You know I love Red Dwarf, I did prefer the earlier episodes tho. I love the Cat ! I'm gonna get you little fishy 
I cant remember the episode names but it was one where they were stuck in some kind of time loop. I'm just starting my collection, but this lot are defo top of the list.
I believe that was Future Echos. Great episode. The thing that amazed me, and really got me hooked, was the fact that each episode I saw was just as original as the last. Season 7 was the weakest, but I liked Season 8 alot more than most RD fans seemed to. Even at it's lowest points though, you cannot ignore the calssics that came from those seasons such as The Rimmer Experience ride and death getting kicked in the potatoes.
We really liked Brittas Empire too ! I dont think it did as well over here as Red Dwarf tho, very under rated. If I manage to get them on disk Gary, I promise to send you a parcel 
Its a shame about the region differences, the multi region players are getting cheaper over here now. I have one which is handy, as I have mistakenly bought US Disney discs from Ebay. 
I really have to break down get a region-free. Too expensive right now in the US though ($400 or more when you can get a great DVD/MP3 player for under $50 now).
I loved Barrie's acting as Brittas. No matter what happens, he still has that poncy expression... and the way he speaks just fits that type of character. He's always been a vocal genius IMHO. He did like, every celebrity and political impersonation for Spitting Image... he was about 80% of those voices (and I remeber reading that his work on SI one of the reasons he was cast for RD).
The thing that hooked me on Brittas was that the characters were great (his poor wife), and the stories were outlandish... like the exploding eagle! US television would still never allow a guy to walk out of a gym with eagle guts and blood all over his suit - however, that type of stuff dates back to Python in the UK (and probably even earlier).
I'v always liked Jennifer Saunders, from when she teamed up with Dawn French in the eighties. I caught one of their old shows the other night and it still stands up today. French doing 'hannibal lecter'
Saunders was a regular extra in the Young Ones. I spotted her a couple of times - check out the episode Interesting, she's one of the party goers. Chris Barrie and Norman Lovett (Holly) were also in the Young Ones in brief cameos - Barrie played a Ship Captain and Lovett played a guy on line at the bank.
I've got waaaaaaay too much extra time on the weekends, and too good of an eye not to spot these things.
Joanna Lumley is so hilarious in Ab Fab, they must have had such a laff making it. Poor Saffy
Have you ever seen James and the Giant Peach? Cool flic, and Lumley's in it... and crazy as ever.
Poor Saffy? I believe she's the one who got the honey and nut rub down by some handsome pool boy! (However, her future didn't look too bright in the last epsiode - and she does get a bit.. knocked around... during the series.) I love how she never gets along with anyone her mom knows... and they all seem to equally despise her.
Young ones ! Yeah classic, what did you think of Bottom then ? I have some of them on disc, all time fave episode 'gas man' it has me crying with laughter everytime
As I said, I haven't seen Bottom yet. I only know that it exists - and that they did/do stage shows occassionally. Looking at a picture of the two main characters at that link you posted... I noticed Rik right off... but could that be the same actor that played Viv with the coke bottle glasses???
I might have to go to Amazon and get me some Bottom! (Uh... that sentence kinda backfired... um... I mean...)
I wasnt so keen on mr Bean, the first few episodes I thought were an original idea, but after that I find myself fighting the urge to just scream at the telly in frustration I think it was the very first one that I liked, with him in the church, sneezing and trying to wipe his nose on the inside of his jacket pocket For me, Rowans best work was the Blackadder series, particular liked the second series, loved Queenie and the Nanny (Bernard)
You know, I have never seen Blackadder. I think I may have caught a few minutes of it once, but I might have to give this one a try. I hear from some folks that it's better than Python.
The strange thing is, Python doesn't really appeal to me all that much. I know that's like sacreligious to say in some british social circles, but I've seen flying circus several times, bought Holy Grail, and even though I liked it all - they didn't have that great of an impact on me. I liked A Fish Called Wanda alot, though and always get excited when I read that John Cleese, Michael Palin, or Terry Gilliam are involved in a new project.
Speaking of Gilliam, I freakin' LOVED Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas - and hear that his new flic The Brothers Grimm is supposed to be killer... very "Gilliam-ish".
Have you seen Fear and Loathing?
Another one we really liked that didnt seem to get any good reviews is Game on http://www.british-sitcom.co.uk/game_on/index.shtml and of course, the early Men behaving Badly shows were really good. Just loved the one when he was actually debating tasting his girlfriends removed apendix
I've also heared "The Office" this, and "The Office" that. Is it really that good a series? Sounds too much like the movie Office Space to me.
