NationStates Jolt Archive

Yes I know that this has already been done but admit it the one on TV was a farce; Vicar of Dibley 3rd funniest I mean give over. I want you all to nominate which British Sitcom you think is truly the funniest. I will not accept things like the League of Gentleman and Monty Python's Flying Circus (although it is hilarious) as they are not really sitcoms.

I nominate Blackadder (with 'Blackadder Goes Forth' being the best) although it is only marginally funnier than Father Ted.

The 8 that receive the most nominations by 16.00 (GMT) on Wednesday 28th October will move forward to a separate poll which will take place until Friday 30th October.

Nominations (alphabetical):

Are You Being Served?: 1
Blackadder: 11
Black Books: 1
Bottom: 1
Coupling: 1
Father Ted: 5
Fawlty Towers: 2
Hancock's Half Hour: 1
Last of the Summer Wine: 1
My Hero: 1
The Office: 3
Only Fools and Horses: 1
Red Dwarf: 7
Spaced: 3
Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister: 9

Total votes cast thus far: 48

The Office. Though I don't get much british sitcoms over here, I can't imagine any sitcom topping that one in my esteem.

The Office. Though I don't get much british sitcoms over here, I can't imagine any sitcom topping that one in my esteem.

Top series that. Original and biting. Brilliant.

I'm a big fan of Black Books.

I'm a big fan of Black Books.

It's quite good. Bill Bailey is great. I'll put it down. I don't expect to see it survive but you never know.

Yes, Minster/Yes, Prime Minster is a great sitcom in my opinion, especally Yes, Minster. I also like Red Dwarf and Fawlty Towers.

Yes, Minster/Yes, Prime Minster is a great sitcom in my opinion, especally Yes, Minster. I also like Red Dwarf and Fawlty Towers.

So Yes Minister/Prime Minister is your vote? It's not bad. Fawlty Towers is the best of the three you've mentioned.

Red Dwarf, no question about it.

Red Dwarf, no question about it.

I never quite got that. Maybe it's just not my thing.

Gotta be Father Ted, so damn funny!

I know, called me old fashioned, but for the sake of it, i'd like to nominate handcocks half hour, which, either on radio or tv was superbly funny, the episode called the blood doner being one of the funniest. i'm gonna vote for blackadder when the time comes, but this sitcom deserves a nomination of nothing else :)

Yes Minister/Prime minister is definitely the best. No question. It doesnt dumb down for anyone.

Blackadder (any series except the 1st one)

One that has been missed and is generally overlooked is Jeeves and Wooster. Absolutely fantasticly funny series with Fry and Laurie at their best :D ...but not as good as Blackadder.

Yes Minister/Prime minister is definitely the best. No question. It doesnt dumb down for anyone.

Indeed, shame they don't have more sitcoms like it

Blackadder by far. Brilliantly funny.

As a favourite, I'd have to say Blackadder.

Although I am a big fan of The Green Wing and Black Books.

Gotta be Blackadder.

By the way, Father Ted isn't a British comedy. It's Irish.

Blackadder and Red Dwarf for sure! I think Blackadder may have a slight edge though.
-- Baldric, son of Robin, Dung Gatherer

Fawlty Towers! I grew up on it, and it's the best (mmm, I should go get my DVD set and watch them all again :p)

The Office is hilarious, but I'd go for Fawlty Towers or Blackadder, although my favorite of those is Blackadder the Third. How about The Young Ones?

If you want animated included, I liked Crapston Villas. If you want to reach further...The Adam & Joe Show?

Gotta be Blackadder.

By the way, Father Ted isn't a British comedy. It's Irish.


It was made by hat trick productions which is based in the UK, so i guess we can class it as british

Even though I'm American, I'm going to have to vote for "Are you being Served?".

Yes Mr. Minister.

Although a close second would be "Keeping Up Appearances", this show appears to have been based on my grandparents.

By the way, Father Ted isn't a British comedy. It's Irish.

Nonsense. Explain to me why it was produced by Channel 4 then, instead of RTÉ. The answer, in case you didn'y know it, is that RTÉ were scared off by what they perceived as its anti-church stance. Irish talent certainly, but a British production.

It's a shame that Dermot Morgan died as and when he did. It was a great show.

Hard one.

Does League of Gentlemen count?

Blackadder for me (although the Office and Red Dwarf were painfully close - a tough decision).

Wot no Spaced?
Black Books is excellent too.
Red Dwarf was good until about the 6th series or whenever it was they "lost" red dwarf and holly. Kochanski sucks and the end of the last series was farcical.

Wot no Spaced?
Black Books is excellent too.

I'd forgotten all about Black Books! Good call.

you can't beat yes minister

Yes Mr. Minister.

Although a close second would be "Keeping Up Appearances", this show appears to have been based on my grandparents.

OMG! I forgot Keeping up Appearances. I grew up on that too.

Oooh, but I want to change my vote to My Family (if that counts). Love love love love *love* that show.

Nonsense. Explain to me why it was produced by Channel 4 then, instead of RTÉ. The answer, in case you didn'y know it, is that RTÉ were scared off by what they perceived as its anti-church stance. Irish talent certainly, but a British production.

Whoops!
My bad, I apologise.

Whoops!
My bad, I apologise.

No problem. The real question is, now that you know this, how will you use this vital piece of information to your advantage in your life?

I nominate Blackadder

I nominate Blackadder (with 'Blackadder Goes Forth' being the best) although it is only marginally funnier than Father Ted.

I agree.
BTW The first series is the worst.

I nominate Blackadder



I agree.
BTW The first series is the worst.

Yeah but everyone knows that.
Shaed I have changed your vote from Fawlty Towers to My Family although I can't for the love of God think why!

Blackadder way in front at the moment.

hey, wheres my nomination for Hancocks Half Hour?!?!?!

Are You Being Served?

Although noone has mentioned Little Britain. Something I'm really enjoying watching, although I guess it's too new.

Are You Being Served?

Although noone has mentioned Little Britain. Something I'm really enjoying watching, although I guess it's too new.

Little Britain is not a sitcom.

thank you :D

thank you :D

Alright. You didn't actually mention it previously that's why it wasn't up there. I am not a mind reader.

I know, called me old fashioned, but for the sake of it, i'd like to nominate handcocks half hour, which, either on radio or tv was superbly funny, the episode called the blood doner being one of the funniest. i'm gonna vote for blackadder when the time comes, but this sitcom deserves a nomination of nothing else :)


so i didn't nominate it? really? hmmmm me thinks i did....

so i didn't nominate it? really? hmmmm me thinks i did....

Oops. So you did. Sorry.

No Only Fools and Horses? Dad's Army? My Hero?

Okay I'm kidding about the last one but the other two are worthy additions i think. Dad's Army is timeless I think. I loved watching them when I was younger.

Father Ted has to be the greatest comedy ever. I mean it has everything! Great characters, great stories, great lines ("feck, drink, arse!") and great laughs. Who can forget that one when they entered the Euro Song competition and had that dream with the horse? Brilliant. I also like Black Books (not surprising considering its written by the writers of Father Ted).

I have to say that I strongly disagree with Fawlty Towers. That just drives me up the wall. Its really, really frustrating and quite idiotic.

Yeah but everyone knows that.
Shaed I have changed your vote from Fawlty Towers to My Family although I can't for the love of God think why!

Blackadder way in front at the moment.

Because I have Fawlty Towers on DVD, and used to have it in the background while working on crafts? And can say the script for every show along with it? And have almost memorised all the subtitles in different languages? And even listened to the commentry more times than I can even believe? Whereas My Family is on TV, so I haven't desensitised my self to it yet?

Anyway, I'm a teenage girl obsessed with evilness and English accents. My Family simply provides more than Fawlty Towers.

