Forum: Poser - OFFICIAL


Subject: extreme OT: Why are British programs so much funnier?

scanmead opened this issue on Jan 23, 2011 · 101 posts


scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 9:36 AM

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?


pakled posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 9:45 AM

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

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)


ockham posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:18 AM

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.

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scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:28 AM

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. ;)


patorak3d posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:30 AM

Where's Willis and Grommet from?

 

 


MagnusGreel posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:34 AM

Wallace and Grommit?

someplace in the north of England...

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Eric Walters posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 12:46 PM

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



scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 12:53 PM

American shows tend to be very preachy.


LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 12:58 PM

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



kyhighlander59 posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 1:13 PM

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.


LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 1:30 PM

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



kyhighlander59 posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 1:39 PM

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.


scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 1:52 PM

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


Replicant posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 2:28 PM

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.)


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3Dave posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 3:38 PM

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.


scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 4:02 PM

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...

 


thefixer posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 4:08 PM

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

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MagnusGreel posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 4:11 PM

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.

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LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 4:13 PM

Eddie Izzard is brilliant :o).

Laurie



scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 4:51 PM

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.

 


LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 5:04 PM

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



Acadia posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 5:09 PM

Quote - I love British humor

 

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

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steerpike posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 5:28 PM

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.


Winterclaw posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 5:33 PM

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.

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SteveJax posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 5:52 PM

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!


Fugazi1968 posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:05 PM

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

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scanmead posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:08 PM

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. ;)


Fugazi1968 posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:10 PM

oh and Mongrels

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MagnusGreel posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:11 PM

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...

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Fugazi1968 posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:13 PM

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 :)

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Fugazi1968 posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:14 PM

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

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LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:16 PM

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

Laurie



SteveJax posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 6:28 PM

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


LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 7:11 PM

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



Suucat posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 7:39 PM

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



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SteveJax posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:12 PM

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


MagnusGreel posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:31 PM

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

so many quotable lines in every episode....

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SamTherapy posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:39 PM

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.

 

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Miss Nancy posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:53 PM

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.



LaurieA posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:54 PM

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

Laurie



SamTherapy posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 10:58 PM

@ 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.

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MagnusGreel posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 11:00 PM

MASH is timeless.

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SamTherapy posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 11:03 PM

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

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Hawkfyr posted Sun, 23 January 2011 at 11:54 PM

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.

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Eric Walters posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 12:41 AM

 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.



dphoadley posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 2:27 AM

Anybody here remember Coupling!

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

dph

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SamTherapy posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 3:29 AM

Quote - Anybody here remember Coupling!

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

dph

Yep.  Great show.

 

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dphoadley posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 3:33 AM

Quote - > Quote - Anybody here remember Coupling!

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

dph

Yep.  Great show.

 

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ShawnDriscoll posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 4:50 AM

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.

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ShawnDriscoll posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 4:55 AM

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.

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obm890 posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 7:10 AM

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.



Kalypso posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 8:00 AM Site Admin

My favourite British series has to be  'Allo, Allo'?.   Extraordinary characters, unbelievable situations and just brilliant dialogue.  I think I could watch reruns of that with pleasure :)


Coleman posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 8:07 AM

I like 'Are You Being Served' and 'Last of the Summer Wine' and 'As Time Goes By'...

The british 'Office' is fantastic as well.

British dramas are getting better and better as well...in the States the broadcast shows are all 'reality' or cop shows now... CSI in every city. It seems like HBO, Showtime... the pay cable companies are making the best Stateside shows these days.


LaurieA posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 8:29 AM

Quote - 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.

????????????

No, I can't....it'lll break the TOS.

Laurie



MagnusGreel posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 8:35 AM

Quote - 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.

 

got any proof to back that up? some links we can see? since that makes no sense at all in anything approaching reality.

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SteveJax posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 12:20 PM

Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Nothing up my sleeves! Presto! ROAR!

