Ohhh. Made in Britain! [/moss]

January 22, 2008 11:40 AM

Recommend me some British comedy, please.

I never cared much for sitcoms until I got a solid hookup for British TV.

Now I'm desperately addicted to shows like the Mighty Boosh, Father Ted, Black Books, the IT Crowd, Brass Eye, the Day Today, Big Train, Spaced, Is It Bill Bailey, and Look Around You.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should look for next. Little Britain is next in the Queue, and I've got the League of Gentlemen on the way, but what should I be watching that will make my girlfriend stop weeping about there being no more Green Wing to watch?

Extra credit if it's something I've never heard about, and please don't recommend Bo Selecta as I've tried watching it and don't care for it at all.

posted by jtron to media & arts (86 comments total)

Peep Show maybe?
posted by Dan Brilliant at 11:45 AM on January 22, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Vicar of Dibley
Original version of The Office
posted by FastGorilla at 11:45 AM on January 22, 2008

Fawlty Towers
posted by blaneyphoto at 11:46 AM on January 22, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

The Fast Show. It can take a while to get the hang of it, but it spawned more catchphrases than most of those...

Also, how about old stuff? Have you seen Fawlty Towers? A complete classic and not to be missed.

(Don't be surprised of LoG leaves you scratching your head, by the way, it's very much 'your thing' or very much not).
posted by Brockles at 11:46 AM on January 22, 2008

This is pretty funny (posted in another thread)
posted by anthill at 11:46 AM on January 22, 2008

Damn you, Blaney!
posted by Brockles at 11:47 AM on January 22, 2008

Not really sitcoms, but if you have never seen an episode of QI or Never Mind the Buzzcocks, you need to have a look at them. Really good 'quiz shows' that are more about the jokes than the answers.

If you go for buzzcocks, I strongly recommend the earlier majority (Mark Lamarr hosted) than the later ones.
posted by Brockles at 11:48 AM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

You really should be watching Absolutely Fabulous. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley could go toe-to-toe against the best physical comedians (and the dirtiest minds) in television history.
posted by hermitosis at 11:49 AM on January 22, 2008

You've probably heard of it, but just in case you haven't... Black Adder. Although here's a tip; avoid the first season at least until you've seen seasons 2, 3 and 4.

If you like politics, you might also like Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.
posted by Effigy2000 at 11:49 AM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Ah-Ha!
posted by greytape at 11:51 AM on January 22, 2008

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin remains one of my favourites.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 11:53 AM on January 22, 2008

I like the sketch stuff - French & Saunders and Fry & Laurie.
posted by GuyZero at 11:53 AM on January 22, 2008

Oh, and the original Ali G show.
posted by GuyZero at 11:54 AM on January 22, 2008

Also: I adored The Young Ones as a kid and if you like sketch shows then Not The Nine O'Clock News is pretty good.
posted by Dan Brilliant at 11:55 AM on January 22, 2008

Yes but no but yes but no but Little Britian is a bit funny but gets old sometimes but it never did and Sally said Thomas touched her down there but she's a skank and anyway BBC radio is funny too.
posted by Deathalicious at 11:55 AM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Fawlty Towers and Blackadder. I would recommend Father Ted, too, but you've seen it!
posted by Camel of Space at 11:57 AM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Trigger Happy is great, too, but that's a different sort of show.
posted by Camel of Space at 11:58 AM on January 22, 2008

Oh, and wow. I notice Monty Python hasn't been mentioned yet. This is kind of like someone saying, "Can anyone recommend some religious reading" and the Bible not being mentioned. If you haven't watched all of the circus yet, now you can know what all the D&D dorks were muttering at each other.
posted by Deathalicious at 11:58 AM on January 22, 2008

Oh and what about Harry Enfield's various shows (especially stuff done with Paul Whitehouse)? This kind of thing.
posted by Dan Brilliant at 11:58 AM on January 22, 2008

I really like Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. And the BBC's Coupling made me laugh way more than I'd like to admit.
posted by Bookhouse at 12:02 PM on January 22, 2008

nthing Fawlty Towers. The funniest sitcom I have ever seen... still makes me cry from laughing so hard sometimes.
posted by rooftop secrets at 12:04 PM on January 22, 2008

