Family tv series

[Clean39T]

Fawlty Towers.

Or Farty Towels, either way.

I was raised on that, Black Adder, Red Dwarf, and Monty Python.......and a whole lotta Seinfeld...... and just look at me now.

[echappist]

What about the Simpsons? I wasn't a big fan but obviously I'm sure the kids would love it. It's brilliant. Is it appropriate for kids (age 8 and 10)? For example, I don't think Southpark is at all for my kids' ages.

So much of the Simpsons (especially the latter seasons) are referential, and one truly doesn't get to appreciate that until one has absorbed enough pop culture. For instance, there were numerous episodes that at least referenced to (if wasn't directly based on) The Godfather, and those references would be lost upon kids.

Otoh, some of the more original, earlier season stuff if probably okay, assuming you kids understand what is being caricatured and lampooned.

Just curious what shows surprised you that your kids responded positively to. Thanks for any recs.

Surprised that no one has yet mentioned Doctor Who. Definitely started out as a show for kids/teens, but it has become so much more. They did manage to slip in a lot of innuendos in some of the seasons, but it will probably sail pass your kids' heads. I (as an adult) personally have great fondness for the Capaldi era.

[Mabouya]

one truly doesn't get to appreciate that until one has absorbed enough pop culture.

Or the show's references to modern art.

(not to be confused with the other parodies of the Hopper painting using Simpsons characters, which did not actually appear in the show)

[echappist]

Or the show's references to modern art.

(not to be confused with the other parodies of the Hopper painting using Simpsons characters, which did not actually appear in the show)

Good call. And that would apply to art in general. See the following snippet, which references to the heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum and expressly shows Mr. Burns "owning" Rembrandt's "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee and Vermeer's "The Concert". I also recall Bart playing recordings of Miles Davis from the former's treehouse (I think it was a track from Kind of Blue), or how they had a snippet of Pagliacci. Actually not a bad way to broad a child's horizon, if one first sifts the chaff episodes.

[holliscx]

Shout out to whoever (Josh?) recommended Heartland. My son, almost 12, and I just plowed through 15 seasons! Honestly I thought someone was joking at first but we loved watching the show together. I can't think of another word but wholesome. I know that sounds cheesy and I don't think the show is for adults per se but my son is the perfect age to watch a coming of age family drama with horses as the thread. We really enjoyed the Alberta setting and horse porn. They're filming a 16th season now I believe.

My kids are rabid Top Chef fans. We've watched everything to date. They didn't like Project Runway as much.

I think we're going to check out Spain On the Road Again just because they'll enjoy that they get most of the Spanish bits.

My friend in Charlottesville says everyone is watching Mandalorian with their kids now.

I think Wonder Years is probably still relevant if we can find it. I don't do Bob Saget comedies or Everybody Loves Raymond or anything of that ilk so Full House is probably out.

[David in Maine]

My wife turned me on to this Youtube cooking show Jun's Kitchen. It's the most relaxing show ever showing exquisite Japanese cooking (amazing knife skills!). It also features cute cats and bike rides (with cats) to beautiful farms to gather local ingredients. Check it out if you fancy cooking shows that don't have competition and drama. https://www.youtube.com/c/JunsKitchen