British and American Television Comedy

[Crazed Rabbit]

I've enjoyed the clips of Fry and Laurie and Blackadder I've seen on youtube.

I've looked at a couple inbetweeners clips as well. I don't think that would fly as a show aimed at teens in the US - to vulgar. But at least it seems more realistic and better written than that other show.

I'll mention a couple other current American comedies I like; Chuck and Glee.

Chuck is about some best buy geek squad member who gets a government database downloaded into his brain via the internet and so he gets roped into government plans to defeat evil spying organizations in the greater LA area. It's amusing, but oh so ridiculous at times. And completely unintended ridiculousness; the writers seem to have done no research on anything for any of the situations they put Chuck into. So I find I just have to not care to much about the plot or I'd get bogged down in the plot holes and hollywood science.

Glee is about highschoolers in Ohio joining a new glee, or singing and performance, club at their high school. Definitely not the same disney-clean fare as 'high school musical', it features a lot of television tropes and humor mixed with drama. And the singing is good too. Usually well written, and the character of Sue Sylvester is great.

As for Scrubs, I liked the first few seasons. But the longer plot lines and the JD character I grew to dislike.

CR

[Subotan]

I've looked at a couple inbetweeners clips as well. I don't think that would fly as a show aimed at teens in the US - to vulgar. But at least it seems more realistic and better written than that other show.

How come? Even if an American remake (Shudder) that preserved the "grittiness" of the original was made?

Glee is about highschoolers in Ohio joining a new glee, or singing and performance, club at their high school. Definitely not the same disney-clean fare as 'high school musical', it features a lot of television tropes and humor mixed with drama. And the singing is good too. Usually well written, and the character of Sue Sylvester is great.

Ugh, my sister watches Glee. And as my computer is in the same room as the TV, I have to listen to Glee. It's driving me mad.

As for Scrubs, I liked the first few seasons. But the longer plot lines and the JD character I grew to dislike.

CR

I totally agree. The first and second scenes are great. But when they run out of jokes and start doing serious stuff, it just fails.

[Secura]

I've looked at a couple inbetweeners clips as well. I don't think that would fly as a show aimed at teens in the US - to vulgar. But at least it seems more realistic and better written than that other show.

Wow, really? I have the DVDs for The Inbetweeners and they say '18' on, but the show seems to be a little like Skins (which is also 18, I think) but more comedic rather than dramatic. Both shows are orientated around students in the 16-18 age group, and they are both popular with 16s+ here, though Channel 4 wouldn't admit that under-18s are watching the programmes. :P

Chuck is about some best buy geek squad member who gets a government database downloaded into his brain via the internet and so he gets roped into government plans to defeat evil spying organizations in the greater LA area.

One of the prettier actresses in this show is in a computer game, like-for-like; technology, huh? I haven't gotten around to seeing this yet though, it looks funny though. :3

Glee is about highschoolers in Ohio joining a new glee, or singing and performance, club at their high school. Definitely not the same disney-clean fare as 'high school musical', it features a lot of television tropes and humor mixed with drama. And the singing is good too.

I've watched this show a few times, and it's certainly more palatable than High School Musical; I'm struggling to really get into it though. :<

As for Scrubs, I liked the first few seasons. But the longer plot lines and the JD character I grew to dislike.

Dr. Cox got better and better though. :P

[Thermal]

I've watched this show a few times, and it's certainly more palatable than High School Musical; I'm struggling to really get into it though. :<

Don't force yourself,

Its basically a wannabe musical, those are never good.

[Subotan]

Dr. Cox got better and better though. :P

Meh. I've got a not dissimilar personality to Dr Cox, so I found myself not at all surprised when he insulted J.D. with some new taunt, as they'd be the kind of things I'd say.

[A Very Super Market]

American TV always seems to drag on far too long. They keep trying to prod the old dog, wanting to see the tricks he used to play, but he's just too brittle and frail for them. Sadly, instead of realizing their folly and writing off a series with a nice finale, they keep it going, with a "Make everything more pronounced" mentality. Soon, characters are unrecognizable, plots far-fetched, and continuing with our dog metaphor, our dear pet has been beaten, kicked, and his flopping, ugly innards are available for all to see.

[WinsingtonIII]

Has anyone else watched Modern Family? That's quite a funny new show. Community and 30 Rock are also quite good, as mentioned before.

For British comedy I usually end up going back to Fawlty Towers (it can be painful but it's truly brilliant), or Jeeves and Wooster (partially because I like Fry and Laurie, partially because I love P.G. Wodehouse).

[Banquo's Ghost]

There are some classic comedies referred to in the thread, particularly British ones. However, US sitcoms have often scaled the absolute heights of brilliance and yet seem strangely absent from the roll call here.

My three favourite long running sitcoms are Frasier, Cheers and M*A*S*H. Each relies on wonderfully clever wordplay and deeply affecting characterisation that makes the journey over some years sweeter and funnier.

As a fan of timing and the ancient art of farce, I cannot praise this (below) greatest of scenes from Frasier highly enough. I weep with laughter every time. Immaculate timing, increasing chaos, in tempo to the music and perfect use of character - and a dog. True comic genius - enjoy.

[Beskar]

As a fan of timing and the ancient art of farce, I cannot praise this (below) greatest of scenes from Frasier highly enough. I weep with laughter every time. Immaculate timing, increasing chaos, in tempo to the music and perfect use of character - and a dog. True comic genius - enjoy.

It was like Mr. Bean, but more obvious. I could see the Iron fire from a mile away for example.

[CountArach]

My three favourite long running sitcoms are Frasier, Cheers and M*A*S*H. Each relies on wonderfully clever wordplay and deeply affecting characterisation that makes the journey over some years sweeter and funnier.

Early M*A*S*H, with Trapper and Frank, was utterly hilarious. I never felt that Hawkeye had the same interplay with BJ or Winchester. The show also gradually became much more serious, which in itself is not a bad thing, but it isn't what I watch it for. Still the complete collection of M*A*S*H is in my house and I have watched all of them. A masterpiece of television but perhaps slightly too long-running.