British and American Television Comedy

I thought this thread would be great to see how the two countries see the other's comedy as well as the input of non-Brit/US .Orgahs too. :3

When I think of any comedy, I often find myself dividing it into two clear categories; older comedy (1960s-1990s) and then more modern stuff (say, 2000-present). The general consensus among British comedy lovers is that modern offerings (both our own and from across the pond) simply don't compare to the older stuff.

Older generations in particular are always saying things to me like "Ricky Gervais doesn't compare to Ronnie Barker" or "this Peep Show pales in comparison to Only Fools and Horses", whereas people of my own age are the complete polar opposite. If you told the average person my age about 'Allo 'Allo or Are You Being Served, you'd likely recieve a "WTF" expression in return. It's as though there's no desire to embrace comedy of other generations because it's seen as rubbish, dated, rude or whatever.

There is a British comedy show aimed at teenagers called Coming of Age, which screens on BBC Three; the show is basically constant one-liner jokes orientated about sex, and generally not even innuendos but completely overt references to bodily functions and such.

I actually shudder when I see the two female characters discussing these things in such a manner, because it seems a bit extreme for anyone to talk like that, let alone two teenage girls. I fail to understand how that show was scheduled for a second series when it's absolutely rubbish, and this is for a show that's orientated towards my age group, allegedly.

In the same breath, I look at a show like Dad's Army and wonder "who the fudge thought this was funny?". I can appreciate comedy from before my time (I adore Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Only Fools, among others), but I also believe that many modern comedies are deserving of similar attention in their own right, such as Mock The Week, Peep Show or The IT Crowd.

What's it like in other countries and what do you all think?

Are things just getting a little too... PC, and thus we're getting less funny as time goes by? Do modern comedians and sit-coms simply not compare to their predecessors?

I agree older comedies were generally better but also agree with your examples of good modern day comedy. Almost identically, even (other than not watching and therefore not really knowing if the IT crowd is good). :speechless:

Their are also funny shows that aren't always classified as comedy, for example, Harry Hill's TV burp, the stupidity of him just makes it all the better yet the details he picks out of programs are remarkable.

I agree Dad's army was appalling, I think whereas Faulty Towers & Blackadder were good also.

Mr Bean is a classic too, gotta love it, Rowen Atkinson is a great actor by being able to create something funny with such minimal speech.

The IT Crowd is an acquired taste, I guess; I watched it and adored every second of it, whereas I had other friends who couldn't grasp some of the more... geeky references. Richard Ayoade (if you've watched The Mighty Boosh, you might know him as Saboo) is brilliant and it's definitely worth a look.

Harry Hill is fantastic, the comedy's very... slapstick and fresh, and as you said he does show quite the attention to detail in the programmes he analyses. As an Eastenders viewer (yeah, yeah, I know!), I love his take on Heather and her yoghurt pot lids etc. Funny Saturday viewing, certainly.

Dad's Army bored the life outta me, honestly. It seems like the best moment was "don't tell 'em your name, Pike!", and that's about it. Blackadder Goes Forth is a better example of making military endeavours comedic.

Mr Bean is excellent; I wasn't so keen on the films, though.

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Originally Posted by Secura

I actually shudder when I see the two female characters discussing these things in such a manner, because it seems a bit extreme for anyone to talk like that, let alone two teenage girls. I fail to understand how that show was scheduled for a second series when it's absolutely rubbish, and this is for a show that's orientated towards my age group, allegedly.

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You just have to resign yourself to the fact that all comedy on BBC3 is utter s:daisy:t, I don't know who its aimed at but it cetainly isn't us.

As for comedy on the whole, I don't think it has really changed at all, its just that people only remember the good shows from the past and the best of the modern stuff compares very well.

There are still loads of great comedies produced in recent times, for example Spaced, Arrested Development, Brass Eye, anything by Charlie Brooker, anything by adultswim, are all just as good as the older "classics".

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Originally Posted by bobbin

You just have to resign yourself to the fact that all comedy on BBC3 is utter s:daisy:t

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Well, Gavin and Stacey started on BBC Three until it grew really popular; I really enjoyed that. But otherwise I'd have to agree... the likes of Coming of Age and Two Pints of Lager are pretty poor, really. I blame the writers rather than the actors, though.

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There are still loads of great comedies produced in recent times, for example Spaced, Arrested Development, Brass Eye, anything by Charlie Brooker, anything by adultswim, are all just as good as the older "classics".

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You have very good taste, particularly Spaced. I'm also fond of Brooker's very dry, sarcastic humour, and I thought he was fantastic on most recent The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. Whoever paired him up with David Mitchell for that show deserves a medal.

I'm keen to hear some non-British opinions too, .Orgahs! :P

Father Ted is :daisy: hilarious also Black Books very good there is no real good comedy on tv in Ireland that does not come from somewhere else all our comedians go to UK who graciously export back the quality to us which is nice :2thumbsup:

Yes, Father Ted is pretty good, also Vicar of Dibley is hit and miss with the occasional brilliant episode.

