I stayed up last night to watch An Idiot Abroad. Normally, comedy shows do not make me literally LOL. This one made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe at several points. Is it the Manchester sense of humor, or Karl's tendency to say what we all would be thinking, but too 'polite' to say? (Well, maybe most of us wouldn't wonder why the Welsh speak Welsh.)

Then there was Keeping Up Appearances. I still quote Hyacinth on occasion. Chef, Fauwlty Towers, Black Adder, Absolutely Fabulous, and the indomitable Mr. Bean were all jewels.

I mean, we like to laugh here in the US, so why aren't our comedies this funny?

English humor?...;) Ours seem to be set for the lowest common denominator...

One possible explanation: BBC doesn't have to worry about offending sponsors.

In earlier decades American radio networks would often gamble on new programs, running them as "sustaining" without a sponsor for a season or two.  Many of these "sustainers" turned out to be the funniest comedies or the most substantial newsy shows, and picked up sponsors after showing their strength.  When TV came along, "sustainers" went away, presumably because of greater production costs.  Result was less courage, more pablum.

But it's funny! Come to think of it, some of the best "US comedians" are actually from Canada, too.  Have Americans become too politically correct? Are we too image-concious? Commercialism has neutered our funny bone?

Being from the southwest, a clip of Karl in Mexico, describing a prickly pear in bloom as "like putting lipstick on a fat woman in leggings" will change the way I see that particular plant forever. ;)

Where's Willis and Grommet from?

Wallace and Grommit?

someplace in the north of England...

 The sponsor explanation makes sense. American shows tend to be very formulaic

American shows tend to be very preachy.

Because they are? ;o)

From my experience anyway, the British seem to have a rather unique and irreverent sense of humor that we Americans lack. American humor? Too slap-stick, too silly, too stupid...lol.

Laurie

I love British humor, my wife hates it. Monty Python drives her crazy, Benny Hill will drive her from the room. I love them both.

IMHO the trash talking black comics have ruined American humor. Bill Cosby was fantastic, but now they can't open thier mouths without using the MF word. May just be my generation, but if it ain't funny without the profanity then it probably ain't funny with it either, just tittilating and naughty. the New York comics are just as bad, not just the African American ones. They want to see how far they can sink I think.

It's very odd but even though I'm a first-class potty mouth myself, I find the overuse of profanity in comedy turns me off a bit. Profanity for profanity's sake, just like violence for just the sake of violence are a real yawn ;o).

Most British seem to understand that you don't have to be vulgar to be funny ;o). Americans haven't caught on yet.

Laurie

We knew that back in the 60's but then, Richard Pryor and George Carlan began pushing the envelope. Both were funny, but they opened the door for the pure vulgarity types that just spew garbage and racism.

There's another thing the Brits do better: swear. They don't just throw the f-bomb all the time.

In my view it comes down to fine craftmanship. A lot of the stars that you see in British sitcoms have been in the business for many years, appearing on stage or serving their apprenticeship in radio productions before making the transition to TV. A huge number of our present and past stars have started from their days in University rep companies.

Take a look at this list. Brits will know almost all of the names. Americans will probably know more than half.

Douglas Adams, Clive Anderson, David Baddiel, Sasha Baron Cohen, John Bird, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Michael Frayn, David Frost, Stephen Fry, Germaine Greer, Matt Holness, Alex Horne, Nicholas Hytner, Eric Idle, Clive James, Tim Key, Hugh Laurie, John Lloyd, Miriam Margoyles, Simon McBurney, Rory McGrath, Ben Miller, Jonathan Miller, David Mitchell, Neil Mullarkey, Trevor Nunn, Bill Oddie, Sue Perkins, Jan Ravens, Griff Rhys Jones, Peter Shaffer, Tony Slattery, Emma Thompson, Mark Watson, Robert Webb.

All of these names started their careers in the Cambridge Footlights Theatre Company. And this is just a very small selection of Footlights alumni. In addition to this teeming pool of performing talent many of our top scriptwriters cut their teeth in the same place and have worked with the artists long before they make it in TV.

And then of course there's the BBC. Even the most cynical among us recognise those three simple letters as standing for quality both in terms of performance and production. The BBC have given us so many top class shows. Some have already been mentioned and are as well known in the US as they are over here. But there are so many others.

How many Americans know about 'Only Fools And Horses' for example? Or 'Allo, Allo'? Both prime examples of the best in British sit-com. How about 'The Good Life'. Or 'Porridge'. (Or anything involving the late, great Ronnie Barker.) Or the wild anarchy that was 'The Young Ones'. If you don't know of those ones then you're still missing out on some of the best. Try to find a few episodes or clips online and you'll see what I mean.

Mr. Bean and Benny Hill made a huge impact stateside, yet many over here regard those as being near the bottom end of our comedy heritage with far too much emphasis on the slapstick. (I don't regard Benny Hill as a comedian at all. But he was a superb clown.)  

