The Ministry of Silly Walks
John Cleese as a civil servant in the halls of the Ministry
Typical silly walk gait with instructions.
"The Ministry of Silly Walks" is a sketch from the Monty Python comedy troupe's television show Monty Python's Flying Circus, series 2, episode 1, which is entitled "Face the Press". The episode first aired on 15 September 1970. A shortened version of the sketch was performed for Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl.
A satire on bureaucratic inefficiency, the sketch involves John Cleese as a bowler-hatted civil servant in a fictitious British government ministry responsible for developing silly walks through grants. Cleese, throughout the sketch, walks in a variety of silly ways. It is these various silly walks, more than the dialogue, that have earned the sketch its popularity. Cleese has cited the physical comedy of Max Wall, probably in character as Professor Wallofski, as important to its conception.
Ben Beaumont-Thomas in The Guardian writes, "Cleese is utterly deadpan as he takes the stereotypical bowler-hatted political drone and ruthlessly skewers him. All the self-importance, bureaucratic inefficiency and laughable circuitousness of Whitehall is summed up in one balletic extension of his slender leg."[1]
According to research, published in British Medical Journal[2] a 'silly walk' would take about 2.5 times as much energy as normal walking.
Sketch
The sketch as originally depicted in the series begins with John Cleese playing Mr. Teabag, a civil servant who, after purchasing The Times from the newsagent in the previous sketch, walks through the streets of London (at the crossing of Thorpebank Road and Dunraven Road) in a very peculiar manner. He eventually arrives at his place of business: The Ministry of Silly Walks, on the northern end of Whitehall. In the hallway, he passes other employees all exhibiting their own silly walks before arriving at his office (the Hollywood Bowl performance omits this preamble). Once there, he finds Mr Putey (Michael Palin) waiting for him and apologizes for the delay, explaining that his walk has become particularly silly of late and it takes longer for him to reach his destination.
Putey explains that he has a silly walk he wishes to develop with grant money. He demonstrates his walk which, to Teabag, isn't particularly silly ("The right leg isn't silly at all, and the left leg merely does a forward aerial half-turn every alternate step."). He tells Putey that he does not believe the ministry can help him, as Putey's walk is not silly enough and funding is short. The government, he explains (whilst walking around his office in increasingly silly ways), is supposed to give equally to Defence, Social Security, Health, Housing, Education, and Silly Walks, but recently spent less on Silly Walks than on national defence. After a visit by his secretary Mrs. Two-Lumps, Mr. Teabag shows Mr Putey a film on silly walks. (The segment is a parody of early 20th-century cinema, with Michael Palin dressed up as Little Tich; this film is also shown as part of the Hollywood Bowl performance of the sketch.) After tossing the projector offstage, Teabag offers Putey a grant that will allow him to work on the Anglo-French Silly Walk, La Marche Futile (a parody of Concorde's Anglo-French development), which is then demonstrated by a man (Terry Jones) dressed in a mixture of stereotypical English and French outfits, with a sped-up version of "La Marseillaise" playing.
Mrs. Two-Lumps, presumably the minister's secretary, makes a brief appearance, bringing in coffee with full silly walk. As she enters, the cups fall all over the tray, completely spilling their contents. The minister looks at the tray, says "Thank you, lovely" and she exits again, taking the tray with her, complete with upended cups. In the Hollywood Bowl version, Carol Cleveland plays Mrs. Two-Lumps, and spills some of the coffee on Cleese during the sketch.
As the years went by amid repeated requests to do the sketch, Cleese found it increasingly difficult to perform these walks. He would say, when told about a new Python tour, "I'm not doing silly walks." Accordingly, the sketch was not performed during Monty Python Live (Mostly), the troupe's 2014 reunion show.[3] It was replaced by "The Silly Walks Song", which was performed by a group of (younger) dancers who mimicked Cleese's original walks while wearing bowler hats and carrying briefcases.
Reception
In 2005, the sketch was chosen in a poll taken by Channel 4 in Britain as the 15th greatest comedy sketch of all time (and one of five Monty Python sketches in the top 50).[4]
Mobile game
Main article: Monty Python's The Ministry of Silly Walks
In 2014, an official video game adaption of the sketch was released for Android and iOS. It features Cleese, as the minister of silly walks, leaving his office and walking through London. It takes the form of an endless runner game, except with an appropriately absurd walking animation. The game includes voice acting from John Cleese.[5]
References in popular culture
In the 1988 Warhammer Fantasy Battle rulebook, Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, one of the possible mutations a creature might get is a "silly walk", which is considered widely by many to be a reference to this sketch, as early Warhammer products were considerably more comedic in tone, and contained many references to then-contemporary British culture.
In the 1994 Beastie Boys "Sure Shot" music video, Adam Yauch demonstrates a Silly Walk step for Adam Horovitz. John Berry later reminisced of a teenage Yauch, "He was really into Monty Python, especially the Silly Walk skit."[6]
In 2000, an episode of Mission Hill, "Andy and Kevin Make a Friend (or One Bang for Two Brothers)", referenced the sketch when one of the characters attempts to impress a girl by showing how he does a "great silly walk" from the Ministry of Silly Walks.
A reference is made to the Silly Walk in an episode of the WB's Gilmore Girls when Rory says "Please, don't walk away like that", and Dean responds with "Sorry, I'd do a silly walk, but I'm not feeling very John Cleese right now."
