Favourite Drama/programme

[Ma Larkin]

Hi As many of you know im mad about Darling Buds! Last night as i thought about christmas i thought i'd put on my DVD Darling buds " Christmas is coming" it gave me a real cosy feeling about the months ahead!

Whats your favourite programme at this time of year?

Ma Larkin x :)

[eleanor2]

is really the only soap i watch. lets hope they have a good snow and happy christmas out there in yorkshire.

[Crocus]

I've heard so much of Darling Buds, and quite a long time back there were a few episodes on the telly. Can't remember what it was about anymore. Won't mind if it will come back on our telly.

[SummerSkye]

Darling Buds screened here on the ABC years ago, it was a good series. At the moment being almost year's end we are into repeats yet again. Last night was Rose and Maloney which I do like and Rebus ditto.
Every Christmas though we seem to get the same old tired Christmas movies watched already countless times.

[Crocus]

Rebus! - the one and only John Hannah playing the part? Won't mind having that on our screens again.

Not very Christmas like, but we've enjoyed "You rang, m'Lord" very much.

[SummerSkye]

Hi Crocus, sorry this series is not John Hannah .. what a disappointment.

[Crocus]

Not John Hannah! Oh goodness me! :(

[Ma Larkin]

I've heard so much of Darling Buds, and quite a long time back there were a few episodes on the telly. Can't remember what it was about anymore. Won't mind if it will come back on our telly.

Crocus, Darling buds can be bought online on dvd. Just to remind you of the story: Big Family called the the Larkins ,live in 1950's Kent ,England.You Have Pop Larkin played by David jason-(Only Fools & Horses) Ma Larkin -Pam Ferris(Rosemary & Thyme) And all the children Most Famous of them is Catherine Zeta Jones!THey live A 'Perfic' Lifestyle in the countryside. The drama was adapted from the books by Bates. you would love it I promise it gives a really nice warm feeling to any Day of the week!

Ma Larkin X:)

[Crocus]

Thanks so much Ma Larkin for the opdate! O would love to watch it again. Pam Ferris, somehow she reminds me of having a part in a series called "Where the Heart is", or am I confused now? Played the role of a nurse I think - correct me if I'm wrong?

[Ma Larkin]

Yes she was, and Matilda the film, Harrypotter, oranges are not the only fruit and many more!

Ma larkin x

[Crocus]

I haven't seen many of her other films and series, but in "heart" I got the impression that she is a calm and peace loving person.

[Oola]

Love Darling Buds, have it on DVD. At the moment I watch Heroes and Ugly Betty (Rich can't stand the latter and always vacates the room as soon as it's on), but apart from that nothing else really. I love Alias which has finished now, enjoy 24, ER is also good, but apart from Heroes and UB and occasionally Neighbours there's nothing I make a point of sitting down to watch.

In days gone by I used to love Quantum Leap, Lovejoy, remember Pie in the Sky well, I like to watch reruns of The Good Life - really wish they'd done more episodes though!

I think British drama is something that is severely lacking at the moment, I really don't feel like I get my money's worth with the BBC anymore. Eastenders is just dire, they have a knack of drawing out the same storyline for MONTHS on end, have a one hour 'special' that consists of 2 characters with drawn out monologues, and then some semi-spectacular reveal that doesn't actually reveal anything until the last 2 mins of the programme. I can't stand all these Come Dancing, Dance X, Z-list celebrity sing-a-thons, Problem Like Maria/Joseph...I find the production and format too samey and borrrrriiiinnnnggg. They just can't seem to leave these talent shows alone now.

Sorry about the rant there, but the BBC really needs to sort it's act out. More stuff like Life on Mars please!

[Ma Larkin]

Totally with you on that one Oola!

I find too much rubbish on telly at moment, which is a shame because normally about now you get a Darling Buds type ,feel good drama on for the Autumn/winter.

Ma Larkin x

[CountryLady]

Love David Jason and enjoy watching Frost. Also like John Thaw in Morse and what about Goodnight Mr. Tom?

[Crocus]

I quite forgot about Frost and Morse! Do you girls remember Dangerfield and Heartbeat?

[dinger]

I also loved John Thaw in Goodnight Mr Tom was a really nice true to life story .Does anyone remember Family At War I always used to miss the end of every episode wish they would give that another run .I like the family based dramas.

[sunflower]

I enjoy watching, Keeping up appearances, One foot in the grave, Doc Martin, and when it used to be on, The darling buds of May. Lately, there are not many programmes on I like to watch. I do enjoy British drama though. It has a depth that American movies do'nt have. Having said that, I also enjoy American films...especially Meet the Fockers, films one and two. They are sooo funny and I think they will go down as classics.

