Seriously, does anyone know why? Why are the British so damn geniuses at comedy whereas most American comedy relies on horribly predictable and most often physical humor? I mean the British also have physical humor (the god like Monty Python being an example) but why do they make comedy look so brilliant and effortless? Americans seldom do that and even then it mostly relies on loud or flashy techniques to get a genuine laugh?not the British?nope these guys will have their comedies based in the most mundane and every day surroundings and still put out genius comedy?how do they do it? For a country riddled in tradition and known for it?s stuck up, pompous aristocracy it sure does understand the anthesis of its earnest mannerisms very well. For a country that suppressed 25% of the world in its heyday with its boring, forced ideas of civility and etiquettes it sure does manage to mock it in ingenious ways.

That brings me to another point; British comedies on average are far more potent and intelligent than average American sitcom comedies. That does not mean the characters portrayed are very bright individuals, in fact many British comedies have characters which are social goofs but even their dialogue, as absurd it may be, is far more engaging and interesting, than that of the average doofus in American sitcoms. The British seem to have human psyche pinned down and dissected ready for all to laugh at but not the Americans?nope, rarely a comedy here is human and faithful in its approach but the British focus their comedy on the characters and their nuances, how they interact with their environment, the little, little details whereas American comedies seem to want to put their characters through completely unrealistic situations in equally unrealistic surroundings and see how much they can endure before even the shoddy writers stop laughing at their own swill. British comedies: This is how you?d expect people to behave in real life?American comedies: [/I]If this is how people acted they?d be dead in real life.[/I]

What is it? Is the general American populace to be blamed for low ratings of engaging new comedies which are cancelled right away? The new comedy Arrested Development is brilliant, and follows a consistent plot line, is already suffering low ratings and facing possible cancellation. Many other comedies which actually made viewers think (Titus comes to mind right away?damn you FOX) face quick cancellation despite a cult following and endless critical success. Why?

Why are British so much better?

I need answers goddamint?now *shakes fist*

I guess it's all about the stiff upper lip. You know how if you're acting in a comedy, if you laugh at yourself, the audience won't? Americans laugh at themselves and Brits don't.

Was Charlie Chaplin American or Brit? He's god.

I'd like to say british comedy is better, having recent british ancestry and feeling more allegiance to britain than america, but I just can't.
Both america and britain mostly produce shit comedy, lets just accept that first and foremost.
Who's worst is worst is a good question. Probably america's worst comedy is worse than britains worst comedy. But i would say their best is better as well.
Britains mainstream comedy is leaps and bounds above americas mainstream comedy. Indicating the british audience is a little sharper. But americas best comedy is better than any british comedy. The office being an exception, it is on the same level of americas best comedy. But it was long time coming and before it they had nothing really exceptional (well, I loved 'hippies' too but I realise it was no cultural benchmark)
I'd still say ultimately america produces better comedy, and worse.

Was Charlie Chaplin American or Brit?

He was English, born in London.

I'd still say ultimately america produces better comedy, and worse.

What??? England is renowned for it's comedy, but there is an endless stream of garbage that gets on the air. Besides, how many British sitcoms have been revamped for American audiences?

If American's produced better comedies, maybe they'd laugh more and lose weight :D

I'd like to point out that most british sitcoms are very predictable. You can always guess what's going to happen next. This is the same with most US comedies. But I'd have to say that we brits excel in sketch comedy. This includes stuff like Monty Python, Big Train, Little Britain (only a few hilarious bits, the rest is tedious), Harry Enfield (in its day), etc.

Big Train has to be my favourite sketch comedy. It is no longer made but it was the funniest thing you could ever watch. It was new kind of comedy that was clever yet absurd.

I never got into The Office. It seemed like it was trying too hard so it never appealed. If you want a really funny UK comedy show it has to be Spaced. That, like Big Train, was awesomly different. I felt that I could actually relate to most of it. It was just so stupid and random but very, very clever.

But the US does throw out some very clever stuff. The two examples that come to mind are unfortunatly cartoons but I regard them as masterpieces of comedy. Invader Zim and Family Guy. Both very random, well written and hilarious. They bring on full belly laughter.

