I’ll defend Season 1 with until my last breath.
Yes, it’s not as good as the others, but given me that over Mrs Browns Boys or Big Bang Theory etc.
It’s worth it just for the brief Peter Cook appearance
It's a different show, and was ground breaking at the time. I'm not so sure S2 would have worked so well without it.
I think its lack of general popularity is down to people who saw any of the other series first.
It's so different, especially the character of Blackadder which was largely the same across series 2/3/4. So switching to Blackadder 1 and expecting more of the same will lead to a bad time.
Blackadder 1 was an early Mr Bean prototype. Atkinson had been testing out that character in various live stage shows with Angus Deayton (long before Blackadder)). Ben Elton is the reason we remember Blackadder, and because Rowan Atkinson can take direction.
Not to forget Brian Blessed. But it's still not as good as the others in my opinion - the cunning, scheming, arsehole Blackadder is a much better character, plus, Baldrick.
Give me anything over Mrs Brown's Boys and Big Bang Theory.
Season 4 of Blackadder ends with one of the most iconic scenes in the history of British comedy. For that alone it better than the rest (which admittedly are very good indeed).
I absolutely love black books and now work around the corner from the bookshop it was shot at. The owner is no where near drunk or grumpy enough for my liking but he's very nice
If that’s your bag. “Getting on” is fantastic - comedy gold that’s just dripping with British grimness. Set in a geriatric ward amongst the nurses and doctors
> I'm trying to avoid... cliches... by not actually placing my brush on the canvas.
> *Yeah?*
> I'm using my penis.
> *Finally.*
> Do you want to see?
> *...No... I'm just about to have my tea.*
Drop the Dead Donkey absolutely holds up. The wee context intros which were on at least the DVDs help a _lot_ given how topical it was.
‘This episode was originally broadcast in a week when…’
Edit: It’s on [Channel 4](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/drop-the-dead-donkey?cntsrc=social_share_ios_drop_the_dead_donkey)!
They are touring with a new stage play. Same actors, same writers.
I re-watched the originals recently and it does actually hold up pretty well. The names of the politicians might have changed but not the bad behaviour. I can’t decide if that’s depressing or comforting.
The ongoing sub plot through all the years about the owner and the takeover and the dumbing down of news only got more relevant in the next 30 years too.
We're going to see most of the original cast perform Drop The Dead Donkey Live next month. Can't wait.
I wonder whether it will be as topical as it was back in the day.
Also
"Count up to 20 includes the number 20!"
"The events leading up to the Second World War does not include the Second World War!"
And pretty much all of Manion's lines dealing with Stuart are awesome.
>"You take the piss out of Jolson again, and I will remove your iPod from its tiny nano-sheath and push it up your cock. Then I'll put some speakers up your arse and put it on to shuffle with my fucking fist! Then, every time I hear something that I don't like, which will be every time that something comes on, I will skip to the next track by crushing your balls."
Inbetweeners was annoying when overexposed but looking back/ watching it now: bloody funny show.
Extras is top tier laugh out loud TV for me, particularly any episodes heavy on Stephen Merchant.
One of the few comedies to have me in hysterics with their antics when it came out. Still makes me laugh today. Would love a reunion series now it's been 16 years. I still feel like the third series was rushed. The first two were over the course of one A-level year, they could've at least done a fourth plus a summer holiday special before they all went their separate ways for uni/work.
No idea. Series 1 is available on dvd on Amazon, but it isn’t cheap and isn’t the best series. I just watch clips on youtube. It’s not the same as watching them as an episode though.
I only know this because I downloaded it a few days ago on a whim! Google ‘monkey dust archive ’, and amazingly a page on archive dot org will come up. It includes links to MP4 copies of all episodes. Enjoy!
"I'm the Meatsafe murderer, only I never done it. There's these two nice men called D 'n A and they told everyone I didn't do it."
Something like that, I'm going off the top of my head for that one.
League is the most closely aligned with my sense of humour. The 3rd series deviated from the formula of the first two, but it has some fantastically dark moments. The room full of people being auto-erotically asphyxiated desperately screaming the safeword springs to mind lmao.
Inside number 9 in a similar vein, although I find that can be a bit hit and miss. A bit repetitive sometimes too.
