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Click TEAM PAGES on the right for pics, video and analysis! Five rounds, three picks per turn! Categories listed below.
What best captures the essence of the 80s?
1.1 All in the Family - CID writes: "I will actually have a hard time swallowing any argument for any other program being a better sitcom. This show was so funny it made me hurt myself laughing - but that's not even the important part. This show was cutting edge and controversial. They had jokes about block busting, stupid Pollacks, queers, Commies, etc. Archie was a complete bastard and still the most lovable character ever on television. Then there's the supporting case that includes both Rob Reiner, Jean Stapelton, Sally Struthers and Sherman Hemsley - that's right, George Jefferson. The Jeffersons was a spinoff of All in the Family, so it gets credit for that great show, too!"
2.8 Black Adder - (For simplicity's sake, I suggest this includes all of the runnings/variations of Black Adder.) Rowan Atkinson at his snarky, sharp best. Absolutely hilarious. Most people know Atkinson for his Mr Bean persona, who is a bit clueless and perhaps even dumb, but this character, Black Adder, is quite the opposite. He has great supporting actors, as well, including Hugh Laurie of House - incidentally also playing a character utterly unlike his House persona.
3.1 The Thin Blue Line - Oh I'm back to the Rowan Atkinson hole, but not to Mr Bean! The Thin Blue Line is my selection. Not a long running show, and not nearly so popular in Merka as I'd like, but hilarious. A wonderful cop sitcom with Atkinson playing Inspector Raymond Fowler, a bit of a throwback to older times in his small town's police force. If you liked Hot Fuzz, you will like this program - I can't imagine Hot Fuzz could have been made without The Thin Blue Line preceding it.
4.8 Father Ted - Based around the lives of Fathers Ted Crilly, Dougal Maguire and Jack Hackett, three Irish priests who have been banished from the mainland. They live on Craggy Island (a fictional island off the west coast of Ireland - essentially a fake addition to the Aran Islands which one flies over if one were to fly into Shannon International Airport - or so I hear...) with their slightly crazed and tea-addicted house keeper, Mrs Doyle. Dougal isn't the brightest man ever, Ted has a knack for getting into awkward situations, and the less said about Father Jack the alcoholic swear machine the better. In point of fact, I'm not sure that Father Jack ever says anything remotely intelligible unless it is absolutely horribly vile. Despite being in the middle of nowhere the trio find plenty of ways of causing chaos and confusion. To sum up, it's fecking hilarious - and in Ireland!
5.1 The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - And in case you doubt this as the most ingenious sleeper pick of all time ... Allow me to rhyme a moment!