(radio: Down The Line is a miniature work of genius. That link will take you to the latest show in full...)
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:04 PM on January 22, 2008

If you want to get into British Radio, I definitely recommend "I'm sorry, I haven't a clue"
posted by Brockles at 12:06 PM on January 22, 2008

Another recommendation for Black Adder. I honestly find Rowan Atkinson in Black Adder much funnier than in any of the Mr. Bean bits, plus it's got Hugh Laurie (of recent House fame)!
posted by Nelsormensch at 12:06 PM on January 22, 2008

Spaced. If you liked Shaun of The Dead, or find Simon Pegg remotely funny, you will love it. Two brief, wonderful seasons.
posted by pinky at 12:07 PM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

- Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life
- The Rutles
- The Goon Show
- Mr. Bean
- Are You Being Served?
- Red Dwarf
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (BBC versions)
posted by not_on_display at 12:09 PM on January 22, 2008

Saxondale. Danny partridge plays an old former roadie still trying to stay true to the ideals of rock'n'roll while working as an exterminator. Great stuff.
posted by Space Coyote at 12:12 PM on January 22, 2008

I recommend Blackadder II or Blackadder the Third. They're funnier than the original series, The Black Adder, and each series (British for "season") takes place in a different epoch, so you don't need to watch them in order. My favorite is Blackadder's Christmas Carol, but I think it is better if you have some more familiarity with the oeuvre first. Avoid Blackadder Back and Forth.
posted by grouse at 12:12 PM on January 22, 2008

2nding Saxondale.

As well, Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge character is one of the funniest series I have ever seen.
posted by rabbitsnake at 12:19 PM on January 22, 2008

I second Spaced; it's a pretty basic concept, but everything about it -- the acting, writing, and cinematography -- is incredibly well-done. Also, the fifth episode of the second series is pretty much flawless, and contains what is easily the greatest gunfight ever filmed by anyone.
posted by Greg Nog at 12:20 PM on January 22, 2008

Seconding "Are You Being Served?"

Adding "Keeping Up Appearances." "Coupling" is 'okay' but not brilliant. And "As Time Goes By" is endearing and amusing but not as LOLworthy as the escapades of Hyacinth Bucket. (That's pronounced Bouquet.)
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:25 PM on January 22, 2008

If you want to check out QI and Nevermind the Buzzcocks, almost every episode of both is on youtube in glorious Infringovision. Unlike Brockles above, I prefer the later series on NMtB.
If you are looking for QI on youtube, do a search for "QI Stephen Fry", that cuts down on the number of Chinese language videos in the results.
posted by AndrewStephens at 12:33 PM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Thanks for the recommendations; keep 'em coming!

Spaced I've seen (read the OP again) but if you're recommending that, you're probably on the right track.

And I didn't mention Young Ones, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, or Absolutely Fabulous because I figured they're part of our shared cultural heritage at this point. Also, because I forgot.
posted by jtron at 12:34 PM on January 22, 2008

British sitcoms I liked: Coupling and Teachers.
posted by rmless at 12:35 PM on January 22, 2008

Try The Mary Whitehouse Experience. Fists of Fun (or anything with Richard Herring in it really) is also good. I do love Coupling, but that's possibly only because of the Lesbian Spank Inferno episode.
posted by patricio at 12:35 PM on January 22, 2008

Nthing Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, AbFab, and Blackadder (though I agree that the first season wasn't quite as good as the subsequent ones).

And just in case you're up for a great British comedy film, check out Withnail and I. Screamingly funny. I am resisting quoting my favorite line right now for fear of spoiling it for you.
posted by scody at 12:36 PM on January 22, 2008

Brockles: someone should do a QI FPP. That show is wonderful and needs to come to the US.
posted by jtron at 12:37 PM on January 22, 2008

I really liked Coupling, pretty funny stuff I thought.
posted by mjgrady at 12:44 PM on January 22, 2008

I also chuckle at the lesser Ade Edmondson and Rik Mayall shows such as Filth, Rich & Catflap and Bottom but they're not for everybody.

A few more from the eighties which I remember fondly but which might not hold up terribly well today:
- Girls On Top (French & Saunders, Ruby Wax)
- The New Statesman (Mayall again)
- Hot Metal (this is very obscure but I remember it having a superb demented energy)
- The Comic Strip Presents...
posted by Dan Brilliant at 12:47 PM on January 22, 2008

If you can find it, 15 Storeys High by the fabulous Sean Lock is worth a punt.

