Here are a couple of important updates for members. Monthly members will be charged on Monday night for the next month (custom monthly subscribers are charged on the 7th of each month). I just wanted to remind everyone so there are no surprises. In October, we will begin a new marketing push to get our membership from 107 to 200. Stay tuned!

I'd like to get the member's chat forum a little more active than it has been in the last few weeks, so I've added a bunch of fun new discussion threads. Please come by and chat about these fun topics!

Editor's Note: For this article, I wanted to share videos of the shows I mentioned. You can read about them on the Member's website or click through to see the videos. There are a lot of videos, which is not something I would normally do, but I figured people would want to see examples of these shows.

It’s not a secret around here that I love British TV. I spend way too much time thinking about it and even more time watching it. But my favorite type of British TV show is not a comedy, drama, period piece or even a sci-fi show. No, my favourite type of British TV show is the venerable fly-on-the-wall documentary, a particular form of TV that the British excel at (and actually invented). Let me explain why.

As an avid viewer of British television, I've found myself drawn to a particular genre that has become synonymous with British broadcasting: the fly-on-the-wall documentary. This format, which offers an unobtrusive glimpse into the lives of ordinary people and the inner workings of various institutions around Britain, has not only captured my imagination but also provided me with a vicarious experience of life in Britain.

The fly-on-the-wall documentary, also known as observational documentary, is a format that the British can rightfully claim to have pioneered. While its roots can be traced back to the cinema vérité movement of the 1960s, it was British television that truly developed and popularized the genre as we know it today.

The birth of this format in British television can be attributed to visionaries like Paul Watson, who directed the groundbreaking series "The Family" in 1974. This 12-part series, which followed the daily lives of the Wilkins family in Reading, is often considered one of the first examples of the fly-on-the-wall format on British television. It set the stage for what would become a staple of British broadcasting.

Another key figure in the development of this genre was Roger Graef, whose 1982 series "Police" followed Thames Valley Police and is considered a landmark in observational documentary. These early pioneers paved the way for a flood of similar programs that would captivate audiences in the coming decades.

The format gained further popularity with shows like "Airport" (1996-2008), which documented the day-to-day operations at London's Heathrow Airport, and "Driving School" (1997), which followed learner drivers as they attempted to pass their driving tests. These shows demonstrated the broad appeal of the format, proving that even seemingly mundane aspects of everyday life could make for compelling television when presented in this unfiltered, observational style.

What I find particularly fascinating about these documentaries is their ability to offer an authentic look at everyday life in Britain. As someone who has long harbored a desire to live in the UK, these shows provide me with a window into the lives of ordinary Britons, allowing me to experience vicariously the rhythms and routines of life across the pond.

One show that exemplifies this is a recent version of this concept called "The Lake District Farm Shop." This quirky series focuses on a motorway service area in the picturesque Lake District. Far from being just another roadside stop, this farm shop offers a unique glimpse into rural British life, showcasing local produce, artisanal crafts, and the characters who frequent this unlikely community hub. It's a celebration of regional identity and a testament to the enduring charm of rural Britain.

Another favorite of mine is "Inside the Tower of London." This series offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain's most iconic landmarks. What fascinates me most about this show is not just the historical aspect, but the insight it provides into the lives of the people who live and work in the Tower today and keep the history alive, simply by living and working there. These individuals, from the Yeoman Warders (or "Beefeaters") to the Ravenmaster, are living links to centuries of British history, and the show beautifully captures how tradition and modernity coexist within the Tower's ancient walls.

While not a strictly British topic, "Monsoon Railway" is another documentary that captured my imagination. This fascinating look at a special Indian railway showcases the legacy of British engineering and administration in India, while also highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs of operating a railway during monsoon season (it’s narrated by John Simm, which is great).

Returning to London, "The Tube" is a classic example of the fly-on-the-wall format. This series provides an insider's view of the London Underground, revealing the intricate workings of this vast transportation network and the dedicated individuals who keep it running. As someone fascinated by The Tube, I found this show to be an enlightening look at the lifeblood of London. This was actually one of the first British fly on the wall shows I ever watched, and I was instantly hooked.

Similarly,  the more recent show “Paddington Station 24/7" offers a compelling glimpse into the operations of one of Britain's busiest railway hubs. The show not only showcases the day-to-day challenges of running a major transport link but also highlights the rich history and enduring importance of Britain's rail network. As a train enthusiast, I found this series particularly engrossing and it’s surprisingly rewatchable when I want to relax.

