British and American Television Comedy

**Thermal** · 03-02-2010, 01:12

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).

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.

**Secura** · 03-02-2010, 01:31

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.

**Pannonian** · 03-02-2010, 11:08

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.

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."

**pevergreen** · 03-02-2010, 11:56

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!

**bobbin** · 03-02-2010, 13:49

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.

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**

**Crazed Rabbit** · 03-04-2010, 18:14

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

**Justiciar** · 03-04-2010, 18:30

"Yoof" television, that's how.

**Lemur** · 03-04-2010, 18:37

All-time favorite sictom: Spaced.

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

**Secura** · 03-04-2010, 20:34

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.

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.

Next would be 30 Rock. Great writing.

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.

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.

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