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Radio comedy

• The Goon Show - classically funny and completely bonkers comedy from the 50s with the legends of Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. 
• Whose Line is it Anyway? - a quick-paced improv game that was so successful on radio they made it for TV.
• Just a Minute - a show with rules that are often broken and challenged with ensuing hilarity.
• I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue - a comedy panel game with a variety of mini-games and most recently hosted by Jack Dee.
• The News Quiz - topical comedy show and inspiration for Have I Got News for You.

Symphonic metal and rock

• Within Temptation - Dutch group gaining notoriety across the globe for their symphonic and gothic rock; The Heart of Everything is beautifully crafted.
• Nightwish - a symphonic power metal group from Finland, possibly the pioneers in the genre, with a cinematic and epic feel to earlier albums; Once, the last album to feature Tarja's operatic vocals, is easily their best.
• Lacuna Coil - from Italy, one of the most successful gothic metal bands mixing male and female vocals; recent album Broken Crown Halo is the peak of their triumphs.
• Delain - another Dutch symphonic metal group formed by original keyboardist from Within Temptation; April Rain is still their best piece.
• Evanescence - not strictly symphonic but heavily based on gothic metal and rock, one of the few bands to appeal to mainstream listeners; original album Fallen is a perfectly rounded creation.

American TV shows

• NCIS - one of my favourites, as Gibbs is an intriguing and brilliantly-played lead character. The team works brilliantly as an ensemble on some interesting Naval crimes. Easy to see why the show is the most watched on American TV.
• Modern Family - mockumentary-style comedy about an extended family and their shenanigans; Phil Dunphy is one of the most loveable and hilarious characters on TV.
• Grey's Anatomy - taking over the medical drama mantle after the end of ER, Grey's is still as moving 10 seasons on as it was when it first aired in 2005.
• The Big Bang Theory - situational comedy about science geeks and comic-book nerds that has reached a significantly wider audience than those niche groups.
• The West Wing - political drama that finished airing in 2006 and focused on the fictional presidency of Martin Sheen's lead character. Noted for developing the long Steadicam tracking 'walk and talk' shots that now seem common-place.

Film musicals

• Calamity Jane - one of my early childhood favourites, about a frontierswoman and scout known for fighting indians and being friends with Wild Bill Hickock. Favourite song: The Deadwood Stage
• Mary Poppins - another childhood favourite (and still an adulthood favourite!), not least of all because Dick Van Dyke is a legend. Favourite song: Let's Go Fly a Kite
• The King and I - Oscar-winning film with some catchy tunes and romantic overtones set in a far off exotic land (and some teaching thrown in!). Favourite song: Shall We Dance
• Sister Act - although not strictly a musical, this is still one of my favourites of all time. Whoopi Goldberg is utterly brilliant (even if she can't sing to save her life). Favourite song: I Will Follow Him
• Moulin Rouge! - a typical Baz Luhrmann eye-fest extravaganza of colour and costume, with some excellent star turns from Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman and cleverly reworked modern music. Favourite song: El Tango de Roxanne (best watched for the majorly awesome dancing!)

Monty Python sketches

• Meaning of Life: Sex Education - one of the funniest and most awkward imaginings of teaching ever.
• Four Yorkshiremen - a very well-known sketch that still resonates today, particularly with those people who like to out-do others.
• Wood and Tinny Words - utterly silly but still one of my favourites because I love words - and men dressed up as women.
• Nudge Nudge - a brilliant example of sexual innuendo and the ridiculousness and complexity of Eric Idle's delivery. Also one of the few Python sketches to have a punchline.
• Life of Brian: Biggus Dickus - had me in stitches when my dad reenacted it on a family holiday to Italy. Some of our fellow tourists weren't quite so impressed. Watch closely for Michael Palin almost losing it.