What are you watching? Readers recommend 'Ethel & Ernest,' 'The Wonder Years'
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My favorite sitcom is a British comedy, Miranda, which aired on BBC Two and then BBC One. You can find it on Hulu. It鈥檚 like watching a modern 鈥淚 Love Lucy.鈥� After watching it, you should never be embarrassed by your own flubs.
鈥� Heidi Smith, Westlake, Ohio
Ethel & Ernest is a book by Raymond Briggs that served as the basis for an animated movie of the same name. Ethel and Ernest were Briggs鈥檚 parents, who met in 1928. He was a milkman and she was a lady鈥檚 maid; she left that employment to marry Ernest and set up home with him in London. It covers the Blitz; the evacuation of their 5-year-old son, Raymond, to the countryside, where he begins his love of drawing, which is what he later does for a living; and Raymond鈥檚 love of the country, where he settles as an adult with his wife, who has schizophrenia.聽
However, the film is more about Ethel and Ernest and shows their relationship, with their differing political views and different family backgrounds. He is kinder to and more gregarious with neighbors and friends, while she is more concerned with what people think and a little less charitable of others, but still lovely. It is all done with humor. The film goes through celebrating the end of World War II, the family getting their first telephone, and the family getting their first television.
鈥� Lisa McLaughlin, Kenilworth, England
For sitcoms, I like 鈥淪einfeld鈥� but I love The Wonder Years, which aired on ABC. I can relate to the main character, Kevin (Fred Savage). He鈥檚 not the smartest or coolest kid. He鈥檚 also not the outcast kid. He鈥檚 just regular. I love that.
鈥� Loraine DeBoom,聽Altoona, Iowa
After a hard day, I watch Father Brown, which airs on the BBC, some public TV stations, and Netflix. For me, watching the show is about relaxing and being taken away to another location. It鈥檚 a whodunit that has charming characters and a lighthearted but enticing plot. It transports me for a much-needed break and escape.
鈥� Kerry Lee Dickey Doehr,聽Santa Barbara, Calif.
Foyle鈥檚 War, which aired on ITV and is available on Acorn TV and Netflix, is a delightful, intelligent police mystery series set during World War II. The character development is low-key yet rich, and the plots are full of surprises. It鈥檚 highly engaging.
鈥� Christopher Bowers, Victoria, British Columbia
What are聽测辞耻听watching? Write and tell us at whatareyouwatching@csmonitor.com.
