"Hotel Babylon" [BBC/BBC America]

They've shown Series 1 and almost finishing Series 2 so far on BBC America. I have Series 1 and in the process of receiving Series 2.

I could post a review from critics, but I prefer the reviews of the audience since television shows aren't made to please the critics, but to us. Post of reviews are at the bottom of this thread.

I think this show is delicious, a great delight, especially considering how often you bump into horrid shows like "Who's Smarter than a 5th Grader", "The Bachelor/Bachelorette" "Dancing with the Stars" and "Survivor" (or its variations like Amazing Race, etc.) almost all the time in primetime schedules, or the popular shows that have become a cliche like "Desperate Housewives" where mainly all the women are seen as sex-crazy and stupid, not to mention how show critics and gossip shows use "desperate housewife" as if it had a definition behind it... I didn't even know what the Hell D.H. meant, the show never drew me in. Not so say that I don't like comedy, I also enjoy some Comedy-drama shows but I really can't think of any shown here in the U.S. I can't count "House" (an EXCELLENT show by *gasp* a British male actor with great material to work with) as a "Dramedy" even though it has its moments.

I've found Hotel Babylon as something worth watching. Well, I find many BBC shows/movies to be worth more, have more substance, than the public TV "reality" shows we get here in America. I've invested some of my time and money to:

• The Inspector Lynley Mysteries
• Jericho
• Bleak House
• The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard
• Prime Suspect
• Coupling
• Doctor Who
• Torchwood
• Foyle's War
• Miss Marple
• The Vicar of Dibley
• and now... Hotel Babylon

Yes... even Miss Marple is far better than what Hollywood thinks is "great" but to me it's mainly eye and ego candy. But it's not all that terrible; I enjoy House, Boston Legal, Weeds (showtime), Californication (showtime), Dead Like Me (DVD), Journeyman, Pushing Daisies, Moonlight (haven't seen much of it but...), Women's Murder Club, and a bit shameful to admit but I do enjoy Chuck and Heroes.

Now, here's a little visual taste of Hotel Babylon. Couldn't find any of Series 1, so here's a 8.5 minute clip from episode 3 of Series 2.

By the way, there are 8 episodes per series, one hour long. A great gem.




(I won't post everything they say, I know some get bored just reading long post...)

IMDB:

Finally, some good stuff on the box, 24 April 2006
Author: elka_west from Australia

I came upon this show accidentally last week. I couldn't be bothered finding the remote so I put up with it. Within thirty seconds I was absolutely hooked. It is the most brilliant show to come out of anywhere in years.

The characters have a depth rarely seen on any prime time show. They are sexy, charismatic and appealing to everyone. The humour is black, yet subtle, and I love the way the camera work glides here and there-- it is very "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" in style.

...

I'll be watching this for a while, or at least until the syndicates take it off to be replaced with some other piece of crap show. I give it 4.5 out of 5.

Another Show putting the BBC back at the top of UK Drama, 17 February 2006
Author: bon_the_one from Spain

Another Show putting the BBC back at the top of UK Drama.

This is another show on the BBC that just fills me with joy! For so long I have been deeply depressed at the state of UK TV. Channel4 came up with "Big Brother", and suddenly it was reality TV on every channel. ... Drama should be a little escape from reality, a break from the news, an hour to 'switch off' and immerse yourself in another World, like a long hot bath! ... We have had a couple of gems now and again ("Queer as Folk" for example). So you cannot imagine my delight when I heard the BBC were resurrecting "Dr Who". Russell T Davis at the helm (a writer I have worshiped since I watched Children's TV!) and a cast and crew that should be envied the World over I was excited. Sure enough, "Dr Who" was a sensation! Suddenly there seems to be a resurgence in drama on UK TV. No offense to my American buddies (responsible for 24, QaF, Sex and the City, 6Feet Under et. all), but it is great to see UK Drama coming back with the quality and care the US throws at a lot of it's Dramas.

This show is a wonderful creation, and another great commission by the BBC. A collection of individual stories that can be watched independently of each other and enjoyed. However, the Hotel staff are a great excuse for building a story arc as the series develops and you become attached to them emotionally. The stories contain humour, and moral conflict that makes you think. This is not 'brain death TV' but something and some people you become involved with. This cannot be praised highly enough.

The cast are superb, totally superb. The writing is clever and wonderfully woven, and the editing makes the show a beautiful thing to watch. The sets are lavish and totally believable, the lighting is perfect, the sound track (VO and music) is wonderful. This is a show that I hope has been filmed in HD, so we can really appreciate the work done by both crew and cast in this wonderful format even more on DVD (HD or Blu-Ray, I don't care!) release.

Please give this show a try, and I truly believe you will not be disappointed. Do not expect "Fawlty Towers". Expect a lavish well made Drama, that will excite and engage. ...

With a growing portfolio, "Hotel Babylon", "Doctor Who", and "Sea of Souls" to name but three, I am quietly hopeful the BBC has passed it's 90's "Reality" phase, and now are back into GREAT Drama.

Well-crafted fun, 16 October 2007
Author: vagabondjonson from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This slick drama is what should make American TV viewers upgrade their cable or satellite to include BBC. What so-called classy shows in the states like "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" pretend to have, this show actually has. Finesse. Everything about this show is classy.

The dialogue is fantastic. One would think that dialogue about the inner workings of a hotel would grow urbane after a few episodes but each time I watch this show, it seems the dialogue is fresh and intriguing.

There are absolutely no wasted characters in this show. Each one represents such a facet of the overall feeling of the show that if one were to be missing, the show would actually suffer. Tony is my favorite but I personally can't get enough of smarmy Brits and so I suppose I'm biased.

There is a new plot each week, and while they seem to stretch beyond believability at points, they never seem inane or silly. Each of the episodes holds its own points of interest that are rarely reused in the next installment. This is difficult to achieve in weekly dramas.

While everyone in the show is unbelievably attractive, they are all flawed in believable ways and even American audiences will find one to relate to and once found, will keep them coming back every week. And on that note, this show has appeal that spans the ocean. A lot of British shows are so British that much of their charm is lost on American audiences. This is not the case with Hotel Babylon. Their references and story lines are pertinent in America too and anyone who considers themselves a fan of sophisticated entertainment will enjoy this show immensely, regardless of location.

If you get BBC, this is a show to get hooked on, because it won't disappoint.