Why is British TV so boring and dispassionate?

Question

And please, to all the apologists, I ve been living in the UK for ten years, have a masters degree and work in research so please don t tell me I don t get some subtle ideosyncracies, "sublime intellect" and witty understated humour of the Brits that is being conveyed. Trust me, if there was anything to "get" in the first place I would have been on it... I find British shows boring and dispassionate, lazily made and slow.

Answer 1

Because the British are boring and dispassionate, and might I add emotionally conservative. Speaking up is taboo in British society which leads them all to be these passive-aggressive whiners or only ably to complain about something in written form.



It's an emotionally backward place and their insecure culture reflects it. Ever heard of a Brit that's caring and fun? Though not.



Also Brits suffer from a tiring superiority complex that they just cannot get over. So, they prefer to do or show as little as possible so they can seem perfect and unable to be criticised. That's what lazy people do and Brits are self admittedly lazy.

Answer 2

I'd have to agree that many British shows nowadays are boring, but I can recommend some shows for you to watch that will change your mind about the quality of British tv. Personally, I believe Britain's best sitcoms were made in the 1970's, 80's, 90's, post 2000's is mostly crap. Try watching Absolutley Fabulous, Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, I'm Alan Partridge, French and Saunders, Men Behaving Badly, Harry Enfield, Father Ted, Black Adder, watch these shows and your opinion of British tv will change! :)

Answer 3

It's either that or the reality tv that is taking over America...watch a show about a guy born and raised in New York City pretend to be a mountain man just because he looks like one. Or watch some grease monkeys sit around a table and trade stories about the spark plugs that they've changed or that one time when a wheel fell off. And there's a show about driving trucks on ice. And the amazing world of crab fishing...I absolutely hate reality tv

Answer 4

It has dumped down to keep pace with the population,



I cannot watch most TV,it is aimed at the simple minded,the soaps are pathetic,comedies are not funny,most dramas are badly scripted and acted,the entertainment programmes are not entertaining.



The odd dram on BBC is ok,i tend to watch a lot of foreign programmes

Answer 5

Because you've been watching the wrong shows? (especially if you've only been watching stuff made c. 2000-present when the Political Correctness brigade started taking charge and purging the fun & passion out of everything on the off-chance it might offend people they get offended on behalf of without asking them)



Top Gear was good (until they sacked the Clarkson, and replaced him with a shouty ginger person) + was passionately made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmcmqTAu6b8



Motor racing coverage was good until they split it between channels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCij9mYIokA



"Two Fat Ladies" cooking show (1990's) still stands out as one of the best food shows ever made + the Keith Floyd Cooking series (1980's & 1990's) were too......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84bCD1fd4ew



"All Creatures Great & Small" (1970's & 1980's drama series by the BBC based on the James Herriott books) is also still outstanding, and is nowhere near boring thanks to the performances of Peter Davison (also known for his roll elsewhere on the BBC as the 5th "Dr Who")



Billy Connolly's assorted travel programs (c. 1994 - 2016) such as "Billy Connolly's World Tour of Australia", or the more recent "Billy Connolly's Tracks Across America" are also nowhere near "boring" or "dispassionate".... mainly because they're presented by the world's funniest stand-up comedians of all time, rather than the mainstream channels usual go-to choices of boring white middle class labour luvvies who have about as much warmth & personality as a bowl of wallpaper paste.

Answer 6

It is good enough for the idiot masses, I suppose. I no longer watch it. After 10 years in the UK you have correctly spotted that the BBC is staffed by opinionated, narrowly educated people who copy each other's ideas and opinions and largely despise their audience.

Answer 7

I grew out of watching TV for the sake of it about 40 years ago. Most programmes are derivative and unambitious so I read, watch DVDS or go out and watch nocturnal wildlife. There are occasional interesting programmes if you keep an eye on the listings, but why is it necessary to watch TV in the first place?

Answer 8

I have a suggestion...listen to BBC Radio 4 or the BBC World Service.It may be boring at times but one of the very best radio channels in the world.You haven't got to sit down as you listen,extremely informative too !

Answer 9

Because Internet has taken over. They put rubbish TV because they know no one's even watching.

Answer 10

British TV died in the 1980's with Thatcherism seeking to rule out hearts and minds.

Answer 11

The comedies made in the 1970's and 1980's are hilliarious. Since then 'American' type comedies have taken over and they are very limited in their appeal.

Answer 12

I find all television boring and dispassionate.

Answer 13

Can't defend the Britishers, but if you want passionate, go to Latin America and get killed! (Or just watch their telenovelas on TV - much safer - LOL)

Answer 14

You claim a high level of education but cannot spell "idiosyncrasies" correctly.



Some British TV shows are as you described but others are not. It is, of course, a matter of personal taste.

Answer 15

Love the way the best answer has 9 thumbs down.

Answer 16

If it's that bad, why can we sell our programmes all over the world?

Answer 17

It depends on what you watch? it's a very subjective question.

Answer 18

You don't live here as we can see from your previous posts.

Answer 19

Not as boring as your post.

Answer 20

to much censorship today Benny Hill would be banned



we need to stop trying to please Muslims

Answer 21

Not bothered..we know is best...

Answer 22

I guess you still don't 'get' it.