What to watch after Poirot, Granada Holmes, and Quantum Leap?
October 7, 2022 1:26 PM Subscribe
I’ve recently been enjoying 80s-90s TV with self-contained episodes (no or very little overarching plot) and minimal complicated camerawork, lighting, cuts, etc. (I find it difficult to process much modern TV for this reason.)
I enjoy some drama but not a ton of action, and having a few good characters to root for and see interact—I don’t like large recurring casts with complicated relationships. I’m not interested in sitcoms or comedy focused shows (though humor is fine as long as it’s not the point). Preferably not too “gritty” though obviously Poirot-level intensity and murder is fine as long as there’s a general positive ending. I wouldn’t be interested in the vibes of The Twilighr Zone for example. SFF and murder mystery are the only genres I’ve been exposed to so far but I’m not opposed to others.
Assume I lived under a rock and didn’t have television most of my childhood—even the most obvious suggestions welcome. Star Trek is the only thought I have so far but I don’t know how large the cast gets or how much overarching plot there is. I’m leaning towards more 80s-90s stuff (or earlier) as I feel like the state of technology at the time really helps with my sensory processing issues, but open to more modern stuff that feels similar.
I enjoy some drama but not a ton of action, and having a few good characters to root for and see interact—I don’t like large recurring casts with complicated relationships. I’m not interested in sitcoms or comedy focused shows (though humor is fine as long as it’s not the point). Preferably not too “gritty” though obviously Poirot-level intensity and murder is fine as long as there’s a general positive ending. I wouldn’t be interested in the vibes of The Twilighr Zone for example. SFF and murder mystery are the only genres I’ve been exposed to so far but I’m not opposed to others.
Assume I lived under a rock and didn’t have television most of my childhood—even the most obvious suggestions welcome. Star Trek is the only thought I have so far but I don’t know how large the cast gets or how much overarching plot there is. I’m leaning towards more 80s-90s stuff (or earlier) as I feel like the state of technology at the time really helps with my sensory processing issues, but open to more modern stuff that feels similar.
All Creatures Great and Small (the original series, I haven't seen the remake.)
posted by rjs at 1:41 PM on October 7, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by rjs at 1:41 PM on October 7, 2022 [5 favorites]
You might enjoy Columbo.
Star Trek: The Next Generation should be pretty manageable in terms of smallish cast size, not much overarching plot. Much as I love Deep Space Nine, it leans a little more into longer plot arcs.
posted by Jeanne at 1:46 PM on October 7, 2022 [10 favorites]
Star Trek: The Next Generation should be pretty manageable in terms of smallish cast size, not much overarching plot. Much as I love Deep Space Nine, it leans a little more into longer plot arcs.
posted by Jeanne at 1:46 PM on October 7, 2022 [10 favorites]
Columbo has had a recent surge in popularity:
posted by General Malaise at 1:46 PM on October 7, 2022 [9 favorites]
I had started getting into Columbo a little before the pandemic. I wanted something removed from the recent past. I also wanted something I could watch, not something I had to get into. I didn’t want to have to get that invested in another cast of characters. I wanted one person who I enjoyed watching to show up in every episode. I didn’t need another show that takes an entire season to get to the point. I want the case solved in a little over an hour. Where murder is involved, I want things to be handled as lightly as possible. I also want a lot of episodes. Not just like five or six seasons, but multiple decades’ worth.I'd also add Picket Fences, which was way better than it had any right to be.
posted by General Malaise at 1:46 PM on October 7, 2022 [9 favorites]
Agatha Christie's Marple
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
The Mrs Bradley Mysteries
[An older anthology series and maybe bottle episodes within narrative series might work]
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:46 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
The Mrs Bradley Mysteries
[An older anthology series and maybe bottle episodes within narrative series might work]
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:46 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
yeah Columbo was my recommendation
posted by dismas at 1:56 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by dismas at 1:56 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
I have a soft spot for old Perry Mason episodes.
posted by nkknkk at 2:07 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by nkknkk at 2:07 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
You might like Due South (Chicago cop and Mountie team up; together, they fight crime!).
posted by praemunire at 2:17 PM on October 7, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 2:17 PM on October 7, 2022 [12 favorites]
Star Trek: TNG has about 8 main characters, though they kind of switch up who is featured in the "A" plot so you're only dealing with one or two primary characters in an episode while the rest are relegated to the "B" plot. I'd say that maybe 95% of episodes are one-offs and don't particularly contribute to an overarching plot, and it's really easy to spot which episodes are going to be Too Much if you read the episode summary before you watch. You might want to start with season 2 because some of that first season isn't that great IMO. Star Trek Voyager is much the same, but they really leaned into the CG explosions in later seasons. Deep Space Nine starts out pretty episodic but the plot that spans the entire series gets heavier as you go.