But in the real life area, the US does give some very funny shows. My personal favourites are Frasier, Becker, My Wife and Kids, Two Guys and a Girl and even the classic Seinfeld.

But the downfall of US comedy has to be the fact that many people are "trying to make it big" so you get all these terrible actor/esses yabbering all over our screens. And I also think that the people in the US are too afraid to poke fun at themselves and try to make fun of other cultures to get laughs. Whereas in the UK we're not afraid to point out our flaws, we find it funny and like to let the world know that we do.

In accordance to the previous court case, I have to end my babbling after five minutes. So here it is, it has now ceased.

My personal favourites are Frasier, Becker, My Wife and Kids, Two Guys and a Girl and even the classic Seinfeld.
What do you mean 'even' seinfeld? Seinfeld's undeniably brilliant. In a completely different league than 'my wife and kids' and '2 guys and a girl'. American sitcoms generally suck hardcore. Seinfeld seems almost like supernatural phenomena to be that good coming out of that genre.

I really like the office, I didn't get the 'trying to hard' vibe from it although that was actually what i was expecting after seeing short commercials and tidbits.
I hate the really obvious kind of shenanigans seen on shows like 'the sketch show'. I just hate that show with a passion, they might as well tapdance with a walking stick after each sketch, that crap just ISN'T funny anymore, hasn't been since the 50's, why don't they get it?
I think america has had more really outstanding productions, seinfeld for 1, obviously simpsons and south park, family guy like you said, king of the hill IMO is the best cartoon of all, really subtle and non-jokish(for the most part). Its sophisticated comedy which adds to the irony of the subject matter being the opposite of sophisticated. I really love king of the hill and its only a recent realisation.
My all time favourites are strangers with candy, upright citizens brigade and mr show. Thats the big 3 for me. I think they are examples of 'as good as comedy has been yet on earth'.
Kids in the hall used to be good, SNL used to be really good.
Dr katz and home movies were both excellent shows. 'Pete and pete' is like a miraculous piece of art, not so much 'comedy' but funny in its wierdness.
And more, i could go on. America IMO has done alot more with comedy.
There's only like a handfull of british comedies I like, perhaps I just haven't seen the really good shit? I'm australian so we sort of get a mixture of american and british, missing out on a little from each but getting more british than americans do and more american than the british do.
I like ali-g, hippies, the office, harry enfield has been ok on occassion.. and I'm already running out of ideas. Monty python has inspired the best comedy but I just don't think its that funny in this day and age. And I flat out don't find red dwarf funny, if it is even meant to be comedy I don't know. I'm sure I'm missing something I like but if it was really special I'd remember.
The british shows I've seen seem like they could look down at the majority of american sitcoms and crap like that, like they aren't THAT pathetic but also just aren't outstanding like some american shows have been.
BBC definately makes the best nature documentaries though :D

What do you mean 'even' seinfeld? Seinfeld's undeniably brilliant.

I know, I didn't mean it like it came across. I love Seinfeld, it was just something that came to me at the end of the list.

In a completely different league than 'my wife and kids' and '2 guys and a girl'.

I can agree with this. I only like Two guys and My wife because they're light hearted and have some really funny moments.

The Sketch Show

I too hate this show with a passion. It is the ultimate of cheese and deserves tpo be shot and left in the gutter to rot.

obviously simpsons and south park
They WERE great but now unfortunalty they have lost their charm and so have the writers.

Dr katz and home movies

I do not think many people in the UK have heard of these. Dr Katz was on ITV1 really early in the morning but I stayed up and watched it. It was something different and man are some of his patients wackos. Home Moives was on Cartoon Network at like 7:30pm...who the hell watches that channel at that time anyway? Well...I did. And I liked it.

Okay, the US does have a lot of good comedy shows....we all do. Except the French.

I really don't think there's that big of a difference between them. There have been many great American sitcoms going back to shows like "The Honeymooners", "The I Love Lucy Show", "The Red Skelton Show", and "Soap" just to name but a few. I laughed as well and as much at shows from Britan like "The Rise And Fall Of Reginal Perrin", "Fawlty Towers" and "Blackadder". All I ask is that they keep making them and to all who were involved in producing them..... THANK YOU!