 

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ssgbryan posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 1:00 PM

Ab Fab.

Doesn't get any funnier.



DarrenUK posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 1:40 PM

Quote - The british 'Office' is fantastic as well.

Although I'm a Brit, I quite like the American version as well, probably because the format allows for it rather than just trying to remake the original.

Don't know if this has been seen in the US or even been made yet, but Ricky Gervais is set to reprise his role as David Brent in an episode of the US version of The Office (unless his presenting gig at the Golden Globes scared the networks!) ;) .

Which leads to another thing, the press here seem to think that the US or at least the tv networks don't seem to understand British humour, especially after the GG. As most of you here seem to "get" British homour, do you think he went too far in his roasting of the actors there? I didn't get to see all of it but would be interested in what you thought.

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LaurieA posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 2:19 PM

Frankly, I find Ricky Gervias' brand of humor much closer to the American than to the British. It lacks wit, but contains plenty of profanity ;o).

Laurie



MagnusGreel posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 2:32 PM

seriously.. gervais is funny......?

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DarrenUK posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 2:33 PM

Quote - Frankly, I find Ricky Gervias' brand of humor much closer to the American than to the British. It lacks wit.

Laurie

That's kind of what I thought. His jokes were in the "roasting" style. I saw the Shatner comedy roast and some of the Pamela Anderson one. Channel 4 here have started making their own ones with British "celebs", but I think they can be a bit too near the knuckle. I assumed that as it seemed to be an American tradition and the difference in humour that it would have gone down better with the US. Possibly it seemed worse to the US audience than past roasts because it was a British comic doing it? and some Americans are under the misconception that the Brits are always polite, the same way American tv seems to portray Canadians.

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Winterclaw posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 2:55 PM

I just remembered something that's partly relevent.  The few remaining soap operas have scripts that are either imported from south america or have writers from there.  So it isn't just comedy that is being imported.

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LaurieA posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 3:15 PM

I don't mind harsh comedy per se. Lisa Lampanelli has given me a chuckle or two and she's downright brutal. But I like the wit of British humor - it's more "intelligent" than most American humor. I don't know how else to describe it than that ;o). While Jeff Foxworthy and the word intelligent don't seem to go in the same sentence, I use him as a way to describe that not only can you be funny without swearing (he rarely ever does) but even though he describes himself and his kin as "rednecks" - a term that implies a certain lower intelligence level by stereotype - his comedy is fraught with wit. One of the funniest things I ever heard was Foxworthy describing the birth of his daughter. "It looked like a wet St. Bernard trying to come in through the cat door". It's all in the metaphor ;o).

Laurie



scanmead posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 4:09 PM

Bean is probably my all time favorite. It's pointless scenes, about a pointless man, living a pointless life, and it's funny. The Bean movies tried to add plot, which ruined them.

When I grow up, I want to be Eddi Monsoon. Ever notice her daughter seemed to have an American attitude about everything? g

On American comedies, the movie MAS*H was very good. The series was depressing. Hated Cheers with a passion, Friends, even worse.

Since someone up there mentioned reality shows ("Not reality, actuality."), I'll admit to being an addict a few years back. When it got to the point that all I did was worry about random axe murderers roaming the streets, being fried by gamma rays at any moment, looking in the rear-view mirror for speeding asteroids, jumping at every rattle, because the Yellowstone Caldera must have blown, trying to tell just how much further away the moon was this month, and that constant niggling feeling that the Mayans must have known something... I swore off them. It was either that, or start a website claiming the secret powers controlling the world were hinting at imminent global chaos through cable tv...

 

 


coldrake posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 4:30 PM

Quote - 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.

Quote - ???????????? No, I can't....it'lll break the TOS.

Laurie

Awww, c'mon Laurie, you know you want to...... I know I do! :lol:

I believe he's talking about some other country, maybe not a real one, I don't know, but it's definitely not the U.S.! Maybe he posted in the wrong thread?

I've always loved British humor. I think they appreciate wit and absurdity more than we do.