The Thick of It is hilarious, infact, pretty much anything that Armando Iannucci has been involved in (esp. I'm Alan Partridge and the Armando Iannucci Show) is pure gold.
posted by iamcrispy at 12:49 PM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

You can watch Look Around You on YouTube. The pilot episode is so dry that it can take a while to catch on that almost nothing the announcer says makes any sense.
posted by skryche at 12:50 PM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

almost every episode of both is on youtube in glorious Infringovision.

was on youtube. I'm a huge QI fan and was working my way through them. Recently all of the seasons after 2 after disappeared.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:53 PM on January 22, 2008

Most of the good stuff as been mentioned but try:
Jam
Nathan Barley
The Thick of It
Armando Iannucci Show

And Jeeves and Wooster is very relaxing...
posted by meech at 12:53 PM on January 22, 2008

You've probably heard of Coupling, so here's the site for Teachers. Also, ^.
posted by rmless at 12:54 PM on January 22, 2008

...oh, nevermind. Looks like some of them are back again. Phew.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:54 PM on January 22, 2008

I definitely wept when there was no more Green Wing to watch, too.

We recently got into Jeeves and Wooster, starring the aforementioned Fry and Laurie.
posted by Shebear at 12:56 PM on January 22, 2008

Peep Show is the best thing ever. Ever!
posted by space2k at 12:56 PM on January 22, 2008

Only Fools and Horses. In my opinion one of the funniest shows ever on TV. The antics of Del boy are priceless.

Older shows (black and white): "Steptoe and Son" (the show Sanford and Son was based on). I remember one episode when old man Steptoe was in a bathtub eating cheese sandwiches and pickled onions, he dropped a pickled onion into the bathwater and then groped around to find it, fished it out and ate it. Freaking priceless.

"Til Death Us Do Part: the show that All in the Family was based on. Also seconding Red Dwarf.

But Fools and Horses is by far the funniest.
posted by worker_bee at 12:59 PM on January 22, 2008

"A Bit of Fry and Laurie". We watched all four "series" in a weekend.
posted by bryanjbusch at 1:05 PM on January 22, 2008

Seconding "Only Fools and Horses". Surprising that there has only been one recommendation of it so far. Certainly one of the best tv shows I've seen.

Blackadder Seasons 2, 3 and 4. Also Not the Nine o Clock News. Both with Rowan Atkinson. If you want more of Rowan Atkinson, Thin Blue Line is also decent. Not great. Decent.

Fawlty Towers and Monty Python are certainly a must watch as well.

Of the newer shows, QI is awesome.
posted by ogami at 1:16 PM on January 22, 2008

Definitely Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses, Jeeves and Wooster, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, (anything that Stephen Fry has every exhaled in the proximity of, basically) but a MUST is Phoenix Nights (tho good luck with the accents if you're not from Northern Britain, even my London mates reckon they have a problem with it.) Also Drop the Dead Donkey - BRILLIANT topical newsroom comedy - One Foot in the Grave, Father Ted

Old stuff: Steptoe and Son, Open All Hours, Porridge, The Two Ronnies (sketch show), Dad's Army

Lesser old stuff: The Good Life, 'Allo 'allo, Up Pompeii, Hi-de-Hi, Last of the Summer Wine

Not a sitcom (although it pretty much turned into a soap opera at one point) but a quiz show - Have I got News for You? (lots of it on You Tube)
posted by runincircles at 1:20 PM on January 22, 2008

If you're a "car guy", check out Top Gear, which isn't so much a direct-comedy show, but a car show put on by some men who kid each other relentlessly and are paid to do things like launching a Mini off of a ski jump. Entertaining.
posted by Wild_Eep at 1:20 PM on January 22, 2008

A lot of my favourites have been mentioned (Peep Show, Armando Iannucci, Thick of It, Saxondale, Alan Partridge). Also check out The Smoking Room (a real-time sitcom in one room), Ideal (Johnny Vegas as a drug dealer), and Nighty Night (if you can stand your comedy pitch-back).

