View Full Version : Hilarious British shows
Triple A
08-29-2008, 02:58 AM
Give me some to watch.
The Office is good of course. And Peep Show is incredible.
So give me some shows that are funny like that.
Champion of Europa
08-29-2008, 03:37 AM
I enjoy Russel Brand's Ponderland. It's just kind of him riffing on topics he chooses, so it's more like stand up. But I find it quite hilarious.
There's a lot of it on Youtube. So, you can see if you like it instead of downloading it.
Outsider
08-29-2008, 05:57 AM
I enjoy Russel Brand's Ponderland. It's just kind of him riffing on topics he chooses, so it's more like stand up. But I find it quite hilarious.
There's a lot of it on Youtube. So, you can see if you like it instead of downloading it.
Russell Brand needs to die.
Instead, look up anything featuring the Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle.
The Mask
08-29-2008, 03:33 PM
brass eye and the day today are must watch. there are only 6-7 episodes of each and they're all totally genius. you can watch it 10 times and find something different to laugh at in each scene each time.
other than that, the first series of "a bit of fry and laurie" is really good.
Russenmafia
08-29-2008, 05:37 PM
Only Fools and Horses
Chewin The Fat
Rab C Nesbitt
Father Ted
You're going to recommend Rab C Nesbitt to an american? Most scots can't understand a word that guy says
Also:
Black Books
Spaced
Some good suggestions here.
Perhaps try 'Phoenix Nights' and 'The League Of Gentlemen'.
The Destroyer
08-29-2008, 05:50 PM
Most scots can't understand a word that guy says
Don't be ridiculous.</br>
</br>
Agreed it's a bad choice for Americans though.
NeanderCarl
08-29-2008, 06:08 PM
One Foot in the Grave. Seems like a boring mundane sitcom about a retired couple to look at, but when you actually watch it, its a very dark, surreal and hilarious show packed with pathos, absurdities and observations.
Avoid series one though.
St. Jimmy
08-29-2008, 06:09 PM
like CSL said, Black Books. It's fantastic.
NeanderCarl
08-29-2008, 06:11 PM
Operation Good Guys, too.
Nathan Barley.
Some good suggestions here.
Perhaps try 'Phoenix Nights' and 'The League Of Gentlemen'.
I think Americans would be quite puzzled by both of these personally.
I mean I think PN is one of the funniest sitcoms ever without a doubt, but so many of the gags are either very regional, very quick and subtle or based around minor British celebrities. Plenty of British people seem to miss half of the humour in there, which is probably why its never quite as celebrated as it should be.
And as far as LOG is concerned...Well that freaked me out enough, never found it hugely hilarious, just...Odd
Only Fools is a sure fire hit wherever its shown though, probably same goes for Dad's Army.
NoJabbaNoBogRoll
08-29-2008, 06:24 PM
League of Gentlemen became awful in the third series when they dropped the laughter track.
I think Americans would be quite puzzled by both of these personally.
I mean I think PN is one of the funniest sitcoms ever without a doubt, but so many of the gags are either very regional, very quick and subtle or based around minor British celebrities. Plenty of British people seem to miss half of the humour in there, which is probably why its never quite as celebrated as it should be.
And as far as LOG is concerned...Well that freaked me out enough, never found it hugely hilarious, just...Odd
I actually thought that myself - especially about LoG - but I figured Triple A was down with British humour as he specifically asked for Brititsh shows. :?:
Tornado
08-29-2008, 07:44 PM
Red Dwarf, Black Books, Peep Show, Blackadder, Bottom, League of Gentlemen, Pheonix Nights, Fawlty Towers, Extras, Star Stories and Father Ted
You could also try Angry Kid, but thats more of an animated short thing.
Londoner
08-29-2008, 08:02 PM
^ Was gonna mention red dwarf. Only fools n horses also deserves a mention.
Danny Electric
08-29-2008, 10:10 PM
Gotta go with Spaced like CSL.
Downunder
08-29-2008, 10:16 PM
Blackadder, Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers, The Young Ones.
Jeritron
08-30-2008, 12:54 PM
Spaced
PapaGeorgio
08-30-2008, 01:14 PM
Spaced and Red Dwarf
PapaGeorgio
08-30-2008, 01:16 PM
Also it isn't a comedy, but a drama, but has its hilarious moments. I highly recommend Cracker starring ROBBIE COLETRANE. Show is soo awesome, I made all my friends borrow my dvds of it, currently my grandparents are borrowing it and hopefully watching it.
