Joan Hickson is #mymissmarple too! And certainly, Jeremy Brett is my Sherlock. Both have brought the definitive character to screen. Thanks for some cool recommendations here! I've seen many but not all of these top ten. Sorry you had to do this while you were sleep deprived and stressed - I hope things are better for you now.
I think because actors like Hickson, like Brett, like Suchet and others have become the gold standard for those detectives, its led to these other odd and not nearly as good adaptations because the newer one realizes it cannot compete with the older one so it has to do something different which usually means off the rails.
I didn't know you were a fan of Midsomer Murders, though it makes perfect sense. I strongly believe the first 10 seasons (and especially the first 7) are some of the greatest television - mystery or otherwise - ever put to screen. So many of those earlier episodes are iconic. The series has declined slightly in quality in recent years (specifically after Nettles' departure), but I thought season 22 was a solid return to form with some truly exceptional episodes; "For Death Prepare" comes to mind as a fantastic episode that deceived me better than some Agatha Christie novels. As a Canadian, I was also delightfully surprised to learn that you watch Murdoch Mysteries and rank it so highly. Personally, I would say Midsomer is slightly better overall, but you really can't go wrong with either. The first 7 seasons of Murdoch, similarly to Midsomer, are some of the best television I have ever watched. I have to admit that I have not watched the last 2 or 3 seasons because I thought the 2 or 3 seasons before that already showed signs of rather serious decline (more decline than Midsomer, in my opinion). Still, those early seasons bring me such a smile when I rewatch them.
Yeah I think that's why Murdoch Mysteries is above Midsomer Murders is because I haven't seen those later seasons so if the quality did decline, I haven't been made aware of it. I still think Midsomer Murders is very good. Just not as good as it had been which is perfectly normal with how long it's been running.
Good list. Thinking about it, this must have been hard work, as there has been many mystery shows over many decades, and you had to narrow it down to just ten. All my favorites either made the list or the honorable mentions, so I'm satisfied. Next week sounds good. I have the Chinese Orange novel in my collection, so I look forward to what you have to say about it.
I can't even remember what got me into mysteries first. I've been watching Scooby-Doo probably my whole life. I think - and I could be wrong about this - the first mystery show I watched was when I was a toddler was the Busy World of Richard Scarry which had some mystery segments. I'm not entirely sure which I saw first that or Scooby-Doo.
Jinkies!!! Love this listing. Joan Hickson is My Miss Marple and I am so glad you included Murdoch Mysteries, which I need to finish...I think I made it to season 8. Poirot is still on rotation in my home.
That's about where I left off too because it was on Netflix up until that point but now its on Acorn TV which I will eventually subscribe to finish watching.
An excellent analysis especially considering the enormous ground you had to cover - thank you. A note on Father Brown adaptations: there’ve been at least two prior series which are admirable and probably truer to the complexity of Chesterton’s thoughts. Invariably much darker and more complex emotionally than the breezy whodunnits of the current series, the earlier series do not exist in good prints, sadly. But the eerie atmosphere and characters of some of these episodes seems a more accurate mirror of Chesterton’s ambiguity on the moral core of humanity. I, for one, also appreciate the subtlety of these older productions versus the bright theatricality of modern adaptations (think of you-know-who).
I think the 1974 Father Brown is good. It's on Tubi for free so that is available. And I know the current series is quite a distance away from Chesterton's but I really enjoy it and I think the old sort of style just wouldn't resonate with a lot of viewers today. I would say my biggest criticism of the current series that I didn't really bring up is that Father Brown isn't really acting at all like a Catholic priest from that era would, even someone in his mold.
@@summationgathering I agree, that approach would not work with the audiences today. From the episodes I watched (probably not the earlier ones you enjoyed) the series seemed too cutesy/hammy. Contrasts with other Brit Empire series like Dr Blake (did you mention this?) which seem edgier. While Chesterton wrote some 50 stories, I think (and perhaps the critical concensus also) think the most striking and unforgettable stories are quite strange and multilayered. You make an enormous effort and it is greatly appreciated.
I really enjoyed this episode. I've never seen Nero Wolfe in the UK. One thing - it's David SUCHet, stress on the first syllable. (It's not French, his family was originally from Lithuania) I'm looking forward to your next piece.
Thank you. Appreciate your videos. This one found me entertained, nodding in agreement, and surprised. I’ve come across some others, which are brilliant at times, but short lived and inconsistent. Anything original is very, very hard to sustain.
