British Comedies

[tgpo]

Why are british comedies so much better than American comedies?? Excluding such hits as The Drew Carrey Show, Home Improvment, The Simpsons, The Family Guy. Almost all of USA's comedies are not funny!! It just seems like British Comedies have more wit and edge, while USA comedies go more for fart jokes and slapstick.....

[vitualis]

Sorry, but the British are just funnier ...

Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Mr Bean, Blackadder, and all those new ones that I don't know the names off...

Even the old stuff like the "Goodies" are pretty funny...

Regards.

[fmctm1sw]

Why are british comedies so much better than American comedies??

That's because we are in the business of kicking ass and chewing bubble gum... and we're all out of bubble gum.

but really, that "Who's line is it anyway" (the british one) takes the cake. Now THAT is humor.... Oh and another thing, what ever happened to that big fat guy with glasses on that show? I think he did some sitcom in the US for a while. I thought he was the funniest.

[pacmania_2001]

I think it is because most American 'comedies' have like a set plot/formula it follows. Like sometimes it feels like the writers of the show just have like a book of pre-written plots and jokes.

It also seems that a lot of American shows rely on so-called 'wacky' characters to make the show funny (again these characters seem to come from a book of pre-defined characters). Another good American comedy to add to the list is Seinfeld and also Curb your Enthusiasm.

The guy you are talking about is Drew Carey (host of Who's Line is it Anyway?). That show was hilarious.

[tgpo]

Seinfeld

OH yeah, good call.

[hoyboy]

Anybody seen Coupling ?. It was one of the funniest series I have seen from Britain in a while.

[Solarjetman]

I think it has to do with British comedies being different then what Americans are used too, and you are not flooded with advertisments for them. I think that it may be the same way with the British liking American comedies. After all, I heard "Friends" is huge in the UK.

[vitualis]

Anybody seen Coupling ?

Absolutely brilliant...

Regards.

[SquirrelDip]

I think the problem with the American sitcoms is that they are trying to be too politically correct. If they piss off too many people they slice their throats.

Good humor has to be a little edgy - take chances. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I believe the problem lies in that there's too much money and the Yanky produces won't risk flying on the edge.

There is good humor in North America - usually a little higher on your dial...

[sterno]

A while back I saw Black Books, which is a recent British comedy. One of the best I'd seen in a while.

One thing I've seen is that in a lot of the comedies the British are pretty free about making fun of themselves. American comedies are a little more limited in that. Networks try to appeal to the lowest common denominator, so you can't have any intelligent, deep, or subtle humor. At the same time most of them try to avoid being even slightly offensive to anybody at all. You're not left with much but fart jokes and the standard formulas like husband-as-buffoon (judging by American TV, all married men are stupid liars and all wives are geniuses and saints). Topics that are even remotely controversial can't be the subject of jokes, they can only be part of a serious message. After all, we all watch comedies for the social commentary, not the humor....

[MOVIEGEEK]

There is good humor in North America - usually a little higher on your dial...

One of the funniest shows on TV was SCTV,great comics from our northern neighbors(e.g.John Candy,Eugene Levy,Rick Moranis,Dave Thomas,etc.).
I also agree with your statement about "too politically correct",writers and producers have toned it down so not to offend the advertisers.

[deadeyedickx]

I love coupling It is a great show. I live in the great USA and we do not have a good show like that here in the states yet. That being said NBC is going to put a show on this fall I think called coupling and I AM VERY SURE that they will mess this show up with bad writting. Who else could play Jeff? I came across this show on the net and it is the best.

[Mirror_Image]

I think it is because most American 'comedies' have like a set plot/formula it follows. Like sometimes it feels like the writers of the show just have like a book of pre-written plots and jokes.

Most of them are very "cookie-cutter". It also seems that a lot of American shows rely on so-called 'wacky' characters to make the show funny (again these characters seem to come from a book of pre-defined characters).

Here's a great article on the various types of sitcoms, "Sitcom: What It Is, How It Works":

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~taflinge/sitcom.html

I can't stand most of them.