Hmmm... now you've got me doubting the worthiness of My Family for a vote... I mean, Fawlty Towers *has* been a favourite since I was ickle...

hmmmmmmmm...

Can I take a raincheck and change my vote one more time if I need to? (yes, I'm taking this too seriously. It's the insomnia and the lack of other things to do)

No Only Fools and Horses? Dad's Army? My Hero?

Okay I'm kidding about the last one but the other two are worthy additions i think. Dad's Army is timeless I think. I loved watching them when I was younger.

Which one are you going to nominate?

Blackadder
NO!... Father Ted
NO!... Blackadder
NO!.... DAMN! FECK! ARSE BISQUIT!

Can't choose.

Because I have Fawlty Towers on DVD, and used to have it in the background while working on crafts? And can say the script for every show along with it? And have almost memorised all the subtitles in different languages? And even listened to the commentry more times than I can even believe? Whereas My Family is on TV, so I haven't desensitised my self to it yet?

Anyway, I'm a teenage girl obsessed with evilness and English accents. My Family simply provides more than Fawlty Towers.

Hmmm... now you've got me doubting the worthiness of My Family for a vote... I mean, Fawlty Towers *has* been a favourite since I was ickle...

hmmmmmmmm...

Can I take a raincheck and change my vote one more time if I need to? (yes, I'm taking this too seriously. It's the insomnia and the lack of other things to do)

Alright but last time. Which one are you voting for?

Father Ted has to be the greatest comedy ever. I mean it has everything! Great characters, great stories, great lines ("feck, drink, arse!") and great laughs. Who can forget that one when they entered the Euro Song competition and had that dream with the horse? Brilliant. I also like Black Books (not surprising considering its written by the writers of Father Ted).

I have to say that I strongly disagree with Fawlty Towers. That just drives me up the wall. Its really, really frustrating and quite idiotic.

Well Graham Linehan did say that the greatest compliment someone could give Father Ted is that it was "Really Stupid."

It was on last night. The episode was the one with "Chris the Sheep". That was immensly funny.

Alright but last time. Which one are you voting for?

Ok, Fawlty Towers. I grew up loving it, and just re-watched it and still love it.

Hands down, Fawlty Towers (apologies for all the alteration of votes - have a cookie for putting up with me :p)

Red Dwarf has my vote!

Smeeeg heeeed!!!

"Look how dirty this place is. Here. There's a perfectly square piece of dirt on the window"

"Look how dirty this place is. Here. There's a perfectly square piece of dirt on the window"

Laugh just thinking about it.

"Now these sheep here are small....those in the field are far away..."

*pause*

"I still don't get it."

:D :D :D :D :D

"Now these sheep here are small....those in the field are far away..."

*pause*

"I still don't get it."

:D :D :D :D :D

And when like in last night's episode the farmer goes "He looks completely different to what he did last year. See" Before putting down two pictures of a sheep that are identical apart from the fact that the sheep is fac ing a different direction. And Ted goes "I see what you mean. He's a completely different sheep."

"Ted, you forgot your brick."

"Ted, you forgot your brick."

Genius. But I prefer the bit in the same episode where he draws up the plan for "Putting a Brick on the Accelator". (You'll have to see it to actually get it.)

And the double episode: "Kick Bisshop Brennan up the arse"

Have you voted yet Legless?

I vote Father Ted

(couldn't decide earlier on FT or Blackadder, but recollecting all these Episodes....)

I vote Father Ted

(couldn't decide earlier on FT or Blackadder, but recollecting all these Episodes....)

Fair enough. It was tough for me too, but for me Blacky just nicks it.

I am actually surprised that noone has said 'Porridge' or 'Only Fools and Horses'. I may not think they are the best but considering how many voted for them on the Beeb they must have some fanbase.

If I don't start getting some more nominees and more votes for the nominees on 1 vote then this is going to get rather difficult.

Smack the Pony, Absolutely Fabulous... so many not mentioned

Smack the Pony, Absolutely Fabulous... so many not mentioned

Never liked Ab Fab. Just never got it alongside 'French and Saunders'.

True...

A clay puppet series:
Rex the Runt

Never liked Ab Fab. Just never got it alongside 'French and Saunders'.

Ab Fab... *shudders*

Smack the Pony, Absolutely Fabulous... so many not mentioned

We should smack you for bringing up Ab Fab.

We should smack you for bringing up Ab Fab.

Hehe.

Still beats the Hell out of most American crap

Yeah, go spaced! That slo-mo gunfight is absolute class. As is shooting a guy in the nads at close range with 2 - count them, 2 - paintball guns. Excruciatingly funny

Has to be Father Ted, but with an honourable mention for Black Books (...the stone dead eyes of a killer)

Ooh, can I make a post for Red Dwarf too? I've seen all of them, and although they get a bit crap towards the end, they are all funny. I want to see some shrinking pants!!!!!

Father Ted now joint second. Still a way behind the leader Blackadder.

Ooh, can I make a post for Red Dwarf too? I've seen all of them, and although they get a bit crap towards the end, they are all funny. I want to see some shrinking pants!!!!!

Well you can post for it but which one are you voting for. Spaced or Red Dwarf?

I can think of three for the top spot:

I'm Alan Partridge (including Knowing Me, Knowing You)
The Office
Yes, Minister

and I'm voting for Yes, Minister

(though Father Ted is evilly brilliant...)

Ooh, can I make a post for Red Dwarf too? I've seen all of them, and although they get a bit crap towards the end, they are all funny. I want to see some shrinking pants!!!!!
Red Dwarf was funny.

best episode I've seen (I haven't seen them all) is where the computer turn out to be really dumb... or smart :confused:

I can think of three for the top spot:

I'm Alan Partridge (including Knowing Me, Knowing You)
The Office
Yes, Minister

Which one though?

Which one though?

(Sorry, posted for Yes, Minister)

(Sorry, posted for Yes, Minister)

Indeed you have.

Hello, I'm not Legless Pirates and I want to vote for Father Ted

Blackadder (8 votes) is being pegged back by Yes Minister now on 5 votes while Father Ted is in 3rd.

Hello, I'm not Legless Pirates and I want to vote for Father Ted

That's like off of the best comedy not to come from Britain (The Simpsons) when Homer goes into the post office:

Homer:"Hello my name is Mr Burns. I believe you have a letter for me."
Cashier:"Ok Mr Burns what's your first name?"
Homer:"I don't know!"

Blackadder (8 votes) is being pegged back by Yes Minister now on 5 votes while Father Ted is in 3rd.



That's like off of the best comedy not to come from Britain (The Simpsons) when Homer goes into the post office:

Homer:"Hello my name is Mr Burns. I believe you have a letter for me."
Cashier:"Ok Mr Burns what's your first name?"
Homer:"I don't know!"
yeah... too bad

I'll have to go with Yes Minister myself, altough Black Adder is awfully close. I think what gives Yes Minister the edge is greater consistency.

I am shocked (SHOCKED!) that _The Young Ones_ has not been mentioned. Have we got a video?

-pvg

I'll have to go with Yes Minister myself, altough Black Adder is awfully close. I think what gives Yes Minister the edge is greater consistency.

I am shocked (SHOCKED!) that _The Young Ones_ has not been mentioned. Have we got a video?

-pvg
:eek:

The Young Ones

:eek:

*Smacks himself in the head*

I love me some red dwarf.

I'll have to go with Yes Minister myself, altough Black Adder is awfully close. I think what gives Yes Minister the edge is greater consistency.

I am shocked (SHOCKED!) that _The Young Ones_ has not been mentioned. Have we got a video?

-pvg

The Young Ones is absolutely hilarious. It was when I was younger but is especially funny now with me being a student.

Your vote is being corroborated (making sure that you're not voting twice) and will then be added to the tally.