I think BBC 3 as a channel is fairly good though I agree most of its comedy's are shabby.

I do like American animations though, the simpsons is brilliant but personally I find family guy to be Laugh-out-Loud funny and more entertaining overall, regardless of what some people think of it. :wink:

Father Ted is fantastic, it's such a shame that Dermot Morgan died before his time.

Family Guy is probably my favourite American comedy, to be honest, but it amazes me the extent of things they get away with saying; I cannot see a live action comedy being able to make racial or homosexual remarks in the context FG does without controversy.

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Originally Posted by Secura

I'm keen to hear some non-British opinions too, .Orgahs! :P

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The Americans have a good sense of humour. Seen some great stuff over the years. My favourite US comedy is Married with Children.


My great love is British humour. Very different from american, even if I can't exactly point out in which way right here on the spot. Blackadder, the Office (Gervais version) and Extras are the very best comedy I know. Such unmitigated brilliance. I've got them all on DVD, and watch them over and over again, and I laugh as hard every time. Which shows they're really rather good or I'm really rather too dumb too remember a joke.

Two eighties, two noughties shows then.



Wait, make that German humour. By far my favourite:
'A man walks his dog in the park. He sees a woman with a dog. Says he: you are ze third woman wearing a brown leather jacket this week'. :laugh4:
Oh, and the classic:
'Do you see that BMW? It has three wheels. Then we haben it gefixed back in Stuttgart. How many wheels does it have now?'
'Well....four?
'Nein! Now it has five - four underneath and one spare!' :laugh4: :laugh4:

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My great love is British humour. Very different from american, even if I can't exactly point out in which way right here on the spot. Blackadder, the Office (Gervais version) and Extras are the very best comedy I know. Such unmitigated brilliance. I've got them all on DVD, and watch them over and over again, and I laugh as hard every time. Which shows they're really rather good or I'm really rather too dumb too remember a joke.

Two eighties, two noughties shows then.

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Its drier i enjoy sometimes.

In the US most people think of like Monty Python when they hear British Comedy.

I think modern comedy is becoming more crass which doesnt make it any less funny especially for hormonal teen males like myself.

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Originally Posted by Centurion1

I think modern comedy is becoming more crass which doesnt make it any less funny especially for hormonal teen males like myself.

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American Pie had its moments. Especially the first one. which was a rather sweet movie too. Then the series quickly deteriorated.


I, erm....I personally wouldn't watch such plebeian rubbish, of course. The above is what I remember from the reviews. :sweatdrop:

I'm very particular about comedies from across the pond, really; there's sometimes a level of humour that I don't find funny, or I feel has been dumbed down for the wider audience. Having said that, I do like US comedy just as much as British, really.

My current favourites from the good old US are The Big Bang Theory and Scrubs. BBT feels a little like IT Crowd for a younger, less tech-orientated audience; the jokes aren't so vague that only a certain demographic will understand them. And Scrubs... well, I've loved that since the very beginning, though it feels as though they're trying to live past their prime by continuing past Season Eight.

They should take a leaf out of Fawlty Towers' book; quit while you're ahead, before things get stale.

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American Pie had its moments. Especially the first one. which was a rather sweet movie too. Then the series quickly deteriorated.


I, erm....I personally wouldn't watch such plebeian rubbish, of course. The above is what I remember from the reviews.

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Lets be frank my dear frenchmen, you liked the first one because of the lovely nadia.

i like office.

personally i do not find scrubs funny, at all. but many people do so i dont judge

Two and a half men was great (I've seen the first 2 seasons), but from what I've seen it doesn't work with Jake grown up.

The weirdest thing about sitcoms to me is how utterly unfunny they are if you miss the beginning.

That 70's show was great too. What's his name who always wore sunglasses was my favorite.

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That 70's show was great too. What's his name who always wore sunglasses was my favorite.

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hyde. yeah its a funny show.

Yes Ministter, Red Dwarf, New Statemen, the list could go on.

Peter Kay is good though, with Phoenix Nights... damn, haven't seen that in ages. Remind me to watch it when I return home.

If you haven't seen Airplane or Animal House, you haven't seen American comedy.

Rather enjoyed Little Britain, despite it's rather short running. Seinfeld had some excellent episodes, as did Everybody Loves Raymond. As far as animated series, I still love South Park, Family Guy is beginning to stale, but American Dad is really starting to find it's legs, Love the Apocalypse episode.

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Originally Posted by Centurion1

personally i do not find scrubs funny, at all. but many people do so i dont judge

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I liked it when it first came out. So seasons 1-4ish. But now I'm kind of over it and I don't really find it funny anymore.

I love Brit-coms though. I adore IT Crowd (half my Uni course is IT so...). But my favourite is the Mighty Boosh, quirky and ridiculous.

Of the recent US offerings Arrested Development has to be my favourite. The writing is fantastic, unbelievably witty and dry show.

I don't care for any of those shows you guys watch but I love iCarly and Drake and Josh on Nickelodeon. That stuff is waaaay more hilarious then Monty Python, Scrubs or Ricky Girvais.