[sheddie]

I really love Keeping up Appearances and I've hired out the 'props' for Darling Buds many times.

[Oola]

OHHHhhhhhhhhhhh props. I love that aspect of dramas - getting all the pieces and costumes absolutely spot on, must be really satisfying work sheddie. I'd love to work on a television production team, especially on a period piece like Pride & Prejudice!

[sheddie]

Look out for the last film we supplied some 'props' for, Flyboys.It is out now but we did it a couple of years ago. It was about an American World war 2 pilot who fell in love with a french girl who lived in a cottage in france with a smallholding/country garden, we did most of the 'props' for the garden, including Victorian hoop top railings around it.(not to spoil the image the cottage was in Sussex).Part of it was filmed at Silsoe mansion because the achitecture there is french.It was fun and I wouldn't change a minute.

[keepersdaughter]

I don't recall seeing The Darling Buds of May, but it sounds like something I would really enjoy. May see if I can get it for Christmas. I have been turning the TV off a lot lately as I've been so bored with all the rubbish on it - so many 'reality' shows, they all are the same. I do enjoy the History channel that we have on cable here. They do a few good home improvement/garden design shows which I enjoy. Plus the cooking channel - I'm sure I absorb calories just from watching!. On the public service channel, we do get a few British shows, I like the Victor of Dibley - that finished here a couple of months ago. They also have Last of the Summer Wine and Are you being served - don't watch those however. I have a relative who bears more than a passing resemblance to Hyacinth from Keeping up Appearances, it's just a little too difficult to watch!. We also got Prime Suspect last year which I enjoyed as well as Miss Marple and the classics like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility. I don't think anyone else can do these as well as the British. I personally think american movie industry better geared towards fast action and maybe comedy. I was rooting around on YouTube recently and came across a few episodes of Only Fools and Horses, the Batman episode had me in stitches. I'm going to check on Amazon to see if they have Darling Buds of May.

[CountryLady]

The Darling Buds Of May is a pleasure to watch. Has anyone read the book on which the series is based?
I'm sure someone told me that "Pop" dies in the book due to his unhealthy lifestyle. Anyone else heard that? I don't think I would want to read it if that's the case!

[Ma Larkin]

Oh No dont tell me that! I couldnt bear it if thats true, i was going to get the books but im not so sure now.

My love of darling buds is more than just a favourite programme! (No ive not lost the plot i promise) Well here goes, skeleton out of the closet.....!

For the past five years ive suffered badly with Depression and i like millions of others have been waiting on the neverending list to be seen . When i stumbled across Darling buds again , i fell in love with it and everytime i watched it it has helped me get through the bad episodes of depression (you must think im daft!!) but truely it has helped me in many ways. Im actually contemplating writing a book on how it had its effect on my depression and how im getting on much better. Im thinking of calling it 'Living with the larkins' or something along those lines.

Please dont all run a mile i promise im not mad!!

Ma Larkin x

[CountryLady]

I think it's lovely that you've found something that seems to help, Ma. I don't think you're daft at all, you can just lose yourself in the programme can't you?
Sorry about my last post in that case - maybe I dreamt it...

[Ma Larkin]

Oh dont worry Countrylady, i know its just a story and i will get the books as i believe one of the books was'nt made into an episode. If he dies he dies! His lifestyle was a little excessive!!

Ma larkin

[CountryLady]

But wonderful at the same time!

[Ma Larkin]

Does anyone remember a series called 'In loving Memory' with Thora Herd.? About the Undertakers.

My Grandma's Cousin Wrote It! My little Claim to fame.

The Funny thing was that my Grandma was the double of Thora Herd! and yet my Grandma and her cousin had'nt seen each other since they were kids.

[CountryLady]

I remember it! Wow you are famous, Ma!!

[Ma Larkin]

Most certainly Countrylady! Also i too love all the period Drama's

[Ma Larkin]

That is most certainly wonderfull not most certainly famous! I wish!

[Ma Larkin]

Sheddie, please tell me more about your dealings with darling buds! What props did they hire.

Ma larkin

[eleanor2]

hey i watched poirot last night. now that is my fave.the scenes and dress.the old cars.the ethics and etiquette. the ladies all with such smart hair dos.his secretary had such a lovely dress on.

[SummerSkye]

I love Poirot too, they are brilliantly produced, and such a lovely period of time.

[eleanor2]

summer skye i have many poirot d.v.ds i watch one sometimes just because they are like my comfort programme. if that makes sense.

[Ma Larkin]

eleanor2, that makes a lot of sense! I like poirot too, all the glam and mystery.

Ma larkin