Triple A
08-30-2008, 01:43 PM
OK I am downloading Spaced, Black Books, Red Dwarf, and Brass Eye right now since those sound like they could be good to me. If I love these I might try some of the others mentioned here.
Rob Ban Fan
08-30-2008, 01:46 PM
<font color="#ff6600">Watch the Paedophile episode of Brass Eye definately. That is just incredible and caused such a huge uproar when it was first shown.
Sheer brilliance.</font>
Triple A
08-30-2008, 01:48 PM
Are the BBC and Channel 4 just like regular channels, or "premium" channels or what? Cause I noticed there is a lot of cursing and sexual stuff on them. Like stuff that would only be shown on HBO here and not at all on regular TV.
Mr. Monday Morning
08-30-2008, 02:04 PM
Nah they're just regular channels. American TV is just surprisingly tame, really.
Spaced is fantastic, one of the best examples of a 'pop culture' referencing show ever, probably. The early years of Red Dwarf have dated a bit (IMO) but it's still pretty good. Black Books is a great sitcom. Bernard :love:
But yeah, Brass Eye above all. Magnificent satire.
Triple A
08-30-2008, 02:11 PM
Also do you not have commercials during the shows?
On Channel 4 (and all other non-BBC channels) shows there would be commercials. I imaginbe you're downloading DVD versions though...so they wouldn't include comms.
Triple A
08-30-2008, 02:38 PM
Well obviously. But I mean The Office episodes are 30 mins long. They are on the BBC though so that explains that. And Peep Show, episodes were like 26 mins or something, and in the first season I don't think there were any breaks. In the others, they had one break in the middle. So there is only one commercial break or what
Here you get one ad break in a 30min show and usually 3 in an hour long show.
I'm guess (from watching RAW) that the US is waaaaaaaaaaaay worse for ads!?
Triple A
08-30-2008, 02:46 PM
3 per half hour show
Mr. Monday Morning
08-30-2008, 03:14 PM
Yeah the BBC has no ads whatsoever. Seasons are structured differently as I'm sure you've noticed, we don't really have 20+ episode runs of shows, 6 is about the norm for a comedy show.
Rob Ban Fan
08-30-2008, 07:56 PM
<font color="#ff6600">The BBC doesn't have adverts because they're a public broadcast organisation. Basically if you own a TV in the UK you have to pay for a TV licence every year and the money from that pays for the BBC, so no need for adverts.
I'm Alan Partridge is great too if you can find that. If you liked the way David Brent in the Office is a complete cock and everyone but him can see it you'll probably like Alan Partridge.</font>
The Mask
08-30-2008, 09:51 PM
alan partridge, of course. fucking hell.
NeanderCarl
08-30-2008, 10:33 PM
List of British comedy shows I love (probably missed a few too). Asterix implies probably wouldn't translate all that well across the pond.
Only Fools and Horses *
Marion and Geoff
Peep Show
Men Behaving Badly
Red Dwarf
Blackadder
Harry Hill TV Burp *
The Thin Blue Line
I'm Alan Partridge
The Day Today
Brass Eye
Operation Good Guys
The Office
Extras
Bo Selecta! *
Black Books
Game On
Coupling
Father Ted
One Foot In The Grave
Bottom
The Royle Family *
Time Trumpet *
Nathan Barley
Life On Mars
Gavin and Stacey
NeanderCarl
08-30-2008, 10:38 PM
Not really a full on comedy but Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe is a good show to check out too. Again, rather British though. I think pretty much every episode is on YouTube. Check out http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=xthemusic
Amongst random other playlists you will find Series 1 to 4 of Screenwipe.
NeanderCarl
08-30-2008, 10:49 PM
Hmmm... in this one he rips into some American TV... see how this suits you...
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Rob Ban Fan
08-31-2008, 09:22 AM
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:love:
Triple A
08-31-2008, 10:28 AM
Hmmm... in this one he rips into some American TV... see how this suits you...
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VuyXkBIDBsQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></object>
lol that was good
NeanderCarl
08-31-2008, 10:57 AM
Some of the material is pretty thought-provoking too, exposing the tactics used to mislead people in TV and advertising too. The advertising episode is eye opening. Think it's in season 2 on the playlists for anyone who's interested.
How the fuck did this thread go 42 posts before someone mentioned STILL GAME!!!!!!!1111!!!11!!!!1!!!!