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Originally Posted by Secura

Are things just getting a little too... PC, and thus we're getting less funny as time goes by? Do modern comedians and sit-coms simply not compare to their predecessors?

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Tastes change, and morals change as time goes on, but humour is constant. Just look at Lysistrata or the Comedy of Errors for proof.

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Originally Posted by Thermal Mercury

I agree older comedies were generally better but also agree with your examples of good modern day comedy. Almost identically, even (other than not watching and therefore not really knowing if the IT crowd is good). :speechless: .

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The first series is fantastic, just utter brilliance. The second, not so much, but the first episode at least is til worth watching.

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Originally Posted by Secura

The IT Crowd is an acquired taste, I guess; I watched it and adored every second of it, whereas I had other friends who couldn't grasp some of the more... geeky references. Richard Ayoade (if you've watched The Mighty Boosh, you might know him as Saboo) is brilliant and it's definitely worth a look.

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Look for Chris Morris's earlier stuff. On the Hour, The Day Today, the radio shows from which he was sacked, etc.

Bushwhacked
Bushwhacked 2
Bombdogs
Rok TV

"Hello, Ian Curtis here. I watch Rok TV everyday."

Sketch Show (UK, not the terrible US version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4sUqrK1J6k

SkitHOUSE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFPm2fhB2pI

Two best comedy shows in the last 15 years.

edit: Oops, and Trigger Happy TV!

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Originally Posted by Pannonian

Look for Chris Morris's earlier stuff. On the Hour, The Day Today, the radio shows from which he was sacked, etc.

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Seconded! The Day Today is probably one of the best comedy shows ever made "THIS IS THE NEWS!"

Also how could I forget The Thick of It, the best british comedy in recent years
**Warning Lots of Swearing**

I didn't like the British version of The Office as much as the American version. Just seemed too mean spirited and heartless.

As for current comedy, my favorite is Community. Some great characters and writing. I'd recommend that to everyone. In its first season, and one of the best comedies in recent years. Unfortunately, hulu only has one episode up.

Next would be 30 Rock. Great writing. Then The Office and Parks and Rec roughly tied.

I used to like The Office more (and Parks and rec less), but my admiration has been slowly decreasing (and vice versa for Parks).

There's also Archer on FX, an animated show about a jerk-*** spy in a fictional spying agency. Occasionally vulgar, but often hilarious. The first four episodes are on hulu.

I looked up a clip of Coming of Age on youtube. Wow, that is horrific. It's not humor, but anti-humor; what you would show to make sure no one laughs at a funeral.

How did the country that gave us blackadder and spaced come up with this?

CR

"Yoof" television, that's how.

All-time favorite sictom: Spaced.

Current TV that makes me laugh: South Park, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Colbert Report.

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Originally Posted by Lemur

All-time favorite sictom: Spaced.

Current TV that makes me laugh: South Park, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Colbert Report.

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Have a look for The Day Today.

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

I didn't like the British version of The Office as much as the American version. Just seemed too mean spirited and heartless.

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I must admit that I'm not a massive fan of The Office (I preferred Extras, myself, but then I loved the celebrity cameos, heh), but I felt that the American rendition deviated too far from the original premise of what made The Office such a hit over here; it was too light-hearted, I guess.

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Next would be 30 Rock. Great writing.

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I totally agree with this. Tina Fey's writing is sensational, loved her since I first saw Mean Girls in which she co-wrote and starred. I have to admit though, I really dislike Tracy Morgan's character... he's loud, annoying and I feel he just doesn't play his role with the same panache as Fey, Alec Baldwin or Jack McBrayer.

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I looked up a clip of Coming of Age on youtube. Wow, that is horrific. It's not humor, but anti-humor; what you would show to make sure no one laughs at a funeral.

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It's an attempt to get younger viewers enamoured with Facebooks and Playstations back to their televisions, really.

The funny thing is, I found the pilot of the show was actually quite good, at least in comparison to the current show. However, it seems that once the BBC signed the show, the creators of CoA replaced three of the five cast members (who had all wielded previous acting 'talent') with three who are absolutely awful.

Personally, the best comedy show that has tried to appeal to younger viewers is Channel 4's The Inbetweeners; if you haven't seen it, you really should. It better represents that 16-18s age group much better than CoA. Sure, the boys are all talking about sex, but it's not quite in the same disgusting fashion as CoA, and you find that they're largely unsuccessful in their ventures. It's good viewing. :3

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Originally Posted by Secura

And Scrubs... well, I've loved that since the very beginning, though it feels as though they're trying to live past their prime by continuing past Season Eight.

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Scrubs stopped being funny around teh time they introduced a plotline. I enjoyed the first two seasons, but past that, no thanks.

I personally love British comedy, partly because that is what I have been exposed to for much of my childhood and have been on a bit of a journey of discovery lately as to what is out there. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are both geniuses and anything they touch is fantastic (A Bit of Fry and Laurie, for instance, or QI). Blackadder, as always, is hilarious. However, 'Allo 'Allo grates at me a bit and I can't quite place what it is, and don't even get me started on Are You Being Served.