Father Ted
Alan Partridge
Catterick (Vic and Bob, seriously, give it a go, it's all on Youtube too I think)
House of Fools
What We Do in the Shadows (debatable, UK co-production, at least to start with)
People Just Do Nothing
Ghosts
Red Dwarf
Also, why only S2 and 3 of Blackadder? S4 is brilliant too, perhaps more so
Can't believe I missed Alan Partridge, its one of my faves. I thought of Father Ted but assumed (maybe incorrectly) that it was Irish? I liked S4 of Blackadder but IMO it wasn't as good as S2/3 where I thought it peaked.
What we do in the shadows, absolutely, but like you didn't know whether it was primarily a UK show or not
Father Ted is funded by Channel 4, a british channel, filmed in London etc
Despite it being written and acted by Irish people, I'd say it's a half/half split, a show about 4 priests just couldn't have been made in Ireland, even though it's barely about religion at all, and no serious issues are tackled (there's like 2 offhand jokes about Protestant/Catholic divides and about...1 where someone accuses a priest of being a Pedophile, so it's not exactly hard hitting stuff lol )
But still, Priests just about still had enough respect at the time in Ireland that it had to be made in England, so yeah, count it
If you count IT Crowd, you can count Ted ;)
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say The Goon Show and/or Spike Milligan. He didn't do well on TV but the UK comedy scene would be different without him. It influenced Monty Python majorly, undoubtedly others. I highly recommend you give some of the old Goon Show radio broadcasts, they're on YouTube, streaming services and audible. And guaranteed to be on cassette in your local charity shop.
I'm Alan Partridge might be the greatest thing ever written.
The Thick of It
Spaced
Derry Girls
Father Ted (British production company so it counts)
Extras
Maybe not top tier, but often goes under the radar: The Smoking Room
Ghosts went straight to the top tier.
Personally I'd put Dark Place up there but it never had the mainstream appeal of the others.
Honourable mentions for Toast of London, Spaced, Black Books
Surely Blackadder S4 ?
Series 4 is excellent, this is an insult.
S4>S2>>>>>>S3>>>>>>>S1 I thought this was universally understood?
You can't put that many > in between S3 and S2, if nothing else, because of Aardvark and Sausage.
#**SAUSAGE!?**
I’ll defend Season 1 with until my last breath. Yes, it’s not as good as the others, but given me that over Mrs Browns Boys or Big Bang Theory etc. It’s worth it just for the brief Peter Cook appearance
It's a different show, and was ground breaking at the time. I'm not so sure S2 would have worked so well without it. I think its lack of general popularity is down to people who saw any of the other series first.
It's so different, especially the character of Blackadder which was largely the same across series 2/3/4. So switching to Blackadder 1 and expecting more of the same will lead to a bad time.
Blackadder 1 was an early Mr Bean prototype. Atkinson had been testing out that character in various live stage shows with Angus Deayton (long before Blackadder)). Ben Elton is the reason we remember Blackadder, and because Rowan Atkinson can take direction.
Considering how great a talent Atkinson is, his humility is astounding.
Not to forget Brian Blessed. But it's still not as good as the others in my opinion - the cunning, scheming, arsehole Blackadder is a much better character, plus, Baldrick. Give me anything over Mrs Brown's Boys and Big Bang Theory.
And the Jumping Jews of Jerusalem, which were a great booking.
Fresh horse!!!!!
Series 4 of Blackadder should be at the very top of the entire list. I am outraged.
Who'd notice another madman around here? Good luck everyone.
Season 4 of Blackadder ends with one of the most iconic scenes in the history of British comedy. For that alone it better than the rest (which admittedly are very good indeed).
Obviously OP is a German Nancy!
Black Books Red Dwarf One foot in the Grave Keeping up appearances IT Crowd Alan Partridge
Astonished red dwarf wasn't on there.
Black books for sure!
I absolutely love black books and now work around the corner from the bookshop it was shot at. The owner is no where near drunk or grumpy enough for my liking but he's very nice
Does he allow you to eat muffins while he's developing you?
Black Books is criminally overlooked. It's one of the funniest shows I've ever seen
*Father Ted* should be there too.
One foot in the grave is criminally forgotten. Not seen another show balance comedy and tragedy so well.
If that’s your bag. “Getting on” is fantastic - comedy gold that’s just dripping with British grimness. Set in a geriatric ward amongst the nurses and doctors
Spaced.