Besides Star Trek, maybe you'd like Xena or Charmed? The various Stargates have a higher rate of "big plot" episodes and explosions, but are pretty enjoyable and have a smaller core cast.
posted by little king trashmouth at 2:20 PM on October 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Besides Star Trek, maybe you'd like Xena or Charmed? The various Stargates have a higher rate of "big plot" episodes and explosions, but are pretty enjoyable and have a smaller core cast.
posted by little king trashmouth at 2:20 PM on October 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Seconding All of Iris Gambol’s recs. We watch a lot of this kind of tv around our house, so… and be sure to check both the newer Marple and the 80s with Joan Hickson. And for sure Murder, She Wrote as above. Other suggestions:
Foyle’s War
Lord Peter Wimsey series
Maybe Rumpole of the Bailey
Maybe Midsomer Murders.
Warning about Columbo—it’s great, but there are a few episodes that use “snazzy” 70s filming techniques. Flashing colors, weirdly signaled dream/paranoia sequences etc. Not all of them but something to be aware of for sensory purposes.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:21 PM on October 7, 2022 [4 favorites]
Foyle’s War
Lord Peter Wimsey series
Maybe Rumpole of the Bailey
Maybe Midsomer Murders.
Warning about Columbo—it’s great, but there are a few episodes that use “snazzy” 70s filming techniques. Flashing colors, weirdly signaled dream/paranoia sequences etc. Not all of them but something to be aware of for sensory purposes.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:21 PM on October 7, 2022 [4 favorites]
2nding Picket Fences
posted by walkinginsunshine at 2:30 PM on October 7, 2022
posted by walkinginsunshine at 2:30 PM on October 7, 2022
Inspector Morse
Vera - though really a 2000s era series, I think it will still meet your reqs.
posted by brookeb at 3:17 PM on October 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Vera - though really a 2000s era series, I think it will still meet your reqs.
posted by brookeb at 3:17 PM on October 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
You might enjoy Scarecrow and Mrs. King ("The adventures of a housewife and a spy, with whom she fell in love" which sounds kinda awful but it was the '80s and it's better than the summary).
In a similar vein: Remington Steele, which is about "a female private detective partnered with a former thief who assumes the role of a fictitious detective in the business" and was the role that kind of catapulted Pierce Brosnan to fame.
They can both be lighthearted fun veering into dodgy, especially Steele in its later eps because Brosnan wanted out to go be James Bond, but for the most part I think they'd check your boxes well.
You might enjoy Moonlighting, which was Bruce Willis's big stepping stone, where he teams up with Cybill Shepherd to run a detective agency. It definitely gets a bit dodgy toward the end of its run (lots of big issues among the cast and the creator), but those first few seasons are great and many, many shows aped them afterward. It definitely leans a bit more comedic in tone, though it's not necessarily a comedy.
Oh, and one of my faves: Hart to Hart, about the globe-trotting adventures of wealthy amateur detectives Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, played by Stefanie Powers and Robert Wagner.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 3:21 PM on October 7, 2022 [11 favorites]
In a similar vein: Remington Steele, which is about "a female private detective partnered with a former thief who assumes the role of a fictitious detective in the business" and was the role that kind of catapulted Pierce Brosnan to fame.
They can both be lighthearted fun veering into dodgy, especially Steele in its later eps because Brosnan wanted out to go be James Bond, but for the most part I think they'd check your boxes well.
