Some British TV comedies of last 20 years

So, yeah, we had a modern British sitcoms poll made a few years ago, and I've mentioned various of these in a poll or two I did, but these are some of my favourite comedies of the last twenty odd years -- some, like Misfits, are more other genres mixed with comedy, but still can be very funny, so I include it. Inside No. 9 is listed as a comedy show, or comedy drama, and can be funny or very sad. Haven't thought of Black Mirror as comedy really (one of my favourite shows), but I see it listed as a comedy drama, and the PM got bacon thing was pretty funny, so I can't resist including it.

Ran out of space for Big Babies -- a weird BBC kids show that I love. I would have sooner kicked out another, but figured I'd keep another that I don't like as much but is more likely to get votes.

Really doing this cause I finished watching two great ones fairly recently, Snuff Box (not that recently), and most recently the venerable League of Gentlemen -- better late than never. I had caught some of both before, but never finished with them until late. The League of Gentlemen series is amazing, but I didn't manage to make it all the way through the Apocalypse film -- would have loved to see them live. I had been put off a bit by the laugh tracks, and yes, they do use canned laughter in the first two series and none in the third, but as it is so genuinely funny I accept the laugh tracks.

Multiple choice enabled... Please mention any other ones you like especially of the darker variety of comedy -- if I wanted to feel good I'd have married bloody James Brown. Guess I should have included Father Ted, though some claim it's more Irish (British production company for a British channel though). Still feel weird including some of these so-called comedy dramas, but whatever.... I'm sure I've missed some of my favourites and may edit the poll later.

Too hard to pick from the list, I think I need to click them all! I would like to add some from the same period that I love, like Fresh Meat, and That Mitchel & Webb Look. Also a honourable mention to The Wrong Door, which sadly balances brilliant sci-fi comedy with absolutely cringeworthy toilet humour.

Edited by Kotro - September 04 2016 at 03:22

Tough choices - went with Garth Merenghi but Toast of London, Mighty Boosh, Green Wing, Snuff Box, IT Crowd, Spaced or Black Books would have done just as well.

Politics has surpassed satire these days so The Thick of It is more like a documentary than a comedy.

How come , I cannot vote in polls?

Edited by noni - September 04 2016 at 17:44

Realized I forgot another show I finished recently, Buster, which I discovered particularly due to Matthew Holness (of Garth Merenghi and Man to Man with Dean Learner) involvement (was watching Time Trumpet too, but due to its nature despite taking place in the future it's dated).

Speaking of Matthew Holness, I loved this:

From the ones listed I'll say the IT Crowd, but for me the best British comedy in a while was Come Fly With Me.  Sure they beat a couple of jokes to death but Tommy, Fearghal and these ladies made it all worth while.

I'm pleased to see this revived. Haven't been watching British comedy or British shows of late as I got addicted to the US show Dexter (like various shows on this poll, Dexter certainly has its dark moments).

^^ Have seen a bit of Come Fly With Me -- great suggestion for Little Britaineers.

Saperlipopette! wrote: ...I really love Garth Merenghi's Darkplace. Had a great time watching the first season of: Spaced years ago, but hated the first two episodes of the second season so much I never finished it. The Office is a classic of the genre it pretty much invented (or if not it was certainly the most influential) but Extras was more to my taste. Especially the second season. Thanks to Ashley Jensen('s character) it had a heart as well. Enjoyed the little I've seen of The League of Gentlemen and the same goes for I'm Alan Partridge. Didn't find much to laugh at in Little Britain. Not familiar with the rest.

I would like to suggest Man to Man With Dean Learner since you love Garth Merenghi's Darkplace. It's a fake chat show in the world of Garth Merenghi... with Richard Ayoade as the titular host and Matthew Holness playing various characters including an episode as Garth Merenghi which also features Matt Berry. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Man+to+Man+with+Dean+learner+playlist
My particular favourite of the six episodes is the Randolph Caer one about the maligned star of the Garth Merenghi penned film, Bitch Killer.

I also prefer Extras to the Office. The fake documentary series People Like Us which came out before The Office is quite similar (the show was actually cancelled by BBC to make way for or in favour of The Office, which was put on air soon after the last episode of PLU aired). I actually prefer People Like Us to the Office for its subtlety.

Fans of The League of Gentlemen (of which I am disappointed that there isn't more evidence of here) who haven't seen Psychoville should really check it out, and then look into Inside No. 9.




Edited by Logan - September 29 2016 at 14:40

Nobody votes for League of Gentlemen?

Red Dwarf - Wikipedia