I am a British person, and I watch an obscene amount of television. Strangely though, the vast majority of my viewing is taken up by American shows. Admittedly, I do find the quality of the states’ televisual output to be superior to that of the UK.
There is one genre of television that us Brits do excel in; and that is comedy. So, I have compiled a list of my favourite British comedic joys. You’ve probably watched some of them; and you’ve probably never heard of others. One thing is true though, they’re all pretty fucking good …?
Side note: The title of this post is not ‘The 7 Best British TV Comedies’. These are just 7 shows that I happen to enjoy very much. Therefore, please leave the comments section free of shit like ‘I can’t believe you didn’t include … ‘, because if you don’t I’ll be forced to self-harm.
The Royle Family
The Royle Family, like?Seinfeld,?is ultimately a show about nothing. The majority of episodes feature the titular family (Jim, Barbara, Antony, Denise, Dave, and ‘Nana’) gathered around the television, while chatting about the mundane details of their day. For being a bunch of work-shy layabouts, the Royle’s are some of the funniest characters ever to set foor on screen. The show is unique in my life,?as it is the only series I have come across that can have me in floods of tears and fits of laughter; at the same time.
Grandma’s House
Simon Amstell is one of the UK’s best stand-up comedians. His awkwardness and self-loathing resonates very loudly with my inner loser. I suppose that’s why I love?Grandma’s House,?as Amsell is the head writer of the show, as well as its star. Amstell stars as a version of himself, an out-of-work stand-up comic who spends his time visiting his grandmother with his mother, Tanya, and his aunt Liz. Simon and Liz’s mutual hatred for each other alone makes the show worth watching.
The Thick of It
The Thick of It?is a political comedy, but don’t let that turn you off. It has little to do with politics, and a lot to do with yelling obscenities. Based in the Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship, the show features around the firestorms that are created by the incompetence of the main characters. Malcolm Tucker is tasked with trying to spin the characters’ many malapropisms for the press, while simultaneously cutting them down to size with a barrage of insults. Here is one of his best moments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-WBZS4lKYY
Him & Her
Like?The Royle Family, Him & Her?focuses on the lives of a group of lazy people. Unemployed couple Steve and Becky share a dilapidated and filthy bedsit, and associate themselves with a group of equally appalling degenerates. Becky’s sister, Laura, is the show’s shining star. She’s a vile, vanity-obsessed racist, who is blissfully unaware that her fianc? is cheating on her. Her treatment of supposed best friend Shelly is both disgusting and hilarious.
Still Game
Still Game?is a Scottish comedy, featuring the antics of a group of Glaswegian pensioners. The main characters, Jack and Victor, can’t help but stir up trouble in the town of Craiglang with their pals Winston, Tam and Isa. Boabby, the landlord of the local pub, is often the target of Jack and Victor’s insults:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5-z4iMBFZA
Father Ted
Set on Craggy Island,?Father Ted?tells the story of a group of priests who live in the local rectory. Ted, the main character, is forced to put up with ageing alcoholic Father Jack, and the dim-witted Father Dougal. Mrs. Doyle, the priests’ housekeeper, is also on hand to constantly offer visitors tea; persistently asking until they relent.
The Office
Ricky Gervais may be an arrogant asshole, but there’s no denying the brilliance of this show. The mix of laugh-out-loud humour and cringeworthy moments makes the series vastly superior to its American counterpart. Take this moment, for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qurTK_0re3Y
quarterbackbob says
Thanks for the suggestions. Looking them up now. Although Father Ted is known by some over here.