Great British sitcoms

[Magdalia]

Wasn't it usually "Pigs on the line at Effingham Junction"?

No. The only consistent element in the excuses was the minutes of delay, which were 11 minutes in series 1 and 17 then 22 minutes in series 2.

Water seeped through the cables at Effingham Junction.

The only animals were the badger that ate the junction box at New Malden and the puma that escaped at Chessington North.

 

[Runningaround]

Only foold and horses was flogged to death and replayed so often that it stopped being funny imo.

The office was one i couldnt get into. To cringe.

I do like the likely lads mind!

This and Alan Partridge are two excellent sitcoms. I find those who don't like them or get the joke are extraordinarily like David Brent or Alan Partridge who I don't think would like them either.

 

[DarloRich]

This and Alan Partridge are two excellent sitcoms. I find those who don't like them or get the joke are extraordinarily like David Brent or Alan Partridge who I don't think would like them either.

No problem with Partridge. I think that is genius. The take off of radio norfolk is peerless, almost too good.

I just dont like the David Brent character or Gervais. He is like Corden. OFF.

(I dont like Gavin and Stacey either)

 

[gmaguire]

Only Fools and Horses is my favourite. I’ve seen every episode hundreds of times. The earlier ones are my favourite. My parents love it and we used to always quote it. It’s one of the few things that brought us together. Nicholas Lyndhurst was in another ‘80s sitcom I like called The Two of Us. Of course David Jason was also in The Darling Buds of May, with Catherine Zeta Jones.

One Foot in the Grave is another one I like. An original idea and well executed. My dad met the guy who played Victor Meldrew and knew he hated talking about the show, but fortunately my dad knew of some of his other work to talk about.

I put off watching The Office for ages, but when I eventually did I was really impressed. I haven’t seen the American one yet.

Yes Minister is good, but I’m not into politics.

Mr Bean is very good and the music is terrific.

I vaguely remember Birds of a Feather from when it was new. I might revisit it.

I watched The Inbetweeners when I was a teenager. I liked it but I haven’t felt compelled to watch it since.

I also liked The Good Life, Open All Hours, The Vicar of Dibley, Father Ted, Peep Show, Ab Fab, Fawlty Towers, Men Behaving Badly, and others I’m forgetting.

 

[D6968]

This and Alan Partridge are two excellent sitcoms. I find those who don't like them or get the joke are extraordinarily like David Brent or Alan Partridge who I don't think would like them either.

Partridge is superb, this is possibly one of my favourite scenes and remarkably I believe it was improvised.

 

[McRhu]

Till Death Us Do Part. I did like Alf.

 

[trebor79]

What about Shameless? I haven't seen the original but currently watching my way through the American version. Is quite darkly comic with a bit of farce, works for me. Also loads of nudity which I understand isn't there in the British version but Emmy Russo and Laura Slade Wiggins are very nice to look at so I'm not complaining

 

[Darandio]

Also loads of nudity which I understand isn't there in the British version

There's still plenty!

 

[Russel]

No problem with Partridge. I think that is genius. The take off of radio norfolk is peerless, almost too good.

I just dont like the David Brent character or Gervais. He is like Corden. OFF.

(I dont like Gavin and Stacey either)

Gervais is okay in The Office, but as a comedian, he's about as funny as a chlamydia diagnosis.

Not seen it mentioned yet, but Little Britain was good back in the day.

 

[D6130]

I think that the appreciation and enjoyment of TV comedy shows and comedy films is very dependent on where you were brought up. People brought up in Scotland and the North of England are unlikely to appreciate or understand the humour in London-centric shows such as 'Only Fools and Horses', 'Birds of a Feather', 'Til Death us do Part' (with the honourable exception of @McRhu), etc......whereas people brought up South of the Border are unlikely to appreciate or understand shows such as 'Para Handy/The Vital Spark', 'Chewing the Fat', 'Still Game' or 'Scotch and Wry'. 'The Likely Lads', 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads' and 'Last of the Summer Wine', although having a a definite regional identity, seem to have had a broader appeal over a wider area of the country.

 

[McRhu]

I think that the appreciation and enjoyment of TV comedy shows and comedy films is very dependent on where you were brought up. People brought up in Scotland and the North of England are unlikely to appreciate or understand the humour in London-centric shows such as 'Only Fools and Horses', 'Birds of a Feather', 'Til Death us do Part' (with the honourable exception of @McRhu), etc......whereas people brought up South of the Border are unlikely to appreciate or understand shows such as 'Para Handy/The Vital Spark', 'Chewing the Fat', 'Still Game' or 'Scotch and Wry'. 'The Likely Lads', 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads' and 'Last of the Summer Wine', although having a a definite regional identity, seem to have had a broader appeal over a wider area of the country.

