NationStates Jolt Archive

So I've seen lots of both and I'm curious ... which side of the pond is funnier?

Obviously both sides have their greats ...

The Brits have Eddie Izzard and Monty Python.
The Yanks have Jon Stewart and George Carlin.

They also both have their puerile side ...

The Brits have Benny Hill.
The Yanks have Adam Sandler.

So, who ranks supreme? No holds barred cage battle royale!

Well, I have not seen much british humor(I am not voting) but I do know that the U.S. has some very funny stuff. Such as the Simpson and South Park, also we do produce a lot of funny stuff(we have many comics, and produce a lot of funny movies). Considering how good American comedy is and the quantity, I am almost inclined to say that no other country could be much better(but I could be wrong which is why I am not voting).

By the way ... no fair mentioning SCTV or The Kids in the Hall. I am fully aware of how funny Canadians can be. Make your own poll. :p

Those are the best examples of british comedians you could come up with? I'm Canadian, but was raised with Monty Python, so though I appreciate George Carlin and Jon Stewart, Faulty Towers, Absolutely Fabulous and the like have a special place in my heart.

Those are the best examples of british comedians you could come up with?

No ... but I didn't feel the need to name *everybody*. :p

I am a fan of Monty Python
and I love Benny Hill

their comedies like
Piglet Files
Allo Allo
Father Ted
and others that my tired mind fails to remember...
are great without being condencending.

and after Monty Python, everything else just seem like a pale comparasion.

Well, we Brits have Monty Python.

But the Americans have Family Guy.

Overall I think it's a pretty futile argument. It's just a matter of taste, and both sides have some incredibly funny people.

we also have Bill Bailey
Worlds Funniest Man.

By the way ... no fair mentioning SCTV or The Kids in the Hall. I am fully aware of how funny Canadians can be. Make your own poll. :pUm, Jim Carey?

Um, Jim Carey?

Like I said ....

Like I said ....You just had two relatively unknown (outside Canada) examples. If you are going to refer to Canadian comedy, Jim Carey needs to be mentioned.

It's a tie cause I can't vote against Jon Stewart, or against Monty Python because they are both riduclously hilarious. So there, tie.

I have two words for the win.

Smeg off.

As an Aussie i have a pretty objective overall view of comedy, as Aus doesnt have that many internationally recognised comedians, (altho we're a rase of Larikans, no one else seems to get our humor [carn the Osi's]) i think that between the 40's and 80's pommy humour takes the cake, especially all the WW2 comedy, Ich Lieben Deutschland! Germans thankyou for giving us so much too laugh at, its really good that we can now make jokes over something that at the time really wasn't funny, almost gives you hope that one day the Koreans and the Chinesse or Nepalesse, and any kind of Irishman will one day sit round a table and joke about the past, who knows maybe the Americans and Iraq's will do the same, hopefully, anyway back to comedy, the Pom's win from the 40's to the 80's but from then on the Yanks take the cake cause modern Yankee comedy can be really funny, eg Family guy!!! (Ich Lieben der Fisch, er ist so komisch! [Bitte entschuldigen du mein schlectes Deutsch.])
:D

Im an American and i personally have to side with the Brits on this one.

English- Monty Python
Americans- Kevin Smith movies

English- Benny Hill
Americans- Three Stooges

English- Trigger Happy TV
Americans- Jackass

ITs pretty even but i prefer the sense of thought going into comedy rather than random crap and stupid stunts. Brits win by a nose hair.

the comedy of good old blighty is vastly superior, take note of how the simpsons would never have been spawned were it not for monty python's flying circus and the many other serries of the pythons hilarity. also, the not the nine o'clock news, and the bbc radio comedies

I'm shocked that no one has mentioned Douglas Adams or "Who's Line is it Anyway" yet. Two more strong players for the Brits.


Smeg off.

Zark off.

Grant Naylor is also very good.

And if you're going to mention Canadian Comedy, don't forget Colin Mochrie.

Love Black Adder. Love it. Espeicaly 3 and 4, but 1 and 2 are still funny. And Python, of course.
But other than that?
America has Family Guy, the Simpsons, everything ever made by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Dave Chappell…

As an Australian married to a Englishwoman, whilst living in the U.S of A. I have to say British comedy is gerally by FAR better than American comedy.