I'd still say ultimately america produces better comedy, and worse.

I am a card carrying britcom junkie and even I agree with that statement. I think people often forget the really good american stuff because there are just SO MANY SHOWS. They tend to get buried under the avalanche of content available from the states. One network in the US probably puts out more in a year than everything out of britain combined, it's hard to stand out in that kind of environment. You can't miss really good shows in the UK because there are comparatively few new shows against them. Great american comedies also have an odd habit of being cancelled just when people are starting to notice them.

I have seen some of North American comedy and European comedy. I think that the european comedy ( espscially England's) is better. The thing is, in North America, we get ALL the crap comedy from the US, but we only bet the best European comedy. I'm sure that if we were to watch the bad comedies that don't get to North America, we would think differently. There are soem good actors and comedians from Canada, on CBC, they have shows dedicated to makeing fun of world events, it's oretty good. Mike Myers in Canadian, I think he's OK, but not a genius or anything.

Claiming that British comedy is better than American is simply a matter of opinion, so it makes no sense to ask why it is better. I personally think British comedy is childish, boring, and an insult to the viewer's intelligence. Should I go and post something asking "WHY IS AMERICAN COMEDY SO MUCH BETTER THAN BRITISH COMEDY?"

Another thing, there is shitty comedy that comes on BOTH continents, you can't just make those broad generalizations.

Wow...erm...why not just do what everybody else is doing and putting down your personal thoughts...this is what this forum is about is it not? I mean geez.

British comedy is better than American comedy because when we took over the world from them we felt a little guilty so we let them have comedy, literary classics and historical dramas. We kept science fiction, Westerns, cop shows, lawyer shows and doctor shows plus all the food that isn't boiled. We split the great epics, game shows, talk shows and reality TV between us.

I think they also kept archaeological documentaries and a large number of sheep and we kept big cars and most of our trees. Any further questions?

Seriously, does anyone know why? Why are the British so damn geniuses at comedy whereas most American comedy relies on horribly predictable and most often physical humor?

I think that it has a lot to do with American political correctness. It makes things so sterile, it takes the edge off.

Also, what I noticed in many American shows, not just comedies, is that they are very education-orientated. There is always a moral point somewhere, esp. when summed up in the end.
To me, American shows are more like another room for education and social culture, and not so much about entertainment. It is as if tv shows are the extended real world, quite literally.

The funny and the entertaining in comedies is often just the surface of a moral lesson, hence also the many unrealistic situations. An unrealistic situation is used to push a certain moral issue to the extreme, to bring over a moral message -- just like Aesop's fables.

While British stuff greatly doesn't have this moral graveness, it is light on its feet.
It seems that American shows are done with a certain agenda, following an explicit philosophy of what the characters are like, morally. British shows concentrate on the conflict, not so much on those who carry it out.

In that sense, in British shows characters can afford to make fun of themselves, while in American shows self-critisism is quite rare. Self-critisism in American shows would mean that the character doubts himself and his moral values, and this is regarded as bad by the institute of "political correctness" -- so they don't do it. Or they do it, but with an explicit moral lesson. Think "Seventh Heaven". Uh.

But moralizing ain't that funny, so American comedies often go for physical/situation fun that is not very funny to watch. "Friends" is just appalling.

I'd like to say that both are good in their own ways, there are many types of humour, and they can all be funny at the right time.
I like Monty Python, who are from Britain. And I am a very big fan of The Simpsons, which is American.

I think the best comedy show ever was Laurel and Hardy, timeless humour. As I recall Hardy was American and Laurel was English.

There is cleverer humour, but it ain't necessarily better.

Dave

I think its down to taste, personally i prefer stand up comedy to anything else, and that comes from every country, but i like a few american comedys, seinfeld, futurama, the simpsons(but not friends its way too predictable most of the time), but mostly i like british comedy, fawlty towers, blackadder, red dwarf, the sketch show, monty python, big train, only fools and horses, have i got news for you, they think its all over, but i hate the office, i found it very boring, there wasnt any real jokes in it, it was just a prat in an office, and i have more of a tendancy to feel sorry for prats than laugh at them, but like i say its personal taste and this debate could go on for years about who's comedy is better, its all down to what makes an individual laugh or not.

delivery. all delivery. british comedians have a curt way of speaking and subtle mannerisms. make it big and it's not funny anymore. there are big obvious physical comedians from england. there's that whole side of england parodied in austin powers such as how elizabeth hurley says that spanking is a very english kind of party game. wasn't benny hill a brit?

"I need answers goddamint?now *shakes fist* "
hey now, is this for your comedy class? do your own homework goddamnit!!

wasn't benny hill a brit?
Yeh, personally i prefer harry hill though.

Brit Com has class...

American Com doesn't, and is proud of this lack of class and parades it...

I can't, off the top of my head, think of anyone less funny than benny hill.

possibly charles manson... but not by much.

no, no, Charles Manson ROCKS!!! Ever seen the South Park Episode with him? He has a smiley face tattooed on his head.

it's not a happyface, it's an ancient sumerian symbol for "scrotum" and if I remember correctly in norse mythology it represents "baked beans". I know, strange but true.

haven't you read the thread on the various historical meanings of the swastika?

oh... ops *slap* of course.

Red Skelton made you laugh so hard you'd cry!

speak for yourself, if I want slapstick or silly faces I can watch a cartoon. At least when cartoon characters make unfunny asses out of themselves I don't have to endure the pity and painful discomfort I feel for real "comedians" when their antics fall flat. Mime's have that same effect, I just want to scream, "amusing and annoying are not the same thing!". To be fair it's likely today's humor will look stupid to the next generation but Hill, Skelton and the like? I just don't get it.

Then there were the Three Stooges, The Little Rascles, The Jack Benny Show, and The Show Of Shows with Steve Allan. These all were great comedies that never had "bad moments" that I could remember. They were also never using cuss words to get laughs but great writing and style.

Then there were the Three Stooges, The Little Rascles, The Jack Benny Show, and The Show Of Shows with Steve Allan. These all were great comedies that never had "bad moments" that I could remember. They were also never using cuss words to get laughs but great writing and style.

it always gives me a chuckle when people complain about "cuss words" in humor today and lament the old days when comedy was pure. You know back when much more family freindly, benign and wholesome things were the core of humor like violence and humiliation.

Ahhh, the good old days, when you could threaten your wife or toss a midget for a good giggle.

Britain never concocted anything so funny as "Everybody Loves Raymond" (although I'm a closet BBCAmerica fan). It could be that I'm Italian-American and I have childhood flashbacks every time it's on.

:rolleyes:
Everybody loves raymond? Thats the kind of american comedy I was talking about when I said comedy that is worse than anything made in britain. A show that bad wouldn't make it onto TV in britain. Way too cheesy.

the #1 problem in tv comedy, in my opinion, are the laugh tracks. You only have to see one comedy without them and suddenly you realize how forced, unnecessary and over the top they are. It's an insult to the audience, do we need to be told whats funny? The industries opinion of our intellect is really offensive.

Whoever conceived the idea should be forced to watch amateur comedians tell political jokes until he claws his ears off.

Dr Lou,

It may look cheesy, but every Italian-American I know winces and says "Oh God, that's my family" when it's on. Ray Romano writes it and it's based on his own family. You might just have to be part of the "club" to get it, but believe me, they nail that whole scenario.

verybody loves raymond? Thats the kind of american comedy I was talking about when I said comedy that is worse than anything made in britain. A show that bad wouldn't make it onto TV in britain. Way too cheesy.

Oh man, amazing show! It's on Channal 4 every weekday morning at 8. It used to be on Paramount Comedy at like 1am and I used to watch it. So there, it's on in the UK and many people who watch it seem to relate to bits and pieces of it...especially his relationship with his mother.

EEeehh.... I saw that in America when I was there!! It was so cool :)

I've always been a much bigger fan of the brits though I am from the US. There are some shining exceptions (aforementioned seinfeld, many toons like my avatar) but the large majority of US comedies can't hold a candle to something like python or young ones. I think it has something to do with it being foreign to me makes it all the more funny. It is even more wacky as they are sometimes seemingly speaking another language.

Did we forget I Love Lucy? Americans did make good comedy!

Hmmm. What do people think of French comedy? I remember watching some old stuff when I was little, it was hilarious.
I guess different people have different sense of humor :p

French don't make people laugh...they are laughed at.

Sorry, couldn't resist :(

hmm, speaking of humor I've always thought the anti-french vibe in america was funny. Whats the deal with that, is it some deep seeded inferiority complex or something? I could understand an anti-british feeling because of the early history but the french thing never made sense to me.

Sorry, this should be a political thread but I've always wondered.

hmm, speaking of humor I've always thought the anti-french vibe in america was funny. Whats the deal with that, is it some deep seeded inferiority complex or something? I could understand an anti-british feeling because of the early history but the french thing never made sense to me.

Sorry, this should be a political thread but I've always wondered.

Well

America - Patriotic, testostoreone driven. Not as cultured and refined. Likes big things. Big and powerful everything.

France - Pacifist. More artsy, not afraid to explore its feminine side. Not big on powerful things. Commen sense precedes blatant patriotism.

Conflicts of interest.

I thought it was more the british that didnt like the french, mostly for their arrogance, but france did own parts of america at one point so it may stem from that, i didnt think they used to like the british until now when we stick by them with everything.

I thought it was more the british that didnt like the french, mostly for their arrogance, but france did own parts of america at one point so it may stem from that, i didnt think they used to like the british until now when we stick by them with everything.


Here is the truth.

No one ever liked anyone. U.S allies don't even like U.S. It is similar desires that form alligences. There is no real freindship between nations.

France - Pacifist. More artsy, not afraid to explore its feminine side. Not big on powerful things. Commen sense precedes blatant patriotism.

Conflicts of interest.

but that applies (generally) to us in canada, the swiss, new zealand, denmark, sweden, the list of countries that fit that description is very long. Why france in particular?

again, sorry for going off on a tangent.

No one ever liked anyone. U.S allies don't even like U.S. It is similar desires that form alligences. There is no real freindship between nations.

true but there is a very specific and deep hatred displayed for france , even more than countries with opposing ideology in many cases and your explanation doesn't really say why them in particular.

if you don't do your own homework you'll never learn

ya, thanks swedishfish, that helps.

French Comedy is cool, although I've not been exposed to much of it, and sometimes (okay, fine, I confess... a lot of the times) I need subtitles to understand it.

*whoooooosh* - half the fun flies out the window with subtitles.

French humor is also very sophisticated.
I like it! And french dramas, and short films... *sigh* I'm so female.

English humour still comes tops on my list, as everything else that is english... including accents and the general english look that I've come to love over the years.
(by the way, read Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill)

American... god, all I can think about is those really crap series with too many bodily functions exposed, crude, shallow, "on the surface" joke... no ambiguity, hidden mocking... although Seinfeld is cool. (My fave joke is the cookie/appetite joke... can't help laughing just at the thought of it).

but that applies (generally) to us in canada, the swiss, new zealand, denmark, sweden, the list of countries that fit that description is very long. Why france in particular?

I guess France is more influential and powerful than those other countries. It has as a bigger presence in the world.

true but there is a very specific and deep hatred displayed for france , even more than countries with opposing ideology in many cases and your explanation doesn't really say why them in particular.

Because they are not in particular. America despises anyone not on their train of thought or anyone who is different.

There is deep resentment for Canada, Middle East, British, French and who knows. The French just get the heat because they defy U.S without war.

ya, thanks swedishfish, that helps.
wasn't talking to you

wasn't talking to you

lol, oops. Then please add to this I'd love to hear your perspective, you disagree with sargentlard?

There is deep resentment for Canada,

no shit, really? Our recent squables aside (iraq, BSE, petty trade disagreements, etc.) I'd always felt little or no hostility from down south.

Should I start a seperate thread for this?

no shit, really? Our recent squables aside (iraq, BSE, petty trade disagreements, etc.) I'd always felt little or no hostility from down south.



