's taste sadly. How do I get my newly retired DH out of the house so I can enjoy them all?

Yes, LizG, that's a question I would like answered, too. DH says things like "watch what you like" but I wouldn't relax and enjoy my chosen programmes if he were sitting there - whereas I turn to Gransnet or a crossword while he watches sport. So far have at least three "pages" of programmes for only me, but DH doesn't go out in the evenings and I've never been able to enjoy day-time watching. Tennis seems never-ending, the French Open, now Queens, then Wimbledon, with a rugby international recorded and watched in between. Time to get out the jigsaw!

I think I would eat my own foot rather than watch Eastenders but each to their own.
I am glad it isn't just me that finds TV terribly tedious these days

Corrie is good at the moment.

I'm with Biker on this one! I never watch any of the soaps - nothing wrong with them just not my cup of tea. What amazes me is how people get so wrapped up in them as if they are real!

I had SKY installed just over a year ago just to see what it was like. Well now I know. The films are mainly for men of varying ages and gory horror and overdone, overspecial-effected science fiction. Most films look like old very dark toned copied videos. I've had no end of trouble with my email set up and am now on the verge of cancelling. I think it has also been the cause of some trouble between my other half and I. It certainly is not worth the payment. So can I set myself up for going back to my hobbies instead of gauping at that awful box?? It becomes so much of a habit.

Australian TV is just as bad - or worse! If you don't like sport, cooking, reality, big brother, or talent shows, then you're stuffed.

I like good drama, non-USA cop shows, history shows and wildlife. I watched a good one last night about wild life in London. The best bit was a seal in the river that the fish market workers kept fed - magic!

I'm enjoying Death in Paradise on a Saturday night. Mostly, we look for something worth seeing at an odd time, and record it.

We usually go through the Radio Times at the beginning of the week and record those programmes we think we might like (some in the middle of the afternoon and some on too late for us, particularly the films). Then we pick what we want to see 'live' in the evening, and if there is nothing on we catch up with our recordings. We start off the evening watching 'Pointless' which I think is great entertainment. I just wonder what we did in the days before television, I am sure there are people who do not have a set - I know one at least.

I know the critics turned up their delicate noses at it, but I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed Vicious, which finished this week. Ian McKellen and Derek Jacoby were so obviously enjoying themselves as Freddie and Stewart, the two old queens totally dependent on one another but being viciously insulting at all times... nice performance too from Marcia Warren as Penelope, the most completely befuddled woman since Mrs Feather...

feetlebaum, I watched the first Vicious and didn't enjoy it, thought it was over-acted. I was hoping for something as enjoyable as Tango in Halifax but far from it!

I struggled with Vicious at first, but really started to enjoy it after a while. They are such great actors and they really camped it up, it was like watching them in the theatre, their performances were so exaggerated. I have always loved Frances de la Tour - it was worth watching just for her.

Shysal-I could not agree more, it was over acted and predictable, as was the ghastly programme which followed it about a Job Centre I think. Admittedly I only watched 10 minutes of the first and saw the trailers for the JC. I enjoy Countdown in the afternoons which I record. It keeps my pea brain active.

I laughed myself silly watching The Job Lot. I have worked with so many people with those characteristics, and stood back to look at the nonsensical situations we have been made to endure on the whim of a manager. The episode with the dogs had me roaring with laughter. My daughter works in a bank, and she says the same. The Jobsworth woman who insists on impossible production of forms and ID when they're just about to close has got to be based on a real person. It reminded me of The Office, but sillier.

I too enjoyed Vicious,anyone who sends themselves up as they did,made it funny to me.On the other hand lasts night Love and Marriage was dire after the promising first episode.

I think I must be a miserable old bag, because I didn't enjoy the Job Lot either!
I was looking forward to the second episode of Love and Marriage, but not watched it yet, so I hope I shan't feel let down.

I hated vicious, not sure what I was expecting, but certainly not what I saw in the first episode, so haven't watched any more, perhaps it did improve. Didn't bother with The Job Lot, the adverts iritated me, before I had even started (can I join you shysal and be a miserable old bag?) Watched the first one of Love and Marriage, got the second recorded, and I think it showed promise, but having seen annsixty remarks, not so sure. Will decide when I have viewed - obviously!

Well, I'm in the miserable old bags club too! I thought Vicious was like very old fashioned theatre
Some most of the comedy series lately seem a bit lame to me, and apart from Alison S, I think the best thing about Love and Marriage is the graphic tree that sheds it's leaves at the end of a segment!
[grumpy old bag emo]

I gave up watching TV many years ago, but I`m always asked what do I do without a TV. I read, listen to audio books and I have my radio.

I saw Frances de la Tour in Alan Bennetts 'People' at the cinema and she was brilliant. I only saw a bit of Vicious once and didn't like it I'm afraid. Much too 'inyerface' for me.

Oh dear, I've recorded Love and Marriage too shysal - not sure now after annsixty's comment

Gosh,I really will keep my opinions to myself until I think all who have recorded it have watched.

I like anything with a good murder in it. I suppose we are all so different that it's impossible to please us all - I hate soaps and reality shows, love documentaries as long as they aren't dumbed down, films of most genres as long as there aren't gratuitous violence scenes, but what I am most enjoying currently is the wave of subtitled series from Europe. Arne Dahl, Wallander, Spiral, The Returned, The Bridge, The Fortress, Montelbano. I loved Lewis and Morse, I also liked Endeavour. The Fall has been good. So was Broadchurch.

However, around this time of year the programmes are rubbish. Every single year. I think they assume we will all be away on holiday for the whole summer, or sunning ourselves outside at 8.30pm every night.

annsixty Don't take on. We all like different things!