Blackadder in danger of being caught up. Father Ted also losing ground on Yes Minister. In joint 4th at the moment lie 'Spaced' and 'Red Dwarf' on two votes.

I've already put in my vote so this is not a vote, I'm just indulging in a bit of advocacy and pretending to be an impartial outside observer as a non-American and non UK-er.

While there have been a number of outstanding British sitcoms, I think (in the West, at least), British mainstream TV political satire has been without parallel (which is why I voted for Yes, Minister). It is hard to even conceive of an American show called "The Cabinet Member" or a German "The Spitting Image".

The closest equivalent I can think of is the US TV series "Tanner '88" [Altman/Trudeau) which, while brilliant (yes, that Altman and that Trudeau) can't be described as "mainstream" having aired on HBO.

-pvg

From Blackadder II:

Bells

Bob's father: Oh Please go on the game! It's a steady job. And you'll be working from home!

Lord Flasheart: Nursie. I like it firm and fruity! Am I pleased to see you or did I just put a canoe in my pocket!? Down boy down!

Chains

Prince Ludwig: You do not remember me then Herr Blackadder.
Blackadder: I don't believe I've had the pleasure.
Ludwig: Then let me refresh your memory. Do you remember when you went to Dover that you used to meet a notorious black marketer in the King's Head tavern?
Blackadder: Oh my you're not...
Ludwig: Yes, I was the waitress!
Blackadder: I don't believe it 'Big Sally'!
Ludwig: (in higher voice) Would you like another piece of pie my lord?
Blackadder: But I went to bed with you didn't I?
Ludwig: Yes indeed Mr Floppy. You see, for my country I am prepared to make any sacrifice.
Blackadder: I'm not I must have been paraletic.

Later on...

Ludwig: You do not recognsie me then Lord Melchett?
Melchett: No I don't believe I've had the pleasure?
Ludwig: You do not remember how on your visits to Cornwall near the old monastery that you used to converse with an old shepherd...
Melchett: Oh you're...
Ludwig: Yes. I was one of his sheep.
Melchett: No, not flossy!
Ludwig: Yes.
Melchett: But didn't we...?
Ludwig: (in louder voice) YES MY LORD MELCHETT! Baaaah!

From Blackadder the Third

Sense and Sensibility

Prince Regent: What is it with these oppressed masses? What are they all so worked up about?
Blackadder: They are disgruntled sir because they are now so poor that they are forced to have extra children, simply in order to provide a cheap alternative to turkey at Christmas.

From Blackadder Goes Forth (the best series in my opinion)

Corporal punishment

Kevin Darling: You're for it now Blackadder. (turns to Melchett) Quite frankly sir I've suspected this for some time. Quite clearly Captain Blackadder has been disobeying orders with a breathtaking impertinence.

General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett: I don't care if he's been rodgering the Duke of York with a prize-winning leak. HE SHOT MY PIDGEON!

Goodbye (rated as the best ever episode in a BBCi poll)

Melchett: Now soldier, (to Private S. Baldrick) Are you looking forward to giving those frenchies a damn good licking?

Captain Kevin Darling: Er no sir, it's the Germans we're supposed to be licking sir.

Melchett: (in loud voice) Don't be REVOLTING DARLING! I wouldn't lick a German if he were glazed in honey!

Baldrick: Can I sleep on the roof, cause the sheriff said if I'll be washed from the gutter with the other turds

There is also much to be said for "pointless peasant" and "cunning plan" (so cunning you can put a tail on it and call it a weasel).

-pvg

"Oh Baldrick, look what Santa brought you. It's called a fist and the good thing about it is that you can use it again and again and again..."

"We have been in these trenches for 2 years now, and we have progressed no further than an asmatic ant with some heavy shopping"

Red Dwarf

The Office.

Lord Flasheart: WOOF!

Blackadder, discussing his attraction to his "man"servant, Bob: Leeches, leeches, leeches, its always bloody leeches with you quacks.
Doctor: I'd rather be a quack than a ducky

In no particular order, I'd put in for BlackAdder, Black Books, Father Ted (played by men wearing black clothing - is there a connection here?), The Office and Yes Minister.
Actually can you call Father Ted ("In five minutes Dougal the only rabbit I want to see in here is the one in your head at the controls") British? It was an Irish sitcom after all.

Well you can post for it but which one are you voting for. Spaced or Red Dwarf?

I'm gonna vote Spaced. But my other personalities will vote, blackadder, red dwarf, yes minister and father ted. So spaced then. Only simon pegg should win this award, and Shaun of the Dead should be included within this vote, as every member of spaced turns up in one place or another within the film, even !!!AMBER!! :eek:

I nominate Only Fools and Horses.

The cocktail bar scene with Del falling like a lamp post is pure comedy gold. I can't quote any lines off hand cos it doesn't really have the snappy lines of Blackadder but the plots were funny, the characters worked brilliantly together and it combined happiness with sad moments too. The episode with Uncle Albert visiting the Albert Docks in Liverpool, Rodney's wedding can bring a tear to my jaded eye.

Red Dwarf.... Absolutely hilarious

Last of the Summer Wine. Its the longest running sitcom in the world so they must be doing something right.

If you're going to nominate Last of the Summer Wine, I'm going to nominate 'Allo 'Allo.

'Bottom' or nothing at all.

I'm just waiting for some yank to mention AbFab. I'm so sick and fucking tired of AbFab. As much as I liked it in the beginning, and as much as I respect Joanna Lumley from her days in The New Avengers...

Ok, let's get serious...how about Minder?

Yes AbFab has had its' day. Minder was good fun. I really liked the Young Ones, though.

When did Minder become a sitcom? My vote goes to Coupling or No Angels

(edited cos I checked the thread title and M*A*S*H* is not British - Ooops!)

Coupling....not funny !


Try...Early Doors, Black Books or Spaced


regards

The Wilf

Im a Yank, so all I get is BBC America.

But barring Monty Python, wich is the funniest show to ever air on the Beeb,
although, not a sitcom....


Father Ted.

"Oh, but you can have a cuppa tea!"

Father Dougal is the man.

My Hero.

What domestic life would really have been like for The Man Of Steel!

Minder was too a sitcom. Well...loosely defined, anyway.

Im a Yank, so all I get is BBC America.

But barring Monty Python, wich is the funniest show to ever air on the Beeb,
although, not a sitcom....


Father Ted.

"Oh, but you can have a cuppa tea!"

Father Dougal is the man.

I tried that for a while. Then I discovered that I was paying through the nose for crap. BBC America is basically a big clearinghouse of crap. All day long it's things like Trading Spaces, and then at night maybe you'll get something like a costume drama or a mystery.

I'd prefer it a great deal if they had something called "Channel 4 America"

If you really want to know, PBS has better British sitcoms and shows than BBC America does. Ironically, it's also free. You can either pay lots of money for crap, or get better crap for free, somewhat aged.

I'll have to put in for Yes, Minister. Absolute genius. The books, btw, are written as Jim Hacker's diaries, and are, improbably, even funnier than the series. Despite Bernard being generally dismissed as a pointless and irrelevant character by a lot of people, he really shines through in the books, and it does help you appreciate him more in the television series. Derek Fowlds played him in a superbly subtle manner, and I think people don't always realise that. :)

Also, Father Ted has LITERALLY made me wet myself laughing. There's few things worse than having to sit with wet knickers waiting for the ad break so you can go and change. God. Teaching Jack to say "Yes", "No", and "That would be an ecumenical matter!" instead of his usual "drink, feck, arse, girls". Absolute genius.

Red Dwarf, of course, deserves special mention - how many years has that been on the go now? About a decade, isn't it? Only trouble is, it isn't always as dead-on funny as it used to be, and I'm not sure why. I do hope the film will be up to the same standards they've made us expect over the years.

