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Who is your favourite British comedy act/show?

Posted by atomickarma • 8/31/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: comedy, Film, Radio, sketch, standup

I'm thinking along the lines of sketch shows, films, radio, sitcoms, and standup?

Very curious to see what the opinions are on this. I'm not personally aware of too much US-based comedy, or Australian comedy, so forgive me for the narrowness of the question.

User Comments

8/31/08

KaiteeThePirate

Most of my favourites are British (and I'm an Aussie). I just seem to think that the British sense of humour far outstrips anyone else's. Black Books, Coupling and Red Dwarf are probably my favourites. Dylan Moran is hilarious.

[reply]
1. 9/02/08
  
  Lazarus
  
  I have been catching the re-runs of Black Books recently...its destined to become a classic.
8/31/08

KaiteeThePirate

Sorry. It posted twice. :/

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8/31/08

thewriterspulse

I'm from the U.S., but from time to time I'll see British shows playing on some channel or another.

I really liked Coupling...one of the funniest shows I've ever seen.

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8/31/08

DrowseyMonkey

I loved the Vicar of Dibley.

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8/31/08

gosmelltheflowers

The office, Peter Kay and Monty Python all worth a look.

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8/31/08

Theresa111

As Time Goes By
Waiting For God
Keeping Up Appearances
The Vicar of Dibley
Chef

Bridget Jones
Bridget Jones Diary

Four Weddings and A Funeral

[reply]
1. 8/31/08
  
  DrowseyMonkey
  
  Waiting for God & Keeping up Appearances...yes, love those. Mrs. Bucket, lol.
  
  I grew up watching On the Buses. Of course also Benny Hill...who I don't find at all funny.
8/31/08

gosmelltheflowers

This is more like it above! Plus..

Steve Coogan as alan Partridge,
Some Mothers do ave'em with Frank Spencer (michael Crawford)
Black adder before he was Mr bean!

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8/31/08

RayRayStandUp

Definitely Jimmy Carr

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8/31/08

aningeniousname

None, the British are a morose nation of tea drinking anal retentives, more at home complaining than jesting.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  jafabrit
  
  you drank too much tea, I can feel it, I can tell, it is true! coz you're at yeum pet and having a reet whinge.
2. 9/01/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  Well I'm just saying what we all know, The British are for want of a better word, horrible.
  If I was British I'd commit suicide and hope to come back as a snail or a Belgian.
8/31/08

chrisso

I think Little Britain is the funniest british comedy show I have seen.
Very close to reality as well, hilarious...my favourite.
The British don't drink only tea...you should come over to the UK and would be surprised at how much alcoholic stuff can be consumed in Britain every day...

[reply]
1. 8/31/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  No I would never go to Britain as I believe them to be evil and rude and unattractive in the extreme.
2. 8/31/08
  
  boytrotters
  
  Says the dude with an unfeasibly long schnozz.
8/31/08

boytrotters

The Goodies, Black Books, Red Dwarf, The Thin Blue Line, The IT Crowd, and Black Adder are probably some of my favourites. These are all solidly written, acted and produced as far as I'm concerned... especially considering their considerable budget constraints

As for stand up comics, two of my personal faves would be Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran, who both happened to be in Black Books.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  KaiteeThePirate
  
  Oh my! How could I have forgotten The Goodies or Blackadder! I have them all on DVD as well, even though The Goodies are well and truly before my time.
2. 9/01/08
  
  boytrotters
  
  Seriously... you have all of the Goodies on DVD?! I'm amazed. I thought they'd only released a couple dozen episodes so far?!
3. 9/02/08
  
  KaiteeThePirate
  
  I could have phrased that better
  I've got all of Blackadder on DVD and all that they have released of The Goodies on DVD. About 10 years ago they had a Goodies special on Cable and they aired every single episode... which I have on a stack of ancient VHS tapes (and yes they still go).
4. 9/02/08
  
  boytrotters
  
  Ah! I see now!
  
  Have you ever thought about transferring those Goodies episodes to DVD before it's too late? You wouldn't want to lose all that valuable viewing treasure!
8/31/08

Chrislag

The "Black Adder" series used to be one of my faves.
short exerpt: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a89oCEBC4ok

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8/31/08

LoveIan

The Mighty Boosh, Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got New for You, Sunday Night Project and TOP GEAR!!!

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9/01/08

TangledWeb

The Young Ones
Keeping Up Appearances
Are You Being Served
Faulty Towers
Benny Hill

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9/01/08

TragicComedy

Haven't seen much British tv but what I have liked from what I've seen is Who's Line and Coupling

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9/01/08

drjay1966

Monty Python's Flying Circus
The Young Ones
Fawtly Towers
Black Adder
Alan Partridge

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9/01/08

PetLvr

mostly said above .. fawlty towers, monty python, coupling, red dwarf, black addler..

plus

absolutely fabulous, extras, french and saunders, yes minister, benny hill show, are you being served ... /// I'm sure there are others..

