You Brits and your Television! Time Team! Oh, My!!

[renomarvinm]

Recently, while browsing about on You Tube, I stumbled across a few episodes of Time Team, and I was amazed!  At first I thought it was something typical of US Television; you know, a group of old codgers cacking, making jokes, walking about on grassy fields.  And then it hit me!  They are practicing archaeologists!  They are serious historians!  And, frankly, I was amazed!  A group of people on national television actually involved, deeply involved I might add, in intellectual discussions, actually doing hard science, actually caring about history, and doing something about it!  On Television!!  That program would not last ten minutes over here.. (sob)

We don't have things like that over here!  Over here, the old codgers staggering around half drunk, or debating lost loves, or some other treacle, and and maybe one of them passing out on camera, and being hauled off to detox, or the morgue - reality TV, you know.

In the states, we don't have real television - we have tripe.  Oh, how I envy you people!!!

[aernethril]

What about Scrap Heap Challenge?

Or that other one from years n year ago - The Great Egg Race?

[baybizz]

Reno, if you haven't already seen it, I recommend this episode of Time Team about the site of the battle of Hastings in 1066, which changed the course of English history:

http://www.youtube.com/v/IhAXPI3ueW0?autoplay=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhAXPI3ueW0

It also changed the English language - many alternative French words entered the language:

www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9606163/hastings1066-language-change

http://www.travelanguist.com/hastings-and-english-language

[al**bear]

They have visited the States and the Caribbean a few Times , Reno

USA  -- http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team-usa/episode-guide

and 'Time Team special 32' (search Youtube) is when they visited Jamestown

The US archeologists were a bit shocked that Our lot used a 'Backhoe' (JCB) on digs, They actually said bulldozers

But the operators are very skilled and experienced and can shave a half inch off at a time

Caribbean  -  episodes 12 & 13  http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/episode-guide/series-6/

[renomarvinm]

I think I'm heaven!   Thanks, everybody!  I just finished watching the Battle of Hastings episode.  There is something truly strange about the passing of Harold II in a spot that is now a roundabout......

Black Adder, Vicar of Dibley, Spike Milligan.......Benny Hill......   Folks, please forgive me for becoming so emotional here, but you have actual worthwhile, interesting television!!..  What we have here in the states looks like the conveyor belt line in a tripe producing factory.....

[mustard-tree]

Some of your TV is OK.

I watch 5 US  with shows like Law and Order, CSI, NCIS

Other US shows I have seen here are Monk, House, Diagnosis Murder and more.

[saasher2012]

You praise our Time Team programme Reno, but with all your American History you also have some good TV as well.

[5129frederick]

I've never been one for television - the only thing I ever watch is the news.

Slightly off-topic I know, but while out in Florida in '78 I watched an animated version of the royal family portrayed as a family of seahorses.  All were recognisable of course, but the one who had me in stitches was the stroppiness of Diana.  They had her ideosyncrasies down to a "T"  What was the name of the series, and did it continue after Diana's death?

[renomarvinm]

Hi 5219frederick!   I don't know!  I've never heard of it.  Overt here, there is a sort of weird contradiction in terms that has been pointed out from time to time - our own Constitution does not allow the existence of royalty, but our people generally are fascinated with it.  Perhaps it is because we don't have any - I don't know. Either way, Princess Diana captivated this country like no other lady has since the days of Jackie Kennedy, and her loss was felt very strongly.  I'm not surprised that a cartoon show had her manerisms down.   She was extremely newsworthy.

The problem (if there is one) is one that she shared with all famous people - namely, we don't know the actual person at all.  We see only the news blurbs, the sound bites, and the stand-up interviews.  This condition also applies to our own political leadership.

[baybizz]

>> #9 Reno: Our own US Constitution does not allow the existence of Royalty...

Are you sure, Reno?


>> The Imperial US Presidency...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/The-Soapbox/OT-Political-Discussion-Please/m-p/19298637#M205252

( Try this link if the one in the above post doesn't work:

wsj.com/article/SB1000142 )

>> The Constitution designed it that way. Effectively you have an elected absolute Monarch for four years...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/The-Soapbox/OT-Political-Discussion-Please/m-p/19310515#M205618

 
>> "It is one of the great ironies of the US constitution that the Founding Fathers invested more power in the Presidency than George III exercised as King...  "

>> "When the US Constitutional  'checks and balances' do not operate effectively... the powers of the Presidency are arguably more akin to those of an absolute Monarch...

http://community.ebay.com/t5/The-Soapbox/OT-Political-Discussion-Please/m-p/19311015#M205633

[amandacleggart]

Reno, you might like Mud Men too. I find that really entertaining!

A couple of 'mudlarks' (and one idiot ) explore the foreshores of Britain looking for discarded remnants of the past. It's amazing what you find in the mud!

[renomarvinm]

Hi baybizz!  That's interesting ---  I hadn't really considered it that way.  The local opinion might be skewed just a little bit.  The last (perceived) royalty we had was that of the Kennedy Administration, with Camelot and all.  Well, that and later LBJ's Ladybird group fluttering around, or whatever they were doing out there - we were never really sure.

I guess it's just a matter of perception - I don't see a seated president as being royalty; I see him as being the current consumate politician, representing whatever group is currently in power.  Frankly, I find them a bit frightening.  But I can see how they could be seen as royalty - that's for sure!

Hi enginemonkey!  Mud Men - I'll look that up now.  By the way, Scrap Heap Challenge IS one of my favorites.  

I also like Salvage Squad!  Are they still on th air?