The best English Comedy

[vinnievin777]

For me it's in this order:
Father Ted
Coupling
Benny Hill


What's your favorite and everything?

Vinnie Vin
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932852344/qid=1086103239/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2852423-2023849?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.vinnievin.com

[rawtribe]

1. faulty towers

and absolutely fabulous

[Maple]

2. Yes Minister

and the sequel, Yes Prime Minister.

[Courtesy Flush]

105. That's my fave. Great stuff.

[enigmatic]

3. Dave Allen At Large!!

[benburch]

10. An emphatic YES.

I wish I could find episodes of Dave Allen At Large to watch.

[Crunchy Frog]

20. Yeah, that one was really good,

although I don't think I've seen it since I was a teenager in the late seventies.

Actually, I think there's alot of good shows that I vaguely remember from back then, that I haven't seen since and I wish I could get a hold of.

[Doctor_J]

83. that was a good one

defining irreverant

[rooboy]

4. Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister

[GOPisEvil]

44. Yes, yes, yes!!!

Excellent humour for the political junkie!

[Placebo]

5. Absolutely Fabulous

Sweetie daaaaaaaaahling...

[Tweed]

6. The Office

Without a doubt

[SemiCharmedQuark]

7. Blackadder II

[CornField]

8. Have You Been Served

I love that show.

[Gothic Sponge]

9. Faulty Towers and Python

[Mojambo]

11. Begins and ends with Fawlty Towers

Funniest show ever on any continent, imo.

[Neoma]

12. My family

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/myfamily/

[Old Mouse]

13. The Goodies

The only show on record to actually have killed a viewer by making him laugh to death.

[mac56]

73. Second on "The Goodies"

How wet!

[donheld]

14. Are You Being Served?

[Old Mouse]

15. Red Dwarf

had to post this one or my wife would kill me...

[Patiod]

54. God, I loved Cat on that one - such brilliant casting

And the "Arnold Rimmer" song.

Best episode - when they emerge from a reality game, and think their whole experience on the Red Dwarf was part of it (Dwayne Dibley indeed)

[Old Mouse]

58. My wife still has a crush on "Ace"

[corksean]

81. Yeah, that was called "Back to Reality"

I must have watched that fifty times and I still laugh my ass off. Seriously good writing.

[Skittles]

16. Monty Python

grew up watching it in England :D

[FDRrocks]

17. Seconded

I may be an ignorant American youth, but Monty Python is the unequivocal height of sketch comedy.

Tied in Second are Absolutely Fabulous and Mr. Bean.

[Skittles]

18. Steptoe and Son was my second favorite

became Sanford and Son in the states

[Crunchy Frog]

21. Would you happen to know

which was the one that "All in the Family" was based on?

[Skittles]

23. Til Death Do Us Part

that was excellent too

[pdx_prog]

39. The old man that played Steptoe

"Wilfrid Brambell" was also Paul McCartney's quirky grandfather in "A Hard Day's Night"...

[Crunchy Frog]

19. Monty Python's Flying Circus,

The Black Adder,
Absolutely Fabulous,
Fawlty Towers,
Red Dwarf.




Those are my favorites, that I can think of right now, but there's alot more that I like.

[PittPoliSci]

22. Fawlty Towers, Python, Spaced.

not in that order.

[elperromagico]

24. Fawlty Towers.

Every episode a classic - what sitcom can claim that?

Fawlty Towers can.

[Moloch]

25. I always liked

Keeping Up Appearances and AbFab

[ghostsofgiants]

26. Monty Python's Flying Circus by far

[jakpalmer]

27. Python and Bottom

Those Brits know how to make me laugh to tears.

[Cuban_Liberal]

28. Keeping Up Apperances.

Constance slays me!

:P

[jobycom]

45. That's a comedy?! I thought is was a tragedy!

Maybe because Hyacinth is my mother-in-law! Otherwise, I love it!

[outraged2]

29. Chef!

Hilarious epecially if you have ever worked in a restaurant.

