One of my favorites shows on TV (actually Hulu) is BBC’s Rev. It is about Rev. Adam Smallbone, a Vicar of a small inner city Anglican perish in London. If you have ever worked in a small church context or an inner city context you will appreciate this show. If you don’t believe me ask Mark Stevens!
Here are some sample clips (that admittedly are even funnier in the context of an episode):
I have seen three episodes (that is all Hulu has available this far) but it has dealt with sticky issues related to helping the poor, interfaith relations, contemporary church, maintaining a healthy sex life with one’s spouse, and the danger of being judgmental when combating social ills. I won’t say anymore, but if you are familiar with “church life” I think you will like this show.
the archives near Emmaus 
Some episodes I cry laughing and others I cry at how real it is. This is a brilliant series about the realities most pastors face.
Also, since when did you add adverts to the blog?
About a month ago to see if it could provide some extra income. I’ve been writing for free for about seven years now. 🙂
Ha. Is it working?
It’s so-so. I made about $20 my first month, but they don’t pay you until you surpass $100, so it may be a while before I see anything. That said, $20 is the price of a book, yes? So I think the blog will benefit if I can buy four or five books every five months or so. 😉
Nice. You students need it!
Exactly!
Fantastic series generally – but it can be painful as well as funny – definitely makes me squirm at times.
BBC has both good and bad … or very good and very bad according to one’s world view. Even so, I’m impressed there’s at least one American aware of the BBC. Well done.
That was a stereotype. I apologize.
Ali
Episode 3 has some scenes that made me squirm. I imagine there will be more.
Andrew
I know a lot of Americans who like Sherlock and Dr. Who. 🙂
The same guy that did Sherlock did Jekyll. It’s also very good, though less so than Sherlock; much edgier, and equally impacting in the story’s twists.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/jekyll/
Priceless, Brian! Could have been a church in our neck of the woods! I can’t believe we’ve missed this; Sharon and I are BBC fans! Thanks!
It’s a great show. I think you’ll love it!
@Andrew — It’s totally a reasonable assumption to make, but it’s actually quite common. Many BBC shows, both old and new, air on our own public television station, PBS (I adored “All Creatures Great and Small” as a kid). Same with NPR, our public radio. My local station has national or local programming for most of the day, but streams the BBC world service from 2300–0600, and then airs the BBC newshour at 9. I was listening to the BBC when I read your comment, so of course I had to reply!
@Brian — Thanks for pointing that out! I get excited for new shows to watch . . .
The creation of this show is interesting. It’s not written by Christians – it came into being when the writer realised people were going to his local church to get into the local church school and he thought there was some stories to tell about this. However the writer consulted lots of ordained clergy and it is definitely a hit with many British ministers from all shades of the Christian church. Some of us love it and others hate it – it’s one of those shows that provokes a strong response.
Christians have traditionally had a pretty rubbish image on UK TV but this show has gone down really well – when ministry and faith is shown as an imperfect 3 dimensional reality the world seems to warm to us more than when we are looking strong and invincible.
Rosemary
You’re welcome!
Ali
I can see how this show would bring down the guards of some people.