What do you think is the best british tv show to sum up life in Britain?

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haggis_catcher-@reddit

Any council estate kid knows shameless was a documentary

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AlDu14@reddit

Oh 100%, doesn't matter if it's set in Manchester, Glasgow or even London. Shameless (the original UK one) showed exactly what Council Estate Britain looked like in the early 00s.

Hell, my estate even had its own versions of Frank Gallagher and Paddy Maguire.

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PrognosticateProfit@reddit

Not a council estate kid but grew up with mates from council estates. Shameless was my first thought seeing this thread.

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Altruistic_Fruit2345@reddit

The Office was just a knock off of I'm Alan Partridge, and not as funny. Just amped up the cringe.

IAP describes a whole swathe of the population.

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tweetopia@reddit

The Royle Family was more like my childhood.

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Cool_Doubt2152@reddit

Surely it’s one of the soaps (minus some bizarre storylines), like Coronation Street, Emerdale.

Though definitely not Hollyoaks

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j7seven@reddit

Lack of swearing removes any realism.

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Cool_Doubt2152@reddit

More so from the perspective of the mundane side of every day life

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Critical_Bee1286@reddit

The first few series of Shameless were pretty much like watching a documentary for me

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TruthsNoRemedy@reddit

Of its time - only fools and horses. My father had their living room from wallpaper to sofa and the bar. So much of the show had a grounding of reality. We all knew that pub, it was every pub.

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eggs_and_ham_i_am@reddit

This country, People just do nothing and The Inbetweeners

Between the three of them they cover a large portion of UK culture.

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touchmypenguinagain@reddit

My first thought was The Inbetweeners, at least for adolescence. It's taken to 11, but there's a lot there's that relatable.

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an7667@reddit

Inbetweeners is taken up to like 20, not 11! It’s a great show and very funny but I’m not sure it’s an accurate description of your average kids life

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rice_fish_and_eggs@reddit

Just wait until the skins brigade turn up to tell you their childhood was exactly like that.

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an7667@reddit

Oh help, I’m surprised that one got me downvoted!

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This-Risk-3737@reddit

This Country is amazing if you grew up rurally. A setting that must be familiar to so many people, but had seemingly never made it to the TV before.

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halwoll@reddit

God, I was at school when the Inbetweeners was airing. There were soooo many comparisons to the characters.

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TheRadishBros@reddit

This Country would have been massive if they did more seasons, but I understand why they didn’t want to following the death of Slugs.

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BadahBingBadahBoom@reddit

Inbetweeners for school life, Fresh Meat for uni life, Peep Show for life life.

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Sharkus316@reddit

This Country was a perfect representation of growing up in a British village in the middle of nowhere. I related to that show so hard.

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AttorneyDramatic1148@reddit

Peep Show. It's the first show that I recommended to Chinese or Koreans when I lived there.

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I accidentally gave your comment an award (it was free) and didn't mean to so I pressed undo and then realised you might have got a notification for getting an award and then I felt bad that it would no longer be there so I've given you it back haha.

I do agree with the comment so it's earned!

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Altruistic_Air7369@reddit

And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I like youuuu

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

Most unintentional Mark Corrigan response ever.

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Alive_Ice7937@reddit

I'm going to leave a tenner and a note

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Awkward-Loquat2228@reddit

Awards are like giving someone your sperm, you can't really ask for it back

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Freckled_Scot982@reddit

I thought the exact same thing!

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infantile-eloquence@reddit

And then I go and spoil it all by doing something stupid like this a-ward

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gilestowler@reddit

Inbetweeners for being young, Peep Show for being an adult, This Country for living in the countryside.

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This-Risk-3737@reddit

Didn't expect that to come up! Love the show, but I didn't find it remotely relatable.

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IntelligentPiece513@reddit

Butter the toast. Eat the toast. Shit the toast. God, life’s relentless.

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Alive_Ice7937@reddit

White's the dessert

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touchmypenguinagain@reddit

'course I'm the one who's laughing, because I actually love brown toast.

