NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, is it?

REAL British comedy would be to have a Brit come over to America and make him say all those weird slangs you guys got.

I rather enjoyed it. Not as much as Fawlty Towers, but it's good.

REAL British comedy would be to have a Brit come over to America and make him say all those weird slangs you guys got.

If you don't know what you're talking about, stay silent. British comedies are infinitely superior to any non-animated American comedy. And I will stand by that claim. Any non-animated American comedy.
And at least one Brit did come over- Eddie Izard. Try and find a DVD of his performance in NYC- it was amazing.

Back on topic-
I personally preferred Fawlty Towers, Keeping up Appearances and, of course Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (IMHO the two best classic British comedies)

Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (IMHO the two best classic British comedies)

Most definitely one of the major inspirations for many a NationStates leader.

Most Americans can't understand the subtleties of British humour.

(exits, pursued by three bobbies and a man in a gorilla suit, to the Benny Hill theme)

Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (IMHO the two best classic British comedies)

Most definitely one of the major inspirations for many a NationStates leader.

They were so good I actually had the books (very well done- the Diaries of jim Hacker) and read them till they fell to pieces. Have to get new copies.

For me Black Adder.
But as far as American comedy, you have got to like Married with Children (none animated and funny!).
Plus anything with Ronnie Barker in it. Oh and Only Folls and Horses (even if it wearing thin by being repeated on what appears to be a loop.).

I loved Are You Being Served...Friggin wonderful !!

I also loved the Good Life and The Young Ones.

REAL British comedy would be to have a Brit come over to America and make him say all those weird slangs you guys got.

If you don't know what you're talking about, stay silent. British comedies are infinitely superior to any non-animated American comedy. And I will stand by that claim. Any non-animated American comedy.
And at least one Brit did come over- Eddie Izard. Try and find a DVD of his performance in NYC- it was amazing.



The only non-animated comedy we make that I laugh at...would be Friends, Jackass, aaannnddd....that's it.

Great Series, It's up there with The Simpson, Waiting for God, and Father Ted.

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/navigator/ex.gif
~Patoxia

Did anyone else ever compare the old Brit series "Man About The House" with its American copy "Three's Company"? The Brit original totally ruled.

What's interesting is that really *old* BBC comedies from the 70s still air in North America - the old ones dominate actually.

I recently rented a much more recent Beeb comedy though, "The Office" seasons 1 & 2. Truly hilarious, but of course a bit darker than the old shows were...If you love Brit TV comedy, do track down these two "The Office" DVDs - highly recommended!

Did anyone else ever compare the old Brit series "Man About The House" with its American copy "Three's Company"? The Brit original totally ruled.

What's interesting is that really *old* BBC comedies from the 70s still air in North America - the old ones dominate actually.

I recently rented a much more recent Beeb comedy though, "The Office" seasons 1 & 2. Truly hilarious, but of course a bit darker than the old shows were...If you love Brit TV comedy, do track down these two "The Office" DVDs - highly recommended!
They are trying to make a US version but the initial screenings bombed.

http://www.bbcamerica.com/images/genre/comedy_games/young_ones_banner.jpg

The young ones !!!

...If you love Brit TV comedy, do track down these two "The Office" DVDs - highly recommended!
They are trying to make a US version but the initial screenings bombed.

With DVD players, there's now less need to create U.S. versions of Brit shows. Just switch-on the English Subtitles feature, and you can at last understand everything they're mumbling...

...If you love Brit TV comedy, do track down these two "The Office" DVDs - highly recommended!
They are trying to make a US version but the initial screenings bombed.

With DVD players, there's now less need to create U.S. versions of Brit shows. Just switch-on the English Subtitles feature, and you can at last understand everything they're mumbling...
Any german speakers forgive the spelling, but if you want good English comedy that you in the US may need a translator to understand you want to watch Aufwiedersehen Pet. People from my native land!

They are trying to make a US version but the initial screenings bombed.

US versions of Britcoms tend to suck- the philosophy behind the humour is so different.

Also, British comedies tend to stick to under ten shows per season and they don't tend to go on and on for years (Red Dwarf being a notable exception) so they didn't get stale like Friends (I loved the first few seasons but then lost interest).

Oh and as for more modern britcoms- a lot of it hasn't appealed to me e.g. I found the Office to be a bit slow moving and couldn't get through the first episode. However Spaced is supposed to be really good (and having watched Shaun of the Dead, I don't see why not) and I'm going to watch the DVDs tonight along with Black Books which is also supposed to be pretty good.

Does anyone else remember Mind your Language?

Any german speakers forgive the spelling, but if you want good English comedy that you in the US may need a translator to understand you want to watch Aufwiedersehen Pet. People from my native land!

Spelling is fine

Quality show - I liked the Arizona series

I've always liked Monty Python. Is there anything like that out there these days?

Any german speakers forgive the spelling, but if you want good English comedy that you in the US may need a translator to understand you want to watch Aufwiedersehen Pet. People from my native land!

Spelling is fine

Quality show - I liked the Arizona series
Yes but the Cuba series was a little flat, felt like there should have been another few episodes.

I've always liked Monty Python. Is there anything like that out there these days?