Black Books gets a big, fat thumb up. The one where Bill and Dermot stayed up all night getting drunk and writing a children's book, before burning it "for the good of everyone" was a thing of great beauty.

Are You Being Served is a curious sitcom, in that it's only found funny by americans. For this reason alone, I don't think it should be factored in the poll. The United Kingdom has unanimously divorced it, and the americans are welcome to keep it. Only Fools And Horses, too, is shocking crap. Awful. Not funny at all. I have noticed a pattern in that people who have a bit of intellectual complexity enjoy Blackadder (and often also Red Dwarf), and people with little intellectual complexity prefer Only Fools And Horses. Red Dwarf is on the borderlines, though, not all clever people really get it.

I'll have to put in for Yes, Minister. Absolute genius. The books, btw, are written as Jim Hacker's diaries, and are, improbably, even funnier than the series. Despite Bernard being generally dismissed as a pointless and irrelevant character by a lot of people, he really shines through in the books, and it does help you appreciate him more in the television series. Derek Fowlds played him in a superbly subtle manner, and I think people don't always realise that. :)

Also, Father Ted has LITERALLY made me wet myself laughing. There's few things worse than having to sit with wet knickers waiting for the ad break so you can go and change. God. Teaching Jack to say "Yes", "No", and "That would be an ecumenical matter!" instead of his usual "drink, feck, arse, girls". Absolute genius.

Red Dwarf, of course, deserves special mention - how many years has that been on the go now? About a decade, isn't it? Only trouble is, it isn't always as dead-on funny as it used to be, and I'm not sure why. I do hope the film will be up to the same standards they've made us expect over the years.

Black Books gets a big, fat thumb up. The one where Bill and Dermot stayed up all night getting drunk and writing a children's book, before burning it "for the good of everyone" was a thing of great beauty.

Are You Being Served is a curious sitcom, in that it's only found funny by americans. For this reason alone, I don't think it should be factored in the poll. The United Kingdom has unanimously divorced it, and the americans are welcome to keep it. Only Fools And Horses, too, is shocking crap. Awful. Not funny at all. I have noticed a pattern in that people who have a bit of intellectual complexity enjoy Blackadder (and often also Red Dwarf), and people with little intellectual complexity prefer Only Fools And Horses. Red Dwarf is on the borderlines, though, not all clever people really get it.


so you are saying that only stupid people can watch Only Fools and Horses and find it funny, well thanks for that, makes me feel so much better about myself...

i think thats wrong in any case, where as black adder is meant to be an intellectual comedy, OFAH isn't and was never meant to be meaning more people could connect with it, but i watch both and find both extremely funny.

You telling me that arguably one of the greatest scenes in comedy...

"Just play it cool Rodney, just play it cool..."

...you didn't find funny at all?

OK some of you are confusing me now because you are voting more than once. I am going to go with what you voted first unless I hear any good reason not to.

Please do not nominate or name another sitcom if u have already voted.

I can't rate 'The Youg ones'. While it was good for it's time, it dated pretty quickly. I tried watching it a couple of years ago, and it just wasn't funny.
The biggest problem is Rik Mayall. He's not a good comedic actor. In everything he's been in, he seems to be under the impression that over-acting and shouting loudly is funny. 'Bottom' was also ruined because of this. Ade Edmonson on the other hand is far more subtle, even though it was slapstick, and was always funny on that show.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to dislike 'Ab Fab'. 1 1/2 superb series, that was just perfect for it's time, but since then it's really apparent Jennifer Saunders is doing it for the money.

I just noticed: I don't think anyone (including myself) has mentioned 'Fawtly Towers'. Surely this is the greatest sit-com of all-time! And the fact that most Americans 'don't get it', is further proof of it's greatness (check out the reviews on Amazon for the DVD. 1/2 the American reviews say they don't understand why ppl say it's funny).

I think one of the reasons why 'The Office', 'Fawtly Towers' and 'Father Ted' is that they only went for two seasons, so weren't given the chance to become stale and deteriorate.
Also they had magnificient characters which is the most important for sitcoms. Once you have them and come up with a situation, I think the rest would be easy.

When did Minder become a sitcom? My vote goes to Coupling or No Angels

(edited cos I checked the thread title and M*A*S*H* is not British - Ooops!)

Which one? Can people stop saying this OR that? It is frustrating as.

I liked coupling until series four which was awful. My vote would have to be Blackadder, although Black Books and Spaced are brilliant

Coupling....not funny !


Try...Early Doors, Black Books or Spaced


regards

The Wilf

And you. Nominate one only please!!!! :mad:

so you are saying that only stupid people can watch Only Fools and Horses and find it funny, well thanks for that, makes me feel so much better about myself...

i think thats wrong in any case, where as black adder is meant to be an intellectual comedy, OFAH isn't and was never meant to be meaning more people could connect with it, but i watch both and find both extremely funny.

You telling me that arguably one of the greatest scenes in comedy...

"Just play it cool Rodney, just play it cool..."

...you didn't find funny at all?

Wasn't he actually talking to Trigger?

Wasn't he actually talking to Trigger?


can't specifically remember who he was talking to, but who cares, that was one of the best scenes ever...

Yeah I think it was Trigger he was talking to, it was hilarious.

But Fr. Ted is still the best program ever made. No question about that.

so you are saying that only stupid people can watch Only Fools and Horses and find it funny, well thanks for that, makes me feel so much better about myself...

i think thats wrong in any case, where as black adder is meant to be an intellectual comedy, OFAH isn't and was never meant to be meaning more people could connect with it, but i watch both and find both extremely funny.

You telling me that arguably one of the greatest scenes in comedy...

"Just play it cool Rodney, just play it cool..."

...you didn't find funny at all?

Not at all. Certainly isn't of the calibre of Blackadder. I do appreciate that some people are able to switch between cerebral comedy and non-cerebral comedy, but in very broad and sweeping terms, OFAH appeals to people who aren't as well equipped to deal with more intelligent comedy. Some people appreciate both - I'm just as happy watching Vic and Bob as I am watching Bill Hicks, and Vic and Bob can't be called "intelligent" comedy by any stretch of the imagination.

If your self esteem is dented by what amounts to an anonymous posting on a messageboard from somebody who doesn't find a comedy you like challenging in any way, you can recover it simply by presenting an argument to the contrary. I speak only from my own experience and only from my own social circle.

And you. Nominate one only please!!!! :mad:

Yes, sorry. I got carried away talking about everything else, but my original nomination was and still is Yes, Minister.

Although that's not say the others don't deserve a place in a glorious hall of fame, with lots of pedestals, wistful lighting, and red velvet curtains.

can't specifically remember who he was talking to, but who cares, that was one of the best scenes ever...

It was Trigger he was talking to. I was asking a rhetorical question.

Poll's been updated lads and ladettes. Blackadder still in the lead with Yes Minister in 2nd and Father Ted in 3rd.

Red Dwarf has shot up in the list to 4 votes (which even though I don't like it, I know plenty do so am not surprised.)

Spaced (which I haven't actually seen) however is up there with 3 votes, a shocker. I shall have to get me a video and have a look and see if it is as good as some clearly think it is.


You have til 4 those who haven't nominated then I am closing this thread and shall start a new one with the top 8!

Yeah I think it was Trigger he was talking to, it was hilarious.

But Fr. Ted is still the best program ever made. No question about that.

Have you already nominated?

I'll have to put in for Yes, Minister.

Violent agreement.

Also, Father Ted has LITERALLY made me wet myself laughing. There's few things worse than having to sit with wet knickers waiting for the ad break so you can go and change.

This is stridently honest but perhaps somewhat more information than necessary.


Are You Being Served is a curious sitcom, in that it's only found funny by americans.