And for Buzzcocks, search out the first few episodes of the most recent season, guest-hosted by Noel Fielding (from the Mighty Boosh).
posted by Gortuk at 1:24 PM on January 22, 2008

Nighty Night A wickedly funny comedy about a psychopath. Only in Britain . . .
posted by Neiltupper at 1:25 PM on January 22, 2008

Nthing Couping, Fawlty Towers, Keeping Up Appearances, One Foot In The Grave, and Are You Being Served.

In addition, I recommend Black Books. It's got the unbeatable combination of Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey.
posted by arishaun at 1:25 PM on January 22, 2008

Think in terms of generations and styles. Your preferred generation is Graham Linehan, Bill Bailey, Simon Pegg, Peter Baynham, Peter Serafinovicz, reaching back to Chris Morris: offbeat, odd settings, a bit dark.

(You can tell generations with some comedians from when they were at Cambridge Footlights or Oxford Revue.)

I'd trawl around for Absolutely!, which is a bastard to get hold of unless you kNova where to lUK for it. (Hint, hint.) Possibly Lee & Herring's stuff. Maybe Nighty Night. Possibly Marion and Geoff. Smack the Pony. Perhaps Simon Munnery as 'The League Against Tedium' in Attention Scum!. World of Pub. Stella Street. These aren't generally so much sitcoms as sketch shows with recurring elements.

And then you can look back for their inspiration: The Comic Strip, the Who Dares Wins team, and so on.

Also look for radio with those performers and writers: most had a start on BBC Radio 4.
posted by holgate at 1:31 PM on January 22, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]

Please, if you like these things you have to see Peep Show. ...Im urging you, Im begging you to watch Peep Show, because if not I dont think I can like you as a person, and I want to because you already have a great love of the shows alot of us grew up with and love.

And Red Dwarf.

2nding Nighty-Night too.
posted by Neonshock at 1:42 PM on January 22, 2008

If you can handle Scottish accents you should check out the criminally overlooked (well at least south of the border) Still Game... for me it's the funniest thing that's been on television in the last few years.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:58 PM on January 22, 2008

... and there's loads of Still Game on the tubes. I nearly just died watching this bit... pot of pish
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:10 PM on January 22, 2008

Soupy Norman

Actually it's an Irish TV comedy!

The show uses a Polish soap that's been dubbed. The dubbed dialog is not a translation!!! Instead you get the story of a disfunctional family in Cork. Much of the dialog is surreal.

Check it out on youtube.
posted by subatomiczoo at 2:17 PM on January 22, 2008

60 comments and just one mention of the Fast Show?

If you haven't already seen it, get The Fast Show. The most influential British comedy series since Monty Python.
posted by fire&wings at 2:32 PM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I don't know much British comedy but I really like A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:40 PM on January 22, 2008

oops- GuyZero beat me to it.

Black Adder and Fawlty Towers for me are hit and miss, with the misses being complete and total misses.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:43 PM on January 22, 2008

Totally seconding Peep Show.

Ah, to be a League of Gentlemen virgin! About to have their glorious perversity unleashed upon you for the first time! I am quite jealous.
posted by hot soup girl at 2:56 PM on January 22, 2008

I cannot believe no one has suggested the Carry On Series...that were a successful movie franchise and even spawned a TV series. To me that is the height of British comedy!
posted by ramix at 2:57 PM on January 22, 2008

Two more quirky ones, off the top of my head: Reeves and Mortimer's Catterick. Nightingales, with Robert Lindsay and David Threlfall. I think the great-grandfather of today's black, odd comedy is The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, which might lead you onto Fairly Secret Army. Though you could go back further to Milligan's Q.

There's a Pete Frame family tree that deserves drawing up for British comedy -- Stewart Lee made the point on The Culture Show a few months back that there are strands that go through Malcolm Hardee and John Cooper Clarke and get left out of the standard Footlights-Revue genealogy (Python, NTNOCN, Who Dares Wins, Comic Strip etc.)
posted by holgate at 3:00 PM on January 22, 2008

I can't believe that Victoria Wood has not been mentioned, she has sometimes been given flak for being twee and mundane when doing some of her stand-up (it's just the comedy songs that I dislike personally) but her sitcom/sketch show work is marvellous. Check out dinnerladies which is a sitcom set in a works canteen. There are also her shows with Julie Walters from the 80's which feature Acorn Antiques. Not forgetting her series of self contained plays Victoria Wood.
Seconding the Reeves and Mortimer recommendation above, two stupid Northerners acting daft in a variety of different guises. Indescribable really.
posted by djstig at 4:46 PM on January 22, 2008

Now, Father Ted, should we be really calling it British comedy?