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Jackomo@reddit

Chance would be a fine thing!

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

I’m not the borough!

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theotherquantumjim@reddit

Clicked in this thread with Peep Show in my head. So pleased it’s the top response

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philljarvis166@reddit

Do you have to live quite so relentlessly in the real world?

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Alive_Ice7937@reddit

Hopefully we can all take some comfort in the scythe's mercilessly swing

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Nilithitarion@reddit

This is the correct answer

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Altruistic_Air7369@reddit

Fuckin hell I instantly thought that as soon as I saw it. God lifes relentless

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

My first thought.

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Few_Scientist5381@reddit

The League of Gentlemen.

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NobblyNobody@reddit

Royle Family

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Palealedad@reddit

This. The conversations are spot on, and there's so much talent in that cast. RIP Caroline Aherne.

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tykeoldboy@reddit

The way things are going it will be Boys from the Blackstuff

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ChangingMonkfish@reddit

The Royle Family
2.4 Children
I want to say The League of Gentlemen but it’s obviously somewhat “exaggerated” shall we say…

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Distinct-Lion4658@reddit

Secondary/6th form: Inbetweeners, Young professional/Figuring things out: Peep show, Stable routine/Family relationships: Friday night dinner

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ozzieowl@reddit

Friday night dinner is a great shout for the family dynamic.

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SuperExstatic@reddit

Only fools and horses at the time , shameless at the time , Gavin and Stacey at the time , I couldn’t think of a show that sums it up now

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Cautious_Frosting_24@reddit

Shameless

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neilm1000@reddit

The Inbetweeners.

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minadequate@reddit

I think ‘The Change’ is a solid comparison to ‘Detectorists’. But only Detectorists makes me so homesick (I no longer live in the Uk) that I cry.

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baskaat@reddit

One of the best shows EVER!

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apeliott@reddit

Monkey Dust

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vvitchteeth@reddit

I had unrestricted access to TV as a kid, and that show terrified me so much I was crying about it at school the next day

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FoxesFan91@reddit

TIMMYYYY!!!

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Ok-Direction-8257@reddit

God I miss that show.

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OkVeterinarian197@reddit

I love how there is just one reply and it's what I was going to put. It's as close to the bone today as it was then

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bife_de_lomo@reddit

"Under English Law you are Innocent until speculated Guilty!"

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Different-Sir-638@reddit

This is the correct answer.

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Lan-Lano@reddit

Shameless

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Election-Usual@reddit

mr bean

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lordrothermere@reddit

House of Cards

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Gelkoid@reddit

You mean House of Fools

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Outside-Resist4688@reddit

That is such a quitf Q!!'

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Gelkoid@reddit

Still Game

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Gelkoid@reddit

Jam

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Maz-Wye@reddit

"Shameless" for life in a Council Estate, Or "Peep Show" generally

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DameKumquat@reddit

Cunk on Britain.

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CmdFiremonkeySWP@reddit

And in particular 80s sitcom Brush Strokes.

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cutluv@reddit

The League Of Gentleman

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Captain_Swing@reddit

For the 90's it was Spaced and This Life

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Elusive_Zergling@reddit

The News?

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princesssfiona@reddit

Skins obviously

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misscharleyp@reddit

I think that 2.4 Children gave a very realistic portrayal of family life in the 1990s.

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BertBlenkinsop@reddit

Dinnerladies, banal in the work place.

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wanbo37@reddit

Come Dine with me

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majesticjewnicorn@reddit

I'd love for Dave Lamb to narrate my life

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Goldf_sh4@reddit

That's it, tomorrow I'm switching my internal monologue to Dave Lamb's voice.

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majesticjewnicorn@reddit

Same here. Currently recovering from major life saving surgery and bored to bits so that should keep me entertained lol

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Goldf_sh4@reddit

Wishing you a good recovery (in Dave Lamb's voice).

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majesticjewnicorn@reddit

Thank you so much. That's really kind of you... and Dave... embrace the inner Dave-ism

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68_namfloW@reddit

Take your comment and get off my property.