Funnily enough the Lift sketch from Scottish comedy 'Burnistoun' seems to have gained international appeal, despite being based on the Glasgow accent vs voice recognition technology. 'Uluvuhn... ULUVUHN!' And of course there is the legendary Four Yorkshiremen sketch...

 

[D6968]

I think that the appreciation and enjoyment of TV comedy shows and comedy films is very dependent on where you were brought up. People brought up in Scotland and the North of England are unlikely to appreciate or understand the humour in London-centric shows such as 'Only Fools and Horses', 'Birds of a Feather', 'Til Death us do Part' (with the honourable exception of @McRhu), etc......whereas people brought up South of the Border are unlikely to appreciate or understand shows such as 'Para Handy/The Vital Spark', 'Chewing the Fat', 'Still Game' or 'Scotch and Wry'. 'The Likely Lads', 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads' and 'Last of the Summer Wine', although having a a definite regional identity, seem to have had a broader appeal over a wider area of the country.

Still Game… Another one I’d forgot but something I absolutely howl at, whilst the missus stares daggers at me.
Interesting how many celebs have Cameos in it considering it’s supposedly just a Scottish ‘thing’

 

[gmaguire]

I think that the appreciation and enjoyment of TV comedy shows and comedy films is very dependent on where you were brought up. People brought up in Scotland and the North of England are unlikely to appreciate or understand the humour in London-centric shows such as 'Only Fools and Horses', 'Birds of a Feather', 'Til Death us do Part' (with the honourable exception of @McRhu), etc......whereas people brought up South of the Border are unlikely to appreciate or understand shows such as 'Para Handy/The Vital Spark', 'Chewing the Fat', 'Still Game' or 'Scotch and Wry'. 'The Likely Lads', 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads' and 'Last of the Summer Wine', although having a a definite regional identity, seem to have had a broader appeal over a wider area of the country.

I agree. I grew up on a council estate not far from Peckham, so that's probably why I like Fools and Horses so smuch. And Del and Rodney's mum seems a lot like my mum!

 

[Energy]

Gervais is okay in The Office, but as a comedian, he's about as funny as a chlamydia diagnosis.

He's ok. Sometimes he is funny, often he is just rude/offensive.

I found his show After Life too depressing in tone.

 

[johntea]

Unpopular opinion perhaps but I never used to mind watching 'Citizen Khan', seeing Adil Ray dressed up as Mr Khan and putting on the accent is like night and day compared to seeing him these days on Good Morning Britain or Lingo!

It actually featured some decent talent too in supporting characters, Kris Marshall in Series 1 (Hello Dave!) and the late Felix Dexter too, plus a rather bizarre guest appearance one episode by none other than...Sadiq Khan!

Seemed to be popular enough with the viewers for a bit then just sort of fizzled out, probably no chance of seeing it again these days in case it 'offends' someone!

 

[GusB]

Till Death Us Do Part. I did like Alf.

I'm not sure that I remember seeing that one, but In Sickness and in Health was on the go when I was younger. There was a lot of stuff that they wouldn't get a way with these days, and I remember that my mum used to hate him because he was a "racist bigot", completely missing the point about Warren Mitchell's own background!

What about Shameless? I haven't seen the original but currently watching my way through the American version. Is quite darkly comic with a bit of farce, works for me. Also loads of nudity which I understand isn't there in the British version but Emmy Russo and Laura Slade Wiggins are very nice to look at so I'm not complaining

I missed Shameless (UK version) when it was being aired on television, but I've since caught up with it on All4 and quite enjoyed it. I've no real interest in seeing the American version, to be honest.

These "modern" sitcoms with no laughter in the background don't really do it for me, if I'm being honest. There have been some re-runs of One Foot in the Grave, 'Allo 'Allo and a few others that I've enjoyed watching again. When I first subscribed to Netflix, I was instantly drawn to Yes Minister and Fawlty Towers.

Oh, and Open All Hours (or anything with Ronnie Ba-ba-ba-ba-Barker).

 

[duncanp]

George and Mildred was one I liked, cut short by the untimely death of Yootha Joyce at a young age.

 

[yorksrob]

I think that the appreciation and enjoyment of TV comedy shows and comedy films is very dependent on where you were brought up. People brought up in Scotland and the North of England are unlikely to appreciate or understand the humour in London-centric shows such as 'Only Fools and Horses', 'Birds of a Feather', 'Til Death us do Part' (with the honourable exception of @McRhu), etc......whereas people brought up South of the Border are unlikely to appreciate or understand shows such as 'Para Handy/The Vital Spark', 'Chewing the Fat', 'Still Game' or 'Scotch and Wry'. 'The Likely Lads', 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads' and 'Last of the Summer Wine', although having a a definite regional identity, seem to have had a broader appeal over a wider area of the country.