I also like:

Fawlty Towers,
Black Adder,
Open All Hours,
As Time Goes By (I think is the name)
My Hero
Keeping Up Appearances
there is a really ridiculous one called Allo, Allo

There are so many I like its hard to put them in any kind of order. Our local PBS station runs them on Sat and Sun nigts and there is a good range

[yellowdogintexas]

72. aha another "Allo 'Allo" fan!!!!! That show just slays me!

[Hand]

85. Roger that...

Gareth Blackstock is the black Basil Fawlty!!

:toast:

[Magrittes Pipe]

30. The Young Ones

[libpunkmom]

65. Damn!! How

could I forget The Young One's!!! Very Metal

[Zero Gravitas]

87. Oh noo!

do we have a video?

[ElectroPrincess]

31. Oh, in these DAZE, how 'bout

Yes, Prime Minister

[Deja Q]

32. Waiting for God and Chef!

Both are obscure compared to most of the others. Which is a pity...

[jobycom]

46. Waiting for God gets my vote, too

I loved that show. Moving, funny, and actually says something.

Chef! is good, but I haven't watched enough of it.

[Crunchy Frog]

68. I really like Waiting for God,

even though it's not up there with my favorites. Another one that I really like is Good Neighbors from the seventies, if anyone remembers that one.

[miss_kitty]

89. My friend Mary lives on The Avenue, you know

In Surbiton. Where the show is supposed to take place.

[yellowdogintexas]

77. Unless you live in Fort Worth/Dallas. Both have run several times

here. Love them

during our current fund raiser, we were told that new Vicar of Dibley episodes may be coming over!

[regularguy]

33. The Office.

Especially if you like your humor to be extemely painful!

Honorable mention to Monty Python (of course) and AbFab.

[Dzimbowicz]

34. My choices are:

1. Yes, Minister (later Yes, Prime Minister)

2. Black Adder

3. Father Ted

[ernstbass]

35. Cold Comfort Farm - hilarious

[MissMarple]

52. Absolutely!

I've been thinking about reading the book.

[Zuni]

36. No doubt it is Monty Pythons Flying Circus

I love Eric Idle and Michael Palin especially, but they are all brilliant.

[ElectroPrincess]

37. Oh, as second FAV

to Yes, Prime Minister (came into the party late), is Rumpole of the Bailey:

http://www.law4u.com.au/lil/tv_rumpole.html

I loved Leo McKern ... no one else could have portrayed such a colorful character as Mister Rumpole as well as him.

That series was the first time my husband heard the term "She Who Must Be Obeyed" (Remember his pushy-broad but colorful wife Hilda?) He's never forgotten it since ... refers to me often as such. LOL

[TeacherCreature]

38. Python, Young Ones, Fawlty, and Black Adder

Are the sacred ones--no question about it.

These are the ones i bothered to buy on DVD, and I play them often.

[asthmaticeog]

40. Python and Black Adder.

There's just something about snakes...

[auntAgonist]

41. On the Busses

Oleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve .. hehe

[Hand]

42. "Jeeves and Wooster" a close second...

...but Fawlty Towers still rules for sheer nonstop insanity!

:toast:

[u4ic]

47. HOW could I forget

J&W?????????????? Love it, love it, love it.

[Hand]

50. "Thank you, Sir..."

"I endeavour to give satisfaction."



:toast:

[yellowdogintexas]

75. I have all those on tape, but I associate with "Masterpiece Theatre"

rather than BritComs...silly me.

I really have so many that I love!!!!!I tried to list some that I love that others have not mentioned.

[u4ic]

43. Black Adder

Goes Forth, the 3rd, second and first, in that order.

Drop the Dead Donkey (I only seen the first 2 seasons, but what a riot)
Yes, Minister
Vicar of Dibley
Ab Fab
Steptoe and Son
Dave Allen

Thin Blue Line, first 2 seasons of Red Dwarf and French & Saunders are up there too. Never been a Python fan, however.

