TV Series 1, Episode 4: Soap Operas - Podcast 30

Screen grab of NBC's Days of Our Lives Title Card, Fair Use License

Remember that time on Days of Our Lives when Marlena was possessed by the devil?  No?  Well, let me tell you, you are missing out!  I think I was 12 or 13 and one of my grandmothers was heavily into "Days" and, this story-line alone caught my attention and made me a fan... at least for the next few summers I spent on my grandma's couch.  Now, admittedly I am not an avid watcher of daytime drama (I have the "Housewives" for my drama fix, thank you very much, Andy Cohen), but I know American soaps' story-lines can be a bit... ahem... ridiculous at times, while British soaps tend to favor real-life drama a bit more.  I could be wrong about that, however, as I've only seen a couple episodes of Coronation Street at my father-in-law's house.  Whatever the case may be, this podcast is all about British and American soap operas.  Have a listen and then let us know if you're into soaps and if so, which are your favorites.

TV Series 1, Episode 3: Detective/Police Shows - Podcast 29

Still from Sherlock Christmas Special, courtesy of BagoGames via Flickr, Fair Use License

If you've ever seen British television, odds are you've seen a police or detective show.  From Sherlock to Poirot to Midsomer Murders and Death in Paradise, the British love a good crime series.  While America might not have as many cop/detective shows airing at any one given time, we too have a history of a fascination with the police, with shows like Hillstreet Blues, Monk, Law & Order, and Chicago P.D.  Join us as we discuss police series from both sides of the Atlantic and then join in and let us know which are your favorites.

TV Series 1, Episode 2: Drama Series - Podcast 28

Photo by Diariocritico de Venezuela, via Flickr, Fair Use License

Admittedly I am not a super fan of sad/sappy, or hospital-type dramas where someone's sick and/or dying in a horrible way.  I mean, I don't want to watch some little kids' mother, who is dying of cancer, or some man who just lost his job and then killed himself and now his spouse is hooked on drugs as a coping mechanism.  Real life is dramatic enough.  No, if I'm going dramatic, give me over-the-top drama with characters that are larger than life.  Give me Tony Soprano, Jon Snow, or even Olivia Pope.  And I love a good period drama.  And no one, I mean no one does period dramas like the British.  Downton Abbey?  Poldark?  Hello?  Britain also has the murder mystery down pat, but with Sherlock Holmes and Poirot, they had better.  What are your favorite dramatic television series?  Let us know in the comments section below and then have a listen to our latest podcast to find out ours.

TV Series 1, Episode 1: Sitcoms - Podcast 27

Prop from BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, taken by Karen Roe via Flickr, Fair Use License

In this podcast, we're beginning a new series on television shows from both sides of the Atlantic.  This episode finds us talking about British and American sitcoms and the number of popular American television shows that are actually remakes of British sitcoms.  We all know The Office was a remake of the British TV series with the same name, but how many Americans know classic sitcoms like Sanford and Son, All in the Family and Three's Company were also based on British shows?  But, does Britain remake American shows?  Tune in and find out what our top five favorite British and American sitcoms of all time are and then tweet us, Facebook us, or comment below your own list of favorite sitcoms.

Importing Culture - Podcast 26

Steve  F [CC BY-SA 2.0]

When I went to Britain for the first time, I was shocked to see so many American fast food chains and American brands in stores and movie billboards everywhere I looked.  It wasn't exactly the experience I wanted, to feel like I'd never left home.  I wanted to feel like I was in another country, which, in fact, I was.  Having already known Dominic for a year or so, I knew he seemed pretty familiar with American culture, quoting American television shows, etc., but I had no idea the extent that American culture had been imported in the United Kingdom and presumably elsewhere in the world.  So, why isn't the same true in America?  Are we just that arrogant that we think our stuff is so superior to that of the rest of the world?  Tune in to our latest episode where we delve deeper into this topic then let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Expat Purgatory - Podcast 25

Altered image of Derivative work: Gaaarg [CC BY-SA 3.0]

This podcast finds us talking about how, being an expat, Dominic doesn't feel quite like he belongs in either the United States or the United Kingdom.  Why?  Doesn't he like apple pie and stuffing himself on Thanksgiving?  Surely he still drinks tea and speaks with a British accent?  He's lived in America for several years now, how dare he not feel American!  And, he was born in the UK, what does he mean he doesn't feel British?  The Queen will surely have something to say about this!  Well, you'll just have to tune in to find out exactly what he means.  Then, after you've had a listen, let us know if you're an expat, or if you've lived in another country in the past.  Do you understand the feeling Dominic has described?  Share your experiences in the comments below or on Facebook.

This Time with Alan Partridge - Podcast 24

Screen grab of BBC airing of This Time With Alan Partridge series, Fair Use License

This podcast finds us talking about Alan Partridge (a character portrayed by actor, Steve Coogan), and the new BBC series, This Time with Alan Partridge.  We'll also touch on the various BBC series from the past, which followed the same character through his chat shows, radio shows and his life in general.  Alan Partridge is a beloved figure in British pop culture, but, while Steve Coogan has made a name for himself in the states with films like Marie Antoinette, Night at the Museum, Tropic Thunder and most recently Stan and Laurel, if you asked the average American who Alan Partridge was they'd probably just shrug.  Come along as we discuss the illustrious career of Britain's most inept broadcaster (though is he really?).

Weird Things American People Do - Podcast 23

Red Cup with Ice - Circe Denyer, CC0 Public Domain

If you heard our previous podcast, you heard me (Erica) whining about all the weird things British people do.  I mean, saying "Zed" instead of plain old "Z", what's that all about?  But, unfortunately, Britons aren't the only weirdos out there.  We Americans also do things that people in Britain (and elsewhere in the world) find flat out bizarre.  From packing drinks with ice to lawyers' advertisements to toilet stalls that don't reach the floor or ceiling, it's Dominic's turn to whine.  If you aren't in America, but find things Americans do weird, please feel free to inform us of those things in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter.