Which Brit Com to start?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — BritComs
raps702 — 15 years ago(March 31, 2011 12:54 PM)
Ok, I am a Canadian living in the States and I need a change from American tv, I have watched "Da Ali G show", Extra's , and the original Office. I enjoyed all of these shows immensely. I know there are many great British comedies to watch, however I heard that Black Adder and Red Dwarf are good shows to watch, so my question is which show should I start with? Or if you have any other suggestions, that would be wonderful. Thanks much appreciated.
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Hitch_1 — 15 years ago(March 31, 2011 02:33 PM)
Blackadder is a classic but the first season was a bit dry so maybe start with season 2 if you find season 1 a bit underwhelming. Each season has the same actors but the characters are from different eras (following the ancestral bloodline of Blackadder), so each season can be watched in isolation and in any order. My particular favourite is season 4 (Blackadder Goes Forth) by a long way.
Other classic comedy shows worth giving a try:
Only Fools and Horses
Fawlty Towers
The Young Ones
Bottom
More recent shows that are very good:
Alan Partridge
Phoenix Nights (and the spin-off: Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere)
Not Going Out
The Inbetweeners
Misfits -
raps702 — 15 years ago(March 31, 2011 05:40 PM)
Ok, thanks, I did not know that you don't have to watch in order, so I may just start with season 2 as you suggested. I also just finished watching season one of the misfits which I really enjoyed, as well season one and two of Being human (British version- I refuse to watch the american version), which I am also enjoying. But thought I would watch one of the classics. Thanks again for the suggestions.
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raps702 — 15 years ago(April 02, 2011 09:28 AM)
ThANKS for the recommendations everyone. Someone mentioned the other day that a show called "Absolutely Fabulous" is very funny. I can also get the whole series on dvd from my public library, so wondering if this show is worthwhile getting? Thanks
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Chief_Watches-Many — 15 years ago(April 03, 2011 12:45 PM)
You could take a look at this playlist
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=3E9E455920698FE2
They are mini documentaries on a lot of our classic comedies (Not really new shows though). You could take a look and get an idea for what some of these shows are and what you may like.
The doc's themselves are very watchable anyway though don't know if they work well if you don't already know the show's.
My Youtube Channel (Rare films & TV) -
http://www.youtube.com/user/ben29mc?feature=mhsn -
Maffers — 14 years ago(June 02, 2011 03:14 PM)
Someone mentioned the other day that a show called "Absolutely Fabulous" is very funny.
They are very much mistaken. It's profoundly unfunny.
Of the shows already listed, I'd say all episodes of 'The Young Ones', 'Fawlty Towers' and 'I'm Alan Partridge' are perfect examples of must-see British comedy.
'Red Dwarf' I hate.
'Black Adder' is great, although do take on board the advice about the first series, I personally have a soft spot for it, but it's just not the same as the three following series.
'Dad's Army' is a classic, although inconsistent.
'The Inbetweeners' is/was outrageously funny when it came out, but went downhill towards the end. Definitely watch the first series.
'The Mighty Boosh' is wildly overrated.
Three more recommendations that haven't been mentioned are:
'Porridge'
'One Foot in the Grave'
'Steptoe and Son'. -
mpilaf — 14 years ago(October 30, 2011 10:03 PM)
I am in a similar boat to the OP.
Loved Spaced. (watched doctor who forever and watched red dwarf previously)
Didn't get into Fawlty Towers and Blackadder (especially fawlty towers)
Checked out Black Books (funny by not as funny as spaced)
Heard about IT crowd
Watched Garth Morenghi's Darkplaces
Watched the Mighty Boosh
As a cautionary tale:
Try Spaced/Black Books and the IT crowd. -
slavoj_zizek — 14 years ago(May 09, 2011 05:56 PM)
I'm an American who has recently started watching British comedies, and here are the ones I have enjoyed the most so far:
Peep Show - This show is brilliant! I would rank it up there with Arrested Development as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
Pulling - I wish that there were more than just two seasons of this well-written and funny show.
Saxondale - I heard that there is an American version of this show in the works, but I can't imagine it working nearly as well as the original. The actor playing the main character is excellent.
The next shows on my list to watch are Mighty Boosh, Green Wing, and Spaced. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a way to watch The In-betweeners, but I've heard good things. -
mynameisandy81 — 14 years ago(August 10, 2011 08:09 AM)
My girlfriend is Canadian, and the first sitcom I showed her was I'm Alan Partridge. She absolutely loves it. (I once got her a mug from Snappy Snaps for her birthday. Alan's face on one side, and a cat on the other.)
So I imagine you'll appreciate it, being a fellow seal clubber.
Also, Spaced is great. She didn't like that nearly as much, but that's because she's a girl, so didn't ANY of the references. -
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thorsail — 14 years ago(December 18, 2011 02:52 PM)
I check in here now and again for ideas of what to watch, these days Netflix
has MANY British shows online,more than my memory can recall,but includes.
.
Falwty Towers
Monty Python
Are You Being Served
Green Wing
IT Crowd
Hyperdrive
The Worst Week of My Life
All Creatures Great and Small
Monarch of the Glen
Black Books
Top Gear
The Avengers
Mr. Bean-The Whole Bean
Torchwood
A bit of Fry and Laurie
Dr. Who (some older Eps)
Little Briton
Doc Martin
Hotel Babylon
Father Ted
Waiting For God
The last two: I actually turned off Father Ted after 2 minutes, made it
through one episode of "Waiting" but didn't like the characters at all.
.
They also have "Cash in the Attic", to slow and repetitive-it's a 30 minute
show stretched to an hour,and the false drama is tiringooooh, will she get
700 pounds for the party,oh dear !Another lady wanted 800 for a vacation,but
had like a half-million pounds of crystal and glass in her garage.blah. -
Pithyoneliner — 14 years ago(January 05, 2012 08:09 AM)
Finally someone mentioned the greatest britcom of all time - Father Ted, must see British Comedy, even if I feel 2 mins isn't really giving it a chance! Mind you that review was from someone who thinks 'cash in the attic' is a comedy (WTF?).
Not to offend our neighbours I should point out that Father Ted was written by and starred Irishmen, but I think it still falls under 'britcom'.
Do a search on you tube for 'Father Ted explains perspective' for a flavour.
In order of quality (top to bottom):
Father Ted
Fawlty Towers
Yes Minister
The Inbetweeners (TV show not movie)
Peep Show (seasons 1-4 only)
Blackadder (seasons 2 & 3 only)