ITT we discuss British television comedies.

[btownmeggy]

In this thread we will discuss British television comedies.

You can make suggestions, criticize other people's taste, ruminate on the good old days, whatever.

[Skoffin]

FAWLTY TOWERS, biatch!!

And can't forget Yes, Minister.

[btownmeggy]

When I was in Brazil this summer I saw the show IT Crowd. I just thought it was a hoot. I downloaded all the eps when I got back and have been watching all the new episodes this fall, as well. I've spread its gospel throughout my land, converting many friends. Sadly, I've heard this hilarious show is well-hated by many in Britain and I tell you, I'm totally perplexed as to why. Enlighten me?

* * *

Through my involvement with IT Crowd, I've become deeply enamoured with Richard Ayoade, Chris O'Dowd, Noel Fielding, and every other remotely-masculine actor on the show. So I branched out, read their Wikipedia articles, and watched:

The Mighty Boosh -- WOW! NOT FUNNY! It's usually just plain boring, really. Old Gregg, though... Old Gregg. The first episode I ever watched was Old Gregg. I came out stunned, but wanted more of that pink tutu-wearing fish-man. Old Gregg is this lame-o show's only saving grace.

Nathan Barley -- OMFG, shoot me in the head. I watched only one episode. No more, please. No more.

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace -- Now, this is a pretty funny show. Really, I think it's just quite well-done.

Roman's Empire -- While very occasionally mildly amusing this show has a really big fault down at it's core: Why would these hot babes ever get with these ugly, dweebazoid guys?

[btownmeggy]

FAWLTY TOWERS, biatch!!

And can't forget Yes, Minister.

I haven't seen Fawlty Towers since I was, like, pretty young and definitely-not-getting-it. Isn't it the most popular and loved British TV show ever, or something?

[static_ice]

I don't know how popular it is, well, anywhere but my friends got me into Couplings, I say its decent, tho 99% of the jokes rely on sex (I think all of Britain only has humor in sex )

[SarumanRingLord]

Blackadder lovely comedy series

[The Weird One]

yah. . . and monty python

[Skoffin]

Blackadder lovely comedy series

Bloody hell, how could I have no mentioned that one sooner?

[Skittles!]

Black Books. Loveee Black Books. IT Crowd.. Excellent... So many more shows. They're all excellent.

[riggable]

Monty Python and The Office are both great.

[reverend_kyle]

Monty Python and The Office are both great.

[diddle]

Monty Python and The Office are both great.

QFT

[cena-rules]

When I was in Brazil this summer I saw the show IT Crowd. I just thought it was a hoot. I downloaded all the eps when I got back and have been watching all the new episodes this fall, as well. I've spread its gospel throughout my land, converting many friends. Sadly, I've heard this hilarious show is well-hated by many in Britain and I tell you, I'm totally perplexed as to why. Enlighten me?

* * *

Through my involvement with IT Crowd, I've become deeply enamoured with Richard Ayoade, Chris O'Dowd, Noel Fielding, and every other remotely-masculine actor on the show. So I branched out, read their Wikipedia articles, and watched:

The Mighty Boosh -- WOW! NOT FUNNY! It's usually just plain boring, really. Old Gregg, though... Old Gregg. The first episode I ever watched was Old Gregg. I came out stunned, but wanted more of that pink tutu-wearing fish-man. Old Gregg is this lame-o show's only saving grace.

Nathan Barley -- OMFG, shoot me in the head. I watched only one episode. No more, please. No more.

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace -- Now, this is a pretty funny show. Really, I think it's just quite well-done.

Roman's Empire -- While very occasionally mildly amusing this show has a really big fault down at it's core: Why would these hot babes ever get with these ugly, dweebazoid guys?

Are you like reading my mind and saying it. I agree

[Stopper]

Nathan Barley -- OMFG, shoot me in the head. I watched only one episode. No more, please. No more.

That's an odd one. It should have been good, having, if I remember rightly, the combined might of Charlie Brooker and Chris Morris writing for it. But, as far I can gather, it was a joke on a specific culture in a specific place in London, which no-one outside of that place (Shoreditch, I think) and culture could possibly comprehend. So, basically, it turned out shit.

And how the feck is it that The IT Crowd and Black Books have both been mentioned in this thread, but no-one has yet seen fit to praise the glory that is Father Ted?

[Iliad]

When I was in Brazil this summer I saw the show IT Crowd. I just thought it was a hoot. I downloaded all the eps when I got back and have been watching all the new episodes this fall, as well. I've spread its gospel throughout my land, converting many friends. Sadly, I've heard this hilarious show is well-hated by many in Britain and I tell you, I'm totally perplexed as to why. Enlighten me?

* * *

Through my involvement with IT Crowd, I've become deeply enamoured with Richard Ayoade, Chris O'Dowd, Noel Fielding, and every other remotely-masculine actor on the show. So I branched out, read their Wikipedia articles, and watched:

The Mighty Boosh -- WOW! NOT FUNNY! It's usually just plain boring, really. Old Gregg, though... Old Gregg. The first episode I ever watched was Old Gregg. I came out stunned, but wanted more of that pink tutu-wearing fish-man. Old Gregg is this lame-o show's only saving grace.

Nathan Barley -- OMFG, shoot me in the head. I watched only one episode. No more, please. No more.