It is mostly comical but I knew a few hardcore Canadian haters.

Its not your fault. Though you do keep sending us crappy pop stars (Avril Lavigene, Nickelback).

Just send us your comedians and we'll be good.

buffys,

Talleyrand, after the Revolutionary War, wrote home to the French king in anger saying that after all the French had done for Americans there was still no Frenchman who was not a stranger in an American's drawing room and no Englishman who was not a friend.

I think this hostility is long standing and stems mostly from a mutual lack of repsect between French and Americans. We are ideologically opposed in many ways and culturally Americans value toughness and bravery more than getting in touch with one's artsy side. Americans also value patriotism, something the French may feel but don't seem to express.

Oddly enough, the French backed the Union during the Civil War while Britain backed the rebels. Americans have more respect for Germans, English and Russians than French and the French are the only ones we've never fought. I definitely think we respect the more macho image of the other three. Sounds silly, but that's the nature of the jokes leveled at the French.

Sorry to say, but Canada isn't that popular down here, probably because they keep booing our national anthem at sporting events which is viewed here as a personal affront rather than a political statement.

Though you do keep sending us crappy pop stars (Avril Lavigene, Nickelback).

first of all you don't want me to make a list of the crap you guys flog us with. Anyway, we don't send those bands, you guys take them. I'm afraid you have to take responsibility for the bands that become popular there (celine dione anyone? you guys made that nightmare WAY out of control), our best groups never get heard down there.

BTW - south park's "blame canada". I almost pissed myself I laughed so hard at that, now that I think about it south park is one of the few to see celine for the pure evil she really is.

Sorry to say, but Canada isn't that popular down here, probably because they keep booing our national anthem at sporting events which is viewed here as a personal affront rather than a political statement.

heh, the funny thing is the majority of that comes from quebec (the french province), interesting. If you can imagine, I hadn't thought of the connection before .

He was English, born in London.



What??? England is renowned for it's comedy, but there is an endless stream of garbage that gets on the air. Besides, how many British sitcoms have been revamped for American audiences?

If American's produced better comedies, maybe they'd laugh more and lose weight :D

True, but the British loved Denis Leary and Bill Hicks when they crossed the pond.

Also, the UK has the second-highest rate of obesity in the world.

As for why the French thing ... I think the French are patriotic with regards to their language and culture. Quebec imposed their language all across Canada, and France is still desperately pretending that the Gallic tongue is global.

Brits are certainly much better at acting very proper while doing something silly. John Cleese has made a career of that.

Really, outside of obvious classics like blackadder, etc I think British comedy cannot be in any way compared with American comedy. The sheer amount of available choices simply dwarves; there is no othe country that produces better shows and worse shows. From the perennially great network that is HBO with Curb Your Enthusiasm to FOX and The Simpsons, and these are merely current shows... what of Lucy, Cosby, Seinfield, All in the Family, Family matters, Martin, Cheers, Stanford and Son, Mary Tyler Moore, that bloody show with Ron Howard, 3rd Rock from the Sun(FUCK YEA! THE FIRST 2 SEASONS WERE KARMA AND I DON'T EVEN WATCH THAT MUCH TV BUT I WATCHED THEM ALL :D :cool: :m: ), etc etc etc etc fucking etc. The sheer volume of available great comedy far dwarves any that the ethnocentric brits produce.

Lets not forget standup cmedians or even actors. Shall I run the list: Hartman, Murphy, Steve Martin, RICHARD PRYOR ( I BOW DOWN TO THEE!), Bruce, Carson, Letterman, Rock, bla bla fucking bla!

Sarge, you are so fucking far off its not even funny.

well said.

Though I'm not sure about all of your choices (Family Matters for example), the US probably makes 500 comedies for every 5 from the Brit's. The majority from the states just get swallowed in the torrent. It's easy to be great in a pond, much harder in an ocean.

i agree with the fact that British comedy is better, but there is one thing in America that could even stand up to Monty Python - The Simpsons

this is funny on very simple levels, as well as very complex levels

i agree with the fact that British comedy is better, but there is one thing in America that could even stand up to Monty Python - The Simpsons

this is funny on very simple levels, as well as very complex levels

The Simpsons are no longer funny. It now tries too hard to be funny when all it's doing is continuing the Simpson franchise. If you want a funny cartoon, try Invader Zim or Family Guy (both, as I understand it, have been cancelled...stupid bastards!).