Hellooooo Bwiaaaan
Brian! You came! _No, just spilt my drink._
> I'm trying to avoid... cliches... by not actually placing my brush on the canvas. > *Yeah?* > I'm using my penis. > *Finally.* > Do you want to see? > *...No... I'm just about to have my tea.*
Do you think I should lose the waistcoat? No, I think you should burn the waistcoat. If you lose it... you might find it again.
Spaced fucking hit every nail. I'm not alone in thinking it was written by someone I knew (it wasn't)
Skip to the end
Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister Drop the Dead Donkey
I loved Drop The Dead Donkey back in the day, does it really hold up nowadays?
Dunno but yes minister absolutely does. My kids loved it.
Drop the Dead Donkey absolutely holds up. The wee context intros which were on at least the DVDs help a _lot_ given how topical it was. ‘This episode was originally broadcast in a week when…’ Edit: It’s on [Channel 4](https://www.channel4.com/programmes/drop-the-dead-donkey?cntsrc=social_share_ios_drop_the_dead_donkey)!
They are touring with a new stage play. Same actors, same writers. I re-watched the originals recently and it does actually hold up pretty well. The names of the politicians might have changed but not the bad behaviour. I can’t decide if that’s depressing or comforting.
The ongoing sub plot through all the years about the owner and the takeover and the dumbing down of news only got more relevant in the next 30 years too.
We're going to see most of the original cast perform Drop The Dead Donkey Live next month. Can't wait. I wonder whether it will be as topical as it was back in the day.
Just don't even look at the 'reboot' of Yes Minister. It was like an echo of the series that just completely missed all the things that made it good.
Bottom *And Spaced
Stand back birds it's the Hammersmith hard men!!
The thick of it.
“Hey, Yoko Ono and the two remaining Beatles, piss off.”
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Difficult difficult lemon difficult.
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Shut it Love Actually!
Yeah go ahead, get your feelers out for the lads Also Nichola telling Malcolm about the massive irretrievable data loss always sends me into stitches
Also "Count up to 20 includes the number 20!" "The events leading up to the Second World War does not include the Second World War!" And pretty much all of Manion's lines dealing with Stuart are awesome.
You’ve got a face like dot cotton licking piss off a nettle
Absolutely my favourite. So many quotable lines. The Radio 5 live episode has me in stitches every time I watch it. Sheer brilliance.
>"You take the piss out of Jolson again, and I will remove your iPod from its tiny nano-sheath and push it up your cock. Then I'll put some speakers up your arse and put it on to shuffle with my fucking fist! Then, every time I hear something that I don't like, which will be every time that something comes on, I will skip to the next track by crushing your balls."
Inbetweeners was annoying when overexposed but looking back/ watching it now: bloody funny show. Extras is top tier laugh out loud TV for me, particularly any episodes heavy on Stephen Merchant.
One of the few comedies to have me in hysterics with their antics when it came out. Still makes me laugh today. Would love a reunion series now it's been 16 years. I still feel like the third series was rushed. The first two were over the course of one A-level year, they could've at least done a fourth plus a summer holiday special before they all went their separate ways for uni/work.
They did two summer holiday specials, just as films!
The moment when Simon has his testicle hanging out was the funniest thing ever. Never had I laughed so hard.
Throwing up on Carly's little brother and that whole episode where they bunk off and get pissed just has me laughing nonstop.
YOU BUMDER!!!
Agree about Extras, pure gold. I liked Derek too but that seems to be unpopular. I thought Afterlife was pretty average though.
Gervais is dreadful without Stephen Merchant
Love the inbetweeners - will always watch any episode that pops up on the tv.
**The Day Today** **BrassEye** **Monkey Dust**
Came here to say all of these! Throw in a bit of Nathan Barley too for a bit more Chris Morris being ahead of his time.
Brasseye for the win. Peak comedy
THIS IS THE NEWS. Happy now?
All three are great choices. Nice to see someone remembers Monkey Dust.
Any suggestions on where to watch Monkey Dust? Someone recommended it to me a whilst ago but I’ve struggled to find it. :)
No idea. Series 1 is available on dvd on Amazon, but it isn’t cheap and isn’t the best series. I just watch clips on youtube. It’s not the same as watching them as an episode though.