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace -- Now, this is a pretty funny show. Really, I think it's just quite well-done.

Roman's Empire -- While very occasionally mildly amusing this show has a really big fault down at it's core: Why would these hot babes ever get with these ugly, dweebazoid guys?

IT crown is awesome!

[satanspaladin]

Red dwarf ,I love the character cat .

He was so vain like a lot of my old gf

[ignotus]

1. Black Adder
2. Fawlty Towers
3. Monty Python (especially Holy Grail)
4. Red Dwarf
5. Mr. Bean

Thats my choice!

[heavycola]

Nathan Barley -- OMFG, shoot me in the head. I watched only one episode. No more, please. No more.

That's an odd one. It should have been good, having, if I remember rightly, the combined might of Charlie Brooker and Chris Morris writing for it. But, as far I can gather, it was a joke on a specific culture in a specific place in London, which no-one outside of that place (Shoreditch, I think) and culture could possibly comprehend. So, basically, it turned out shit.

To be fair, it got better. Charlie Brooker had been writing about Nathan Barley for TVGoHome, which i highly rcommend. But yes it should have been much funnier.

That said: The Day Today! Brasseye! Alan Partridge! Can't believe these haven't been mentioned!

[Iliad]

Monty Python
Blackadder
Fawlty Towers
IT crowd

[DAZMCFC]

That said: The Day Today! Brasseye! Alan Partridge! Can't believe these haven't been mentioned!

very good all of them and to Stopper, father Ted was shit.

top 5.
1. Red Dwarf
2. Operation Good Guys
3. Blackadder
4. The Detectives
5. Porridge

there is a a couple of others like Paul Calf and Spaced. Couplings has also been mentioned which was very good. ones that have been on BBC Three lately are Ideal and Gavin and Stacy.


= ratings out of 5 for top 5 only.

[AlgyTaylor]

Daz ... soooooo glad someone mentioned Operation Good Guys - that was absolute class. One of my favourite comedy shows ever.

Always end up missing out loads that I do like, but here's a few ones I rate:
- Usual Blackadder/Monty Python/Faulty Towers/... stuff
- The Mighty Boosh (like Marmite, you either love it or you hate it. I love it.)
- The earlier Red Dwarf series. Always felt it was stronger when they were based on the big spaceship, but that might just be me.
- Father Ted; was repeated a bit too often on C4 for my liking, but doesn't alter the basic fact that it's incredibly funny once you get into it.
- Porridge always makes me laugh. Ronnie Baker was absolutely fantastic in that, his finest moment (well, moments) IMO
- the first series of The Young Ones

[Tripitaka]

I don't know how popular it is, well, anywhere but my friends got me into Couplings, I say its decent, tho 99% of the jokes rely on sex (I think all of Britain only has humor in sex )

I quite liked Coupling, but then I did used to fancy Jack Davenport. It was reasonably popular over here, winning "Best TV Comedy" at the 2003 British Comedy Awards, but it wasn't helped by the TV scheduling and being stuck on BBC 2. They also should have stopped at series three when the character Jeff left, instead of dragging it out for a fourth - but that's just my opinion.

As for British humour - it isn't all just about sex.....we have a penchant for jokes about bodily functions as well!

I thought Spaced, written and starring Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Stevenson, was fantastic, what with all it's references to pop culture and the odd surreal moment thrown in. I'm gutted they only made two series. Rumours abound as to whether they will make a third series at some point, but I doubt it, not with Pegg's movie success, but he has hinted at making a one-off special, so that's something to look forward to.

Apart from the usual suspects, Black Adder, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, The Office etc another of my favourites is Peep Show - absolutely hilarious, especially David Mitchell - I only have to look at him and I crack me up!

Oh and for the record, I love The Mighty Boosh and absolutely hate The IT Crowd

[Titanic]

I don't know how popular it is, well, anywhere but my friends got me into Couplings, I say its decent, tho 99% of the jokes rely on sex (I think all of Britain only has humor in sex )

I quite liked Coupling, but then I did used to fancy Jack Davenport. It was reasonably popular over here, winning "Best TV Comedy" at the 2003 British Comedy Awards, but it wasn't helped by the TV scheduling and being stuck on BBC 2. They also should have stopped at series three when the character Jeff left, instead of dragging it out for a fourth - but that's just my opinion.

As for British humour - it isn't all just about sex.....we have a penchant for jokes about bodily functions as well!

I thought Spaced, written and starring Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Stevenson, was fantastic, what with all it's references to pop culture and the odd surreal moment thrown in. I'm gutted they only made two series. Rumours abound as to whether they will make a third series at some point, but I doubt it, not with Pegg's movie success, but he has hinted at making a one-off special, so that's something to look forward to.

Apart from the usual suspects, Black Adder, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, The Office etc another of my favourites is Peep Show - absolutely hilarious, especially David Mitchell - I only have to look at him and I crack me up!

Oh and for the record, I love The Mighty Boosh and absolutely hate The IT Crowd

Yer, David Mitchell is really good at all types of comedy. I agree with all the shows you mentioned as well, apart from that I love IT Crowd and never seen Might Boosh.

[mr. incrediball]

1. Black Adder
2. Fawlty Towers
3. Monty Python (especially NFSCD)
4. Red Dwarf
5. Mr. Bean

Thats my choice!

[ignotus]

Alo Alo was a good show also!