[jobycom]

48. The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perin.

I used to laugh so hard at the Colonel/Boss I would hurt myself. "Let's run it up the flagpole and see what rats desert the sinking ship."

I liked Waiting for God more, but no one's mentioned Reginald yet.

[ChickMagic]

49. In no particular order

Monty Python
Fawlty Towers
My Hero
Father Ted
Ab Fab
Keeping up Appearances

edited to add Black Adder II

[TyeDye75]

51. Wow I didnt know half of these were on in America

My faves are

Blackadder
Red Dwarf
Peter Kays Pheonix nights
The Office
Only fools and horses
Dads Army

and Of course Monty Python and Falty Towers

edited to add only fools and horses and dads army

[ChickMagic]

63. Yeah, we get 'em

They are usually on Public Broadcasting and BBC America.

[Rambis]

53. Men behaving badly

Coupling
Cold Feet
Thin Blue Line

[libpunkmom]

55. Father Ted, Red Dwarf,

Black Adder II, and Are You Being Served

[Patiod]

56. Wow, what a great selection

Father Ted - b/c the S.O. uses so many of Father Jack's lines, like "Drrrink!" "Noons! <nuns>", "Nudie Father Jack!"

Red Dwarf - Cat/Dwayne Dibley, Rimmer, Lister & the great theme (goldfishes, nibbling at my toes, fun, fun, fun, in the sun, sun, sun)

Black Adder & Jeeves and Wooster - both with Fry & Laurie

Yes Minister - great for the political addict


One of my all time favorites isn't British but Australian - The Games was amazing, and introduced me to John Clarke. Wonderful understated aussie humor.

[vinnievin777]

57. Father Ted Rules

http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/comedy/microsites/F/fatherted/

Vinnie Vin

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932852344/qid=1086103239/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2852423-2023849?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.vinnievin.com

[eoberhauser]

59. As far as current shows

I love the writing in Coupling it is incredible
Try to catch Worst day of My Life I think it's called. It has Susan from Coupling - I love that show too.

Erin

[deadparrot]

60. See user name. Python and Fawlty Towers, all the way.

[Crunchy Frog]

92. My user name too!

:toast:

[deadparrot]

94. Right on. :)

[Bouncy Ball]

61. All the rest are good but they pale

in comparison to Absolutely Fabulous, the best comedy EVER, much less English comedy.









I even contributed to the A to Z of AbFab list on the BBC website, I am that much of a dork. I have every word of every episode of the first three seasons memorized and I'm working on seasons four and five.

[Crunchy Frog]

95. There's someone on here with the user name

Patsy Stone, but she hasn't shown up on this thread yet.

I agree with you about AbFab being the best. It's just that all the other ones I like are the best too.

[TN al]

62. Has nobody ever seen Father, Dear Father?...

... or To the Manor Born? I saw them both such a long time ago I had to stop and think of their titles. Others I have enjoyed are Goode Neighbors, The Goodies, Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army, Monty Python, and Are You Being Served.

[outraged2]

91. To the Manner Born

I was just trying to remember the title of that one, thanks.

[Wat_Tyler]

64. Black Books.

Father Ted's Irish, anyway.

[Greengirl]

66. I can't believe...

I haven't seen "The Vicar Of Dibley" listed yet. Geri the Vicar is a riot! I also get a kick out of "The Office" & "Mr. Bean" too. Monty Python is a CLASSIC! And years ago, I remember one called "No Honestly" with the lead characters, Clara & C.D. Haven't seen that one in years!

[nytemare]

67. Python, Bean, Fawlty Towers, AbFab, Black Adder,

And French and Saunders.

[libnnc]

69. Mine are...

Ab Fab
French and Saunders
Vicar of Dilby

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are brilliant:silly: :bounce:

[yellowdogintexas]

70. 'Allo, 'Allo; Last of the Summer Wine, Waiting for God,

Good Neighbors, To the Manor Born, Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, and Are You Being Served?