You might enjoy Moonlighting, which was Bruce Willis's big stepping stone, where he teams up with Cybill Shepherd to run a detective agency. It definitely gets a bit dodgy toward the end of its run (lots of big issues among the cast and the creator), but those first few seasons are great and many, many shows aped them afterward. It definitely leans a bit more comedic in tone, though it's not necessarily a comedy.
Oh, and one of my faves: Hart to Hart, about the globe-trotting adventures of wealthy amateur detectives Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, played by Stefanie Powers and Robert Wagner.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 3:21 PM on October 7, 2022 [11 favorites]
The 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle
posted by veery at 3:29 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by veery at 3:29 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
Death in Paradise (Britbox) has been going for 10 seasons or so and it's a very traditional Poirot-style murder mystery -- complete with the detective unnecessarily calling everyone together to explain how he solved the crime before arresting one of them -- in a lovely tropical setting.
Very diverse cast although there's a tiny whiff of colonialism. Funny at times, dramatic at times. And it almost fits into your 80s-90s concept because the island lacks modern things like ubiquitous security cameras and CSI scientists.
It does have the standard Midsomer Murders / Inspector Morse problem of course: They're on an island with a peaceful small-town setting and everybody has a happy vibe, but once a week one or two people get murdered... Makes you wonder what reputation that island would have in real life after 10 years.
posted by mmoncur at 3:49 PM on October 7, 2022 [7 favorites]
Very diverse cast although there's a tiny whiff of colonialism. Funny at times, dramatic at times. And it almost fits into your 80s-90s concept because the island lacks modern things like ubiquitous security cameras and CSI scientists.
It does have the standard Midsomer Murders / Inspector Morse problem of course: They're on an island with a peaceful small-town setting and everybody has a happy vibe, but once a week one or two people get murdered... Makes you wonder what reputation that island would have in real life after 10 years.
posted by mmoncur at 3:49 PM on October 7, 2022 [7 favorites]
Regarding Columbo: if you can, watch Ransom for a Dead Man and Prescription: Murder first. These are the original Levinson and Link films that introduced the character. (I saw Ransom for a Dead Man when it was first aired, and I wondered who is this shabby guy in a raincoat? Comedy relief? Nope!)
posted by SPrintF at 4:35 PM on October 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by SPrintF at 4:35 PM on October 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
The Jeremy Brett/David Burke Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Each episode is a complete story. Jeremy Brett has done a lot of Sherlock Holmes but these are the ones I remember watching as a kid.
posted by fiercekitten at 4:42 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by fiercekitten at 4:42 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
Made in Canada season 1 (it switches into tradtional sitcom after) might appeal if you can stream it in your area.
posted by Mitheral at 4:42 PM on October 7, 2022
posted by Mitheral at 4:42 PM on October 7, 2022
I can't believe I'm this far down and nobody has suggested Father Brown.
Also Miss Marple, Death in Paradise and Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries definitely. Admittedly all of these lean heavily in the Poirot direction. Oh, and that one with Alan Davies, Jonathan Creek is not bad.
posted by Glinn at 4:50 PM on October 7, 2022 [10 favorites]
Also Miss Marple, Death in Paradise and Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries definitely. Admittedly all of these lean heavily in the Poirot direction. Oh, and that one with Alan Davies, Jonathan Creek is not bad.
posted by Glinn at 4:50 PM on October 7, 2022 [10 favorites]
Columbo was part of a series called the NBC Mystery Theater. Two other shows from that series I remember liking are McCloud and Quincy. Quincy is a medical mystery show - the main character, played by Jack Klugman, is a coroner.
Also, from the 70s, Marcus Welby MD might be a good choice. It's from before the era of medical shows with huge casts, and the main characters are two doctors in private practice together. When I was taking catechism classes and the nun asked what TV shows we watched, that was the show the nuns were watching - so it might be a good choice for you if "watched by 70s nuns" sounds like a recommendation.
If you like Inspector Morse, the sidekick from that show later had his own similar show called Lewis that you might like. And there's a more recent show about young Inspector Morse called Endeavor that I thought was good.
posted by FencingGal at 5:02 PM on October 7, 2022 [5 favorites]
Also, from the 70s, Marcus Welby MD might be a good choice. It's from before the era of medical shows with huge casts, and the main characters are two doctors in private practice together. When I was taking catechism classes and the nun asked what TV shows we watched, that was the show the nuns were watching - so it might be a good choice for you if "watched by 70s nuns" sounds like a recommendation.