I wish I knew who those Americans are so I can send my goons to give them a good beating. I'm not an American (or British for that matter) but I live in the US. Are you being served shows on PBS here and I have never understood why given its, I think, practically universal and decisive unfunniness.

Perhaps this is some sort of transatlantic Karma balancing. I read somewhere (and it sounds fairly plausible) that the most popular (not that popularity implies quality but that's hardly the point) sitcoms in Britain are American ones (e.g. Friends and the like). Serves both sides of the big pond right.

I read somewhere (and it sounds fairly plausible) that the most popular (not that popularity implies quality but that's hardly the point) sitcoms in Britain are American ones (e.g. Friends and the like). Serves both sides of the big pond right.

Don't know where you've read that but almost every person I know thinks that British comedies are funnier. The only American 'Comedies' and I use that term loosely that I know most of us Brits to like are the animated ones especially The Simpsons.

Did you make that crap up?

Mmm. I DO know people who find Friends funny, and most of them don't like Blackadder.

There is a pattern developing, somewhere...


Also, about the Young Ones - a lot of people say it dated quite fast, but I'm not sure I agree. It was utter nonsense from start to finish, and I don't think nonsense dates too much. One thing that is readily apparent is the difference in the political climate; the Young Ones was created at a time where the student force cared about politics, and that is reflected in the series. That's not the case today, and while it's not a major central issue, it IS noticable at the edges, I think.

Not at all. Certainly isn't of the calibre of Blackadder. I do appreciate that some people are able to switch between cerebral comedy and non-cerebral comedy, but in very broad and sweeping terms, OFAH appeals to people who aren't as well equipped to deal with more intelligent comedy. Some people appreciate both - I'm just as happy watching Vic and Bob as I am watching Bill Hicks, and Vic and Bob can't be called "intelligent" comedy by any stretch of the imagination.

If your self esteem is dented by what amounts to an anonymous posting on a messageboard from somebody who doesn't find a comedy you like challenging in any way, you can recover it simply by presenting an argument to the contrary. I speak only from my own experience and only from my own social circle.


well if my friends (2 oxford, 2 cambridge and 4 durham students, an accountant, a chemical researcher to mention a few) can find them both funny, i think its just a matter of taste, yet to say that its only for people of less intelligence is simply insulting. plus, if you don't get sarcasm its not my fault. OFAH was never meant as intellectual comedy, but you shouldn't put people down if they like it. I mean i loathe Vick and Bob, but i am not gonna call some one an idiot because they watch it. just don't throw your opinions around insulting people, be a little more tactful next time around, thats all i am saying...besides, comedy doesn't need to be challenging, it needs to appeal to peoples tastes and sense of humour, and if some are too high brow to appreciate some other comodies, there is no need to put people down because of a difference in opinion. besides, since when was Red Dwarf a challenging comedy?

coach, put one up for The Office.

well if my friends (2 oxford, 2 cambridge and 4 durham students, an accountant, a chemical researcher to mention a few) can find them both funny, i think its just a matter of taste, yet to say that its only for people of less intelligence is simply insulting. plus, if you don't get sarcasm its not my fault. OFAH was never meant as intellectual comedy, but you shouldn't put people down if they like it. I mean i loathe Vick and Bob, but i am not gonna call some one an idiot because they watch it. just don't throw your opinions around insulting people, be a little more tactful next time around, thats all i am saying...

Ooh! I've been slapped down!

I always find it astonishing how angry people get over comedy. Whenever the subject is discussed, it eventually dissolves into a red-faced scrum of apoplectic flame warriors saying "DON'T CALL ME STUPID!! DON'T CALL ME STUPID!!" and "IF YOU DON'T FIND THIS FUNNY THEN YOU'RE A MORON!"
I think comedy can provoke more fire and noise than war, at times.

Really, though, you should try not to be quite so sensitive. I didn't call anybody an idiot, this is simply something you decided I called you. Again, if your self esteem is going to take a battering by...etc

Don't know where you've read that but almost every person I know thinks that British comedies are funnier. The only American 'Comedies' and I use that term loosely that I know most of us Brits to like are the animated ones especially The Simpsons.

Did you make that crap up?

"Almost everone you know" is not really empirical evidence. Also I didn't say anything about what is subjectively "funnier" nor did I intend to evoke some sort of nationalistic outburst of wounded pride. It is simply something I read somewhere and perhaps some googlehappy person will find some some concrete data and confirm or disprove it. We do know that funny, good or not American popular culture is by far and away they most "popular" in the world so it is not inconceivable that American sitcoms are in fact more popular in Britain than British ones.

Red dwarf got to be one of the funniest programs i've ever seen

coach, put one up for The Office.

You're the boss.

Ooh! I've been slapped down!

I always find it astonishing how angry people get over comedy. Whenever the subject is discussed, it eventually dissolves into a red-faced scrum of apoplectic flame warriors saying "DON'T CALL ME STUPID!! DON'T CALL ME STUPID!!" and "IF YOU DON'T FIND THIS FUNNY THEN YOU'RE A MORON!"
I think comedy can provoke more fire and noise than war, at times.

Really, though, you should try not to be quite so sensitive. I didn't call anybody an idiot, this is simply something you decided I called you. Again, if your self esteem is going to take a battering by...etc


"I have noticed a pattern in that people who have a bit of intellectual complexity enjoy Blackadder (and often also Red Dwarf), and people with little intellectual complexity prefer Only Fools And Horses."

Please tell me how that does not say smarter people watch black adder whilst less intelligent people watch OFAH.

I was mearly pointing out, that you need to have a little more tact when saying such things. I agree its all a matter of taste and opinion, and i also agree black adder is a better sitcom, but being told that if i like OFAH i have
"little intellectual complexity"

"Almost everone you know" is not really empirical evidence. Also I didn't say anything about what is subjectively "funnier" nor did I intend to evoke some sort of nationalistic outburst of wounded pride. It is simply something I read somewhere and perhaps some googlehappy person will find some some concrete data and confirm or disprove it. We do know that funny, good or not American popular culture is by far and away they most "popular" in the world so it is not inconceivable that American sitcoms are in fact more popular in Britain than British ones.

Fair enough. I was merely saying that most people I have spoken to on this issue (which is quite a lot you'll be surprised to hear) neither watch American Comedies nor find them funny.
I was merely saying. I'm not saying that you are wrong, I'm just saying that if that is true then I have speaking to the wrong people.

"I have noticed a pattern in that people who have a bit of intellectual complexity enjoy Blackadder (and often also Red Dwarf), and people with little intellectual complexity prefer Only Fools And Horses."

Please tell me how that does not say smarter people watch black adder whilst less intelligent people watch OFAH.

I agree its all a matter of taste and opinion, and i also agree black adder is a better sitcom, but being told that if i like OFAH i have
"little intellectual complexity"

It says "prefer". "Prefer" indicates a tendency, rather than a hard and fast rule. Dear me, you're very touchy, aren't you? Do you worry that people might not find you clever?

you need to have a little more tact when saying such things.
Why?

It says "prefer". "Prefer" indicates a tendency, rather than a hard and fast rule. Dear me, you're very touchy, aren't you? Do you worry that people might not find you clever?


Why?

To your first question, if you knew me, then no, i am not very touchy, just some people acting and writing as if they are in some way superior in their tastes and choices compared to others because they assume they are smarter occasionally gets on my nerves. This is only the second time in however many posts i have done, on this name and my last that something has really irked me.
Secondly, to be frankly honest, i am not really to concerned about if people think i am clever or not, i know many things, but i also know i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and never will be.
Thirdly, like my answer to your first question, it just bugs me that some people say what others do/watch in this case, is just crap, for no real reason other than that they have "little intellectual complexity"


anywho, do you know when the Red Dwarf film is coming out? i heard it is currently in production and should be due out next summer, but i am not sure.

