What's your favorite British comedy series?

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 08 May 2005, 19:17

Okay, so which one is it? If it's not listed below, add it in a reply. As for me, it's a close call between Spaced and Black Books, but Black Books comes out ahead due to the hilarious Bill Bailey.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 May 2005, 20:11

I hope you don't mind Bobbi I edited your post as you forgot the BEST British comedy of all time, in fact IMO the best TV comedy of all time:

Only Fools and Horses

Nothing comes close for comedic excellence, add to that the genius of making me laugh one minute and cry the next. The last series was a bit stale though, the last Christmas special certainly was.

Fawlty Towers is also good but they made far to few of them.

p.s - I also added "Absolutely Fabulous". Both far bigger than Black Books for example.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 May 2005, 20:15

I know "Only Fools and Horses" did but did "Absolutely Fabulous" travel across the atlantic?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 08 May 2005, 20:39

I would say overall Blackadder but is very very close to the brillance (IMO) of Father Ted

Is it really 10 years since that began? Feck!

Brad, IMO Only Fools has been going on too long now, though older episodes are great, John Sullivan is very clever, taking real drama on occasion and blending it with the best comedy (the same goes for the excellent One Foot In The Grave.)

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 May 2005, 20:46

It's not really still going though is it. IMO they should've stopped when they became millionaires I consider that the end of the series. It was great up until then.

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 08 May 2005, 21:12

bradavon wrote:p.s - I also added "Absolutely Fabulous". Both far bigger than Black Books for example.

How on earth could I forget Patsy and Edina? Thanks, Brad.

As for making it across the Atlantic, I didn't take that into consideration when coming up with the poll. I just pulled some of the best ones (imo) to place in the poll. I know that Black Books has more of a cult following and will never be big the way some of the other series are (especially since it's all over), but I still rate it quite highly. Spaced is a superb, quality show, too. Fantastic, real characters and brilliant comedy and storylines. Even though I get loads of the clever references in Spaced, I'd argue that you don't need to know them to enjoy the series. That's what makes it so good, rather than just a clever little homage to other shows that just shows off the writer's knowledge (pretentious).

Oh, and I didn't add Mr. Bean, although Rowan Atkinson's visual comedy is hilarious at times.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 May 2005, 21:43

I was just wondering if you'd heard of the shows.

the68monkey wrote:Oh, and I didn't add Mr. Bean, although Rowan Atkinson's visual comedy is hilarious at times.

I'll do it for you.

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 30 May 2005, 02:25

Since I can't seem to get enough of Richard Coyle these days, I've purchased the R1 DVD of Lorna Doone, starring Coyle as the dashing John Ridd. He's so cute in Coupling, in a :drunken: sort of way. :p

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 30 May 2005, 09:52

I went for oupling as it has got the most recent memories of having me in stitches. Although could easily have gone for Blackadder (although the first series wasn't that funny) or Fawlty Towers.

Can't believe you missed my personal fave though, Red Dwarf - the only one of all of them that if you type with your fingers on the correct keys you only use your left hand for!

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 30 May 2005, 13:05

Porrige is probibly better than them lot I must say

a few of them do not deserve to be on any list, Coupling for instance and esspecially the pathetic Office! one of the smuggest god damn dire shows to grace out TVs and spoil it.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 May 2005, 13:13

Porrdige is excellent

Very funny.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 May 2005, 16:30

I voted for Fawlty Towers. Still classic even after 26 (Series II) and 30 (Series I) years respectively. Only 12 episodes, but it left you wanting more.

Most of the others I've never paid much attention to. I didn't catch any of the Blackadders until the Fourth, which I recall being very funny (and with a poignant ending) when I saw it as a kid.

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 30 May 2005, 16:34

Blackadder 2 is the best, if it is the one with Queenie. Hilarious stuff!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 May 2005, 16:55

I like 2 and 4 best, and agree 1 is not that funny. Overall its still a great series, the "Christmas Carol" episode is brilliant

brassmonkey001 · Post by **brassmonkey001** » 01 Jun 2005, 23:14

Away! Blackadder series 1 was far superior to the others.
What about Dad's Army?
Open All Hours?
Reggie Perrin?
Rising Damp?
Steptoe?
Alf Garnett?
Young Ones?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Jun 2005, 10:12

Blackadder 1 was the worst IMO!
I agree about Alf Garnett, though I know most of the Til Death Us Do Part showm not In Sickness and In Health (the sequel in the 80's).