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Post by The Mad Plumber on Jul 1, 2009 9:23:46 GMT -5
Here is the States, typically the only British television we see is on PBS. Otherwise, like The Office, All in the Family, and Three's Company, it's redone with an American cast. So, my ability to comment on the best of British television is impaired since I have no knowledge of the material that doesn't get imported.
The Mighty Boosh When I was watching Adult Swim on the internet, these commercials would pop up during intermissions about this show called The Mighty Boosh. I thought it looked stupid: characters dressing up in strange costumes, weird aliens, some Chewbacca character that farts dust clouds ... it looked like strange garbage. Yet, for the hell of it, I watched the "Crack Fox" episode and actually liked what I saw. Boosh is a brand of humor I can't quite say I've seen before and I enjoy catching further episodes of it as they show up on the website.
Are You Being Served? I am kind of reluctant to mention Served? because it's rather low-brow humor, even for Americans. I am tempted to say that most of the humor involves sexual innuendo or the characters dressed in bizarre costumes. Still, I find the show fairly watchable and a little more dignified than most sexually-charged American sitcoms.
Mr. Bean If there is comedy perfection, Mr. Bean is the show that comes closest to it. Bean is like the UK's answer to Pee-Wee Herman. The great thing about this show is that the humor is unpredictable and the punchlines are incredibly hysterical. The show was pure genius.
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Post by Captain Hygiene on Jul 1, 2009 9:57:06 GMT -5
Fawlty Towers is the best British show I've ever seen. Fawlty Towers is the only British show I've ever seen.
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Post by Satchmo on Jul 1, 2009 12:32:45 GMT -5
How could you leave out Blackadder?!
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Post by The Mad Plumber on Jul 6, 2009 18:36:27 GMT -5
How could you leave out Blackadder?! Because I've never seen it?!
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Post by BilLumberg on Jul 6, 2009 20:53:42 GMT -5
You are already a fan of Rowan Atkinson from Mr. Bean, so you absolutely must watch Blackadder.
Many consider Fawlty Towers to be the best sit-com ever made.
Growing up I stayed up every night to watch the Benny Hill Show. Have not seen it in 20 years so I am not sure how it holds up.
And who can forget Monty Pythons Flying Circus
I am sure I will think of many more the second I hit the post reply button.
With the wonder of the interwebs I have discovered many wonderful shows from other countries. Australia and Canada have some real gems along with the UK.
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Post by crowschmo on Jul 9, 2009 16:04:50 GMT -5
Is this for only comedies? Didn't say in the title. Does anyone watch Torchwood? When I see articles about it, it looks like a really good show. I can't watch it on my computer if it's available that way, and I don't want to get the DVD's and get whole seasons if it's only so-so. (I've never seen any episodes, I don't get BBC America). I kind of like some Dr. Who eps, I know it's kind of a spin off of that, but I don't like Dr. Who enough to own episodes, or even watch whole episodes sometimes. The eps that had Capt. Jack from Torchwood on them were kind of good.
So - any opinions? Anyone out there like this show?
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Post by Trumpy's Magic Snout on Jul 9, 2009 17:11:53 GMT -5
Is this for only comedies? Didn't say in the title. Does anyone watch Torchwood? When I see articles about it, it looks like a really good show. I can't watch it on my computer if it's available that way, and I don't want to get the DVD's and get whole seasons if it's only so-so. (I've never seen any episodes, I don't get BBC America). I kind of like some Dr. Who eps, I know it's kind of a spin off of that, but I don't like Dr. Who enough to own episodes, or even watch whole episodes sometimes. The eps that had Capt. Jack from Torchwood on them were kind of good. So - any opinions? Anyone out there like this show? Not a fan of either but Torchwood's meant to not be as good as Dr. Who. TV review God Charlie Brooker covers it on his Screenwipe show (contains swearing and sexy naughty stuff (and that's just the clips from Torchwood!)):
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Post by Satchmo on Jul 12, 2009 21:38:55 GMT -5
Who here watches My Family? That show always keeps me in stitches.
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Post by The Mad Plumber on Jul 15, 2009 0:19:29 GMT -5
I just realized that I haven't seen Danger Mouse since I was a kid, or Count Duckula for that matter. I wonder how well those shows would hold up for me now.
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Post by Crowfan on Jul 19, 2009 9:18:50 GMT -5
I love Monty Python, but also watch Father Ted, Black Books, Little Britain, and Blackadder.
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Post by torgortega on Jul 19, 2009 9:49:08 GMT -5
what about The Prisoner? a great but weird show I just realized that I haven't seen Danger Mouse since I was a kid, or Count Duckula for that matter. I wonder how well those shows would hold up for me now. I vaguely remember Count Duckula, but nobody I talk to does, they all said I was crazy
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Post by davidbeegah on Jul 19, 2009 10:43:08 GMT -5
I have really enjoyed many British shows over the years. These include of course Monty Python's Flying Circus, Father Ted, Fawlty Towers, Black Books, Little Britain, Black Adder, Coupling, Benny Hill, The Thin Blue Line, just to name a few in the comedy realm. While I like The Prisoner, Wire in the Blood, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased).. aka My Partner the Ghost for drama. Wow not a bad list for right of the top of this big ole head... I know that I have forgotten some... Oh yes and I grew up watching The Thunderbirds and U.F.O. Right now I am really enjoying Ideal on IFC. About a lazy couch potato dealing drugs out of his apartment in Manchester (I believe) and the zany characters that come into his flat. With names like Cartoon Head and Psycho Paul... LOL
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Post by crowschmo on Jul 19, 2009 21:06:20 GMT -5
I used to love Duckula.
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Post by siamesesin on Jul 26, 2009 12:11:26 GMT -5
Where the Sam Hill is love for "The Young Ones"?!
For additional Rik/Adrian fun check out "Bottom".
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Post by Diet Kolos on Aug 3, 2009 14:57:56 GMT -5
"Not the Nine O'Clock News" and "Alas Smith & Jones".
The best post-Monty Python sketch comedies to come out of England...ever.
Look them up on Youtube, they won't disappoint.
This is a good, quick example of "Smith & Jones":
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