Test Pattern: What's Your Indispensable TV Network?

We all have the networks--whether broadcast or cable, legacy or newbie--that we gravitate to, but I was wondering this morning about so-called indispensable networks.

Given that I write about television, nearly all networks could be said to be indispensable in one way or another, but what I was pondering was that one specific television channel that you can't turn away from, that you automatically switch to when you turn on the television, or which you have on as background while you're doing other things in our multi-tasking obsessed society.

Many years ago, that channel was--perhaps not surprisingly for those of you who know me--Food Network, but it was replaced by BBC America around 2000 and for many years that was my go-to network, the one spot on the metaphorical dial that I could always depend on for diverting fare, soothing background noise, or a sense of the familiar and comforting.

For whatever the reason, sadly, that's not the case anymore and--shock, horror--I've actually gone so far as to remove BBC America from my list of TiVo favorite channels as it's become a 24-hour network showcasing little other than Star Trek: The Next Generation, Top Gear, and repeats of three ubiquitous Gordon Ramsay reality series. (Three standouts this year: crime drama Luther, reality series The Choir, and culinary competition series Come Dine with Me all had short runs, unfortunately, and Doctor Who can't run all year long.)

But that's a rant for another post (and, believe me, it's coming).

What I am curious about is whether you have a specific network that fulfills those needs and just what network that might be. Are you addicted to USA? Hooked on HBO? Famished for Food Network? Drawn to Cartoon Network? Ingratiated towards IFC? Perpetually amazed by AMC?

Head to the comments section to discuss and debate.

Is BBC America's The Choir The Anti-Glee?

It's a provocative question, really. Is BBC America's newest British reality import, The Choir, the exact opposite of FOX's musical-comedy Glee, despite the similar choral trappings?

It is, in every conceivable way and that's a very good thing indeed. The Choir, which launches tonight at 10 pm ET/PT, finds plucky choirmaster Gareth Malone attempting to create a competitive choir out of a group of musical novices at a run-down comprehensive school where music isn't an important element of their education. (You can take a look at some clips from The Choir here.)

With a spot at the World Choir Olympics in China on the line, Malone attempts to fashion these teens into world-class singers and teach them the joys of performing in a group. It's no small task, given that many of these teens are at-risk to begin with and none of them have any formal training.

The result ends up being paradoxically gritty and uplifting, as the cameras not only follow Malone as he attempts to awaken their slumbering musical abilities but also follows the teens home as well, focusing on their own adversities: anger problems, an absent father, a general inability to commit or to attempt to overcome a challenge.

Unlike Glee, these issues raised aren't wrapped up by the time the credits roll at the end of the episode; rather, they spill over from week to week as Gareth butts heads with his teenage choir members and attempts to rein in egos, attitudes, and expectations.

There are no showy daydream numbers here, no auto-tune, no anvil-heavy thematic storytelling. Just a rough docu-style approach that captures the small moments between rehearsals: a gathering of Gareth's opera friends and his search for sheet music is juxtaposed against the travails of modern life: a family awaits word whether their pater familias will be granted a visa to return to the United Kingdom, a mother frets about her daughter's tardiness, a young girl sees the consequences of her actions as she is barred from participating in the choir.

But it's not all doom and gloom, either. Gareth's drive and determination to pull off the seemingly impossible task of shaping these young singers into a single and competitive unit is refreshing in an age of cynicism; his efforts to give these kids a creative outlet and open their minds to something other than pop music is admirable, even as his efforts to get them to sing some Vivaldi is, er, met with some resistance.

Likewise, the series captures the joys and heartbreak of adolescence as well: the excitement that comes from landing a spot on the choir after open auditions to the despair of those who don't. (And those who, to their later chagrin, discover that not all of them may be heading to China to compete.)

The result is uplifting and entertaining in equal measure, not to mention genuinely emotional. Be prepared for the tears, though not the melodramatic kind. There, after all, are no fake pregnancies going on here.

The Choir launches tonight at 10 pm ET/PT on BBC America.

Preaching to The Choir: Inside BBC America's Musical Reality Series

Have a song in your heart but missing Glee? Why not tune in next Wednesday evening for BBC America's latest British import, reality series The Choir?

The series follows boyish-looking choirmaster Gareth Malone as he recruits a choir from some rather unlikely places and launches next Wednesday evening here in the US. The thirteen episodes are broken down into three story pods--Northholt High School, Boys Don't Sing, and Unsung Town--each of which recounts Gareth's latest challenge in a new location. (Just think of them as three distinct mini-seasons of the same series.) Watch as Gareth tackles an average high school, an all-boys school, and a small town that's anything but a unified community. Can Gareth get these people to sing and to coalesce into a choir? Find out this summer.

Not won over yet? Here's what the British press had to say about this inspirational and uplifting series:

The Independent: "As profoundly a moving piece of television as has ever been made"

The Times: "One of the most enthralling, informative and uplifting reality series yet made"

The Express: “Gareth’s determination and belief has paid huge dividends, bringing together the community and transforming lives”

The Daily Mail: “This is another astonishing, inspiring and moving success story for the amazing Gareth Malone”

The Evening Standard: "Jamie Oliver might have changed school dinners with his TV series but Gareth Malone showed that we are more, much more than we eat."

The Daily Telegraph: "[A] compelling sociological experiment... Oh Gareth, how much more love can we give you? None for you have it all."

But just don't take their word for it. Check out two inside looks at The Choir, along with a three-plus-minute sneak peek at the series, below.

The Choir: Inside Look #1



The Choir: Inside Look #2



Sneak Peek: The Choir



The Choir premieres Wednesday, July 7th at 10 pm ET/PT on BBC America.

BBC America Offers Sneak Peeks of "Survivor," "The Choir," "Top Gear"

BBC America held its session today at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, offering panels on Survivors and The Choir allowing critics the opportunity to pose questions to Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear via satellite.

Post-apocalyptic drama Survivors will launch on February 13th with the first two seasons airing back-to-back on Saturday nights. Top Gear Season 13 premieres Monday, January 25th at 8 pm and The Choir is set to debut later this spring.

Promotional videos for BBC America's Survivors, The Choir, and Season 13 of Top Gear can be found below.

Trailer: Survivors:



Sneak Peak: BBC America's The Choir:



Trailer: Top Gear Season 13:



Stay tuned.