Actually the most Pythonesque thing that I've seen in recent years is Family Guy.

As for live action stuff- I don't really know of any good ones.

Did you guys in the states ever get to see
Father Ted ?

Thats pretty good

I have never seen it.

Did you guys in the states ever get to see
Father Ted ?

Thats pretty good

Father Ted was really good. I've only watched the first season though. A pity he's dead.

Did you guys in the states ever get to see
Father Ted ?

Thats pretty good

Father Ted was really good. I've only watched the first season though. A pity he's dead.

Yes, Father Ted was really good. I also liked Red Dwarf. And The Office.

I've always liked Monty Python. Is there anything like that out there these days?

Little Britain is probably the closest thing to it nowadays.

Watched the entire first season of Spaced on DVD last night.

Amazing. One of the best comedies ever.

"My art is based on ANGER! DESPAIR! FEAR! AGGRESSION!"

Oh and as for more modern britcoms- a lot of it hasn't appealed to me e.g. I found the Office to be a bit slow moving and couldn't get through the first episode.

I think the Office is a love-it-or-hate-it program - I adored it (cringingly), but my friend who shares similar comedy tastes ca't even watch a full episode - he gets too pissed off with David Brent. It also works a whole lot better if you've some experience of office work, or at least being part of a team of people. Most people who've done this have met someone similar to Brent.

However Spaced is supposed to be really good (and having watched Shaun of the Dead, I don't see why not) and I'm going to watch the DVDs tonight along with Black Books which is also supposed to be pretty good.

SPACED is a godsend! One of the best british comidies ever, IMO. Shaun of the Dead is basically taken from a SPACED scene in the first series (episode 3, I believe) so if you like one, you'll love the other.

Black Books is another inspired comedy series, with the always lovable Bill Bailey making it a pure joy to watch.

Anyone who likes the wierd humour of SPACED should seriously consider getting anything by Chris Morris or Armando Ianucci - my personal Gods (along with Simon Pegg). Go now! Find such gems as Brass Eye, Jam, The Armando Ianucci Show or The Friday/Saturday Night Armistace. Briliant one and all.

I think the Office is a love-it-or-hate-it program - I adored it (cringingly), but my friend who shares similar comedy tastes ca't even watch a full episode - he gets too pissed off with David Brent. It also works a whole lot better if you've some experience of office work, or at least being part of a team of people. Most people who've done this have met someone similar to Brent.

SPACED is a godsend! One of the best british comidies ever, IMO. Shaun of the Dead is basically taken from a SPACED scene in the first series (episode 3, I believe) so if you like one, you'll love the other.

Black Books is another inspired comedy series, with the always lovable Bill Bailey making it a pure joy to watch.

Yes- Spaced is a godsend indeed. I've also got the dvd of Black Books which I will watch after finishing the second Spaced DVD.

BTW is it just me or does the guy who plays the owner of the bookshop in Black Books (and the wanker in Shaun of the Dead) look like a young Alan Rickman?

I am shocked that no one has mentioned possibly one the greatest British Comedys ever screened on our humble t.v's. I honestly prefer One foot in the Grave, Blackadder (all of them) and then i would have to go for the comical antics of graham Norton.

BTW is it just me or does the guy who plays the owner of the bookshop in Black Books (and the wanker in Shaun of the Dead) look like a young Alan Rickman?

Dylan Moran (http://www.showbizireland.com/images/stars/actors-moran07.jpg)? Yeah, I suppose he does. Different humour to Alan Rickman (http://users.zoominternet.net/~kmputrwz/rickman.jpg) though.

Monty Python
Are you being seved
Dad's Army
Yes Minister/Yes PrimeMinieter
Fawlty Towers
Mr Bean
Some Mothers do ave em.
Father Ted
As time goes by.

They are all brilliant, I am sure I forgot some but these are truly great British comedies.

Waiting for God is the only good britcom I can think of that is missing from this list. Not my favourite (which would be Blackadder) but worthy of note nonetheless. I could never really get very much into Fawlty Towers, as much as I love Cleese's Python work.

ive never even heard of this before.

ive never even heard of this before.

Thanks for your contribution.

Waiting for God is the only good britcom I can think of that is missing from this list

Well if you're talking about the classic Britcoms, yup.

A lot of people like Only Fools and Horses but I think it was generally just alright.

I'd like to bring up Red Dwarf again- long running but still funny most of the time. I heard they tried to make an American version- did that ever get off the ground?

I heard they tried to make an American version- did that ever get off the ground?

I pray not. Nightly.

I recently downloaded the pilot for the American version.

It was awful.

Ever hear about the Mort movie the creative wizards in hollywood were thinking of making?

Pre- production halfway done, when the suggestion comes down the wire to Mr. Pratchett:

"We think that the personification of death character will depress audiences. Axe him, or no deal."


Death, by the way, is the main character, upon whom the entire story hinges.

It’s okay. The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin is the best Britcom ever.

As a brit, I'm partial to a bit of the old comedic banter and , as no one seems to disagree in this forum, brit com produces some of the best.


'owever


Family guy is one of the best comedy series I have ever seen, bravo US animation.

It does seem to have a lot of english influence though. (ripping good laugh)

it's great.