I agree with a lot of your choices, especially putting Marple, Poirot, and the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes at the top. I totally agree with your dislike of the Cumberbatch Sherlock. It is too much like sci fi rather than a mystery. For an updating I think Johnny Lee Miller in Elementary was better, or rather the story lines were better because they were more believable. Would have put Midsomer Murders higher up. Am disappointed that Morse (the original) didn't make the top 10. I would have put him there. I was born in 1950 so have no memory of Scooby Doo other than as a comic strip character? Is that correct? Don't know that a cartoon belongs in the top 10. I also don't think I would have included Murdoch. I like a lot of the episodes but not the ones with real historical people because I always wonder what is historically accurate and what is not. Also there are a lot of "duds", particularly episodes that are a bit sci-fi-ish. When you mentioned loving the characters (which I do) I was disappointed that you left out Miss (suddenly called Mrs. in the later episodes) Hart. I find her one of the most interesting characters. Unlike the characters of color in the new Midsomer Murders who are sort of shoe-horned in with no reference to their race (which is not realistic), Miss Hart's story as a black female coroner is fascinating. I also liked the way the small middle class black community in Toronto was portrayed. That said I always enjoy your videos!
To me, those top nine spots are all basically tied. I don't look at Poirot as a lot better than Midsomer Murders. They're essentially tied in mind. I was iffy on Scooby-Doo tbh but it is one that I adore. Is it as good of quality as Midsomer Murders? No, probably not. I'm way behind on Murdoch Mysteries so I have not seen Miss Hart yet. I've got to make an effort to catch up on that series which I think could effect its placing. TBH, I don't mind the ones with real historical people because I think it's just fun to add them in. I don't know. I find it whimsical. But I don't like when other series do it. And I didn't really think of the sci-fi ones. I remember there was one vaguely involving time travel that was kinda weird. That's probably a knock against the show I had not thought of.
Wow. Cadfael, Vera and Shetland don't even get an honourable mention. If I were to make a similar list, I'd make it a "top 20" to ensure that at least some of the above three plus the three Morse series (Endeavour, the prequel; Morse, the original series; and Lewis, the sequel) get on the list.
Don't @ me but I've never seen Vera. It's another that's lingered on the to be watched list and gets brushed aside so I can watch the others again and again.
I tend to like the more modern shows like Veronica Mars, Rizzoli and Isles, Castle, Bones, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, Will Trent. Most of those are probably less to your taste but one that I would suggest for you specifically is the 8 episode, 2023 Netflix series, Bodies. It takes place across 3 timelines in a really interesting way and while it has sci fi elements it still has all the charm of a murder mystery, plus it's a super quick watch. Since you like Scooby Doo, you'll probably enjoy Veronica Mars as well though
I haven't even heard of Bodies. I'll check it out sometime. Castle and Bones should have been honorable mentions. I've never seen Will Trent or Rizzoli and Isles. Criminals Minds scared me as a kid. My mom loved that show and I which this episode where there was a search party for a woman and a cannibal had killed her and served her as soup to the search party members and it absolutely freaked me out.
@@summationgathering Will Trent is fairly new. Very loosely based on the books by Karin Slaughter. Rizzoli and Isles is loosely based on the books of Tess Gerritsen. Bones, of course borrows from Kathy Reichs but really only the name and occupation of the lead character. I also read the Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell, which is apparently getting adapted soon
I did not know that. It's funny to me that theory has stuck to Jessica Fletcher and not for the hundreds of other amateur detectives who find murder wherever they go.
One of the most unforgettable mystery series I have ever seen is Wire In The Blood (2008). It is very, very dark as the main character, Tony Hill, is an academic psychologist who solves murders by entering the mind of the murderer. By extension, so do we as viewers.
Kudos for adding Scooby-Doo.
I need to watch some of these.
Joan Hickson is #mymissmarple too! And certainly, Jeremy Brett is my Sherlock. Both have brought the definitive character to screen. Thanks for some cool recommendations here! I've seen many but not all of these top ten. Sorry you had to do this while you were sleep deprived and stressed - I hope things are better for you now.
I think because actors like Hickson, like Brett, like Suchet and others have become the gold standard for those detectives, its led to these other odd and not nearly as good adaptations because the newer one realizes it cannot compete with the older one so it has to do something different which usually means off the rails.
I didn't know you were a fan of Midsomer Murders, though it makes perfect sense. I strongly believe the first 10 seasons (and especially the first 7) are some of the greatest television - mystery or otherwise - ever put to screen. So many of those earlier episodes are iconic. The series has declined slightly in quality in recent years (specifically after Nettles' departure), but I thought season 22 was a solid return to form with some truly exceptional episodes; "For Death Prepare" comes to mind as a fantastic episode that deceived me better than some Agatha Christie novels.