It's called IRONY people. It just seems lost on some people.

I gotta go with British because Douglas Adams rocks my world.

Oh, well yeah, if we're talking books we've got Terry Pratchett.

But then the US can counter that with Noam Chomsky :(

It's too hard to say!

If we're talking books, P.G. Wodehouse beats all comers in the first round.

Gotta go with the Brits on this one

British. I think American comedy is generally more dumbed down and gross-out type stuff than British comedy; a personal opinion of course.

British. I think American comedy is generally more dumbed down and gross-out type stuff than British comedy; a personal opinion of course.

I agree with that.

I realise British comedy is pretty funny... but how can you vote against Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler, South Park, Dave Chappelle, Family Guy, etc.??!!!??!!

Both nations have a high quality of standup (Chris Rock v Lee Evans), the simple sitcom (Friends/Married With Children v Likely Lads/My Family), all-rounders (Steve Martin/Billy Crystal v Rowan Atkinson/Cleese), and the purely bizarre (Seinfeld/Curb Your Enthusiasm v Red Dwarf/The Office).

However, Britain shades it on points, mainly due to the fact that Clive Anderson's Whose Line... has no equal.

British. I think American comedy is generally more dumbed down and gross-out type stuff than British comedy; a personal opinion of course.
Thirded. There is some funny US stuff, but IMO it's not much and it can't compete at all. It's that mix of mindblowing insanity, understated sarcasm & red hot irony. It get's me every time.

Are we talking movies/TV only here? Or why is it that nobody mentioned Terry Pratchett yet???

I love the Simpsons, I adore South Park and I enjoy Family Guy. But honestly, none of them equals to one single episode of Black Adder or Absolutely Fabulous.

American comedies come in huge quantities, and to me it seems that they just occasinally find something that's funny.
British comedies are irconic, hilarious and come in comparatively short supply. But they are to the point.

I'm going to be a bit pro-broitish as I havn't seen much American comedy but lets have a look

Book:-British: Douglas Adams, Terry Practchet
American-?

TV.Films:British-The Office, 2 Pints of Larger, Red Dewarf, Monty Python, Dads Army, Blackadder, Absoloutly Fabulas, Hitch Hikers Guide, My Hero, 2.4 children, Dinner Ladys, Pheonix nights...the list goes on...and on....and on...
American-The Simpsons, Familly Guy, Futerama...er....

Anything with Rowan Atkinson in it is so hilarious it's painful - think of Mr. Bean, Blackadder, Not the 9 o'clock news, Johnny English... they're all memorable because they're funny.

Also, Bill Bailey is magnificent as a stand-up comedian, and quite funny as a quiz show panellist. For more information see Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Part Troll. :D

The Americans do have some funny shows, but what is there that could possibly rival Bremner, Bird and Fortune and Dead Ringers?

Actually pretty much every comedy done by the BBC is memorable and hilarious... from Red Dwarf to Little Britain.

British comedy rules!

Although America has some funny programmes, e.g. The Simpsons and Futurama, it just cannot compete with classic british comedy such as Blackadder and Fawlty Towers. Yes we also put out crap like 'According to Bex' but we just ignore it and pretend it never existed.

Also, Matt Groening openly admitted to stealing our jokes at the British Comedy Awards :)

I concede Family Guy, but past that nothing beats the best of British comedy.

I am British, but although I enjoy more British shows than American TV shows (particularly Monty Python, Father Ted, Blackadder and The Office). I just do not find American sitcoms funny, I am afraid. However, the Americans have given the world the most brilliant comedy show in the history of the little screen; The Simpsons. That alongside Family Guy and South Park prove that America can certainly challenge us Brits for wacky humour!

I'm going to be a bit pro-broitish as I havn't seen much American comedy but lets have a look

Book:-British: Douglas Adams, Terry Practchet
American-?