Fair enough. I was merely saying that most people I have spoken to on this issue (which is quite a lot you'll be surprised to hear) neither watch American Comedies nor find them funny.
I was merely saying. I'm not saying that you are wrong, I'm just saying that if that is true then I have speaking to the wrong people.

Yes and my point was that "people one talks to" tends to be a fairly self-selecting set. "Funny" is a subjective thing, "popular" is not, since it can be directly measured. You weren't "merely saying" you accused me of "making crap up" so I took exception. I can't seem to find any actual usable UK TV data online. The closest I ran across was
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2599145.stm
which says
"In the UK, it is one of the most popular shows on Channel 4, which also screens Friends on its pay-TV service E4."

In any event, I personally find Friends fairly loathsome but really that wasn't the point.

Its gotta be Red Dwarf that is sheer class you smeghead

To your first question, if you knew me, then no, i am not very touchy, just some people acting and writing as if they are in some way superior in their tastes and choices compared to others because they assume they are smarter occasionally gets on my nerves. This is only the second time in however many posts i have done, on this name and my last that something has really irked me.
Secondly, to be frankly honest, i am not really to concerned about if people think i am clever or not, i know many things, but i also know i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and never will be.
Thirdly, like my answer to your first question, it just bugs me that some people say what others do/watch in this case, is just crap, for no real reason other than that they have "little intellectual complexity"

Oh, so we're on the "if you knew me IRL" argument. It's a popular one, that, but sadly irrelevant on the internet between strangers. Climbing up on your high horse to champion the rights of OFAH-watchers from the Evil People Who Like To Think They're Better is a laudable action, but ultimately a bit pointless, especially considering what you're getting angry about. What ARE you getting angry about? You're getting angry about comedy. Dearie me. Why not simply stay calm and tell me YOUR opinion, to counter MINE? I've already given my opinion, being the only thing I can offer to the thread. I am, as you are, entitled to my opinion, but I see no real point in getting irate about an opinion. It serves only to raise the blood pressure, and narrow the mind. When people get angry, they get tunnel vision, and all else dims apart from the single point they're angry about. In this case, it happens to be the fact that people who do the Times crossword are more likely to watch Yes, Minister, and people who read the Sun are more likely to watch OFAH. Oh no! I've made another generalisation! The crime of the century. When will the Black Maria arrive?

As to my asking you "why". I wasn't asking why I should have more tact about my opinion of comedy, I was asking generally why I should have more tact. I assume it's because not having more tact makes people angry or upset. But really, on a messageboard - shouldn't everybody be a bit more thick-skinned?

Red Dwarf, but only by the narrowest of narrow margins over Blackadder.

RIMMER: "Step up to Red Alert!"
KRYTEN: "Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb..."

Great stuff, even if the series went a bit off the rails in Series VIII.

Blackadder would probably get my vote if they'd made more than four series- hilarious as they are, I want more, dammit!

Not The Nine O'clock News, Hale & Pace, as well as Smith & Jones, are also hilariously funny, but they're not SitComs so they don't count for this poll...

well if my friends (2 oxford, 2 cambridge and 4 durham students, an accountant, a chemical researcher to mention a few) can find them both funny, i think its just a matter of taste, yet to say that its only for people of less intelligence is simply insulting. plus, if you don't get sarcasm its not my fault. OFAH was never meant as intellectual comedy, but you shouldn't put people down if they like it. I mean i loathe Vick and Bob, but i am not gonna call some one an idiot because they watch it. just don't throw your opinions around insulting people, be a little more tactful next time around, thats all i am saying...besides, comedy doesn't need to be challenging, it needs to appeal to peoples tastes and sense of humour, and if some are too high brow to appreciate some other comodies, there is no need to put people down because of a difference in opinion. besides, since when was Red Dwarf a challenging comedy?

Not being funny, mate, but since when do Oxford students have a sense of humour?

Ok, I joke. The point is, there's lowest common denominator humour, and there's humour that caters to more than one level. The Simpsons is one that works on many levels. Only Fools and Horses is lowest common denominator. It's good for what it is.

(BTW, they also show Keeping Up Appearances on PBS, which is stunningly boring.)

If we're talking funny but not a sitcom, I'd say the 11 O'Clock Show deserves a mention. Ricky Gervaise had me in tears, laughing.

Yes and my point was that "people one talks to" tends to be a fairly self-selecting set. "Funny" is a subjective thing, "popular" is not, since it can be directly measured. You weren't "merely saying" you accused me of "making crap up" so I took exception. I can't seem to find any actual usable UK TV data online. The closest I ran across was
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2599145.stm
which says
"In the UK, it is one of the most popular shows on Channel 4, which also screens Friends on its pay-TV service E4."

In any event, I personally find Friends fairly loathsome but really that wasn't the point.

Surely if our arguments with people started at the same time, by some law of physics they should end at the same time with similar amicability?

This is most unfair, and I will be writing a strongly-worded letter to somebody about it.

Edit: Was Ian Lee on the 11 o' clock show, or am I thinking of something entirely different?

Surely if our arguments with people started at the same time, by some law of physics they should end at the same time with similar amicability?

This is most unfair, and I will be writing a strongly-worded letter to somebody about it.

Edit: Was Ian Lee on the 11 o' clock show, or am I thinking of something entirely different?

Yes he was, and Daisy Donovan. And Ali G. It sort of went the same way as The Big Breakfast, after Johnny Vaughn and Denise Van Outen left.

Yes he was, and Daisy Donovan. And Ali G. It sort of went the same way as The Big Breakfast, after Johnny Vaughn and Denise Van Outen left.

Ah, thought so. I didn't know Ricky Gervais was ever on it - I met Ian Lee, years ago before he was on the telly. He was performing for the BBC New Comedy Awards(I think) one year, and did bloody well. I can't remember if he won or not. I do remember the compere was Fred McCaulay, who my mum fancies.

I never managed to see the 11 o' clock show, for reasons I've never uncovered - the same story with Brass Eye, only caught a few episodes. Not because I didn't want to watch either, more to do with some strange lifestyle entropy that makes me miss all the good comedies on their first run. Apart from Black Books, because I was determined this strange affliction wouldn't catch me out that time.

Ah, thought so. I didn't know Ricky Gervais was ever on it - I met Ian Lee, years ago before he was on the telly. He was performing for the BBC New Comedy Awards(I think) one year, and did bloody well. I can't remember if he won or not. I do remember the compere was Fred McCaulay, who my mum fancies.

I never managed to see the 11 o' clock show, for reasons I've never uncovered - the same story with Brass Eye, only caught a few episodes. Not because I didn't want to watch either, more to do with some strange lifestyle entropy that makes me miss all the good comedies on their first run. Apart from Black Books, because I was determined this strange affliction wouldn't catch me out that time.

See, and I missed out on Brass Eye. It would be nice if they'd come out with a DVD of The 11 O'Clock Show. Yes, it was a spoof news program, but it will remain funny in retrospect.

Oh, so we're on the "if you knew me IRL" argument. It's a popular one, that, but sadly irrelevant on the internet between strangers. Climbing up on your high horse to champion the rights of OFAH-watchers from the Evil People Who Like To Think They're Better is a laudable action, but ultimately a bit pointless, especially considering what you're getting angry about. What ARE you getting angry about? You're getting angry about comedy. Dearie me. Why not simply stay calm and tell me YOUR opinion, to counter MINE? I've already given my opinion, being the only thing I can offer to the thread. I am, as you are, entitled to my opinion, but I see no real point in getting irate about an opinion. It serves only to raise the blood pressure, and narrow the mind. When people get angry, they get tunnel vision, and all else dims apart from the single point they're angry about. In this case, it happens to be the fact that people who do the Times crossword are more likely to watch Yes, Minister, and people who read the Sun are more likely to watch OFAH. Oh no! I've made another generalisation! The crime of the century. When will the Black Maria arrive?