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Foreskin_Ad9356@reddit

inbetweeners

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RPTGB@reddit

Shameless

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britinnit@reddit

This Country, Royle Family, Inbetweeners

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AltoVulpes@reddit

Early Doors

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SubjectAd9940@reddit

‘The Thick of it’ for a slice of large corporate life.

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Alive_Ice7937@reddit

Features one of my favourite setup and payoffs

Early in the episode: "My plate's fuller than a spinster's at a wedding..... that's not a reference to your daughter by the way"

Later: "this event has become one massive abortion!.... again, not a reference to your daughter"

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SubjectAd9940@reddit

There were some great set ups as well as one liners in the show!

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Alive_Ice7937@reddit

I loved Terri getting flustered at the tribunal rambling about her brothers and a hamster in a remote control aeroplane.

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ichbinsehr_g4y@reddit

I have a soft spot for Skins

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68_namfloW@reddit

My Family.

Need to carry on watching it.

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KingKhram@reddit

All the shows that were mentioned in the comments and mixed up. Age dependent

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LilacScentedStoat@reddit

Bottom

It captures the desperation and the meaninglessness of it all..

"You get born, you keep your head down, than you die... If you're lucky..."

And it really really does an amazing job of portraying the absolute drws and fear that comes from a visit by the gas man.

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Alive_Ice7937@reddit

"Hello Samaritans?..... Richard Richard.... Hello? HELLO?!!.... BASTARDS!!"

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ADHDTea@reddit

How has no one said Little Britain🤣

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eggs_and_ham_i_am@reddit

Cause it's was and is shit

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Awkward-Loquat2228@reddit

Oh look, revisionism. It was insanely popular and no one critisised it at the time. But people do love to pretend "I always disliked it actually"

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omamy@reddit

Nighty Night 🤭🤭

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minadequate@reddit

Motherland

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68_namfloW@reddit

Convinced Motherland is a documentary about my missus. Her names Julia …

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ThanosandHobbes@reddit

League of gentlemen

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CanIjusttho@reddit

Came to say this, I knew someone would get there before me!

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BookWurm_90@reddit

The Brittas Empire

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IndependentSky2708@reddit

Common As Muck. Series 1. 1994.

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ADHDJ86@reddit

Crimewatch

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Willywonka5725@reddit

Shameless.

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im_not_funny12@reddit

This country

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TPWilder@reddit

Wait, are you telling me that Midsomer Murders isn't accurate?

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AnonymousTimewaster@reddit

Inbetweeners for teen years, Fresh Meat during uni, Peep Show after

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Competitive_Rub_9590@reddit

Only fools and horses

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No_Counter_4763@reddit

Had to scroll for this!

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MelvsBDA@reddit

Ready, steady, cook.

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RobTheMonk@reddit

Michael Portillo's UK railway journeys.

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MovieMelodic5730@reddit

Wouldn’t say it’s my favourite but I do think it depicts British people well lol. Shameless UK version

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OptionalQuality789@reddit

Still Game was honestly very accurate on Scottish life.

Pretty much everyone is just stating English shows as British life.

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DM_Joey@reddit

Gavin & Stacey

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Sleepy-Lizard384@reddit

My first thought exactly

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crgoodw@reddit

Had to scroll way too far for this one!

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Jpmoz999@reddit

Depends on the consumer

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Insideout_Ink_Demon@reddit

Not that I'm a fan, but the first ep of Gavin & Stacey summed up British drink culture in that era

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Organic-Path-8961@reddit

Still Game

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Sandy_Bananas@reddit

For whom, what age, what era?

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wobbecongo@reddit

Shameless

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UnexpectedVader@reddit

Everytime I go to Great Yarmouth for a laugh it always reminds me of Threads

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Electronic_Yard_6016@reddit

Skins

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LukeSkywalkerDog@reddit

Keeping up appearances

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FredH3663@reddit

The most British attitude

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Proud_Durian6956@reddit

The Inbetweeners

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Agitated_Ad_6774@reddit

The guys in this show were the same school age as me and my mates at the time. I remember it being the best thing on earth!