TV.Films:British-The Office, 2 Pints of Larger, Red Dewarf, Monty Python, Dads Army, Blackadder, Absoloutly Fabulas, Hitch Hikers Guide, My Hero, 2.4 children, Dinner Ladys, Pheonix nights...the list goes on...and on....and on...
American-The Simpsons, Familly Guy, Futerama...er....

gonna hav to go with the brits
p.s hitch hikers guide was originally a book (by a brit) and the book is way funnier than the film

Some more british shows-Fawlty Towers, little Britian, Yes Minister, Only Fools and Horses, Dead Ringers, 2D TV, Farther Ted, Leaguye of Extrodanary Gentleman, Mr Bean, Never mind the Buzzcocks, Have I got news for You, Bremme, Bird and Fortune, Part troll, Hello, Good morning and Goodbye, the 2 Ronnys...I'll think of more soon.

gonna hav to go with the brits
p.s hitch hikers guide was originally a book (by a brit) and the book is way funnier than the film

And there was a BBC radio and t.v series before that... :D

I find some sitcoms like Everybody Loves Raymond mildly funny and, while certainly not unwatchable, just don't have the same appeal as Fawlty Towers and the like.

There is also ultimate proof that British comedy is the best - when on Parkinson, Tom Cruise practically wet himself with laughter when Billy Connelly was just talking.. and this was before Tom did the whole 'go mad' thing... it was a sight, I tell you! Hmm... Billy Connelly... and him to your list.

Oh yeah, and 2DTV vs South Park... discuss.

gonna hav to go with the brits
p.s hitch hikers guide was originally a book (by a brit) and the book is way funnier than the film
Actually it was a radio Serise, then a TV show, then a book, then a film-actually.

gonna hav to go with the brits
p.s hitch hikers guide was originally a book (by a brit) and the book is way funnier than the film

Originally, the Hitch Hiker's Guide was a BBC radio show. It then was turned into books, then into a TV series and finally into the movie...

It started out whn he was drunk in a feild in innsbrook (Germany.)

the comedy of good old blighty is vastly superior, take note of how the simpsons would never have been spawned were it not for monty python's flying circus and the many other serries of the pythons hilarity. also, the not the nine o'clock news, and the bbc radio comedies

Radio 4 comidies rock.

Just a minute

I'm sorry I haven't a clue (whats the girls name again? samantha ;) )

Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy

Old Harrys Game

The news quiz (not strictly comedy but still very funny)

Deadringers started there too...

Nice to see so many hitch-hikers fans, especially just after I posted my reply about the predecessors to the book! Great minds think alike, indeed!

british comedy is superior. But i think american humor is easier to understand, thus giving it a potentially larger audience.

Best show to come out of american continent would be South Park. God bless the canadians.

ok u clever clogs who actually know about hitch hickers guide u win

but brits are still better than the yanks
just look at all the lists that people hav been making!

British comedy is far better than its American comedy because it has a greater depth (in general) and isn't afraid to laugh at itself (or anyone else for that matter).

Everyone seems to trumpet John Cleese although he does do great comedy what about the other active pythons like Michael Palin (who manages to be funny in travel shows). Also you can't forget actors like Dawn French, Zoe Wannemaker (is that how you spell it?) and the entire cast of the Kumars at No. 42 (don't know how many people have seen that but its great from my humble kiwi perspective).

[QUOTE=Keruvalia]So I've seen lots of both and I'm curious ... which side of the pond is funnier?
QUOTE]


Nothing beats Monty Python- okay so there are the Simpsons, Futurama and all the big comedy acts of the USA, but Monty Python wins every time so it has to be the Brits.

It really depends on what kind of sense of humour you have. British comedy tends, mostly, to be subtle, ironic or satirical whereas American comedy is mostly one-liners or slapstick. I like some American shows like The Simpsons because it's very cleverly done but with things like Friends I never understood the humour and took offence to the anoying canned laughter...if it's funny I'll laugh, I don't need to be told that something is meant to be funny!

American comedy is funny but perhaps lacks the timeless appeal of British greats. Shows like friends are relativly funny but will our children enjoy them as much as we did? Where as British classics are just as funny to this generation as it was to the last. (I do admit that my history of older American comedies are just midday re-runs on Paramount)

British humor wins for me. Sure, the US has some great comedy series like Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, and of course Scrubs, but it gets a bit too diluted by all the crap that is also produced there.