I think Still Game has universal appeal. I wonder whether, if it had been made ten years earlier when there were still fewer channels, it would have got more of the recognition it deserves.

I enjoy "My Family" which is very silly humour and just think that Robert Lindsey and Zoe Wannamaker are one of my favourite television couples.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I enjoy "My Family" which is very silly humour and just think that Robert Lindsey and Zoe Wannamaker are one of my favourite television couples.

Robert Lindsay and Zoë Wanamaker were an even better TV couple!

 

[yorksrob]

Robert Lindsay and Zoë Wanamaker were an even better TV couple!

Even if I'd got the letters right, I'd never have worked out how to do the umlaut on this anyway !

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Even if I'd got the letters right, I'd never have worked out how to do the umlaut on this anyway !

Can be done by randomly holding down the 'e' key on your PC/smartphone.

As regards favourite Great British sitcoms, another vote for 'Farty Towels'. (There is another variant amended hotel nameboard out there which is an actual acronym of the place's name, but probably best not to go there!)

 

[Harold Hill]

Nightingales, 30 yrs ago, genius and funny observation of British men at work

 

[Ediswan]

Funnily enough the Lift sketch from Scottish comedy 'Burnistoun' seems to have gained international appeal, despite being based on the Glasgow accent vs voice recognition technology.

Rab C. Nesbitt worked 'down south'.

Seemed to be popular enough with the viewers for a bit then just sort of fizzled out, probably no chance of seeing it again these days in case it 'offends' someone!

BBC repeated the 'Citizen Khan Christmas Special' a few days ago.

 

[Cowley]

L

Can be done by randomly holding down the 'e' key on your PC/smartphone.

As regards favourite Great British sitcoms, another vote for 'Farty Towels'. (There is another variant amended hotel nameboard out there which is an actual acronym of the place's name, but probably best not to go there!)

Yeah I’ve gone for Fawlty Towers. My parents loved it, I love it and my kids love it too. There’s a couple of episodes that aren’t as good as the others but there are so many classic moments in it and it still gets quoted at home now and again.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Some of those listed are embarrassingly bad. Keeping Up Appearances and Open All Hours are dated predictable cack, and I'll upset a few people with this but Fawlty Towers is over-rated. It has one joke, which is "John Cleese gets angry".

 

[yorksrob]

Some of those listed are embarrassingly bad. Keeping Up Appearances and Open All Hours are dated predictable cack, and I'll upset a few people with this but Fawlty Towers is over-rated. It has one joke, which is "John Cleese gets angry".

I find Keeping up Appearances hilarious.

 

[trebor79]

Some of those listed are embarrassingly bad. Keeping Up Appearances and Open All Hours are dated predictable cack, and I'll upset a few people with this but Fawlty Towers is over-rated. It has one joke, which is "John Cleese gets angry".

Agree with Keeping up Appearances which I always found tiresome when it was on. Open All Hours a bit before my time but I suspect it was largely seen as dross.
I like some Fawlty Towers, but agree it's generally overrated and the John Cleese being angry/maniacal act grows old quickly. Incidentally I can't stand Monty Python.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Agree with Keeping up Appearances which I always found tiresome when it was on. Open All Hours a bit before my time but I suspect it was largely seen as dross.
I like some Fawlty Towers, but agree it's generally overrated and the John Cleese being angry/maniacal act grows old quickly. Incidentally I can't stand Monty Python.

Monty Python's Flying Circus is brilliant, though if you watch all of it there are a few sketches that really don't land. I do think that Cleese is the least funny of the group, and the most one-dimensional.

Most of the so-called "classic British sitcoms" are very samey, and in particular I find the "it's funny because he's effeminate" aspect of John Inman in Are You Being Served to be very dated. To be honest I'm surprised that was ever considered funny.

 

[Sorcerer]

Yeah I’ve gone for Fawlty Towers. My parents loved it, I love it and my kids love it too. There’s a couple of episodes that aren’t as good as the others but there are so many classic moments in it and it still gets quoted at home now and again.

That's all well and good, but if you don't have anyone saying "oh I know" like Sybil Fawlty every now and again then I'm afraid you haven't watched it enough.

 

[GusB]

I'm watching Keeping Up Appearances on Drama at the moment. It's a bit cringeworthy, but I quite enjoy it.

Unfortunately it's one of those programmes that prompt me to search Google to see which cast members are still alive.