If you like Inspector Morse, the sidekick from that show later had his own similar show called Lewis that you might like. And there's a more recent show about young Inspector Morse called Endeavor that I thought was good.
posted by FencingGal at 5:02 PM on October 7, 2022 [5 favorites]
Star Trek: The Next Generation is a show I associate with all of these things. The first season is not very good, but it gets much better. It’s the kind of show I find equally enjoyable to watch or just have on in the background as a comforting presence while I pack for a vacation or something.
posted by wondermouse at 5:05 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by wondermouse at 5:05 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
For something more recent, if you are open to reading subtitles, I wonder if you might like the Korean drama Hospital Playlist. It’s a very gentle medical drama that revolves around a small group of childhood friends that grew up to work in the same hospital.
posted by wondermouse at 5:13 PM on October 7, 2022
posted by wondermouse at 5:13 PM on October 7, 2022
Oh, the mention of Jonathan Creek above reminded me of another fave: Lovejoy, a UK series about "a lovable rogue and antiques dealer with an amazing talent for spotting hidden treasures. When not looking for the odd collectible, Lovejoy spends most of his time using his con-artist skills to help out the less fortunate" starring Ian McShane. It's on Acorn right now.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 5:29 PM on October 7, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 5:29 PM on October 7, 2022 [8 favorites]
Maybe MASH?
posted by freethefeet at 6:14 PM on October 7, 2022
posted by freethefeet at 6:14 PM on October 7, 2022
A good chunk of these shows above are known as "cozy mystery" shows, where it's a puzzle/mystery but the pace is calm and the characters are interesting and leaning to the funny side.
I'll list some of our favorites here:
Britbox: Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Death in Paradise, Father Brown, Sister Boniface (sequel to Father Brown)
MHz Choice: Captain Marleau, Criminal Games, Bastards of Pizzofalcone, Murder In...
AcornTV: My Life is Murder, Brokenwood Mysteries, Sommerdahl Murders
Peacock: Monk
Other good shows that aren't murder/crime but have similar vibes:
Netflix: Grace and Frankie, Last Tango in Halifax
MHz Choice: Crime Scene Cleaner (the German one, not the British one)
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:03 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'll list some of our favorites here:
Britbox: Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Death in Paradise, Father Brown, Sister Boniface (sequel to Father Brown)
MHz Choice: Captain Marleau, Criminal Games, Bastards of Pizzofalcone, Murder In...
AcornTV: My Life is Murder, Brokenwood Mysteries, Sommerdahl Murders
Peacock: Monk
Other good shows that aren't murder/crime but have similar vibes:
Netflix: Grace and Frankie, Last Tango in Halifax
MHz Choice: Crime Scene Cleaner (the German one, not the British one)
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:03 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Magnum, PI is my go-to for this type of tv watching.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:32 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Sassyfras at 7:32 PM on October 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Pie in the Sky is another cozy mystery series - retired detective opens a restaurant and fails to stop solving crime.
posted by offog at 7:40 PM on October 7, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by offog at 7:40 PM on October 7, 2022 [4 favorites]
From the Canadian perspective (which I'm bringing up since Due South was mentioned above), I'd say you want Adderly, but I don't think that is streaming anywhere at the moment. Since you said you're fine with SFF, then you want the first two seasons of the vampire cop show Forever Knight (skip the third and final season). Streaming info here.
posted by sardonyx at 7:54 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by sardonyx at 7:54 PM on October 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
Another vote for Due South, which was charming, and also for Lovejoy. They're both billed as comedy-dramas; they're light-hearted and don't take themselves entirely seriously, but it's not sitcom-level forced humour.
Does historical drama appeal at all? I think I only saw the first season of it, but I remember Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman as being rather gentle and straightforward. It sounds as if it might be a good idea to stop at the end of season 5.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:59 AM on October 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
Does historical drama appeal at all? I think I only saw the first season of it, but I remember Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman as being rather gentle and straightforward. It sounds as if it might be a good idea to stop at the end of season 5.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 3:59 AM on October 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
NYPD Blue may be too intense for your cozy vibe needs, but damn is it good.