BTW Zimlar, I'm a big fan of the Kumars, too!

I like to "...swing both ways", eh. :) That is, I like both British and American comedy. British is often more wicked and weird but funny all the same. Fast show comes to mind. Seinfeld was very funny, from the American side.

Then, a whole chapter of its own is these, mostly American I guess, comedies which aren't fun at all. I mean those that are so politically correct, like evreybody loves Raymond etc. Those are very annoying. Fun for the middle-aged... :rolleyes:

that one would even compare american "humour" with british humour offends me, greatly.

In Soviet Russia, Comedy laughs at you!*

*got nothing to add

I love Pratchett and Adams. Wayne Brady is a god. Everyone always forgets Mark Twain and the Marx Bros. Red Dwarf makes me pee myself. Not enough people read Spider Robinson (I think he qualifies as both American and Canadian.) I suggest you go out and read him if you haven't. Hurry!

Simpsons and Southpark owe their existence to Bugs Bunny. The oldschool Pink Panther (cartoon,) was brilliant. Family Guy is without peer.

Where does Chaplin qualify? An Englisman in America, subsequently deported to Switzerland. (nice job, red scare...bastards.)

Can't forget Mel Brooks. Never forget Mel Brooks.

Monty Python goes without saying.

Rowan Atkinson kicks ass.

Mr Humphries (from "Are You Being Served?") is an unrecognized genius.*

*okay okay, so I had something to add

The problem with American comedy is that they can't laugh at themselves. In British comedy (especially something like Dead Ringers) comedians will take the piss out of our national institutions (whether it be the BBC, the Queen or Ellen MacArthur), which I think American comedians would find very difficult.

The problem with American comedy is that they can't laugh at themselves. In British comedy (especially something like Dead Ringers) comedians will take the piss out of our national institutions (whether it be the BBC, the Queen or Ellen MacArthur), which I think American comedians would find very difficult.

yeah, generally I think your right, possibly with the exception of the simpsons.

Britain Rules!
Off to find the Evidence!
*tromp tromp tromp*

i think the americans have better cartoon humour without doubt, simpsons, family guy, southpark, hannah barbara etc etc. where as we only really have 2dtv as a brit cartoon.

however when it comes to real people and actors, on screen, playing charecters then the brits are far far better.

we also get a wider range of comedy, which is why we don't feel the need to remake US stuff to siut our style, where as the yanks always think they can make better versions of brit stuff and fail spectacully (for instance they have tried to remake coupling, red dwarf, the office and even fawlty towers all with poor results)

as for stand up it's pretty even. saw the blue collar comedy tour on sky recently and pissed myself

As for actors, I find Simon Day very amusing.

Indeed they do try to remake it to 'suit' there humor-and fail.

As someone already mentioned, Yanks have better funny cartoons, but us Brits are far better at comedy with real people - and amusing books. Personally I'm a complete Simpsons addict, yet can't get by without a bit of Monty Python or Pratchett every few days at least. :D

Peter Kay, Monty Python, Ricky Gervais, Bill Bailey, Rowan Atkinson, Lee Evans - Nuff said.

Peter Kay, Monty Python, Ricky Gervais, Bill Bailey, Rowan Atkinson, Lee Evans - Nuff said.

but we could go on ;)

Dave Spikey, Al Murray, Rick Mayall, League Of Gentlemen posse

American cartoons are funny, but go on way past there sell-by date. The Simpsons is a prime example, brilliant to begin with, continued to be funny for years but recently just seems a little strained.
Family Guy and American Dad are great though, as was Futurama and South Park is still good because it's just so random.

British cartoons rarely get the backing they deserve, but all these people who say American catoons are better I have two words for you: Monkey Dust. C'mon people, nothing beats the Paedofinder-General!

In general American comedies come across as bland and repetitive, something British comedies don't tend to as they aren't backed and produced long enough to become repetitive.

Well i was looking for the trancript of the Green Knight vs Black Knight etc but cant find it eh...

I think interestingly US sitcoms are written by teams of writers. This sometimes gives them an "overproduced" feel, and whereas it assures a general consistency, and usually a far greater amount of episodes made, it fails to hit the peaks of Brit sitcoms that are written essentially by 1 or 2 people.