As to my asking you "why". I wasn't asking why I should have more tact about my opinion of comedy, I was asking generally why I should have more tact. I assume it's because not having more tact makes people angry or upset. But really, on a messageboard - shouldn't everybody be a bit more thick-skinned?

My apologies if i appear to be thin skinned. I have no qualms with your opinion, in fact i agree with you that Black Adder is better then OFAH. I just feel that, although not as clever in an intellectual sense, OFAH is more cutting view of modern society. Don't forget we are encouraged into siding with a person many would see as a criminal, selling dodgy goods etc etc, scrounging off the state and all the rest of it. Instead of condeming them the viewer is meant to empathise with the characters. Just like Blackadder in this case it is people who are on their own, making their own way, in whatever way they can.
Black Adder however is concentrating more on morality (Black Adder goes Fourth), social standing and many other topics, yet still has the slap stick comedy that makes it so cuttingly funny, just see the quotes posted from earlier. They contain multiple meanings, for example the stupidity of the upper classes as well as being funny never the less, but OFAH also contains elements of this. So therefore i fail to see how this implies that the more intelligent of us watch this whilst the lesser watch OFAH, where both make views about society, social standing and peoples purpose in life.

Believe me when i say i am not angry, i am more confused as to why you seem to think that OFAH is so droll compared to Blackadder, but as i said before it is more opinion, as you also rightly said. It was merely my opinion that you were being far too elitest in the way you said what you did. But i don't think you are evil or elitest in any way. If you believe i over reacted then fair enough, i just didn't like the way you said what you did. Is that fair enough for you?

Just answer me one thing tho, if you ask me if i am touchy and if i am worried that people will not find me clever, how am i meant to answer without reffering to myself?

in anycase, you any idea when the red dwarf film is out? i think its next summer according to the rumours.

See, and I missed out on Brass Eye. It would be nice if they'd come out with a DVD of The 11 O'Clock Show. Yes, it was a spoof news program, but it will remain funny in retrospect.

Spoof news programs are always good for a laugh, even in retrospect - Not The Nine O' Clock News is still superb, even several governments later. Even Drop The Dead Donkey (a sitcom again, hurray!) still has its moments. It's a shame so many people don't go about making proper political satire now, but I suppose it is reflective of the general opinion of the public towards politics. I can't help thinking that everybody would be interested in it again if Spitting Image came back.

Not being funny, mate, but since when do Oxford students have a sense of humour?

Ok, I joke. The point is, there's lowest common denominator humour, and there's humour that caters to more than one level. The Simpsons is one that works on many levels. Only Fools and Horses is lowest common denominator. It's good for what it is.

(BTW, they also show Keeping Up Appearances on PBS, which is stunningly boring.)

If we're talking funny but not a sitcom, I'd say the 11 O'Clock Show deserves a mention. Ricky Gervaise had me in tears, laughing.


see i don't think it is the lowest common denominator, surely that award goes to ab fab :D

Spitting Image was good, but frankly, I'd like to see John Major back instead.

see i don't think it is the lowest common denominator, surely that award goes to ab fab :D

You might be right. The point is, there are lots of lowest common denominator sitcoms that come out every year, but that doesn't make them bad. Horses for courses, I say.

You might be right. The point is, there are lots of lowest common denominator sitcoms that come out every year, but that doesn't make them bad. Horses for courses, I say.

too true, two pints of lager and a packet of crisps any one?

too true, two pints of lager and a packet of crisps any one?

I'll have half a pint...look 'ere! Somebody's put lager in my shandy!

Besides, I like pork cracklings better than crisps. ;)

You might be right. The point is, there are lots of lowest common denominator sitcoms that come out every year, but that doesn't make them bad. Horses for courses, I say.

True. Maybe add 'Shite' to the average categorisation list. Most of today's comedies could happily fit in that. Add a couple like the aforementioned 'Keeping up Appearances' into the mix and relegate them to space. Torture some extra-terrestrials with them. Much more fun.

Funniest Sitcom: Fawlty Towers

Blackadder, Spaced, Red Dwarf (series 1-5) coming in in assorted order. But Basil rules

I'll have half a pint...look 'ere! Somebody's put lager in my shandy!

Besides, I like pork cracklings better than crisps. ;)


to be honest, theres these crisps in germany that look like cheesy whatsits, but are peanut flavour.....ohhhhh heaven :D

to be honest, theres these crisps in germany that look like cheesy whatsits, but are peanut flavour.....ohhhhh heaven :D

That sounds good. :)

God I miss having a Waitrose around the corner. Around christmas they'd have white stilton with ginger...

Stop it! I'm in a place with no good cheese now, nor anything else much of note. I only came in here because I miss good telly.

*sigh*

That sounds good. :)

God I miss having a Waitrose around the corner. Around christmas they'd have white stilton with ginger...

Stop it! I'm in a place with no good cheese now, nor anything else much of note. I only came in here because I miss good telly.

*sigh*


we only just gettin waitrose where we are after morrisons took over one of the other chains...safeway i think it was, not sure....lol

we only just gettin waitrose where we are after morrisons took over one of the other chains...safeway i think it was, not sure....lol

I don't even want to talk about it. It's not fair. Americans have even worse lowest common denominator taste than the UK. I could trot out many MANY sitcoms, but the food is...not fair. There's no good beer, except that which is imported, but you still will search hard to find anything like Kingfisher or Stella, and you certainly won't find pate or good cheese. There's actually a law against good cheese. It's the law that says that you must pasteurize it in order to sell it. Pasteurizing cheese half-melts it.

Anyway, this is all wayyyyyy off topic.

I don't even want to talk about it. It's not fair. Americans have even worse lowest common denominator taste than the UK. I could trot out many MANY sitcoms, but the food is...not fair. There's no good beer, except that which is imported, but you still will search hard to find anything like Kingfisher or Stella, and you certainly won't find pate or good cheese. There's actually a law against good cheese. It's the law that says that you must pasteurize it in order to sell it. Pasteurizing cheese half-melts it.

Anyway, this is all wayyyyyy off topic.

i know but its fun anyways :D

i know but its fun anyways :D

Maybe, but you know that people will complain. ;)

I'm going to have to split, though. Bed calls.

Maybe, but you know that people will complain. ;)

I'm going to have to split, though. Bed calls.


fair enough, night night

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kellarly
we only just gettin waitrose where we are after morrisons took over one of the other chains...safeway i think it was, not sure....lol


I don't even want to talk about it. It's not fair. Americans have even worse lowest common denominator taste than the UK. I could trot out many MANY sitcoms, but the food is...not fair. There's no good beer, except that which is imported, but you still will search hard to find anything like Kingfisher or Stella, and you certainly won't find pate or good cheese. There's actually a law against good cheese. It's the law that says that you must pasteurize it in order to sell it. Pasteurizing cheese half-melts it.

Don't complain, do you know how hard it is to find RED DWARF here? Repeats seem to be screened sporadically late at night on the ABC. URGH! My uni library and local video store have them on really bad quality tape. Better than nothing I suppose.

But then we have good beer. Hurray for San Miguel Super Dry! And King Island Brie.