[energy80s]

Two major differences between UK and US sitcoms is that in the UK a show is normally written by one or two people, whereas in the States it is a team of writers. Also in the UK a series is normally six or eight episodes whereas in the US it would need to run for 24 episodes. Some of the greatest UK sitcoms (Porridge, Fawlty Towers) never even made it to 24 episodes in their whole lifetime.

Another problem with US sitcoms is the "moral" that was always required in every episode. In the UK, we can have shows like Absolutely Fabulous with no redeeming characters and still get the jokes, in the US this would be frowned upon - as indeed did happen when Roseanne bought the rights to Ab Fab and tried to take all the references to drink and drugs out of the script!

Oh, and I think that the American from "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" was Mike McShane.

[Mirror_Image]

I think the problem with the American sitcoms is that they are trying to be too politically correct. If they piss off too many people they slice their throats.

Good humor has to be a little edgy - take chances. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I believe the problem lies in that there's too much money and the Yanky produces won't risk flying on the edge.

There is good humor in North America - usually a little higher on your dial...

A good example of the enormously entertaining Larry Sanders Show, originally an HBO series. It's on BRAVO now, but it's a little too highbrow for the broadcast network (ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX) knuckle-dragger viewers. Great comedy always is.

I'll say something else about our television here (and this goes for every genre, not just comedies): There are way too many beautiful/handsome characters. Even the less-stunning all have perfect teeth (unless, perhaps, they are a "bad guy"). While such people are a great deal of fun to watch, it beggars belief to show a big city police department (for example) that is 90% model-material. As some opposing examples, I point to the superb Inspector Morse series, A Touch of Frost, or even Prime Suspect. After all, as great athletes usually follow a career that exploits their gifts, most really beautiful people usually use their looks to do something else besides a middle-class-income job (and they are smart to do so).

[Will Hay]

I think the problem is with where the show is aimed at.
US shows are more likely to try please everyone and as a result are less likely to take risks.
UK shows are more risque and tend to be a little more close to the bone so to speak.
I find one UK show completely different to the next whereas the US stuff, whilst some is excellent, is very similar.
That's not to say all the US stuff is a poor second to the UK stuff, 'Scrubs' is superb and is as good as any UK show, as was the first five or six series of 'Friends'.
Let's not forget Family Guy and The Simpsons. Okay they're cartoons, sorry animation but the originality and success of any show is in the writing and those are simply superb.
I suppose it all boils down to originality.
From a UK point of veiw how extreme a difference can you get than:
Blackadder, Red Dwarf, Faulty Towers, Phoenix Nights, The Office, One Foot In The Grave, Only Fools & Horses etc.
The next US show always seems to follow the format of the last success.
Oh, and if you US folks want to try something completly different (as someone much more funny than me once said)......
.......look out for Bo Selecta!
You won't understand a frickin' word but man
Just my opinion
Will

[Will Hay]

I'll say something else about our television here (and this goes for every genre, not just comedies): There are way too many beautiful/handsome characters. Even the less-stunning all have perfect teeth (unless, perhaps, they are a "bad guy"). While such people are a great deal of fun to watch, it beggars belief to show a big city police department (for example) that is 90% model-material.

Yep, an excellent point.
I remember seeing Jennifer Aniston going from this stunning coffee-shop waitress to this high powered, under-weight versaci (spelling?) wearing employee of a major fashion house in a very short space of time.
It makes them far less believable as real people and you begin to care less about them as a character.
You just don't get that in the UK, I don't think we'd put up with it
Will

[Mirror_Image]

Yep, an excellent point.
I remember seeing Jennifer Aniston going from this stunning coffee-shop waitress

That lived in a trendy NYC apartment that a coffee shop employee could not afford to rent for even a week with their entire month's wages and tips. Even the manager of the coffee shop would not be able to rent that place on their higher salary. Housing in NYC, in fact the entire cost of living in NYC, is outrageous! Nopt to mention that with her looks, she'd proably be somebody's pampered and bejewelled sex toy, rather than a waitress.

In my favorite type of British TV program (the mystery series), I see the beginnings of the "cast one each extremely attractive male and female" in supporting roles, to appeal to the demographic group that won't watch unless you have them. I like looking at extremely telegenic people in TV fiction - but only in a realistic context.