 

 

Coldrake


LaurieA posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 4:44 PM

I do want to...lmao.

Laurie



SteveJax posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 5:51 PM

Office is the one series that I haven't liked in either British or American versions. I also don't like Ricky Gervais, but did enjoy An Idiot Abroad, but only because I felt for the poor dolt he sent to all those places. I don't think he went too far for a roast, but for the Golden Globes? Yeah, he probably did. Time and Place. 

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Darboshanski posted Mon, 24 January 2011 at 8:14 PM

I used to find "The Young ones" hilarious! There used to be a show on years ago called the "Goodies" they were funny too.

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SamTherapy posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 4:15 AM

The Goodies was contemporary with Monty Python; ie 40 years ago when first broadcast.  I loved 'em when I was a kid.  I wish they would repeat them here.

The Young Ones was another gem and yet another Ben Elton creation.  Elton was a good standup artist, too.

Another show I really enjoy is Outnumbered.  On the face of it, it should be a dismal failure but oddly enough it's genuinely laugh out loud funny.  It's about a middle class family with 3 children.  If you ever get a chance to see it, do so.  Hugh Dennis plays the hapless father but it's the children who are the stars of the show, particularly the little girl.

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Darboshanski posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 8:33 AM

My wife liked "Keeping up Appearances" and "The Vicar of Dibley". One I didn't see mentioned here was "Absolutley Fabulous". The wifey watched "Eastenders" for a bit until she started back to nursing school. I liked "Are you being served" but I didn't like the American version of the office it was too fratboyish for me. I like just about all of Rowan Atkinson's work until they made those Mr. Bean movies.

 

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TheBryster posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 11:13 AM Forum Moderator

Oh please tell me that at least one of you has seen and loved 'One Foot In The Grave' or 'Fawlty Towers'?

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ssgbryan posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 11:28 AM

Quote - My wife liked "Keeping up Appearances" and "The Vicar of Dibley". One I didn't see mentioned here was "Absolutley Fabulous". The wifey watched "Eastenders" for a bit until she started back to nursing school. I liked "Are you being served" but I didn't like the American version of the office it was too fratboyish for me. I like just about all of Rowan Atkinson's work until they made those Mr. Bean movies.

 

 

I did.  Ab Fab keeps me rolling on the floor.



MagnusGreel posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 11:29 AM

of course.

and Men Behaving Badly.. and Red Dwarf... Hale and Pace.... Alas Smith and Jones... Bottom.. Newman and Baddiel in Pieces... The Mary Whitehouse Experience...

 

Milky Milky...

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SamTherapy posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 1:34 PM

@ Bryster - already mentioned Fawlty Towers.  Somehow, One Foot in the Grave was overlooked, though.

@ PaganArtist - Never cared for Appearances or Vicar of Dibley.  Too mainstream sitcom for my tastes.  Me Missis watches 'Stenders, although it's not really a comedy (apart from the ludicrous story lines, lousy acting and manky scripts, that is).  Ab Fab has been mentioned favourably, though.

@ MagnusGreel - Liked all the above except Hale and Pace.  Thought they were loathsome.  Re: Milky Milky... He's the stressed out dad in Outnumbered.

Another one worth watching in the early days was My Hero.  Later episodes were pants, though.

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Cage posted Tue, 25 January 2011 at 3:24 PM

I think perhaps the Beeb can (or could, when times were less tight?) be more adventurous with programming, allowing them to find what worked and (presumably) learn from that and continuously refine the material.

Looking at this list, though, not everything is remembered or, one assumes, was worth remembering.  So... (apologies ST :lol:  My father does it, I think) is a better quality of British humor implied, overall, or is that perception due to a sampling error?  😕

http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/

I really wish The Goodies and The Brittas Empire would be released on Region 1 DVD, myself.  :sad:  And I personally think the British programming I've seen tends to be superior to that which I've seen from anywhere else, much of the time.  The BBC is a great idea and I hope it isn't killed in the name of austerity cutbacks.  That would be a loss to everyone, and it might not ever come back, if and when the economy improves.

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maclean posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 11:21 AM

As a Brit, I appreciate good comedy, and I grew up with Python, Blackadder, etc. But some of the older, more traditional TV series from the 60s were excellent too. I'm thinking of Steptoe & Son (done in the US as Sanford & Son), Till Death Us Do Part (US version - All In The Family with Archie Bunker), and few others of that era. However, America has produced some really world-class comedians/comedies too. Probably the best of them all was Lenny Bruce, the forefather of alternative comedy. And (to me) the greatest satirical genius of all time - Tom Lehrer. Strangely enough, Tom Lehrer was probably more appreciated in the UK, and to this day, many british comedians, (like Rory Bremner), cite him as a huge influence. Also, parody movies like the Zucker Bros (Airplane, Naked Gun, etc), would never have been made in Britain, and someone like Weird Al Yankovich could only be American. So it's not all bad in the States. Btw, I'm surprised no one's mentioned Little Britain yet. I found it generally pretty high quality - totally over the top in every way, but I love that. I recently saw a travel spoof they did (dunno what it was called), but it was great too. mac


maclean posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 11:24 AM

Re the BBC, I recently read somewhere that the BBC, as a 'brand name', inspires more confidence around the world than any other news corporation, not to mention the majority of governments. Apparently, most people trust the Beeb more than their elected leaders. LOL. mac


SamTherapy posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 12:17 PM

@ maclean - You're absolutely right.  I add George Carlin to the list of great American comedians, too.  Some of his observations predicted many of our politically correct and ultra paranoid attitudes.  As for the Zucker brothers, Kentucky Fried Movie is one of my all time favourites.  Childish, stupid, offensive and over the top... which is exactly why it works.

Little Britain is pretty good in parts, IMO.  Some of the characters and scenarios are superb, others downright lousy.  Again, IMO.

Another one I enjoy a lot is Armstrong and Miller, particularly the Urban RAF guys.

A gem from the past... The Fast Show.  :)  My wife hates it, though.

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patorak3d posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 12:21 PM

Wallace and Grommet?

Wallace that's it.   

some place in the north of England...

That expalins why Wallace doesn't have an accent.

 

 


SamTherapy posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 12:53 PM

Quote - Wallace and Grommet?

Wallace that's it.

some place in the north of England...

That expalins why Wallace doesn't have an accent.

:lol:  Aye he does, lad.  :biggrin:

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Klebnor posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 1:14 PM

Funniest thing on tv right now is the Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  Granted he's a naturalized Scotsman, but the show is thoroughly irreverant and very American (on purpose).

His Sid the cursing rabbit is just hysterical.  And covering up curses by host and guest with tortured foreign sayings "tutsi-frutsi" "Ooh-la-la".  Not to mention Jeff Peterson, the best robot skeleton side kick currently working.

I record it every night (comes on at 1:07 am here), and never miss it.

If you have somehow missed it until now, give it a try - fair warning ... may be highly addictive.

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patorak3d posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 1:17 PM

Aye he does, lad.

LOL!  Whatta trip down memory lane!

 

 


SteveJax posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 4:41 PM

Quote - Funniest thing on tv right now is the Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  Granted he's a naturalized Scotsman, but the show is thoroughly irreverant and very American (on purpose).

Of course he's funny! He got his start on "The Young Ones". I loved that show!


Terrymcg posted Wed, 26 January 2011 at 8:28 PM

American Stand up comedy is incredibly funny and witty. George Carlin and Bill Hicks were absolutely brilliant. I still look at their videos on you tube.  Simpsons and Futurama are both very good and very funny.  Then there are the late night shows. I used to like Conan O'Brien a lot.

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project_nemesis posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 5:02 AM

I'm British. I think it's both a cultural thing and a sponsorship thing. And the mighty BBC aren't the ones to thank - Channel4/Film4 also puts a lot of (partially governmental) money into fresh talent, and we have a history of playwright culture being interwoven in University life, hence the references in this thread to Cambidge's Footlights.

