Allegedly based on the case-files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, The F.B.I. was endorsed by none other than the Bureau's real-life chief of operations, J. Edgar Hoover.
"He was a pioneer", wrote Nicholas Parsons, "the first person to do 'topical satire' on television, but as the phrase had not yet been coined, and as the sketches were part of conventional variety shows, he never received the credit he deserved for originality."
Although very popular in its day this BBC sitcom now seems to be curiously overlooked.
Set at the fictional Fort Courage after the American Civil War — “somewhere west of the Missouri River” — the series delivered a hearty mix of physical gags, visual silliness and irreverent humour
This seven part, £1 million drama series from Thames Television faithfully reconstructed the events of the affair between Edward and Mrs Simpson that, in 1936, caused a constitutional crisis and Edward VIII's eventual abdication.
Drama set around the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War
"...Glenda Jackson totally submersed herself in the role by reading everything she could find about Elizabeth in order to get a deep understanding of the Queen. And this shines out from her performance as she delivers each line with an authority of a true monarch."
Two of British comedy's most popular stars came together for this highly original and cleverly written series.
Based on an Edgar Wallace created character this 1957/8 sitcom starred Charlie Chester as the popular Cockney racing tipster 'Educated' Evans, who ducked and dived through the back streets and public houses of London all the while trying to stay one step ahead of the law.
As strange as it may seem now, Archie Andrews was a ventriloquists dummy that first hit the big time on Radio!
Children's cartoon series that drew from The Three Musketeers.
A truly defining early entry in the annals of the embryonic genre of US television police drama series, Dragnet became the seminal template from which all later successful cops shows drew a measure of guidance and inspiration...
The Dustbinmen were led by their foreman, the foul-mouthed, beret-wearing Cheese and Egg, and accompanying him on the Corporation Cleansing Department dust cart were an equally obnoxious crew of work-shy, housewife-lusting individuals.
Anthology series made in Britain for commercial television but with the US market in mind.
"Lips and brows beading with sweat, as one by one the investors rip their ideas to shreds, the poor rejects take their products and themselves, tails tucked neatly between their legs and shuffle dejectedly out of the loft..."
Dusty Springfield remains, to this day, one of the most respected and best selling female vocalists of all time. Simply titled Dusty (in the opening credits - although the closing credits read The Dusty Springfield Show) the format of the series was very straight forward...
Cousins Bo and Luke Duke and their car "General Lee", have a running battle with the authorities of Hazzard County.
British television series which almost immediately struck a chord in the consciousness of a viewing public which was slowly awakening to the importance of greater ecological awareness.
Based on a series of stories 'The Adventures of a Black Bag' by Dumbartonshire born novelist A. J. Cronin, Doctor Finlay's Casebook proved to be an instant hit with viewers in spite of stiff competition from US exports Dr Kildare and Ben Casey.
Period drama, set in Edwardian London, about a kitchen maid who works her way up to become manageress of the fashionable hotel.
At Blair General Hospital a young intern has to learn to deal with his surgeon mentor.
Excellently chilling teenage drama series by Russell T. Davies
The year is 1941 and it's the height of World War II. In German-occupied France, a youthful submarine crew gathers for one last night of drunken revelry before they take to the high seas.
The show focused on childhood friends, Dawson, Pacey and Joey, as they grow up and try to cope with their changing friendships.
The day to day business of running a fictitious Fleet Street newspaper, the Daily Globe.
Dennis always tried to help out-only to find that he had created mayhem in his wake.
Wisteria Lane is a perfect upper-middle-class American suburb, with beautiful homes, neat lawns, minivans and sport-utility vehicles in the driveways, and an occasional baseball game in the street for the youngsters. But there are troubles beneath the surface.
"In the beginning this tale tells how I, George, eldest born son of Master Salathiel Treet, strolling player and man of genius, came to have greatness thrust upon me."
Police series made with the cooperation of Scotland Yard, which threw a spotlight on real police methods of the time.
The excellent scriptwriter Wolf Mankowitz has surpassed himself in 'Dickens of London', a miniseries recounting the life of Charles Dickens from early boyhood till his death.