Sure, it was filmed partly in a London studio, as well as on location in the west of Ireland. But, I seriously question the appropriateness of labelling it British comedy.

No way can we lump Irish comedy with British; two very different beasts. And, a final nod to Brendan Behan: "It's not that the Irish are cynical, it's just that they have a lack of respect for everything and everyone".
posted by lometogo at 4:48 PM on January 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Someone probably already said this, but "The Office." The British version is way funnier than the American version.
posted by dannon205 at 4:52 PM on January 22, 2008

I seriously question the appropriateness of labelling [Father Ted as] British comedy.

It was produced by and for a British television channel, and Irish channels initially refused to carry it.
posted by grouse at 4:54 PM on January 22, 2008

I agree with the others who recommend The Thick of It. Just watched it all in two sittings (it's only 6 episodes and a couple of specials) the other week and absolutely loved it. It tops Peep Show as my favorite british comedy. The character of Malcolm is brilliant.

Also, Spaced as others have mentioned is pretty good. It's not as consistently funny, and the second season didn't really carry the momentum of the first IMO, but still worth a watch.

Oh, and not to hate but I never made it past a few episodes of Coupling. Stupid, stupid telly.
posted by pilibeen at 6:44 PM on January 22, 2008

To the Manor Born
The Good Life
posted by nax at 6:49 PM on January 22, 2008

As mentioned above, please, please watch Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. It's a spoof of 80s era horror shows, it's dead silly and chortlerific. Here's a wee bit of episode 1, heaps of it is on youtube.
posted by eponymouse at 7:20 PM on January 22, 2008

League of Gentlemen is sooo much better than Little Britain.

pilibeen: I loved Coupling! Stupid, stupid telly.

Almost everything has been mentioned already -- Fawlty Towers, Mr Bean, Red Dwarf, Monty Python, Keeping Up Appearances.

Nobody's mentioned Hyperdrive yet, which wasn't too bad. Same goes for Time Gentlemen Please and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

And in a slightly different direction, The Royle Family is genius. It's a sitcom, but it's more subtle than your typical laugh-a-minute vehicle for standup comics.

Someone above mentioned Teachers. Definitely worth a look, especially the first season (it starts to go downhill as the group changes in later seasons).
posted by robcorr at 8:05 PM on January 22, 2008

After Little Britain (I ADORE Little Britain), try out Matt Lucas and David Walliam's earlier series Rock Profile. If you're a music/pop culture fan, the show might be up your alley. The show is 'hosted' by Jamie Theakston, and Lucas and Walliams play many different musicians. I'm explaining the show very badly for some reason! They did a really good job with Blur, U2, Steps, Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey.. The list goes on!

Since you like the Mighty Boosh and the IT Crowd, you should try to track down Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. It starred some faces that will be familiar to you (Matt Holness and Richard Ayoade). Darkplace is, quite possibly, the greatest show of all time. Technically, you can watch full episodes on YouTube, and, apparently, it's shown late night on Adult Swim. I don't have cable, so I can't guarantee that. If you do check this one out, keep your eyes peeled for Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding (well, he's in an ape suit), and Stephen Merchant!

Also, try out early 90s show Asylum which starred Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson (pre-Spaced). David Walliams was also a writer on this show. This one's not out on DVD yet, but I figure it's only a matter of time. The best part is Norman Lovett (Holly on Red Dwarf) plays the doctor who mistakenly institutionalizes Simon Pegg's character.