As a Canadian, I was also delightfully surprised to learn that you watch Murdoch Mysteries and rank it so highly. Personally, I would say Midsomer is slightly better overall, but you really can't go wrong with either. The first 7 seasons of Murdoch, similarly to Midsomer, are some of the best television I have ever watched. I have to admit that I have not watched the last 2 or 3 seasons because I thought the 2 or 3 seasons before that already showed signs of rather serious decline (more decline than Midsomer, in my opinion). Still, those early seasons bring me such a smile when I rewatch them.
Honestly, I have enjoyed every season of Midsomer Murders.
Yeah I think that's why Murdoch Mysteries is above Midsomer Murders is because I haven't seen those later seasons so if the quality did decline, I haven't been made aware of it. I still think Midsomer Murders is very good. Just not as good as it had been which is perfectly normal with how long it's been running.
Good list. Thinking about it, this must have been hard work, as there has been many mystery shows over many decades, and you had to narrow it down to just ten. All my favorites either made the list or the honorable mentions, so I'm satisfied.
Next week sounds good. I have the Chinese Orange novel in my collection, so I look forward to what you have to say about it.
The Honorable Mentions list is even longer. I just picked out a few of them.
Law and Order franchise deserved a spot on the list. I love that Poirot was number 1!!!
I completely forgot about Law and Order. Shame on me! It wouldn't have made my top ten but it should have been an honorable mention.
Love the inclusion of Scooby Doo! It's probably the show that got me into the Whodunnit genre
I can't even remember what got me into mysteries first. I've been watching Scooby-Doo probably my whole life. I think - and I could be wrong about this - the first mystery show I watched was when I was a toddler was the Busy World of Richard Scarry which had some mystery segments. I'm not entirely sure which I saw first that or Scooby-Doo.
Jinkies!!! Love this listing. Joan Hickson is My Miss Marple and I am so glad you included Murdoch Mysteries, which I need to finish...I think I made it to season 8. Poirot is still on rotation in my home.
That's about where I left off too because it was on Netflix up until that point but now its on Acorn TV which I will eventually subscribe to finish watching.
An excellent analysis especially considering the enormous ground you had to cover - thank you.
A note on Father Brown adaptations: there’ve been at least two prior series which are admirable and probably truer to the complexity of Chesterton’s thoughts. Invariably much darker and more complex emotionally than the breezy whodunnits of the current series, the earlier series do not exist in good prints, sadly. But the eerie atmosphere and characters of some of these episodes seems a more accurate mirror of Chesterton’s ambiguity on the moral core of humanity.
I, for one, also appreciate the subtlety of these older productions versus the bright theatricality of modern adaptations (think of you-know-who).
I think the 1974 Father Brown is good. It's on Tubi for free so that is available. And I know the current series is quite a distance away from Chesterton's but I really enjoy it and I think the old sort of style just wouldn't resonate with a lot of viewers today. I would say my biggest criticism of the current series that I didn't really bring up is that Father Brown isn't really acting at all like a Catholic priest from that era would, even someone in his mold.
@@summationgathering I agree, that approach would not work with the audiences today. From the episodes I watched (probably not the earlier ones you enjoyed) the series seemed too cutesy/hammy. Contrasts with other Brit Empire series like Dr Blake (did you mention this?) which seem edgier. While Chesterton wrote some 50 stories, I think (and perhaps the critical concensus also) think the most striking and unforgettable stories are quite strange and multilayered.
You make an enormous effort and it is greatly appreciated.
I really enjoyed this episode. I've never seen Nero Wolfe in the UK.
One thing - it's David SUCHet, stress on the first syllable. (It's not French, his family was originally from Lithuania)
I'm looking forward to your next piece.
I'll keep the pronunciation in mind for the future! Thanks!
"Scooby Doo! Where Are You?" is absolutely elite! Much better than subsequent "Scooby Doo" franchises!
A classic!
Great list. My top 4 are - 1 Nero Wolf 2 Poirot 3 Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) 4 Miss Marpole (Joan Hickson)
That pleases my heart. The gold standards. I don't think there will ever be a better version for any of those four.
Great suggestions! I had never heard of Murdoch Mysteries, definitely giving it a go.
Thanks!
Good show. Recommend.
@@TheSuzberry thanks. Any idea where I can find it?
@@justhereforthetragedy BritBox Or Acorn. One of those.
@@TheSuzberry , thank you!
@@justhereforthetragedy 👏
Thank you. Appreciate your videos. This one found me entertained, nodding in agreement, and surprised. I’ve come across some others, which are brilliant at times, but short lived and inconsistent. Anything original is very, very hard to sustain.
I was surprised how few of the top ten are true originals.
@@summationgathering And Dame Agatha, justly so, is the only one to appear twice.