Then there's the ratings thing in America. If a show doesn't pull in the viewing figures it gets cancelled sharpish. Over here a lot of our best started very small with a late slot on BBC2. (Monty Python started that way.) Python had a very small but dedicated following for its first two series before it finally took off over here. Their viewing figures would have seen it cancelled after the third show of series one in America.
Maybe that's the secret. We treat our sit-coms like fine wine. Maybe the first episode or even the first series is not to our taste. But we don't throw out the barrel. We allow it time to mature in a quiet corner of the BBC and the taste grows on us.

(And I'm darned if I know what's happened to the text in this.)

Quote - How many Americans know about 'Only Fools And Horses' for example?

Quote - Dunno the answer to that but can report that it's very popular in Hungary!!?

I remember showing an American friend tapes of "Brass Eye" when he visited a few years ago, he got really nervous, that kind of edgey political satire made him sqirm like Manuel on exlax. Don't worry I have some Mark Thomas saved for his next trip.

Watched a bit of Only Fools and Horses on You Tube. I'll stick to Hyacinth, Bean, and Ms. Monsoon. Can't say I liked Benny Hill, eiher, though my Dad like him.

Eddie Izzard hasn't been mentioned yet. Well, now he has...

scanmead, do you have a problem with Welsh speakers for some reason?

Quote - scanmead, do you have a problem with Welsh speakers for some reason?

no he does not, he did'nt make a slur against them so stand down.

Eddie Izzard is brilliant :o).

Laurie

Quote - scanmead, do you have a problem with Welsh speakers for some reason?

About as much as I do with Germans speaking German (they all spoke better English than I do), or Chinese speaking Chinese.

My major issue with Wales is that some of the most beautiul scenery in the world is found in Northern Wales, and no one knows about it.  After spending days in Google Maps Street View, I have tons of little pins stuck in the map for future reference.

The only problem I have with Welsh is that I can't pronounce any of it. I sound more like a cat coughing up a hairball than anything. After a lifetime of speaking Yanklish, my tongue has atrophied ;o). It just won't move in the way I guess it's supposed to in order to pronounce any Welsh words or place names...lol.

Laurie

Quote - I love British humor

Me too!  Fawlty Towers , Dressing for Breakfast and Mr. Bean are a few of my favourites.

Interesting. In the UK there's a feeling in some quarters that it's been the other way round for a few years - that American comedy is currently sharper, better-produced and better-written than its British counterpart.

To back this up, none of the British programmes mentioned so far are less than ten years old (though I don't know "An Idiot Abroad"), and some recent UK sitcoms have been atrocious. My kids tell me that the newer generation of comedy is excellent, but I haven't seen any examples. I tend to stop at the early 2000s, "Father Ted" and "The Fast Show".

Standup is a different area entirely, of course. We see quite a few American and European comics over here, and they tend to go down well.

I think part of it is that the people running the americans networks are a bunch of politically minded twits that don't have a fraction of the humor of a primate trying to get high by sniffing poo.  Thus the things they think are funny are about as drole as a sloth watching paint dry on a humid day.  They wouldn't know funny if someone nailed it to their genitalea. 

The other part of it is they'd rather produce something that scores wells than watch it themselves and see if it's humorous or not.

American movies can still be funny though.

It's not just comedies! Look at ALL The British shows that America is trying to steal and remake over here now! Is anyone else familiar with "The IT Crowd" about the comedy that is the IT Help Desk department of most businesses. Then there's "The Office".

What about MTV now remaking Skins, a Teen Sex, Drugs and Anarchy remake, or Showtime's new remake of the long running Brit series "Shameless"! Oh and who can forget the lame attempt made at remaking Doctor Who for America with Paul McGann?

Face it! We're just sad shadows of the truely good entertainment that is British!

there are some great brit comedies of recent years

The IT Crowd, The Office, Peep Show (not what it sounds like),  That Mitchell and Webb Look, Armstrong and Miller (look out for the airmen), Green Wing, Miranda, The Inbetweeners.  Not to mention Mock the Week ,Have I Got News for You and Live at the Apollo, oh and just about anything with Charlie Brooker in.

If you like your comics dark then check out Franky Boyle for dark and politically incorrect.

I'm fond of US comedies, but there is a distinct difference which it's hard to put a finger on.  There has been some great stuff out of the US in recent years I love Scrubs, The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy and Reaper, but on the whole I think there is an edge in the brit stuff that appeals to me more.  Not suprising with me being English of course.  Saying that I probably watch more Family Guy than anything else at the moment.

John

I've only seen snippets of the IT Crowd, but it looked hilarious! Since The Office was produced by the same fellow who did An Idiot Abroad, I'm going to have to hunt that down.