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9/01/08

thevagmaster

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! (btw, why did Roseanne Barr/Arnold buy the rights and then do nothing with it in the US); anything MONTY PYTHON'S THE LIFE OF BRIAN (always look on the bright side of life); THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY (love the books but since you didn't ask about books, I really did love the film.)

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9/01/08

carlgalloway

Morecombe and Wise!

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9/01/08

kirat92

Some episodes of My Family, some are really bad though.

kirat92.blogspot.com

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9/01/08

MadameX

I haven't seen any in years. I used to love The Young Ones and Fawlty Towers, though.

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9/01/08

SweetViolet

I'm American, but one of the PBS stations near my home in California used to have "British Comedy night" so I was privileged to see quite a few of them. Among my favourites:

Black Adder (especially the Elizabethan and Georgian episodes)
Waiting for God
Red Dwarf (my South African husband had never heard of it, so I bought the DVDs...now he's a huge fan!)
To the Manor Born (LOVE Penelope Keith)
Hitchhiker's Guide
Good Neighbours

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9/01/08

Crazysah

Fawlty Towers is easily the best. Second and close comes Yes Minister!

Monthy Python though rules all!

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9/01/08

crpitt

Red Dwarf, The IT crowd, spaced, black books, Alan Partridge, The Office, Extras, Little Britain, coupling and anything with Peter Kay, Bill Bailey too.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  keeno82uk
  
  i love the IT crowd. Too bad it was axed. Bill Bailey is hilarious and so is Peter Kay. good choices.
9/01/08

mrbastard

Its got to be 'The Young Ones!!!'

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9/01/08

stevenwilson

Benny Hill was the best.

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9/01/08

keeno82uk

I've always thought of Lee Evans as being the best English comedian. Totally my sense of humour.

Show wise, i enjoy classic comedies like Red Dwarf, Only Fools, Fawlty Towers, and i also love the comedy quiz shows like never mind the buzzcocks and 9/10 cats.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  crpitt
  
  The show has gained an extra cat?
2. 9/01/08
  
  keeno82uk
  
  is it 8/10 cats??? my bad. lol
3. 9/01/08
  
  crpitt
  
  Yep it is lol
4. 9/01/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  You can never have too much pussy.
5. 9/01/08
  
  crpitt
  
  Bad pink donkeh.
6. 9/01/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  I had visions of Charlie Chuck saying that.
7. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  Have I got News for You? THE BEST
8. 9/01/08
  
  keeno82uk
  
  i think it aint a donkey, its an ant eater, but yeah have i got news for you is a goodun too.
9. 9/01/08
  
  atomickarma
  
  it crowd axed?!
  
  Someone should tell them, they're filming now!
9/01/08

DaVincisBlogLog

Mrs. Bucket, lol...On The Buses, too many to name!

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9/01/08

Nomadic

Eddie Izard every time

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  crpitt
  
  Oops forgot Eddie, he is ace.
2. 9/01/08
  
  keeno82uk
  
  hes certainly different aint he lol hes alright, not my cup of tea
9/01/08

jeremylong

Is Mr Beans British?
I think he's funnily great!!

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  If only I could strip Rowan Atkinson of his nationality (sigh). I guess some people think Benny Hill is funny too.
2. 9/01/08
  
  keeno82uk
  
  yeah beans english. Only someone that dorky can be english right lol
3. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  Do you have to be so specific, Keen? Twist the knife why don't you.
9/01/08

jeffmccord

Absolutely Little Britain....

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9/01/08

Hoeno

There are too many of them but A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Are You Being Served are much loved in this household.

~JD

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9/01/08

aminhers

i think :
"the young ones" !

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  I was 13 when The Young Ones arrived in my life. Literally. They filmed it few doors up from my mums house. That was some great summer.
9/01/08

Anjie

The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and The Day Today where Alan Partridge was born

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  The Boosh, of course! Absolute classic.
9/01/08

queenofpop27

Hands down, Absolutely Fabulous is the best British show ever!!!! I have watched it so many times, and it is still funny to me.

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9/01/08

tiggyblog

The League of Gentlemen - funny, outrageous and horrific at the same time. Best British comedy ever (apart from Monty Python but that goes without saying, of course!)

And they weren't on TV but the Goon Show is the funniest thing I have ever heard. Ever.

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9/01/08

agapelife

@ DM
O the English are truly Funny! Never heard of some of the ones mentioned here. Butterfly was not mentioned. Would like to get some DVDs of Red Dwarf, some mothers do have em. etc. I have looked at the stores here in Canada but they are overstock with American comedies. Any ideas where I will find them DM ? or is there a warehouse in UK with just British or Irish comedies.
@ Nomadic - What's the boosh about?

