I remember Ian McShane guest-starring on my favorite American show of the 80s, Magnum P. I. I think he played a member of MI5 or 6 or whatever number they're up to. He's such a charismatic fellow he pretty much stole the episode from Tom Selleck.
But when Series 1 of Lovejoy first aired I was still in university. The idea of watching a show on PBS about British antique chasers was anathema. Why don't I just go to my great-aunt Maude's knitting circle at the community hall?
Well, fast-forward 30+ years and I'm binge re-watching Minder, my favorite British TV show from the 80s. Who turns up playing a charismatic con man but Ian McShane. So I go looking for Lovejoy on my Firestick's, um, ''streaming service."
It took me a few episodes of barely being able to understand the dialogue. And an equal number of episodes to follow the plots. But The Real Thing presents delightful and easy-to-follow Con A and Con B. One involves a new "modern antique" gallery in the city. The other involving forged paintings.
Everyone from McShane's Lovejoy to Phyllis Logan's Lady Jane and on down to the week's guest star, Ray Lonmen, are having a good time, with Lovejoy getting some very funny wisecracks in for good measure.
If I were to introduce somebody to this series, I would start right here.