I was a bit surprised after reading Mark’s 2008 Couch Potato article to see that there were no “Highs” listed for SBS this year - in fact it was the only channel to not have a high mentioned. Surely, there can’t possibly be *no* good television bound for SBS this year?

I have noticed a somewhat negative attitude towards SBS overall among Sydney Christians - a strange misconception that the channel is nothing but soft porn. On the contrary, there is a lot of quality programming on SBS. Mythbusters alone redeems the station of any errors, and then there’s Top Gear (which I don’t watch, but I understand is a lot of fun), and Newstopia (which I pray will be returning this year).

It’s also done some excellent docos on biblical type issues, such as the rise and fall of the roman empire which had a balanced and fair presentation of the gospel while explaining who this minority group was which copped such flak from rome, they’ve had some interesting ones on the birth of Islam and what “true” or “orthodox” (are they the right words for what I’m trying to get across?) Islam is all about.  They had the series on jesus and the early gospels, which while a bit liberal for my liking was nonetheless for the most part accurate.  There’s been some good stuff - why didn’t any of them rate a mention?  Let alone dateline and Mary Kostakidis.  And yes, mythbusters and top gear, and, you can’t mention those two in the same breath without also going on to mention iron chef - the original and truly the best. 

Bring Back Mary!!!

Plus the Danish detective series The Eagle and Unit One.

Terry

Risking censure here among the more sensitive Eco types, but I really love Top Gear on SBS as well.

SBS’s 6.30 news should be mandatory viewing for one and all. Many of their documentaries are excellent. When the other stations are awash in sport or some American trashy series, often SBS comes to the rescue.

And who else would broadcast animae, dogme and Bollywood movies? We are devotees of Mythbusters.

There’s so much mindless, outright awful shows like Neighbours, Home and Away on the other stations. They are the equivalent of lumpy overcooked porridge.

Angela Crittle - 16 February 2008 11:14 AM

And who else would broadcast animae, dogme and Bollywood movies?

ABC2?

Michael Allison - 16 February 2008 12:25 PM

Angela Crittle - 16 February 2008 11:14 AM

And who else would broadcast animae, dogme and Bollywood movies?

ABC2?

Is that true? Really!?! The Crittle household is stuck in the last century. We need to play keeping up with the Allisons.

Well they finished a run of Cowboy Bebop a while ago, then they had another anime on that I didn’t really watch.

I’ll admit it still has a long way to go before it catches up with SBS but the ABC is more willing to air ‘alternative’ viewing on ABC2, as well as rerunning old favorites like Spaced, Red Dwarf, Black Books etc.

Now if only they’d rerun Big Knights.

I’ve only just discovered Black Books. Hilarious.The first 2 episodes of series 1 is inspired comedy. Sorry for changing the channel. Back to SBS.

Sorry to let some air out of the initial post, David, but the only reason I didn’t include a ‘high’ for SBS for this article was that I ran out of time for the deadline. Mundane, isn’t it? ;)

For what it’s worth I also think that Top Gear will be a good plus for SBS this year, though the topic matter didn’t leave much room for Christian comment. However the three-part ‘Embedded...’ documentary series following people living with Muslim, Aboriginal and nationalist Australian communities should provide some good grounds for reconsidering our stereo-types.

Happy viewing!

Mark Hadley - 18 February 2008 01:30 AM

Sorry to let some air out of the initial post, David, but the only reason I didn’t include a ‘high’ for SBS for this article was that I ran out of time for the deadline. Mundane, isn’t it? ;)

Hehe, cool, thanks for the clarification Mark. Next time, write about the ABC and SBS, and then only mention the commercial stations if there’s enough time left over ;)