My apologies if i appear to be thin skinned. I have no qualms with your opinion, in fact i agree with you that Black Adder is better then OFAH. I just feel that, although not as clever in an intellectual sense, OFAH is more cutting view of modern society. Don't forget we are encouraged into siding with a person many would see as a criminal, selling dodgy goods etc etc, scrounging off the state and all the rest of it. Instead of condeming them the viewer is meant to empathise with the characters. Just like Blackadder in this case it is people who are on their own, making their own way, in whatever way they can.
Black Adder however is concentrating more on morality (Black Adder goes Fourth), social standing and many other topics, yet still has the slap stick comedy that makes it so cuttingly funny, just see the quotes posted from earlier. They contain multiple meanings, for example the stupidity of the upper classes as well as being funny never the less, but OFAH also contains elements of this. So therefore i fail to see how this implies that the more intelligent of us watch this whilst the lesser watch OFAH, where both make views about society, social standing and peoples purpose in life.

Believe me when i say i am not angry, i am more confused as to why you seem to think that OFAH is so droll compared to Blackadder, but as i said before it is more opinion, as you also rightly said. It was merely my opinion that you were being far too elitest in the way you said what you did. But i don't think you are evil or elitest in any way. If you believe i over reacted then fair enough, i just didn't like the way you said what you did. Is that fair enough for you?

Oh, much better than arguing. Especially about something that's supposed to make you laugh. I think the appeal of OFAH isn't so much that the characters are anti-heroes, more that they're everymen. You're siding with a seller of dodgy goods because if you're working class and british, you'll either do it yourself or buy dodgy goods off somebody who does. You'll have somebody in your family who does it. It's solid, working class characterisation, and it also relies heavily on family values, which is something most people can relate to. Having said that, I don't think characterisation is everything - Keeping Up Appearances has decent characterisation, but it's been handled in an appalling and embarrassing way. The characterisation in Father Ted isn't something that'd automatically strike you as being a winner, but teamed with its execution it's a masterpiece. What you see as good execution and characterisation is completely subjective - I can't see anything even remotely amusing or endearing in the Good Life, but I've had several people angrily disagree. Horses for courses

OFAH does, as you say, contain social commentary, but it doesn't deal with it in the same way as Blackadder, which is directly satirical. OFAH is more gentle - the message is "alright, we're bastards, but you love us anyway". With Blackadder the message is "you're all bastards, and so are we, so you're just going to have to deal with it".

Just answer me one thing tho, if you ask me if i am touchy and if i am worried that people will not find me clever, how am i meant to answer without reffering to myself?
You weren't. It was a deliberately leading and below-the-belt question, of course. Heh.

in anycase, you any idea when the red dwarf film is out? i think its next summer according to the rumours.
I'll be buggered if I know - the rumours have been saying the same thing for about three years now. Apparently they've started filming, though. http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/ has a typical lack of concrete information.

Don't complain, do you know how hard it is to find RED DWARF here? Repeats seem to be screened sporadically late at night on the ABC. URGH! My uni library and local video store have them on really bad quality tape. Better than nothing I suppose.

But then we have good beer. Hurray for San Miguel Super Dry! And King Island Brie.

Hey, you have my sympathy. I order things on PAL and get them converted into NTSC for $20 a pop. I just had to have The Clangers and Bagpuss and The Magic Roundabout. Oh, not to mention some films you can't find here for love or money.

Oh, and for a token on-topic statement, I always found Watchdog and The Cook Report funny, although they weren't sitcoms. They should have been.

Don't complain, do you know how hard it is to find RED DWARF here? Repeats seem to be screened sporadically late at night on the ABC. URGH! My uni library and local video store have them on really bad quality tape. Better than nothing I suppose.

But then we have good beer. Hurray for San Miguel Super Dry! And King Island Brie.

i got a friend who i had to send recorded videos to, because he couldn't find it in the US, lol poor guy... :rolleyes:

The Cook Report was supposed to scary, not funny!

Oh, here's a tip. A lot of French and UK stuff you can't find in the US, you can find on http://www.amazon.ca in NTSC.

The Cook Report was supposed to scary, not funny!

I loved it and laughed just the same. ;)

Another one I laughed at, and this is nothing personal against her, but I loved The Good Sex Guide, Late, because I got to listen to Toyah Willcox telling the world how to use "thex toyth".

Oh, much better than arguing. Especially about something that's supposed to make you laugh. I think the appeal of OFAH isn't so much that the characters are anti-heroes, more that they're everymen. You're siding with a seller of dodgy goods because if you're working class and british, you'll either do it yourself or buy dodgy goods off somebody who does. You'll have somebody in your family who does it. It's solid, working class characterisation, and it also relies heavily on family values, which is something most people can relate to. Having said that, I don't think characterisation is everything - Keeping Up Appearances has decent characterisation, but it's been handled in an appalling and embarrassing way. The characterisation in Father Ted isn't something that'd automatically strike you as being a winner, but teamed with its execution it's a masterpiece. What you see as good execution and characterisation is completely subjective - I can't see anything even remotely amusing or endearing in the Good Life, but I've had several people angrily disagree. Horses for courses

OFAH does, as you say, contain social commentary, but it doesn't deal with it in the same way as Blackadder, which is directly satirical. OFAH is more gentle - the message is "alright, we're bastards, but you love us anyway". With Blackadder the message is "you're all bastards, and so are we, so you're just going to have to deal with it".


You weren't. It was a deliberately leading and below-the-belt question, of course. Heh.


I'll be buggered if I know - the rumours have been saying the same thing for about three years now. Apparently they've started filming, though. http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/ has a typical lack of concrete information.

my apoligies then for getting a little high handed myself. thanks for the link tho....and as for the below the belt questions all i can say is :p

:D

by the way, i like how you differentiate between blackadder and OFAH, very descriptive :D

What about Coupling? That show's a riot!

Don't complain, do you know how hard it is to find RED DWARF here? Repeats seem to be screened sporadically late at night on the ABC. URGH! My uni library and local video store have them on really bad quality tape. Better than nothing I suppose.

try looking:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=red+dwarf+dvd&meta=cr%3DcountryAU

try looking:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=...=cr%3DcountryAU

Thanks mate. Now all I need is some money. :p

Gotta be Yes Minister.

Thanks mate. Now all I need is some money. :p
Or a handily concealable shotgun

My vote goes for Blackadder. Especially Blackadder II and Blackadder Goes Forth.

Poll update
Late entrance for Coupling while Fawlty Towers enters the elite by doubling its vote to 2. Red Dwarf overtakes Father Ted and almost catches up with Yes Minister, still second to Blackadder.

A top 8 is yet to be decided as all but 7 are on just 1 vote. I may need to add a poll to this thread between those programmes with 1 vote in which the top programme will advance.

Only another hour to go people before I will close the poll so if you haven't voted yet then you haven't got long.

Nominations thus far:

Blackadder: 11 (nominations)
Yes Minister/Prime Minister: 9
Red Dwarf: 7
Father Ted: 5
The Office: 3
Spaced: 3
Fawlty Towers: 2
Are You being Served: 1
Black Books: 1
Bottom: 1
Coupling: 1
Hancock's Half Hour: 1
Last of the Summer Wine: 1
My Hero: 1
Only Fools and Horses: 1

Yes Minister, without a doubt.

Despite some of it being screened before I was born, I find it hilarious, intelligent and relevant to this day.

Yes Minister, without a doubt.

Despite some of it being screened before I was born, I find it hilarious, intelligent and relevant to this day.

The reason for this is that the civil service really is full of Sir Humphreys. You don't think they're going to allow changes to how things are done, do you? :D

The reason for this is that the civil service really is full of Sir Humphreys. You don't think they're going to allow changes to how things are done, do you? :D


Only when it means they get paid more and also get better pensions ;)

OK POLL NOW CLOSED. In a few minutes I shall set up a new one which will be up for another day. This poll will be to decide which of the programmes with just 1 vote (and there are a few) will rpoceed into the top 8 for the final vote. This new poll will close at 4.00pm British Time on Thursday 27th October.

Only when it means they get paid more and also get better pensions ;)

And a peerage!