Cultural differences - the British see ego as arrogance, so we tend to err towards self-deprication. I do like American comedy, it's good to 'switch off' too - there's no thought required, which is perfect after a hard days' work (Frasier, Friends, all good). All the jokes are explained, all the complexities of life simplified, and that makes it easy, lowest-common-denominator fare. It happens on Star Trek too; when they come up with an idea to save themselves ("We just need to reverse the polarity and setup a temporal vortex to..."), someone sums up the idea for the idiots ("TIME TRAVEL!"). I suppose it's to make sure more people watch it, so the sponsors and the shareholders are happy; not a particular consideration in Britain where we're more concerned with being funny (rather the point of a comedy show..).

So in Britain, we have a different culture - we tend to look down on ignorance (although that seems to be changing subtly in recent years), so don't simplify life to make it more accessible or glamourise mundanity to make it more appealing, we see value in telling it how it is, perhaps because schmaltz is easy to see through, and therefore just escapism. Plus we like talking bolx.

Dutch humour is similar to English, German humour (where it exists) is much more like American. French is very... French.

British humour isn't necessarily better, it's just always been geared more towards high-brow viewers and therefore more complex in its subtleties and more diverse in its presentation.

Apart from Benny Hill, who is rubbish.


Klebnor posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 6:57 AM

Quote - British humour isn't necessarily better, it's just always been geared more towards high-brow viewers and therefore more complex in its subtleties and more diverse in its presentation.

Really?  Perhaps you can explain the two Ronnies then.  Highbrow?  Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan, but really ... maybe we define highbrow differently.

And how about "Are you being served" ... very "complex in its subleties".

Nick Park enjoys a very broad audience, and it's hard to find a lot of sublety in "The Wrong Pants".  Maybe the complexity went right over my head.

Klebnor

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SamTherapy posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 7:37 AM

Agree with Klebnor.  I don't get this "highbrow" tag we Brits are given.  Like the polite one, it's a myth.

I have an idea why the humour over here is different and it's tied in with my ideas about sarcasm, which is also more of a Brit trait than American.  The US constitution provides a right to free speech and freedom of expression but we don't have that over here.  I believe this is the reason why Americans tend to just come right out and say something, whereas Brits tend to go round the houses.  With sarcasm and irony, one can always pretend the statements should be taken at face value.  Much of Brit humour is based on this characteristic.

Back to Klebnor's remarks...  I never cared for Are You Being Served.  Like 'Allo 'Allo, it's of a piece with mainstream comedy.  I did, however, enjoy The Two Ronnies and Dad's Army, which I guess are part and parcel of the same thing.  I'm surpriesed Not the Nine O'Clock News hasn't been mentioned, nor Morecambe and Wise.  Oh, and of course, Vic Reeves, who is, IMO, a genius.

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LaurieA posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 8:27 AM

You may be on to something there SamTherapy, but coming right out and saying something most times kills the punch line in comedy ;o). Maybe it's because I'm by nature I'm a sarcastic person that I like British comedy. Perhaps that's the connection and why I like it...lol.

Laurie



TheBryster posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 8:29 AM Forum Moderator

I think Wallace is a Yorkshireman. He does have a North of England accent.

Little Britain doesn't do anything for me. I did see Billy Connely live many years ago. We cried with laughter for two hours. Perhaps surprisingly, Des O'Connor is hysterical. Saw him recording one of his shows. We were part of the audience. Off camera he's so much fun. He took the rise out of the stage manager something wicked and he loves joking around with the audience.

Saw Lenny Henry, Ronnie Barker and quite a few others on trips down to the BBC. Tickets were free. Always had a good time.

In more recent times I found that I understand American comedy shows less and less. Two and a Half men? goes right over my head.

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LaurieA posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 9:04 AM

Quote - I don't get this "highbrow" tag we Brits are given.  Like the polite one, it's a myth.

I never felt Brit comedy was highbrow nor polite ;o). More's the better...lol.

If anything, I think it's that Americans are becoming too polite - too PC. "Don't say anything that might hurt someones poor wittle feewings". Drives me nuts it does.