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Jimmy-84@reddit

The Office

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overthesevernbridge@reddit

Definitely this!

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HMS--Thunderchild@reddit

all quiet on the preston front, anyone?

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shamone_mofo@reddit

Bread

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aethelberga@reddit

Royale Family & W1A

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Miserable-Rub-4053@reddit

In my part of the world, Shameless.

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daniscross@reddit

This Country.

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peterchekhov@reddit

Yep, growing up in a rural town, but not the rich rural type, but the type with the local dirty peeper and plenty of boredom.

The Steam fair did used to be good though.

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tranquessence@reddit

I wonder if you could be so kind in telling me, what the fuck is pesto?

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Unlucky-Public-2947@reddit

Rural: this country

Suburbs: the office

Cities: people doing nothing

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sunnyspells822@reddit

Seconded

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dayus9@reddit

Monkey Dust.

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DistinctVariation775@reddit

depends where you grew up i guess. I grew up in wiltshire ..so to me its this country.. its all true.haha.

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mixtapetom@reddit

Spaced

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ZT0141@reddit

The inbetweeners

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cheesegf@reddit

surprised at the lack of Outnumbered! very realistic depiction of british life as a family with kids imo

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Thenedslittlegirl@reddit

The Royale Family, The Office

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MiserableSympathy230@reddit

The Office and Peep Show

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lizziemoo@reddit

The Royle Family, Peep Show, This Country, Early Doors, People Just Do Nothing, The Detectorists and The Office

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TepidHalibut@reddit

Reggie Perrin. (Either original, or Clunes reboot.)

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Wrecked-Tum@reddit

Mighty boosh

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Akitapal@reddit

Still Game - pure brilliant. A timeless Scottish classic!

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MaleFeministActuary@reddit

Peep Show

1 office drone and 1 bum share a flat in London into their middle age as they try to chase around women and survive their horrid lives.

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jackyLAD@reddit

20 year olds in the 90's? This Life....

30 year olds in the 00's.... definitely not This Life.

In general - I think British TV has a lot of "true to life" and relatable TV, if we're comparing to say, American stuff. For instance, I have many American friends who claim essentially every High School show is wild... on the flip side, I can relate to a lot of the British Young Adult stuff. I mean, I'm talking outside of the core themes they all touch upon which are mostly accurate, but lifestyles and the environments generally.

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spinners_888@reddit

This Life

Outnumbered

2 Point 4 Children

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Consistent-Koala-339@reddit

The inbetweeners

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Friendly-Chocolate@reddit

Inbetweeners for school life and Peep Show for adult life

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Past-Obligation1930@reddit

Porterhouse blue.

Fuck you, paupers.

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Friendly_Bad_8882@reddit

Shameless

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Ill-Basil2863@reddit

Surprised how far down I had to scroll to find this.

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Cloudinthesilver@reddit

Not life in Britain, but for politics in Britain, “Yes, Minister”

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Draigdwi@reddit

Little Britain

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Nandor1262@reddit

Fresh Meat

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Honest_Cricket9454@reddit

This is England.

A masterclass in cultural storytelling.

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BrilliantOne3767@reddit

Spaced & Skins

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MercatorLondon@reddit

Phoenix Nights

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Upstairs-Quail5709@reddit

Yes, Minister......

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SpudGun_262@reddit

The Royal Family

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shakey4321@reddit

We call it The Crown

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CurlyWhirlyDirly@reddit

*Royle

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DollySheep32@reddit

Blackadder

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Naive_Vegetable1535@reddit

shameless and brassic

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WoolaWoodley@reddit

Phoenix nights

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Asena89@reddit

Thick Of air

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Stunning_Buyer_64@reddit

Only fools and horses

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1whoisconcerned@reddit

The Young Ones

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Marcoos@reddit

Inbetweeners

Peep Show

Outnumbered

Detectorists

The Office

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