Aw, aw, now that we bring in cartoons!
South Park, Tom and Jerry, cartoons about the wabbit, the cayote, and many others.

Fountainhed Quantity doesnt equal quality, i'd expect america to do better than they do they are so much bigger than us, there are many more british sitcoms i like than americans its dissappointing from such a big country, more population, money in tv, tv channels, you have more actors writers etc and it still doesnt get as good as it should be.
As for the actors comment, it all comes down to one thing, hollywood, american writers, in america, making movies for america(because thats where the big bucks are) i dont think brits go down to well over there in big movies, plus all the big movie companies are american.
I think american comedy is big stateside and brit comedy is big in britain, we just dont seem to get each other unless its simple comedy, and then sometimes its too simple or just gets boring and repetative, my wife and kids was good the 1st time i saw it, but its gone way downhill and its hardly been on long, and fresh prince ran outta fat jokes after the first series, still gets a few laughs though i think thats mainly down to will smiths acting, he's genuinely good and funny to watch.

I'm with Thor on the Simpsons...
It was funny at first... now it's just dragging along and re-using jokes and it's just lost it's fun =(

eh, thats to be expected. They were truly original but now that other shows have taken their lead the simpsons is just another show in a steadily growing genre. How long has it been now? 14, 15 years? short of changing characters, style, format and environment there's really only so many different stories they can tell before they start repeating themselves. I still enjoy the show but it's impact is gone, it's probably time to do the honorable thing and end it. Of any show the simpsons deserve a decent death.

You Brit's definitely have the states in that area, you tend to kill shows early rather than late (I think red dwarf has the record of 8 seasons and considering a season is only 6 episodes even that program has few actual shows in all). So if they're good it not only lets them go out while still on top it often allows them a sort of cult status. It's hard to be cult when there's 800 episodes.

800 is a good number (check my # of posts... hehe)

I thought Red Dwarf had another series coming and a film on top of that...

It does, well the movie at least, i think they just started filming it in australia, and theres a possible 9th series depending on the success of the movie, i cant wait.

AHHHH!!!

Hey, what was the name of that series, in which whats-his-name from Red Dwarf played a lesiure center manager?

The Brittas Empire!

It does, well the movie at least, i think they just started filming it in australia, and theres a possible 9th series depending on the success of the movie, i cant wait.

Excellent...

aaaahh... that's it. That was funny stuff.... in a sad sort of "nothing better to do" way...

You Brit's definitely have the states in that area, you tend to kill shows early rather than late (I think red dwarf has the record of 8 seasons and considering a season is only 6 episodes even that program has few actual shows in all).
We only have one that defies that theory i believe(considering the 12 episodes of fawlty towers), only fools and horses, they made a special of that only a couple years back, still a classic, anyways must dash, bonjour.....;)

I used to like One Foot In The Grave and Keeping Up Appearances...

but the novelty wears off...

ooh.. and 'Allo 'Allo :)

Good moaning!

Anyway...to this whole kills of early thing. Lemme see...

Yes, Only Fools and Horses. What else was there...those three old guys, Last of the Summer Wine. Blackadder? How long did that go on for? Absolutly Fabulous. Men Behaving Badly! Steptoe and Son? I don't know...

I think american shows also have a bit of a creative disadvantage because of the number of episodes required of them in a season (22-24 on average 4 times the UK standard). So they get less writing, editing, rehearsal, etc. time.

It's just a lot harder to make 20 some original shows than it is to make 6.

Thor,

I think there were 4 seasons of Black adder (specials excluded) but as I said with only 6 per season even 20 seasons doesn't add up to much compared with the US.

EDIT: Speaking of the Red Dwarf stars, I always wondered why they haven't been more successful outside of the Dwarf universe. Especially Chris Barrie, I always thought he is an exceptional character actor. Chrag Charles and Danny John-Jules are (comparatively) amateurs so I suppose it's not as suprising that they haven't "taken off" career wise.