NeanderCarl
08-31-2008, 12:14 PM
Because it's shite?
The Destroyer
08-31-2008, 12:18 PM
Shite? No.
But not really the sort of programme you'd expect someone in the US to "get", which is probably why no-one's mentioned it.
I wouldn't expect anyone in America to understand our TV.
But someone mentioned Rab C. And some of the stuff already mentioned it pure pish.
NeanderCarl
08-31-2008, 03:25 PM
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Outsider
09-04-2008, 07:40 AM
I love that scene.
'You must spread some reputation around before giving it to Class Act Carl again'
Outsider
09-04-2008, 07:43 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh0rgwqZOxY
</EMBED>
Best comedy scene ever.
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The Mackem
09-04-2008, 08:20 AM
Everything mentioned, I always liked Monkey Dust for twisted cartoon laughs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbiXeAgk2Wg&feature=related
I'm trying to find the scene from the Royle Family where Twiggy and Jim are blowing up the balloons but there's nothing on youtube:(
Russenmafia
09-04-2008, 05:21 PM
a clip from Chewin the Fat
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Gertner
09-04-2008, 07:43 PM
all british shows revolve around men runnign around in women's underwear.
NeanderCarl
09-05-2008, 01:19 PM
not true.
only the shite ones.
The Mackem
09-09-2008, 09:37 AM
Men in Women's Undewear 105 was not shite
Jon Kano
09-09-2008, 02:04 PM
ANOTHER GOOD TWO, which are kind of like BRASS EYE
FRIDAY NIGHT ARMISTICE & SATURDAY NIGHT ARMISTICE
Gertner
09-09-2008, 04:22 PM
I can't understand a word they are saying. In English please.
Mooияakeя™
09-09-2008, 08:25 PM
The Mighty Boosh is my fave of all time, closely followed by Partridge:
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I'm Alan Partridge:
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Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (5 second clip is all u need):
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Bottom
Phoenix Nights
The IT Crowd
Max And Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Look Around You
Nathan Barley
Bo Selecta
Men Behaving Badly
Carry On's (Series of films from back in the 60's - still classic)
Only Fools and Horses
Red Dwarf
Boondock Saint
09-09-2008, 10:37 PM
OLD GREGG
Jon Kano
09-10-2008, 02:16 AM
Sorry, but IT crowd was sooo bad. and not in the good way. the bad way. cus it was actually bad.
Blue Demon
09-10-2008, 04:33 PM
My experience with British shows is a bit limited, but I enjoyed Jeeves & Wooster.
Nervous Ferret
09-11-2008, 04:16 AM
FOOTBALLER'S WIVES
NeanderCarl
09-12-2008, 05:18 PM
Watch 'Life On Mars' NOW before the US version comes out and puts you off watching it forever.
NeanderCarl
09-12-2008, 05:23 PM
Not a comedy per se, but can be hilarious in places too.
Mooияakeя™
09-13-2008, 06:36 PM
Watch 'Life On Mars' NOW before the US version comes out and puts you off watching it forever.
I second this. I also call it that the US version, will be shit. Not shit compared to our version like all other US conversions of UK programs, but SHIT outright.
Lord-Of-Darkness
09-17-2008, 10:34 AM
Sorry, but IT crowd was sooo bad. and not in the good way. the bad way. cus it was actually bad.
Totally disagree, I enjoy watching the IT Crowd.
On a related note, has the US version started yet?
l westie l
09-17-2008, 06:08 PM
omg i love phoenix nights lol. Also so what now by Lee Evans is pretty funny. Lee Evans is brilliant. But phoenix nights FTW
Good News Gertie
09-23-2008, 08:04 PM
i am having a Peep Show mini marathon right now. :love:
Good News Gertie
09-23-2008, 08:05 PM
oh my goodness i completely forgot about FAULTY TOWERS!!!
Good News Gertie
09-23-2008, 08:07 PM
oh and I used to watch Little Britain. it was ok i guess
Good News Gertie
09-23-2008, 08:08 PM
*W
Triple A
09-23-2008, 08:08 PM
Yeah what's the deal with Little Britain. It is starting here on HBO this Sunday and I will watch it.
The Mackem
09-23-2008, 08:24 PM
Have you heard of the seeded fruit that is often mis-tooken for a ve-ge-ta-ble, red in colour and fleshy within, but beware the pips!
I dunno how some of it will translate to an American audience as a lot of it takes the piss out of modern culture but there should be bits that make you laugh.
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