I can't imagine anyone preferring American comedies, but maybe that's because I'm too used to them. They just seem too glib and slick for me. I Love Lucy was the last one produced that actually make me laugh. (Dated myself, there.)  Tim Conway is the most recent American comedian who was truly funny.

As a side-note, wish me luck. I'm about to eat my first steak in about 20 years of being a veggie head. I had to ask a friend to tell me what to buy, and how to cook it. Don't know why I'm suddenly interested in eating dead animal bits... next it will be toads. ;)

oh and Mongrels

and don't forget Radio comedy.

example right here for all to hear : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnwb now in it's 54th season... I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

(the Listen Now Link there works for all not just the UK)

and thats just one of the Comedies that the BBC make on Radio...

Quote - and don't forget Radio comedy.

example right here for all to hear : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnwb now in it's 54th season... I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

(the Listen Again Link there works for all not just the UK)

and thats just one of the Comedies that the BBC make on Radio...

Can't beat Radio 4 for comedy :)

oh oh oh and Being Human (well I think its a comedy)

OMG...how can you Brits stand Stewie! With the freakin "Cool FFFFFwip" and everything...lol.

Laurie

I LOVE the original Being Human! Not so sure about the remake being done on Showtime yet.

Quote - I LOVE the original Being Human! Not so sure about the remake being done on Showtime yet.

The American version of Being Human is actually on Syfy (the series anyway). I watched one the other day. Wasn't really that impressed ;o). Of course, I consider those types of shows to be more for the younger crowd - of which I am no longer a member...lol.

Laurie

The Benny Hill Show and Monty Python Flying Circus are my favorite shows ^^

Yeah Syfy, sorry. There's gotten to be so many remakes I've started to loose track. I so far prefer the originals anyway.

still the zenith of comedy writing in the UK I think was Blackadder.

so many quotable lines in every episode....

I'll second "Being Human".  What an amazing show.  It's deeper than comedy with drama and funnier than drama with comedy.  IMO, it's the best ever take on the whole Werewolf/Ghost/Vampire/Supernatural genre ever.  If you haven't seen it, do so if you possibly can.

I hardly ever watch TV these days but I used to enjoy several US comedy shows, Friends (superb writing in the early days), Frazier and Roseanne (until the last season, although the final episode made up for it).

Other Brit shows I catch now and again are Mock the Week, Russel Howard's Good News and Live at the Apollo.

My all time favourites are Fawlty Towers and Monty Python.

o.k., might as well admit it - hated "bean", loved "blackadder".  the latter was the essence of cleesian british humor - withering sarcasm in an environment populated by idiots.

The very best American written comedies IMVHO were Frazier, MASH and maybe Taxi. Maybe Cheers too ;o)

Laurie

@ Miss Nancy - Agree with you there.  All Blackadder written by (IIRC) Ben Elton, apart from the first season, which was by Atkinson himself.

@ Laurie - Yeah, I forgot about MASH and Taxi.  Cheers was good, too.  It seemed to date very quicky for some reason, though.

MASH is timeless.

I agree.  I dunno why I find Cheers dated.  Friends, too.

I used to watch the British version of “Whose Line Is It anyway”, But I thought the American (Drew Carey) version was pretty good too.

BIG fan of MAS*H.

 Thanks! Now I don't have to say that! You summarized my thoughts nicely! :-)

Quote - I think part of it is that the people running the americans networks are a bunch of politically minded twits that don't have a fraction of the humor of a primate trying to get high by sniffing poo.  Thus the things they think are funny are about as drole as a sloth watching paint dry on a humid day.  They wouldn't know funny if someone nailed it to their genitalea. 

The other part of it is they'd rather produce something that scores wells than watch it themselves and see if it's humorous or not.

American movies can still be funny though.

Anybody here remember Coupling!

I really loved Kate Isitt & Ben Miles, more even than Richard Coyle.

dph

Quote - Anybody here remember Coupling!

I really loved Kate Isitt & Ben Miles, more even than Richard Coyle.

dph

Yep.  Great show.

Quote - > Quote - Anybody here remember Coupling!

I really loved Kate Isitt & Ben Miles, more even than Richard Coyle.

dph

Yep.  Great show.

"Your bottom is the Enemy!"

dph

US TV is trying to sell soap to the lowest common denominator.  If someone is entertained between commercials, it is not intentional.  47% TV viewers in the US have never worked (their TVs are paid for by tax payers).  That is a huge demographic to advertize soap to that won't even buy fresh batteries for their own smoke detectors.

I like that silly Are You Being Served.  Hated Red Dwarf.  Loved Keeping Up Appearances.

For US, I like all the old shows from the 50s, early 60s.

British comedy = wit

American comedy = pie throwing

My favourite British series is Top Gear, I know it probably isn't sold as 'comedy' but the commentary is always hilarious. I'm amazed it hasn't been shut down for offensive comments, maybe because they offend absolutely everyone at some point so they aren't picking on anyone in particular.