Chris Barrie is currently hosting something which is actually quite fitting for Rimmers character. He is doing something about the worlds greatest engines on the Discovery channel in the UK.

Danny John-Jules...amazing acting with Kat...but I would say Craig Charles has a better career than the others.

Edit to add: Only four blackadders...wow...

OFAH is very cool... I like Open All Hours too... :) and Dad's Army!

Last of the Summer Wine!!! How could I have forgotten? It's with Whats-his-name that does Walace's voice in W and Grommit! :) (I suck at names)

I used to watch All Along The Watchtower too! And hmm... what was that one, in some sort of department store?

ooh... You Rang M'lord?

Oh the list never ends...

Chris Barrie is currently hosting something which is actually quite fitting for Rimmers character.

Thats the problem in my opinion, I've always felt he could pull off more than the rimmer character type.

just cos the later episodes are shit, doesnt make the early ones any worse.

and things like south park are just a coupla kids drawing cartoons in their spare time compared to the simpsons

Comedy Central is great, although they rerun everything to death. Daily Show is consistently the best source of news in the States. It's kinda inconsistent, but when it's on, it's hilarious. Same thing for Chappelle's show. Some skits are painful (Most Negrodamus), but some of it (the celebrity trials) is genius.

Thor - Family Guy was cancelled by Fox, then brought back by Cartoon Network. It brought in the highest ratings in Cartoon Network history. That, combined with the huge sales for the DVD boxed sets, means that it will be returning in January 2005.

Alain - South Park started off as a basic, primitive show. Not anymore. The episodes about the Passion of the Christ and immigration were top-notch. The animation's also noticeably improved, especially for the ninja episode.

Only four blackadders...wow...
Yep, one of the greatest comedys and just four series, with i think 3 special episodes but im not sure on that.
And hmm... what was that one, in some sort of department store?
lol 'are you being served' with misses slocums pussy and the gay guy, brilliant.:)

starofeight - im not sure if i shud believe you :P, ill try to get round to watching a new episode, see how good it is

British Comedy rules...if you havent seen any check out these series:
Jeeves & Wooster
Blackadder
Office
AB fab
The Yes (Prime) Minister

You coulda listed better magenta, part from blackadder, though i havnt heard of the 1st one so if its ever on i'll have a look at it.

I`m a brit and a massive comedy fan.some of your choices of brit comedy surprises me.Last of the summer wine!?? (its about three old gits going down a hill on a various home made contraptions.same thing every time.for about twenty years).i dunno if any of you ever get to see stuff like spaced,brass eye,the day today,alan partridge,trigger happy tv,red dwarf,the list is endless.i like some of the US stuff,but on the whole it all seems to be very formulaic.everybody is always good looking,flash city flat,etc etc.the brit stuff tends to have downtroden slightly ugly characters who you actully identify with ,their situations ,etc.and as stated here,brits tend to only do six episodes at a time.i belive each episode of fawlty towers took six weeks each to write by two people(john cleese and connie booth).but the master has to be bill hicks,genius!!

Coupling and two pints of lager and a packet of crisps is good too, and game on, the list really does go on.

You coulda listed better magenta, part from blackadder, though i havnt heard of the 1st one so if its ever on i'll have a look at it.


Sorry ---those are just some of my favorites. :) Jeeves and Wooster is what really attracted me to British Comedy. Sometimes you can catch it on A&E. I purchased the DVD collections from Barnes n noble but they might carry them at blockbuster etc.

Sorry ---those are just some of my favorites. Jeeves and Wooster is what really attracted me to British Comedy. Sometimes you can catch it on A&E. I purchased the DVD collections from Barnes n noble but they might carry them at blockbuster etc.
Everyone has different taste, and yes prime minister is quite good but its not on so much anymore, i might actually have a look for jeeves and wooster, im very interested to find out now what its like, thanks for notifying me.:)

I would check out this website if your interested in info about Jeeves and wooster. Im sure you would find it very enjoyable :)PG Wodehouse (http://www.hatsharpening.com/j&w/)