Top 5 for Friday - Still Watchable

I was reading a discussion in another place on the Web this week about what TV programmes you would like to see brought back and what should be cancelled (no huge surprise that the reality shows were well supporter under the latter category). It all got me thinking about how many of the shows mentioned, we could still source. And if we could, are they available at the library. The answer for many is "Yes".

So the Top 5 for this Friday comes to you courtesy of my own peculiar TV viewing tastes but with the advice that if you want to find your favourite show of old (or something more recent), you can search our catalogue with either the title or just a general Television Programmes keyword search.

1. Babylon 5. Before I became addicted to Doctor Who (the old black and white theme song used to scare me witless when I was a kid) and it's offshoot Torchwood (Capt Jack), there was Babylon 5. This five season story always left me wanting more by exploring good, bad and shades of all manner of grey that lie inbetween. Strong characters, innovative special effects and the tight storyline which left little red herrings but always knew where it was going. A honourable mention in the science fiction category goes to The Tomorrow People from the 1970's which I did watch as a kid.


2. Bonanza. They don't seem to make westerns as TV series anymore but when I was growing up there were heaps of them. My favourite was Alas Smith & Jones, but alas, the only copy in Auckland Libraries is currently missing so my excitement at finding it listed was shortlived. Bonanza easily sweeps into second place as the most popular western of it's day (although The Virginian for adult audiences and the Lone Ranger for the kids we also popular). Set in Virginia City, Nevada, Bonanza tells the story of the Cartwrights, owners of a nearly 600,000 acre ranch - The Ponderosa.


3. Joe 90. Before Ben 10 there was... Joe 90, a young boy with glasses who sat in a chair which spun round and round very fast. Today it probably looks gimmicky and quite stunted. But that will be half the fun of getting it out and watching it with your children (or grandchildren) to show them what you used to watch as a kid. What better way to spend one of the wet afternoons we are almost certain to have over the school holidays. Joe 90 comes from the same era as The Thunderbirds who are as popular as ever. Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine, a brilliant computer expert, has invented an incredible device called The Brain Impulse Galvanoscope Record and Transfer (Big Rat). It enables the knowlege and experience of one person to be transfered to another. He demonstrates the machine to his friend Sam Loover, by transfering his own brain patterns to his adopted son Joe. Joe with the aid of this technology and some special glasses becomes The World Intelligence Network's (W.I.N.) most special agent, fighting for justice and saving human life.


4. The British Comedies. I couldn't decide which of these I liked the most and was going to go on the Top 5 so I am cheating by listing several. At the time I couldn't see the humour in Fawlty Towers or Some Mothers do have em, but nowadays can respect the skill and talent. Dad's Army was however a favourite as were the Two Ronnies in any of the incarnations. The absolute skill of one man sitting in a chair telling jokes, with his only the support the bottle of "water" on the table beside him, introduced me to stand up (or sit down) comedy in the form of Dave Allen.


5. M*A*S*H. But when it comes to Amercian comedies it doesn't get any better than the comedy and drama of the 4077th MASH unit. I laughed until I cried and sometimes I just cried (nothing ever wrong with a good sob during a movie or TV programme). Hawkeye, Radar, Klinger and Hotlips are immediately identifiable as the best in TV viewing. Three Korean War Army surgeons adopt a hilarious, lunatic lifestyle as an antidote to the tragedies of their Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, and in the process infuriate army bureaucrats.

If you would like to get even more nostalgic, either with your families or with your friends, there is plenty more on offer at the Library. From an furry little brown creature named ALF and the birth of superstar Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street even further back in time to Petticoat Junction, Here's Lucy and On the Buses. If you have a favourite show, see if you can find it on our catalogue (and if we don't have it you can also suggest that we consider it for purchase).

Have a safe and dry weekend everyone.