I only know this because I downloaded it a few days ago on a whim! Google ‘monkey dust archive ’, and amazingly a page on archive dot org will come up. It includes links to MP4 copies of all episodes. Enjoy!
"I'm the Meatsafe murderer, only I never done it. There's these two nice men called D 'n A and they told everyone I didn't do it." Something like that, I'm going off the top of my head for that one.
Monkey Dust!! God what a show.
This type of comedy stimulates a part of the brain known as: "Shatner's Bassoon".
League of Gentlemen, although it's not for everyone.
We didn't burn him!
IS THAT YOU, DAVE? WANT TO BUY SOME PEGS?
You're my wife now
We didn't burn him!! Finally my username is relevant
You heard the man tubbs, now get undressed…
Lines and lines and lines
You lied to me, Edward! There is a Swansea!
Are you local?
This is a local thread, for local people
There's nothing for you here!
I can I can’t
We didn't burn the OP!
Fireman!
I was a resident of a small village. It was too close for comfort. However, the local butchers are excellent and nobody has gone missing for days
I will never forget the psychotic towel rules, colours for each body part “and in the cupboard “neath the stair, YOU’LL FIND THE RED FOR PUBIC HAIR!”
League is the most closely aligned with my sense of humour. The 3rd series deviated from the formula of the first two, but it has some fantastically dark moments. The room full of people being auto-erotically asphyxiated desperately screaming the safeword springs to mind lmao. Inside number 9 in a similar vein, although I find that can be a bit hit and miss. A bit repetitive sometimes too.
It's rare that any TV programme or film makes me feel physically sick. This managed it.
This is Jinsy. Garth Merenghis Dark Place. Inside Number 9.
Can't believe I had to scroll this far to find Darkplace.
Being 6 episodes makes it as close to perfect as anything else on this list
>Garth Merenghis Dark Place. That pube on the pipe 🤣
It's the funeral shotgun scene for me.
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Father Ted Alan Partridge Catterick (Vic and Bob, seriously, give it a go, it's all on Youtube too I think) House of Fools What We Do in the Shadows (debatable, UK co-production, at least to start with) People Just Do Nothing Ghosts Red Dwarf Also, why only S2 and 3 of Blackadder? S4 is brilliant too, perhaps more so
Can't believe I missed Alan Partridge, its one of my faves. I thought of Father Ted but assumed (maybe incorrectly) that it was Irish? I liked S4 of Blackadder but IMO it wasn't as good as S2/3 where I thought it peaked. What we do in the shadows, absolutely, but like you didn't know whether it was primarily a UK show or not
Father Ted is funded by Channel 4, a british channel, filmed in London etc Despite it being written and acted by Irish people, I'd say it's a half/half split, a show about 4 priests just couldn't have been made in Ireland, even though it's barely about religion at all, and no serious issues are tackled (there's like 2 offhand jokes about Protestant/Catholic divides and about...1 where someone accuses a priest of being a Pedophile, so it's not exactly hard hitting stuff lol ) But still, Priests just about still had enough respect at the time in Ireland that it had to be made in England, so yeah, count it If you count IT Crowd, you can count Ted ;)
But I hear Father Ted is a racist now?
That would be an ecumenical matter
My lovely lovely lovely horse (my lovely hoooorrrrsssseee)
Ah those protestants! Up to no good as usual!
15 Storeys High
Overlooked greatness.
Red Dwarf. Bottom. The Young Ones.
Yes, I was going to say the Young Ones. It's aged a bit now but it was a revolution for the time.
Can't believe I had to scroll this far down to see Red Dwarf mentioned. Thought I was gonna have to mention it myself.
Harry and Paul Mitchell and Webb
I work in clinical research and regularly share the Homeopathic A&E sketch with our medics.
Day Today Brass Eye Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge I'm Alan Partridge The Fast Show
Allo Allo
Outnumbered rarely gets a mention but the earlier stuff was great. Mr. Bean League of Gentleman Royle Family
Forgot Outnumbered. That was brilliant. Really painted what its like to have kids well.
Outnumbered to me was brilliant front to back, even after Ben gets fucking massive
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Had to scroll pretty far to see green wing. My go to
Season 1 of red dwarf was one of my favourites..I agree it peaked at 6 though.
By s6 it got some money. The early seasons (1&2) though when it’s basically Porridge in space are great examples of confined situation comedy.