I also think that on the most part Brit sitcoms are less formulaic than US ones. I don't think Blackadder or Red Dwarf could ever have been "sold" to a US network as an idea that would work, whereas there is greater freedom to experiment in the UK, mainly due to less competition I suspect.

I think British sit coms know there shelf life better than American ones ie The Office

It seems that the only American comedy Brits are aware of are the Simpsons and Family Guy, and the only British comedy Americans are aware of is Monty Python.

I think it can be fairly said that Brits dominate sketch comedy, while Americans have cartoons firmly nailed down. I wonder, which side of the pond do you all think has the best stand up comedians? Because that's what I originally based my vote on, before reading the thread and even thinking about other types of comedy.

Brits have better stand up coz they arent afraid to take the piss out of themselves. Amercians IN GENERAL take themselves too seriously. Peter Kay, Bill Bailey, Eddie Izzard etc.

I agree with you fully on that.

British comedy is of a higher standard overall.

But I do like Dave Chapelle...

Brits have better stand up coz they arent afraid to take the piss out of themselves. Amercians IN GENERAL take themselves too seriously. Peter Kay, Bill Bailey, Eddie Izzard etc.

Why is comedy in which one makes fun of their own country considered the best kind?

It seems that the only American comedy Brits are aware of are the Simpsons and Family Guy, and the only British comedy Americans are aware of is Monty Python.

Not true. Here in the UK we have had Cheers, Frasier, Seinfeld, Friends, Will and Grace, Scrubs, Everybody Loves raymond, King of Queens, Arrested Development, Malcolm in the Middle and many more. It's just most of them aren't watched by many people, they just aren't popular here.

I have to say Scrubs and malcolm in the Middle are watched by me though. I think it is because they are more offbeat in a British style.

The Brits have Benny Hill.


The Americans have Benny Hill. The Brits stopped watching Benny Hill about 25 years ago. Most people over here can't believe that America still shows the program.

I think the US does normal sitcoms better than the Brits - Cheers, Frasier, Friends etc, but the Brits do the "off-the-wall" sitcoms better - The Young Ones, Father Ted, The Office.

We don't get many US sketch shows in the UK, but I think the UK has a solid history of sketch shows - That Was The Week That Was, Monty Python, The Fast Show, Little Britain. The closest thing I have seen to a UK sketch show that's come across the Atlantic is The Kids In The Hall, but I think that was a Canadian show. We gave you Tracey Ullman, which spawned The Simpsons, but we never really wanted Tracey Ullman in the first place.

I think the UK and the US are about even for stand-up comedians at the moment. About 10 years ago the comedy quiz shows used to be filled up with US stand-ups, now the UK has enough to fill more and more shows.

Not true. Here in the UK we have had Cheers, Frasier, Seinfeld, Friends, Will and Grace, Scrubs, Everybody Loves raymond, King of Queens, Arrested Development, Malcolm in the Middle and many more. It's just most of them aren't watched by many people, they just aren't popular here.

I have to say Scrubs and malcolm in the Middle are watched by me though. I think it is because they are more offbeat in a British style.

Arrested Development is amazing. Everyone should watch it.

Why is comedy in which one makes fun of their own country considered the best kind?

Because good comedy makes fun of absolutely everything. no taboos.

Because good comedy makes fun of absolutely everything. no taboos.

So who would epitomize that, in your mind?

I haven't read all the replies yet, but no-one seems to have mentioned Spike Milligan - the godfather of British humour. Shame on you.
ps - yay to all the people who mentioned Bill Bailey. He is top.

So who would epitomize that, in your mind?

you're probably one of those guys that think Baby Bob or Everybody loves Raymond was so much fun...

So who would epitomize that, in your mind?

Difficult to say... Monty Python definitely didn't show any respect to anybody or anything and got away with being incredibly politically incorrect.
On the other hand, so does South Park. Country, family religion... they go for everything. Did you see the episode where they called the pope?

you're probably one of those guys that think Baby Bob or Everybody loves Raymond was so much fun...

Wow, you've really figured me out, based on that one post and all. You are quite adept at deducing an entire person's personality based on eight words. Please, do not waste your talents here. Share them with the world.