Hmmm.. I think some of the best stuff (besides a lot of the brilliant shows already listed by everyone, of course) are the panel game shows.. QI, Nevermind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. Oh my god, and the Big Fat Quizzes also hosted by Jimmy Carr. These are all so hilarious that you really don't have a chance to catch your breath. I don't really know which are out on DVD, though (I think SOME QI in the UK). I've always been a big fan of older British comedies myself (well, 1980s and earlier.. I'm not going to list any of those, but I certainly could if you were interested.. but I'm sure they've been listed already and you probably want me to shut up by now!). But, ever since The Office, I've become increasingly obsessed with some of the newer comedians that are out there (many of which you've named). I mean, there are some amazing things happening in British comedy right now (and in the past ten years). I'm not actually in the UK, so there are people who can offer first-hand what's playing right this very second that is not to be missed. The problem I have in the US is that a lot of these shows haven't been released in a Region 1 format, but I've been fortunate because I have a British friend who sends me DVDs with so many shows that I'd never get a chance to see otherwise. And then there's YouTube, but that doesn't always make for the most ideal viewing.

Oh, and DEFINITELY agreeing with Peep Show. That is a must see. And The League of Gentlemen (you'll like it). OHH, and Posh Nosh [BBC site] with Richard E. Grant. Hilarious.

And, if you're interested in reading about British comedy from the eras of Vic and Bob to The Office, I'd recommend Sunshine On Putty by Ben Thompson.

Sorry about the rambling and general inarticulateness. This is THE major topic that I get a little spazzy about!
posted by Mael Oui at 8:56 PM on January 22, 2008

There actually have been QI FPPs! Maybe not as many as it deserves.
posted by Mael Oui at 10:05 PM on January 22, 2008

Sorry, I thought of another one.. if you end up liking Peep Show, you can move on to That Mitchell and Webb Look. And, I have to agree with meech.. all the Armando Iannucci stuff and Nathan Barley (I have a huge crush on Richard Ayoade). I will shut up now, I promise!
posted by Mael Oui at 10:14 PM on January 22, 2008

(I have a huge crush on Richard Ayoade)

Oh my god yes. He's a fecking dream *swoon*

Ahem. So yes, Darkplace is a must, with an offshoot being Man to Man with Dean Learner. Hit and miss spoof chat show but worth seeing for the Marenghi episode and Matthew Holness in several guises.
posted by freya_lamb at 1:50 AM on January 23, 2008

Fifteen Storeys High is genius, and given how badly it was treated by the Beeb, I'm guessing you won't have come across it before. It's very, very dry.

I'd also suggest Nightingales. Again, very British...
posted by kxr at 4:29 AM on January 23, 2008

Harry' Hills TV Burp is utter genius... but I'm not sure if it would travel too well as it's basically taking the piss out of other television programs.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 6:40 AM on January 23, 2008

I've caught on late here...

On the back of what you've highlighted I might suggest NOT bothering with Little Britain, The Fast Show. Quite catchphrase orientated - which is nothing like what you seem to have been enjoying.
Definitely make time for Alan Partridge and Peep Show. Both of them just brilliant.

I'm really surprised to not see Extra's suggested anywhere!! Ricky Gervais' second show again lasting only 2 seasons. Seek it out. Season 2 is IMO better, but both worth watching. Each episode has a star playing themselves with the likes of Ben Stiller, Orlando Bloom and even De Niro!
posted by mjlondon at 8:39 AM on January 23, 2008

Drop The Dead Donkey.
posted by Pallas Athena at 9:17 AM on January 23, 2008

Comedy Connections is a wonderful overview of the best of UK TV comedy shows, and is brilliantly structured (with beautiful cut-out images and timelines) to show how specific programmes came to be. From these shows, I've been able to 'connect the dots' on a lot of other good comedy programmes and also learn more about the producers, writers, and stars.

While the humour borders on juvenile, purile, and any other 'ile' you can chuck at it, TV Offal is rare and obscure, is probably one of the best things that TV Critic cum TV Producer Victor Lewis-Smith created.
posted by kuppajava at 10:36 AM on January 23, 2008

Seconding Drop the Dead Donkey. I too mourned when Green Wing ended. Nighty Night is strangely addictive, like watching a train crash.
posted by arcticseal at 10:59 AM on January 23, 2008

Cardiac Arrest is black, black, black comedy gold.
posted by lalochezia at 3:43 PM on January 23, 2008

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!!

Brash and crude, except where they deploy innuendo.. written by Jonathan Harvey of Beautiful Thing fame & starring Kathy Burke of..well, everthing fame.
posted by dash_slot- at 4:16 PM on January 23, 2008