Before I start, I’d just like to warn everyone reading this that I’m not one of those insanely bigoted people who claim to be patriotic by sharing Britain First posts on Facebook (I swear, I’m the complete opposite), but there’s something about British comedy that is truly special and unique. Attempts to replicate these comedies in other countries have failed, as seen with The Inbetweeners, because they miss the awkward British humour that comes with the comedy shows. Albeit, American comedies have achieved huge success, most notably Friends, and ‘modern’ comedies like The Mindy Project, New Girl and the Netflix success The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, however these are totally incomparable to Brit comedies, perhaps a result of the huge contrast in culture. These 10 comedies rank highly on my list of favourites, with 10 being the least favourite (still an accomplishment considering just how many Brit comedies have come and gone), and 1 being my favourite. Which of these is your favourite? If you’re not in the UK, which comedy based in your country is your favourite? Let me know on twitter: @TotallyCulture
10. My Family
The hectic lives of Ben and Susan Harper, their children Janey (and her son Kenzo), Michael and Nick, with the addition of Alfie, Abi Harper (a family relative) and Roger. My Family, shown on the BBC, was a childhood favourite of mine, and I grew up loving it just as much. Susan Harper’s craziness clashing with Ben’s seriousness is one of the most charming aspects of the show, and Michael’s coming-out storyline in 2010 was covered in the news because it was a first for Brit comedy, showing just how important a (slightly more hectic) perspective on traditional family life is to people.
9. Not Going Out
Not Going Out, starring Lee Mack as Lee, Sally Bretton as Lucy, and Katy Wix as Daisy is a more mature way at looking at immaturity than other comedies, mostly set in Lee and Lucy’s apartment 17. Not Going Out is a fun, yet sometimes emotionally charged, comedy that varies between the on-off relationship between Lee and Lucy, and the ditsy Daisy, being one of those shows you could watch a few dozen episodes of in a day and not realise where the time went.
8. Outnumbered
Sue and Pete and their three, rather bizarre, children, Jake, Ben, and Karen. Ben is initially the breakout star of the show, yet Karen quickly hops on that little spacehopper (pictured above) and manages to share the limelight. A comedy like this is truly unique, in that the children themselves are much more likeable and important than the parents.
7. Vicar of Dibley
This is probably one of the better known Brit comedies from this list, and you can definitely see why. Consider an outspoken and fun female reverend (created with reference to Joy Carroll, one of the first women to be ordained as a priest) you can see why it was so successful. In all honesty, one of the best aspects about the Vicar of Dibley is Geraldine’s full name; Geraldine Julie Andrews Dick van Dyke Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius Chim-Chiminey Chim-Chiminey Chim-Chim-Cheree Granger. Yes. I have no words.
6. The Inbetweeners
I think I’ve seen every episode of The Inbetweeners numerous times, because it’s such an easy watch. Baring in mind it’s set in a sixth form college, something that I’ve just left, it was a fresh and truly comedic (although to a niche market) perspective on four teenage boys and their struggle to simply… fit in in a school setting (not forgetting Will’s horrendous exam experience, featured below).
Viewer discretion is most definitely advised
5. The IT Crowd
The IT Crowd was THE comedy to watch at school, especially within my ‘group’ of friends. It was ‘cool’ to watch The IT Crowd, and it made you seem instantly smarter than you actually were. However, the truly redeeming thing about this sitcom was indeed the three main characters, namely Roy, ‘Moss’ and Jen. The ending to The IT Crowd was both hilariously played out, bringing closure to the trio, but also a truly emotional ending for the truly now-iconic characters.
4. Miranda
The ultimate guilty pleasure, mostly following Miranda and Gary’s ever so hectic love life, and Miranda generally falling over beanbags/stools/people/anything. Add a tiny best friend, a slightly… bare with… posh friend and an overbearing mother, and you have one of the most iconic sitcoms to come from Britain. The finale of Miranda was, like many other comedies, truly hilarious, ending with an ensemble cast gallop back to Gary’s restaurant for one last goodbye, and still managed to bring tears to so many people’s eyes for an emotionally charged speech by Miranda Hart. Now I’m crying again, damn it.
3. Fresh Meat
Ah, Fresh Meat, a group of 6/7 students basically getting drunk and being cool whilst at University, this is a fresh take on the British comedy, with the core six characters; Josie, Kingsley, Howard, Oregon, JP, and Vod (those names alone are exactly why this comedy-drama hybrid is so cool), struggling with love, drugs, and student life, in their shared house. Fresh Meat has become a ‘cult’ classic among British youth, and has finished filming the final series, although a film adaption is also planned, The Inbetweeners-style. The reason this resonates so well with me is because, despite the characters being a few years ahead of me (I’m currently on my gap year before I head off to uni), it’s all about youth culture, and I have to admit, seeing the six main characters graduate at the end of the fourth series will destroy my emotions. 😦 (check out Charlotte Ritchie who plays Oregon singing Ember To A Flame for the show below)
2. Keeping Up Appearances
Dear ol’ Hyacinth Bucket (pronouned Bouqet) and her ever-struggling husband Richard Bucket, true icons of British comedy. If you haven’t seen Keeping Up Appearances, I would highly recommend checking it out. It parodies the class system in such a clever way that you simply can’t help but laugh hysterically as Hyacinth bumbles around everyday life.
1. Gavin & Stacey
Gavin & Stacey, essentially Barry Island VS Essex, right? Ever since the first episode of the well-loved Brit comedy, it’s become one of the most iconic comedies of all time, and has been a huge earner for the BBC, even now, five years after it’s final episode, being one of the biggest exports, trailing behind Doctor Who and Top Gear. The comedic awkwardness of Stacey’s Uncle Bryn, her best friend Nessa, combined with the slightly-overbearing Pam (Gavin’s mum) and his best friend Smithy (who conveniently spends the night with Nessa and gets her pregnant), Gavin & Stacey has it all; comedy, drama and a sheer British sense of place.
That’s all for now.
Bye!
TotallyCulture
totallyculture 