No Columbo? It is my number one with Poirot directly behind it.
It was an honorable mention. I love Columbo. This was list was so tough to make but Columbo just simply didn't make my list unfortunately.
I agree with a lot of your choices, especially putting Marple, Poirot, and the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes at the top. I totally agree with your dislike of the Cumberbatch Sherlock. It is too much like sci fi rather than a mystery. For an updating I think Johnny Lee Miller in Elementary was better, or rather the story lines were better because they were more believable. Would have put Midsomer Murders higher up. Am disappointed that Morse (the original) didn't make the top 10. I would have put him there. I was born in 1950 so have no memory of Scooby Doo other than as a comic strip character? Is that correct? Don't know that a cartoon belongs in the top 10. I also don't think I would have included Murdoch. I like a lot of the episodes but not the ones with real historical people because I always wonder what is historically accurate and what is not. Also there are a lot of "duds", particularly episodes that are a bit sci-fi-ish. When you mentioned loving the characters (which I do) I was disappointed that you left out Miss (suddenly called Mrs. in the later episodes) Hart. I find her one of the most interesting characters. Unlike the characters of color in the new Midsomer Murders who are sort of shoe-horned in with no reference to their race (which is not realistic), Miss Hart's story as a black female coroner is fascinating. I also liked the way the small middle class black community in Toronto was portrayed. That said I always enjoy your videos!
To me, those top nine spots are all basically tied. I don't look at Poirot as a lot better than Midsomer Murders. They're essentially tied in mind. I was iffy on Scooby-Doo tbh but it is one that I adore. Is it as good of quality as Midsomer Murders? No, probably not.
I'm way behind on Murdoch Mysteries so I have not seen Miss Hart yet. I've got to make an effort to catch up on that series which I think could effect its placing. TBH, I don't mind the ones with real historical people because I think it's just fun to add them in. I don't know. I find it whimsical. But I don't like when other series do it. And I didn't really think of the sci-fi ones. I remember there was one vaguely involving time travel that was kinda weird. That's probably a knock against the show I had not thought of.
Wow. Cadfael, Vera and Shetland don't even get an honourable mention. If I were to make a similar list, I'd make it a "top 20" to ensure that at least some of the above three plus the three Morse series (Endeavour, the prequel; Morse, the original series; and Lewis, the sequel) get on the list.
Don't @ me but I've never seen Vera. It's another that's lingered on the to be watched list and gets brushed aside so I can watch the others again and again.
Watch Vera, Pet!
I tend to like the more modern shows like Veronica Mars, Rizzoli and Isles, Castle, Bones, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, Will Trent. Most of those are probably less to your taste but one that I would suggest for you specifically is the 8 episode, 2023 Netflix series, Bodies. It takes place across 3 timelines in a really interesting way and while it has sci fi elements it still has all the charm of a murder mystery, plus it's a super quick watch. Since you like Scooby Doo, you'll probably enjoy Veronica Mars as well though
I haven't even heard of Bodies. I'll check it out sometime. Castle and Bones should have been honorable mentions. I've never seen Will Trent or Rizzoli and Isles. Criminals Minds scared me as a kid. My mom loved that show and I which this episode where there was a search party for a woman and a cannibal had killed her and served her as soup to the search party members and it absolutely freaked me out.
@@summationgathering Will Trent is fairly new. Very loosely based on the books by Karin Slaughter. Rizzoli and Isles is loosely based on the books of Tess Gerritsen. Bones, of course borrows from Kathy Reichs but really only the name and occupation of the lead character. I also read the Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell, which is apparently getting adapted soon
@@summationgathering fair enough, that specific CM episode scared a lot of people but I’m pretty sure that was the only one with Cannibalism
@@shanigribben9158 I did see a few others but that is the one that resonated with me.
@@summationgathering not surprised
It's funny, I want to say that the theory about Jessica Fletcher being the actual killer, originates from an old issue of Mad Magazine!
I did not know that. It's funny to me that theory has stuck to Jessica Fletcher and not for the hundreds of other amateur detectives who find murder wherever they go.
I'm enjoying My Life is Murder with Lucy Lawless.
I haven't seen that one. But I heard good things about it.
@@summationgathering It is a fun show, you get to see the fun side of Lucy, the silly side. The mysteries are good, and the casts are wonderful.
Did you wath the new T.V show Poker Face ? INSPIRED BY COLUMBO
I haven't but I heard it was really good. It's on my watch list.
One of the most unforgettable mystery series I have ever seen is Wire In The Blood (2008). It is very, very dark as the main character, Tony Hill, is an academic psychologist who solves murders by entering the mind of the murderer. By extension, so do we as viewers.
I've never seen that. It sounds intriguing.