Hawaii 5-0
(1968-80, USA, 284 episodes)

Its musical theme was the first thing I learnt to play on the piano. Crime stories in exotic surroundings was hot stuff for a nine year old kid.

(Häxkonstaplarna)
(19??, France, ?? ep.)

What was this? Definitely French. French cool motorbike policemen driving on a sidecar bike. And yet another theme song that got stuck in my head after all these (30+) years. Still I cannot find definite evidence on it anywhere? Is it here?

Tårtan
(Sweden, 1972, 15 ep.)

This was a children's show. Still it was challenging the preconceptions of anything in the genre. Those three sailors turned bakers made it into an instant classic. Not forgetting "Frasses sång" (the song of Frasse).

McCloud
(1970-77, USA, 45 ep.)

Dennis Weaver playing a nice New York cop, following the suspects on the horseback. Great stuff! And his superior was great fun too!

Persuaders, the
(1971-72, UK, 24 ep.)

With another theme song (more correctly - two of them!) that got stuck in my head. The unlikely but highly entertaining duo of Moore and Curtis giving detective stories a both elegant and fun edge.

Space: 1999
(1975-77, UK/USA/Italy, 48 ep.)

Stylish science fiction. I vividly remember the episode with the black hole.

I, Claudius
(1976, UK, 13 ep.)

Ancient history came to life like it'd never done. Despite the static indoor settings this was high drama, including a wonderful cast with John Hurt in the most memorable role. I was 13 years seeing it the first time around, and it was not to be the last.

Life on Earth
(1979, UK, 13 ep.)

David Attenborough made insects and leaves as thrilling as any crime story. He has made many great things since then, but this time was perhaps the best. And the book was even better!

Hill Street Blues
(1981-87, USA, 146 ep.)

Crime stories with people you got attached to, and followed as their lives turned around various bends. A series built around a community that told me stuff of human life. Never ever dull.

Marco Polo
(1982, Italy, 4 ep.)

David Warner is in it. Ennio Morricone has written a magically beautiful score. And it's about ancient history. So what more needs to be said? I've got it on DVD (with optional Dutch subtitles)!

Heimat - Eine deutsche Chronik
(1984, FR of Germany, 11 ep.)

An intimate and realistic view of Germany under Hitler. Just as life really was. This portrait of a neighbourhood on the Hünsruck hills by the Rhine explained better than most this very strange period of recent history.

Twin Peaks
(1990-91, USA, 29 ep.)

Strange intrigues and mystery abounding. But the girls were more than interesting, and Coop was a perfect centre in this whirlwind of exciting events. It kept me on my toes from the first minute.

Picket Fences
(1992-96, USA, 89 ep.)

Set in Rome, Wisconsin, a sort of normal world version Twin Peaks. Substituted some of the latter's violence, magic encounters and episode twists and with heart-warming conclusions. Giving us fewer moral examples and more of life being so many different things and still making sense. Multiple awards but the DVD collections waited until 2007!

Riget
(1994-97, Denmark, 8 ep.)

My first encounter with the directorial oddities of Lars von Trier. This was after "Twin Peaks", and I was probably better attuned to the supernatural strangeness. Ernst-Hugo Järegård made a great stand-out character.

Charlot og Charlotte
(1996, Denmark, 4 ep.)

A four-part roadmovie where the strange of Lynch meets the joy of Danish. It's about the meaning of life, and beautifully acted by Helle Dolleris and Ellen Hillingsø. But just WHEN does this little marvel get its long deserved video/DVD release?

Time Team
(1994-, UK, 130+ ep.)

More of the popular science the Britons are world champions at. Now with archeology made into prime-time entertainment. And with an enthusiastic Tony Robinson bringing it all together (who thought Black Adder's poor side-kick Baldrick being capable of this?).

Mirai shounen Konan
(1978, Japan, 26 ep.)

The animated story of "Conan, the Boy in Future" is an entertaining rendition of Alexander Key's dark sci-fi novel. The bleak portrait of humanity is still there, but master Miyazaki has added a lot of fun to it. Still not - legally - available in an English-language format. What a shame!

Tipping the Velvet
(2002, UK, 3 ep.)

The very first day I had access to NRK1 (Norwegian Programme 1), I zapped into this mini-series. And within a week I had ordered _two_ different video sets of it online. The portrayal of personal choices in a Victorian surrounding is presented with such elegance and charm as to make one speechless.

Haibane Renmei
(2002, Japan, 13 ep.)

Miyazaki has influenced a whole generation of Japanese animators, with his realistic animation and honest portrayals of people. The fantasy world of the grey-feathered people is no exception. Atmospheric animation and (mysterious) intrigue elements make you wishing for more.

Chikyuu shoujo Arujuna
(2001, Japan, 13 ep.)

The earth girl Arjuna is a high-school kid, given the mission of saving the earth! Sharing a name with the best archer in the whole world (says the Indian epos of Mahabharata). Those only interested in action with no message involved might want to stay away from this. The soundtrack is by Youko Kanno...

Mousou dairinin
(2004, Japan, 13 ep.)

Maybe Satoshi Kon is the most interesting of today's Japanese film directors. His distinct style bares only small resemblance to the Miyazaki legacy, concentrating on making intelligent and thought-provoking thrillers. No small feat for a simple "cartoon maker".

Spirit of Wonder
(1992, Japan, 3 story cycles)

Kenji Tsuruta must be the least productive of all cartoonists. But the things trickling out of his hands are still higly revered in his homeland. The pricey Japanese DVD box collects some of the most charming, whimsical and open-hearted story-telling ever.