[tgpo]

It does seem that US shows are extremely alike. IT also seems like FOX is one of the best at trying new things and seeing if they work or not, other networks tend to not try as much as FOX does. BUt what's sad is that FOX is usually last in the ratings. That 70s Show use to be hilarious, Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama, Macolm In The Middle. All on FOX.

Oh, my Mr Bean DVD Collection should be in soon!!!! YEAH!!!

[PaulDiston]

Only Fools and Horses was amazing.

[Will Hay]

It does seem that US shows are extremely alike. IT also seems like FOX is one of the best at trying new things and seeing if they work or not, other networks tend to not try as much as FOX does. BUt what's sad is that FOX is usually last in the ratings. That 70s Show use to be hilarious, Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama, Macolm In The Middle. All on FOX.

Oh, my Mr Bean DVD Collection should be in soon!!!! YEAH!!!

If you have bean you must have Blackadder, right?
My single most favourite (finished) show.
Fox: How come The Simpsons give Fox such a slating in their episodes once in a while?
Have Fox not a good reputation or is it just an in-joke?
Will

[tgpo]

I havn't seen Blackadder, but I so want to. I've heard so many good things about it, plus it has Rowan in it, which is a big plus.

The making fun of Fox on the Simpsons is just an in joke. They're on very good terms.

[DKruskie]

I think part of the problem is the religeous groups here in the US, alot of them seem to get offended at everything thats on tv. They think they represent the majority of what viewers want to see. My attitude is if they dont like the show, they shouldnt watch it. Alot of great shows have been taken off they air because of this. SNL used to be funny show in the 70's and early 80's but now they just plain simply suck. They have had to tone down due to political and religeous pressure. I personally love british comedies.. shows I used to watch growing up was the David Allen show and of course Benny Hill.
Just thought I would add my two cents.


David

[vitualis]

Ye gods man! You're in moderator in Baldrick's place and you haven't seen Blackadder? You should be demoted!

You can buy compilation discs of Blackadder (each disc holding one season with 4 seasons all up).

Blackadder is one funny show. Series one is quite different from the other series though... but funny still.

Regards.

[galactica]

My favorite british comedy is

Fawlty Towers

Anyone remember/see those?!?
Hilarious!

(Long URL )

[tgpo]

Ye gods man! You're in moderator in Baldrick's place and you haven't seen Blackadder? You should be demoted!

You can buy compilation discs of Blackadder (each disc holding one season with 4 seasons all up).

Blackadder is one funny show. Series one is quite different from the other series though... but funny still.

Regards.

Yeah I've seen them for sale, but thus far havn't bought them. It makes me wonder though if I can find a R1 DVD of the series.

[Solarjetman]

That lived in a trendy NYC apartment that a coffee shop employee could not afford to rent for even a week with their entire month's wages and tips. Even the manager of the coffee shop would not be able to rent that place on their higher salary. Housing in NYC, in fact the entire cost of living in NYC, is outrageous!

Sorry, but being a big "Friends" fan myself, I just have to say that they actually explained this. Monica is subletting the apartment from her grandmother that has it under a controlled rent contract. I can't remember the episode, but I remember the maintiance man saying that in one of them. I think its the one where Joey teaches him to dance. Not sure.

[snowmoon]

The Oblongs - sunday night 12:30am cartoon network

I also tend to gravitate twards the non-PC shows as they tend to be funnier. Futurama is decent as well. Overall I would say that many US shows are more original, but the brits just know how to let loose and make fun of everyone ( Trigger Happy TV anyone? ). I could just imagine Trigger Happy TV getting sued out of existance here in the US.

Anyways... I have to disagree with sinefield since it may have been non-PC, but neither was it amusing most of the time.

[tgpo]

Seinfield was hilarious!!

Trigger Happy TV is on Comedy Central now. It's okay. I prefer Jackass over it. And I'll say it. I think Jackass is very funny!

[galactica]

Seinfield was hilarious!!

Trigger Happy TV is on Comedy Central now. It's okay. I prefer Jackass over it. And I'll say it. I think Jackass is very funny!

Seinfield was one of the first TV series I ever saw Macintosh comptuers in.
He had an old Mac Classic or Se for the longest time.

Eventually he got one of 20th anniversary macs.

great show!