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9/01/08

thebigandyt

Spaced - love the pop culture references. Bill bailey is a legend as the comic book owner. Dosn't look like the third series is ever going to appear though. Making movies must have distracted them. Loved shaun of the dead and hot fuzz though so maybe no bad thing

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  boytrotters
  
  Bill Bailey's in Spaced?! Grrr... yet another reason to regret missing that series when it aired on telly.
2. 9/01/08
  
  thebigandyt
  
  you can pick up a box set of both series for peanuts. Nick frosts character is hilarious
3. 9/01/08
  
  boytrotters
  
  Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to look out for that.
4. 9/01/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  Or watch it here for nothing.
  tvshack.net/tv_shows/Spaced/
5. 9/02/08
  
  boytrotters
  
  Hey, thanks aningenio... erm, a name that's too long to type.
6. 9/02/08
  
  thebigandyt
  
  thats pretty cool, hasn't got all the episodes though. From reading this list it sounds like a show has to have aged 20 years before we export it. It wouldn't surprise me if allo allo turned up somewhere on this list
9/01/08

jlg365

Absolutely Fabulous. Jennifer Saunders is a fantastic writer and Joanna Lumley always makes me laugh. Never seen it? I recommend "Poor". Eddie and Pats at their best.

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9/01/08

alyoung

Frankie Boyle: there's nothing like bitter Scots.

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9/01/08

freeatlast

Extras

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9/01/08

Anniepooh

Monty Python

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9/02/08

reasonablerobinson

Blackadder followed closley by Fawlty Towers and Little Britain.

[reply]
1. 9/02/08
  
  Lazarus
  
  Blackadder takes some beating
9/02/08

BuurTilleen

I can always, year after year, return to watch The League of Gentlemen, I just love their irrational behaviour and obsessions. I also loved to watch Three Non-Blondes and had my glasses literally vapoured from laughing the first time I saw them! Others on the top of my list: Catherine Tate, French & Saunders. Long live British comedy!

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9/02/08

slivatree

I think the Black Adder series takes a lot of beating, but the Labour Party with the leading role led by the comedian Gordon Brown win hands down!

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9/02/08

hippieprincess4

We love Doctor Who in this house...hating it will not be on much for awhile!

[reply]
1. 9/02/08
  
  atomickarma
  
  I've been watching Doctor Who for nearly 30 years and writing about it for 4- and I've never heard of anyone seriously referring to it as a comedy!
  
  But I suppose in many ways it could be - it is a very witty show, and lots of other series are funny without being described as "comedy".
  
  Of course, many comedies become "comedy--dramas" as the comedy aspect begins to fail...
9/02/08

calais50

One foot in the grave, father ted, benny hill, monty python's flying circus,benny hill, mr bean, fawlty towers, keeping up appearances,graham norton show.
Not comedies, but i also like "How Clean is your house" and "You are what you eat."

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9/02/08

myriadlife

Fawlty Towers still makes me laugh, Little Britain, One Foot in the Grave and Black Adder was my all time favourite.

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9/02/08

Nomadic

@agapelife. How to describe the Mighty Boosh? It is undescribable. Random. Funky. Cool. It's the story of Vincent Noir and Howard Moon and their lives together. Each episode is unique. Take a look at Old Greg for a flavour.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSvXzYnQZM
But maybe have a look at Noel Fielding (Vincent Noir) pre Boosh in stand up for a clue
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ69xEyAzIk

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9/02/08

creativedreamevent

Black Adder
Fawlty Towers
Absolutely Fabulous
and best of all.... Father Ted
and Hugh Laurie is now on House, but I still love him

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9/02/08

atomickarma

I'd just like to thank everyone for taking part in this - my first ever discussion!

I got exactly what I wanted from you all too - inspiration for some Quintessential Comedy clips and posts, so double thanks!

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9/02/08

RTBjr73

Red Dwarf and Benny Hill...still crack up at those.

And don't worry about not knowing much on American comedy shows, because most of them suck these days anyhow.

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9/02/08

MidwestMom

The Young Ones
Absolutely Fabulous
and
Coupling

No one does rude humour better than the Brits. Truly.

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9/02/08

XanthePat

How about Shameless? If your looking for rude humour from the UK.

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9/02/08

christopherhib

Minus the IT Crowd, have you noticed everyones favourites are the oldies?

Mind you they were some of the best! only fools and horses anyone!?

What about openw all hours? that was pure original comedy.

I have to say tho, I don't find mighty boosh funny at all, but everyone else seems to think it's great, so theres gotta be something there

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9/02/08

MrChap402

I love Coupling...they kill "Friends"

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9/03/08

jan4insight

I've been going through the old Avengers series from the 60s - love it, especially the later ones, in color.

And some years ago I remember seeing part of a BBC series called, I think, "Allo! Allo!!" It was a comedy about a French town in WWII that was being occupied by the Nazis, and it was hilarious. Over the top. Only the Brits could pull off humor like that!

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9/03/08

sycologist

There are so many: The Office, Extras, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, The Young Ones, D&C, Monty Python, etc etc

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9/03/08

othellobloke

Mrs Merton was a cracker.

Keeping Up Appearances is an all-time classic. Check it out www.ryanpaul.ca/blog/keeping-up-appearances/

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9/03/08

CrystalRaven

I think he may be dead, but we still get the re-runs Benny Hill!!!!

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9/03/08

79sparrows

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, sweetie darling!

hehehe. Great show.

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9/03/08

BlogDogW2

Keeping Up Appearances and Are You Being Served are my fav. Brit. shows.

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