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01/11/2012 17:42 | By Lorna Cooper, editor, MSN TV
Channel 4 at 30: from comedy to news, its defining shows
Channel 4 at 30: Friends
3 of 30
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The lives and loves of six 20-somethings in New York becomes the biggest sitcom in the world. In its earlier days, Channel 4 had a knack for discovering the best US shows; millions tuned into early successes like Cheers, Roseanne, The Golden Girls, The Cosby Show, Family Ties and Hill Street Blues (although the latter aired first on ITV).
However, Channel 4's reputation as the home for the best US programmes was consolidated by the acquisition of Friends and ER in the mid-1990s (funnily enough, seasons 4-6 of both shows aired first on Sky). Frasier, NYPD Blue, Homicide: Life on the Street and Thirtysomething were all fine additions to the portfolio.
Sex and the City, The Sopranos, The West Wing, Will and Grace and Six Feet Under built on the tradition. Let's not forget Desperate Housewives and, of course, Homeland.
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29Comments
02/11/2012 09:34
Thought it was a list of the worst ever at first. Big Brother, Gypsy Wedding awful stuff. Considering Ch 4, just looking at the comedy genre, is the home of Max Headroom, Father Ted, the Inbetweeners, Peep Show, Green Wing, Spaced and Drop the Dead Donkey all original and truly creative shows, I don't know what the compilers of the list were thinking. Big Brother is a rip off of a Dutch concept and Gypsy wedding is just yet another reality TV show. Not exactly ground breaking stuff.
02/11/2012 06:37
channel 4 should rerun brookside as part of its anniversary it is still missed
02/11/2012 10:26
I'm surprised Peep Show isn't mention, it was probably one of C4 funniest tv shows ever.
02/11/2012 12:53
No menton of The Crystal Maze?
02/11/2012 12:41
WHERE IS COME DINE WITH ME!
02/11/2012 14:30
I'm in agreement with John McGowan, Peep Show was probably the greatest thing ever to appear on channel 4. I also liked Sirens, and it made me sad to learn they cancelled it. Channel 4 has good and bad. I think it's a fantastic channel for documentaries and certain comedies, but then it lets me down with reality shows. But then, every bloody channel has saddened me with reality shows. If TV is escapism, why would I want to watch a reality show? I guess it's a matter of personal preference.
02/11/2012 12:26
I agree with the dumbing down comment, it's exactly what these reality TV shows are about, & they don't stop at Big Brother, they can include these suedo-style reality shows that show people in ordinary situations hyped up to the max for drama & ratings, showing fake interaction that make you think "ah they're a really nice couple" anything from Eddie Stobart truckers to Ice Road Truckers all of the 'reality TV' theme in them. Big Brother is a programme designed to make people think being under CCTV is good & to be ever more acceptant of it & watching random people sleeping and arguing if entertainment when it is anything but.
02/11/2012 14:44
Some of the greatest comedies have been channel 4 shows. The rest of their stuff is fecking 5hit. (tribute to father ted there)
02/11/2012 13:53
roland rat
02/11/2012 07:08
why oh why was this diva not given the sack for being a junkie?
02/11/2012 07:11
This show was brilliant :-)
02/11/2012 19:27
Carol you must have had some work done.!!!!::)))))
02/11/2012 15:28
Where's Time Team?
02/11/2012 15:26
HAPPY BIRTHDAY C4. CAROL VORDERMAN IS STILL GORGEOUS. AND STILL HAS THAT CURVACIOUS FIGURE. THAT WOWMEN WANT WHEN THEY GET TO 50.. LOVE YOU CAROL X.
02/11/2012 14:43
Channel 4 has been brilliant and I love 4OD. Here's to another 30 years!
02/11/2012 13:53
roland rat
02/11/2012 12:44
I like Hollyoaks too what channel 4 has given us but some of the actors haven't had any recognition for playing the part well like Lindsey, Silas, or Brendan.
02/11/2012 12:02
Looking through the shows remind me of why i never watch channel 4
02/11/2012 10:47
30 years of almost total garbage. Dumbing down reality shows that would not be watched by anyone with a mental age above three. Some of the comedy has been good, but channel 4 like other TV channels does what it is supposed to do ; distract people from what is really going on and try to keep us all as ignorant as possible. And just going by what people talk about in work the next day, they are doing a marvelous job.
02/11/2012 10:22
So how did you miss out DEAL or NO DEAL which apart from Countdown has to be Channel 4's Best ever Show to date.
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