Another show that I've found particularly illuminating is "Hidden Treasures of the National Trust." This series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the National Trust, the organization responsible for preserving much of Britain's architectural and natural heritage. As someone with a deep appreciation for British history and landscapes, I find it fascinating to see the meticulous work that goes into maintaining these national treasures.

This format is not unknown on US cable networks. There are plenty of documentary-style shows about infrastructure or places, but they are very different. Because of the commercial nature of American TV, the shows are edited in a way that makes them anxiety-inducing so that you stay tuned in between commercial breaks. Disasters. Personnel Drama. One recent example was a show focusing on Miami International Airport. It was exhausting to watch. If these shows are a success they begin to focus on the characters more than the concept of the show (like Pawn Stars). These shows simply focus on different things, and they are much less entertaining to watch. The British style of doing these shows is much more relaxed, even when there is an emergency.

The fly-on-the-wall format has become so ingrained in British television that it has even spawned its own parodies. "Come Fly With Me," a comedy series created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, brilliantly spoofs the conventions of these documentaries. By exaggerating the quirks and characters typically found in such shows, it demonstrates how recognizable and beloved the format has become. Another great send-up of these shows was "People Like Us," a mockumentary series, that features many famous faces from British TV and film (like David Tennant placing an exaggerated version of himself before his Doctor Who days). This show, which was a precursor to the political satire "The Thick of It," demonstrates how the observational style can be used to create biting social commentary and humor. There have even been parodies of the American way of doing these shows (constant drama and suspense with scary music).

That Mitchell and Webb Look encapsulated it perfectly.

What I find most compelling about these fly-on-the-wall documentaries is their ability to reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary. They celebrate the unsung heroes of everyday life - the train drivers, the shop owners, the preservationists, and countless others who form the backbone of British society. Through their unobtrusive lens, these shows paint a portrait of Britain that is both familiar and surprising, comforting and challenging.

Moreover, these documentaries often serve as a time capsule, capturing moments of British life that might otherwise go unrecorded. They provide invaluable insights into the social, cultural, and economic changes happening in Britain, offering future generations a vivid record of life in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. For example, while they were filming the last series of "Inside the Tower of London", the Queen died. The show quickly shifted as they followed the Yeoman Warders conducting all the ceremonial duties they need to perform during the Queen’s funeral and the evenetual Coronation of Charles III. It was fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at everything. I felt a part of it, despite not being able to be there myself.

The success of the fly-on-the-wall format in Britain can be attributed to several factors. The British TV viewing public's appetite for authenticity, the nation's rich tradition of documentary filmmaking, and the unique ability of British producers to find compelling narratives in seemingly ordinary situations all contribute to the genre's enduring popularity. It also helps that with public service based TV budgets, these shows are very cheap to make. All they require is cooperation and a film crew.

As television continues to evolve in the age of streaming and social media, the fly-on-the-wall documentary has proven remarkably adaptable. New shows continue to emerge, exploring different aspects of British life and institutions, while the format has also influenced reality TV and other genres. I’m surprised that the format has not had a lot of success outside of the UK. There are libraries of these shows available for the various streaming services to license, but even the British ones, like Acorn and BritBox, aren’t that interested in them (but they both have several worth checking out). Occasionally a show like Grand Designs or Escape to thd Country will end up on Netflix.

For me, these documentaries represent the best of British television. They are informative without being didactic, entertaining without being sensationalist, and profoundly human in their approach. They offer a unique perspective on British life that goes beyond the stereotypes and surface-level observations that often dominate portrayals of Britain in international media.

As I continue to nurture my dream of one day living in Britain, these fly-on-the-wall documentaries serve as a sort of virtual immersion. They allow me to experience the rhythms of British life, to understand the challenges and joys of everyday existence in the UK, and to feel a connection to a place and culture that I admire from afar.

The British fly-on-the-wall documentary stands as a testament to the power of observational storytelling. It's a format that respects its subjects and its audience, offering authentic, unvarnished glimpses into the lives of others. Whether showcasing the grandeur of historic institutions or the quiet dignity of ordinary workers, these documentaries continue to captivate viewers like myself, offering a window into the heart of Britain that is both enlightening and deeply moving. They are, in many ways, the ultimate expression of British television's ability to find drama, humor, and profound truth in the everyday lives of its people. At the end of the day, I want to know everything I can about Britain; what better way to do that than watching these special TV shows that give me an insight into the culture and every day that you simply can’t get anywhere else?

What are my current favorite shows? Secrets of the London Underground and Kent: Garden of England.