Ass. Just because I don't like the same horseshit as you doesn't make my tastes in humor worse.

edit: And what the fuck is Baby Bob? I can't find it anywhere.

Difficult to say... Monty Python definitely didn't show any respect to anybody or anything and got away with being incredibly politically incorrect.
On the other hand, so does South Park. Country, family religion... they go for everything. Did you see the episode where they called the pope?

I meant in a stand-up comedian, actually. I personally believe Monty Python was/is the pinnacle of comedy, but I'm trying to veer the discussion towards stand up comedy.

I meant in a stand-up comedian, actually. I personally believe Monty Python was/is the pinnacle of comedy, but I'm trying to veer the discussion towards stand up comedy.

Two people stand out for me when we say un PC comedy. Eddie Murphy and Ricky Gervais. Only cos they are my favs :D

I haven't read all the replies yet, but no-one seems to have mentioned Spike Milligan - the godfather of British humour. Shame on you.
ps - yay to all the people who mentioned Bill Bailey. He is top.

which reminds me - Dennis Leary!

Ricky Gervais *much clapping and cheering* is one of the only comedians who it is truely immpossible to decipher where he ends and the persona begins.

Wow, you've really figured me out, based on that one post and all. You are quite adept at deducing an entire person's personality based on eight words. Please, do not waste your talents here. Share them with the world.

Ass. Just because I don't like the same horseshit as you doesn't make my tastes in humor worse.

edit: And what the fuck is Baby Bob? I can't find it anywhere.

yeah, yeah, take it easy. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
Baby Bob: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/baby_bob/

C'mon, guys...American comedy really sucks...Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrel, Chris Kattan...none of them can hold a candle to Monty Python!

I'm proud to be an American, but we got our butts handed to us by the Brits on 2 different occasions: the 60's/70's/80's Rock Wars and most comedy.

The problem with stand-up is there is so much of it.

Personnal faves would have to include: Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans, Billy Connelly, Lucy Pinder, Al Murray, Jimmy Carr, Ross Noble, Mark Steel, Matt Lucas, Milton Jones, Adam Bloom, Adam and Joe...etc

Did anyone watch the older 80s stand-up shows by Eddie Murphy? I reckon that's pretty funny.

But the Chapelle Show is probably the funniest stuff to come out of the US right now - coarse language AND a bit of social criticism...

*yawn* another self rightious upstart

I didn't really want to offend anyone.

I meant in a stand-up comedian, actually. I personally believe Monty Python was/is the pinnacle of comedy, but I'm trying to veer the discussion towards stand up comedy.

I meant in a stand-up comedian, actually. I personally believe Monty Python was/is the pinnacle of comedy, but I'm trying to veer the discussion towards stand up comedy.

It depends really, somebody who takes the mick out of the establishment would be Chris Morris , who is just great, was the guy who did 'Brass Eye'.

Billy Connelly, as one catholic minister put it, "Is the devil dressed up as jesus..."

Jim Davidson, although a staunch royalist, takes the mick out of the establishment, although he is very much for them.

Peter Kay, northern comic, who is just a, i hate to put it this way but 'working class' comic, needless to say he is greatly popular right now.

Ricky Jervais too, his "Politics" stand up is genius.

There are a few others, Phil Jupitus (Fetus in a bell jar :D ) and Bill Bailey some others too.


EDIT: I was trying to think of Mark Steel, he is a legend.

The problem with stand-up is there is so much of it.

Personnal faves would have to include: Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans, Billy Connelly, Lucy Pinder, Al Murray, Jimmy Carr, Ross Noble, Mark Steel, Matt Lucas, Milton Jones, Adam Bloom, Adam and Joe...etc

Isn't lucy pinder a page 3 girl?

This is what Will Self (comic genius) had to say about Chris Morris...

http://www.koekie.org.uk/funnel/brasseye/self.html

Isn't lucy pinder a page 3 girl?
Yes...whoops, wrong Lucy. I meant Lucy Porter.

]*walks away slowly whistling*

Yes...whoops, wrong Lucy. I meant Lucy Porter.

]*walks away slowly whistling*

*cough*obsession*cough* :p :D