The major difference between Brit and American comedy is that a Brit can tell you you're a complete moron and you don't even know it. If an American does it, you not only know it, but it comes out sounding rude and tactless ;o).

Laurie



Klebnor posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 9:09 AM

Quote - If anything, I think it's that Americans are becoming too polite - too PC. "Don't say anything that might hurt someones poor wittle feewings". Drives me nuts it does.

Laurie

Try Tosh.0 on comedy central.

Nothing PC about it.

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LaurieA posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 9:18 AM

Quote - > Quote - If anything, I think it's that Americans are becoming too polite - too PC. "Don't say anything that might hurt someones poor wittle feewings". Drives me nuts it does.

Laurie

Try Tosh.0 on comedy central.

Nothing PC about it.

I've seen it. That's where the rude and tactless comes in...lmao. Rates nearly up there with 'Jackass'. Egads....hated that show.

;o)

Laurie



SteveJax posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 9:41 AM

Quote - The major difference between Brit and American comedy is that a Brit can tell you you're a complete moron and you don't even know it.

That depends of course on how much Brit TV you're used to watching. I think I'd know it if Black Adder called me a moron. :tt2:


LaurieA posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 10:18 AM

True...lol.

Laurie



scanmead posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 11:44 AM

ah... sarcasm. I can do sarcasm...

There is a lady at work who is a master (mistress?) of the subtle roasting. She can tell a person to their face they're a total jerk in such a way they end up thanking her. (While everyone else is trying not to blow the deception by exploding in laughter.)

Good point, Laurie. Listening to a 5-minute thrashing by Chef is much more entertaining than the simple "a**hole" Americans would come up with.


Mogwa posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 12:24 PM

"Mr. Bean" and "Are you Being Served?". Some of the Steptoe and Son episodes are quite good.


maclean posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 5:54 PM

Quote - If anything, I think it's that Americans are becoming too polite - too PC. "Don't say anything that might hurt someones poor wittle feewings". Drives me nuts it does.

Laurie

Yeah. It's what Billy Connelly calls 'The Comedy Police' (aka The Finger-Wagging Brigade). As Connelly says, "Funny is good. Not funny is bad. That's all there is to it"

I don't know about this Brit 'highbrow' stuff either. British comedy has never struck me that way. But I do think there's one major difference in the British/Americans which is a large part of good comedy - the ability to laugh at oneself.

I think the brits are able to laugh at themselves more easily and more often. I don't want to generalise (or sound anti-american, because I'm not), but maybe americans have bigger egos or something. I dunno. But a lot of british humor is based on taking the piss out ourselves and our ridiculously silly habits and characteristics. Which I find very healthy.

mac


scanmead posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 6:31 PM

You know, this could develop into a dissertation on Deeply Rooted Deficiencies in the American Core Self-Confidence. Historically speaking, Americans have been the yokel, the buffoon, the hick, the Ugly American, the worst tourist, the unsophisticated traveler. (Bringing us back to An Idiot Abroad. ) Hence our over-compensation in trying to either be über-cool, or bluster our way through situations like a Sherman tank.

Let's face it, Keeping Up Appearances was a much better show than Real Housewives of (fill in city of choice). And none of the current Housewives can ever hope to be Edwina Monsoon in AbFab.


SteveJax posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 6:54 PM

I can't say what I think is funny because it would devolve into politics which is against the TOS.  :rolleyes:

 


MagnusGreel posted Thu, 27 January 2011 at 7:34 PM

"highbrow" Brit comedy?

 

the Young Ones? Bottom? Hale and Pace?

*Allo Allo obsessing with the Fallen Madonna with the big boobies by Van Klump....

 

HIGHBROW??

 

thats comedy right there!*

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maclean posted Fri, 28 January 2011 at 7:24 AM

Quote - Historically speaking, Americans have been the ......... worst tourist, the unsophisticated traveler

Ha! Have you ever seen the Brits on holiday! They're bad... really bad!

Mind you, you can probably say the same about travellers from every country when they go abroad.

mac