Midsomer Murders is my go-to "leave the TV on all day" comfort stream.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:00 AM on October 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
Midsomer Murders is my go-to "leave the TV on all day" comfort stream.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:00 AM on October 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
A couple of "cozier" SF shows you might give a try would be Warehouse 13 and Eureka. I think you will know pretty quickly (i.e. in the first episode of each) whether they work for you or not.
posted by gudrun at 7:39 AM on October 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 7:39 AM on October 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
Rockford Files was a total fave for me. I’m sorry, I don’t know if you can stream of these days or where. Private detective played by James Garner and the character of his dad on the show it was great.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:36 PM on October 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 1:36 PM on October 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
Nobody else saw Diagnosis: Murder with Dick Van Dyke and his son Jim Chimmerney Van Dyke Steve solving the murders?
posted by k3ninho at 2:32 PM on October 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by k3ninho at 2:32 PM on October 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
Doc Martin is a wry comedy about a doctor starting a new practice in scenic rural Cornwall. It has a quirky undertone (note: some scenes of medical procedures) . The English are good at this sort of thing.
Father Brown is one of the classic low-key murder-mystery TV series. We watched a bunch and they really blurred together, which is a good thing in context.
posted by ovvl at 4:15 PM on October 8, 2022
Father Brown is one of the classic low-key murder-mystery TV series. We watched a bunch and they really blurred together, which is a good thing in context.
posted by ovvl at 4:15 PM on October 8, 2022
The singing detective?
Death in paradise?
Might not be of interest, but both seem kind of (Suchet) Poirot-like to me.
posted by eotvos at 7:05 PM on October 8, 2022
Death in paradise?
Might not be of interest, but both seem kind of (Suchet) Poirot-like to me.
posted by eotvos at 7:05 PM on October 8, 2022
New Tricks is along these lines, and there are 12 series of it available on iPlayer at the moment.
posted by quacks like a duck at 11:55 PM on October 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by quacks like a duck at 11:55 PM on October 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
Campion (BBC, started 1989), based on the mystery novels of Margery Allingham and therefore set in the 1920s/30s. Great music, great character interactions, great stories, and very "human" if you know what I mean. Also, Peter Davison!
posted by heatherlogan at 6:51 AM on October 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by heatherlogan at 6:51 AM on October 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Matlock? The cozy family TV channel I grew up watching used to follow their nightly? weekly? Perry Mason rerun with an episode of Matlock. Seems like first season is purchasable through Amazon Prime and all seasons stream free on Pluto TV at the moment.
That same channel ran Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Diagnosis Murder, and I think also Colombo, all of which I agree have potential!
posted by sigmagalator at 3:15 PM on October 9, 2022
That same channel ran Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Diagnosis Murder, and I think also Colombo, all of which I agree have potential!
posted by sigmagalator at 3:15 PM on October 9, 2022
Check out Northern Exposure. It doesn't have a huge cast, and has held up pretty damn well for a 90s show. (I just finished the 1st season of a re-watch and am enjoying it immensely)
posted by signsofrain at 5:33 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by signsofrain at 5:33 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Northern Exposure is in music copyright hell but the internet archive has it available for streaming.
posted by Mitheral at 6:58 PM on October 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 6:58 PM on October 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
Northern exposure is one of my all-time favorite TV shows. Excellent suggestion!
posted by Bella Donna at 10:57 AM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Bella Donna at 10:57 AM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
MacGyver! I just did a rewatch. Seasons 1-3 are the best in my opinion, with a few gem episodes in the later seasons. It's for sure on Paramount+ and might be elsewhere.
edit: original MacGyver with Richard Dean Anderson.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 11:18 AM on October 10, 2022
edit: original MacGyver with Richard Dean Anderson.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 11:18 AM on October 10, 2022
All of the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes!
posted by nosila at 3:22 PM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by nosila at 3:22 PM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggestions! Columbo was indeed exactly what I was looking for, and I'm glad to know I have a bunch more options after finishing this up. :)
posted by brook horse at 4:43 PM on November 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by brook horse at 4:43 PM on November 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by soelo at 1:36 PM on October 7, 2022 [11 favorites]