[u4ic]

79. Last of the Summer Wine

was wonderful until Compo died...what a horrible experiment to bring his son into the mix. I thought it really went downhill after that.

Wasn't his death handled beautifully?

[yellowdogintexas]

84. oh man I cried like a baby. That was just broad cast here in

FtWorth/Dallas in the past couple of months. I wish we could see all the earlier shows.

You know it's been on the air longer than any other comedy!

I am having a hard time getting used to the junior Owen, but what I do like is the increased importance being given to Barry and Glenda.

I still love the show, miss Compo terribly though.

[outraged2]

93. question

Which one is Last of the Summer Wine? I am trying to remember the name of the one that has an aging solicitor who gets together with a younger woman, Zoe (sp?)

On edit.... I just realized which is Last of Summer Wine.... do you(or anyone) know the one I descirbed?

[u4ic]

99. It was 'May to December'

I have to add the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway, especially the earlier ones (pre-Stiles & Mochrie).

Mulberry was another wonderful show. Somewhat bittersweet, but charming nonetheless.

[outraged2]

103. Thanks n/t

[JimmyJazz]

71. The Black Adder - hands down

[dolo amber]

74. I'm Alan Partridge

Red Dwarf
The Office
The Armando Iannucci Show
League of Gentlemen

...for starters...:bounce:

[mr_hat]

76. The Office! Wow, I agree with all the others, but

The Office is the latest in that line.

[MrSlayer]

78. Monty Python

[DrWeird]

80. My Hero.

Ridiculous. Silly. Irrelevant. Yet clever, true to itself, but doesn't take itself to seriously.

[Shadowen]

82. Red Dwarf.

Gotta be RD, man.

[Zero Gravitas]

86. So many great ones

Monty Python of course,
Fawlty Towers,
Black Adder,
Ab Fab,
The Young Ones,
The Office,
The Goodies...

[miss_kitty]

88. hmmm

Murder Most Horrid
Red Dwarf (the earlier, funny stuff)
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
One Foot in the Grave
Monty Python
Fawlty Towers
To the Manor Born
Yes Minister and Yes PM
Jonathon Creek (the earlier, funny stuff)
Ab Fab
The Vicar of Dibley
French and Saunders
Chef! (the earlier, funny stuff)
Mr Bean
Blackadder (All of Them)

Not necessarily in this order.

On Edit:
Not the 9 O'Clock News
Drop the Dead Donkey
and
Black Books
oh, and
Rising Damp

[FredScuttle]

90. we could do this all night

1) Python
2) Fawlty Towers
3) Young Ones
4) AbFab
5) The Office


of course, I remember watching reruns of some classic English comedy-variety like the Two Ronnies and Morecambe & Wise. And, if we're talking about English comedy, we can't forget the pre-TV gods of British humor - The Goons.

[arwalden]

96. Are You Being Served, Waiting For God, Keeping Up Appearances, Coupling

[Liberalynn]

104. I love

"Are You Being Served" as well. BBC America just had "sexy knickers" on again yesterday. :-)

Also think Keeping Up Appearances is great. We had a member of the family who had some traits in common with Hyacinth.

I've always liked "As Time Goes By" with Judy Dench too. Wasn't the man who played Liolnel(sp?} her husband in real life too. Sorry can't think of his real name at this point.

[vinnievin777]

97. Drink

Drink
Father Jack says Drink!

Vinnie Vin
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932852344/qid=1086103239/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2852423-2023849?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.vinnievin.com

[HEyHEY]

98. Open all hours

[FuzzySlippers]

100. Vicar of Dibley.

Funniest line ever when Owen asks the vicar to marry him: "I'll go get the condom."

[bobbieinok]

101. Good Neighbors, then To the Manor Born

[wickerwoman]

102. Father Ted isn't English, ya wee bogtrotting bastard!

I'd have to say my favorite British comedies are Father Ted and the Office. Although the second one is so good it's hard to watch.