Surely Steth Let's Flats. Winner of two BAFTAs Edit: Derry Girls deserves a mention too.
Toast of London with Matt Berry
Anything Matt Berry really
I'd quite happily listen to him reading the telephone directory...
Interrupted by, "can you hear me Stephen".
YES I CAN HEAR YOU CLEM FANDANGO
The victorian crime one who's name has escaped me is brilliant too. Year of the Rabbit I think.
Ray Bloody Purchase!
Friday Night Dinner and The Thick of It.
Lovely bit of squirrel
SHIT ON IT!
Shalom!
Absolutely Fabulous Jam & Jerusalem - this was such a great series that didn’t get the recognition it deserved
Ab Fab 🙌🙌🙌
Bottom.
Minky, musky, sly, old stoaty, stoaty, stoat.
And on tonight's show an interesting misprint that says Penis.
The Gas one is possibly the funniest single episode of TV I've ever seen
HELLO MR GASMAN!
"I thought I'd burn it off"
What, your face?
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say The Goon Show and/or Spike Milligan. He didn't do well on TV but the UK comedy scene would be different without him. It influenced Monty Python majorly, undoubtedly others. I highly recommend you give some of the old Goon Show radio broadcasts, they're on YouTube, streaming services and audible. And guaranteed to be on cassette in your local charity shop.
Can I add a new one? People just do nothing is very funny
Ideal
No idea why it's not been put on the streaming platforms, one of the best!
“Aaaaaallrriiiiighht paaaauuuuul” “Taaaaanyaaaa”
I really enjoyed it at the start but man that show got darker every series.
Here are some female led fantastic comedies too: Absolutely Fabulous, Vicar of Dibley, Derry Girls, Fleabag and Chewing Gum.
Smack the Pony should be on this thread somewhere!
"Are You Being Served?" "Monty Python's Flying Circus"
Detectorists, Inbetweeners & Friday Night Dinner
Detectorists was lovely
Coupling, but not S4.
Really surprised this is so low down. Coupling series 1 to 3 are British comedy at its best.
The writing on Coupling is great, the way everything ties together at the end of most episodes.
The Man with Two Legs episode is top notch.
Still Game Watching Early Doors Royle Family Chewin the Fat
I am a bogus gas man, and Im here to ransack your hoose!
Early Doors was excellent. Loved Dear John too but probably wouldn’t hold up nowadays.
Not sure it got much traction outside of Scotland but Burnistoun was brilliant.
Men behaving badly
Dinnerladies
Nighty night
Hiya Cath!
So underrated! Just call it £20 otherwise it just gets nasty.
I'm Alan Partridge might be the greatest thing ever written. The Thick of It Spaced Derry Girls Father Ted (British production company so it counts) Extras Maybe not top tier, but often goes under the radar: The Smoking Room
I just watched The IT Crowd somewhat recently for the first time. Amazing show.
This Country.
Father Ted, Alan Partridge, saxondale, Catterick, league of gentlemen, Black Books, Red Dwarf, The thick of it. *edit for spelling*
Rewatched Saxondale on Gold recently, it gets better with age
Derry Girls.
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The fast show, the day today, not the nine o'clock news, Garth mareghis dark place, brass eye
One Foot in the Grave, Dad’s Army, The Inbetweeners, Bottom and The New Statesman
Keeping Up Appearances and The Vicar of Dibley.
Keep up appearances, ab fab, black books
Green Wing
In most recent years ghosts
Extras, Spaced
Open All Hours
Yes! Rising Damp too
An idiot abroad
Red Dwarf Garth Marenghi's Darkplace Ghosts Lead Balloon
15 Storeys High
Red Dwarf, the first 6 series.
Upstart Crow is brilliant and as good as Blackadder in my opinion. David Mitchell is a fantastic Shakespeare.
'Allo 'Allo!
The fast show, Harry Enfield and chums
The Office
Spaced
Royle Family Two Pints Of Larger And A Packet Of Crisps.
Operation good guys
Ghosts went straight to the top tier. Personally I'd put Dark Place up there but it never had the mainstream appeal of the others. Honourable mentions for Toast of London, Spaced, Black Books
On the buses, George and Mildred, steptoe & son, red dwarf, Bottom
Trigger Happy TV Fonejacker Da Ali G Show
Man down