In the video game Goldeneye 007, an image of a man doing John Cleese's silly walk can be seen on one of the computer monitors in the game.[7]
In an issue of The Simpsons Bongo Comic, when the British invade Springfield, it shows John Cleese doing the goosestep and labels him as "the Minister of Silly Walks".
On an episode of The Chaser's War On Everything, Andrew Hansen and Chris Taylor do a sketch called "The Chaser's British Comedy Sketch", filled with various Monty Python cliches, which climaxes with Andrew screaming "I'm going to do something so totally bizarre it will be imitated verbatim by comedy nerds for decades to come!" He then does a silly walk, doing imitations of Pepperpots, until a 16-ton weight falls on his head.
In November 2007, as the Eurostar duration between Brussels and London was reduced to 1 hour and 51 minutes, the "Ministry of Silly Walks" appeared in an ad campaign in Belgium. The adverts were all on building corners, showing two workers carrying a large glass pane walking towards the corner on one side. Walking towards them on the other side, a John Cleese look-alike performs a Silly Walk. The tagline read "Warning! London is just around the corner!".
In the Season 6 episode of Futurama entitled "All the Presidents Heads", Dr. Zoidberg performs a silly walk.
In the 25th anniversary reunion episode of I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again, John Cleese consents to appear on the show on condition that he be allowed to do the Silly Walk; the other cast members are dubious about the comedic impact of doing the Walk on radio, but they ultimately give in after Cleese puts on a show of hurt feelings. Near the end of the show, Cleese presents the Silly Walk, rendered on radio as a series of loud, slow footsteps.
In the video game Destroy All Humans! 2, if you read a hippie's mind in the Albion level, one of the thoughts is, "I hope I can get a job at the Ministry of Silly Walks" (This video game is known for spoofing popular culture of the decade in which it is set).[8]
In a standup comedy routine in Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One For the Road, Larry the Cable Guy, referring to strange people who go to Wal-Mart in the middle of the night, says that it "turns into Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks."
In Improv Everywhere's 2010 MP3 experiment, participants were asked to walk in a silly manner. After the silly walk session was finished, 'Mark (the omnipotent voice from above)' stated: "Excellent silly walks. Those belong in the Ministry hall of fame".
A segment in The Beano comic book featured Minnie the Minx as the "Minnie-ster of Silly Walks".
In the Fawlty Towers episode "The Germans", Basil (John Cleese), after grandly announcing, "I'll do the funny walk", performs a goose step, reminiscent of a silly walk.[9]
In the second issue of Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's comic book The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume III: Century, the "Minister" can be seen performing the silly walk in the background in London, passing the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.[10]
In the Czech city of Brno, a Silly Walk City March is held annually since 2012.[11]
The small town of Ørje, Norway found a way to spice up one of its crosswalks—pedestrians wishing to cross must do so using a silly walk. The town's mayor didn't seem to mind the silliness. "Clearly, one should listen to the authorities, but this kind of fun should be allowed", the mayor said. "You cannot just be square, right?"[12]
The 4 July 2016 issue of The New Yorker features a parody of the silly walk on its cover, a reference to Brexit, in which several men in the likeness of John Cleese's character do the silly walk off the edge of a cliff.
The 22 January 2017 episode of Zondag met Lubach mentions Minister Jetta Klijnsma being a disabled politician from the Ministry of Silly Walks, so U.S. President Donald Trump can make fun of her.
In the video game West of Loathing, there is an option for "stupid walking", which allows the player to "walk in silly ways". The entire game can be completed this way.
In the video game Payday 2, the safe house butler Aldstone, voiced by John Cleese, has a rare chance of walking this way for a few seconds.
On 28 October 2019, while celebrating the Ohi Day, a group of participants to the national military parade performed a silly walk as an anti-military demonstration in Nea Filadelfeia, Greece.[13][14][15][16]
The LaTeX package Sillypage[17] was developed by Phelype H. Oleinik and Paulo R. M. Cereda to use the Cleese walk silhouettes as page numbers in a document.
The 2017 video game Destiny 2 has an emote featuring the silly walk, titled "Bureaucratic Walk".
COVID-19 pandemic
Unofficial signs stating that certain sidewalks are under the jurisdiction of The Ministry of Silly Walks have been placed along sidewalks worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and England as a way to allow pedestrians to laugh in a stressful time.[18]
See also
Gait (human)
Gait analysis
References
"John Cleese and Mick Jagger are wrong – Monty Python's silly walks are still hilarious". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
Glenn A. Gaesser, David C. Poole, Siddhartha S. Angadi Quantifying the benefits of inefficient walking: Monty Python inspired laboratory based experimental study BMJ, 21 December 2022.
"Monty Python Reunion Gigs Kick Off Tonight, But John Cleese's 'Ministry Of Silly Walks' Not On The Bill". Huffington Post. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
ten Cate, Hans (3 April 2005). "Monty Python in Britain's Top 50 Comedy Sketches". Retrieved 7 September 2015.
""Monty Python's The Ministry of Silly Walks - The Official App"".
Light, Alan (4 September 1998). "An Oral History of the Beastie Boys: 'The Story of Yo'". SPIN. Retrieved 10 November 2003.
Drury, Paul (13 May 2011). "The Making Of Goldeneye". Imagine Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
Williamson, Steven (7 November 2006). "Review: Destroy All Humans! 2 – PS2 & Xbox". HEXUS.net. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
Owen, Jonathan; Gray, Lucy Anna (1 July 2014). "No Ministry of Silly Walks for 74-year-old John Cleese". Sunshine Coast Newspaper Company Pty Ltd. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
Collins, Sean T. (14 September 2011). "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century: 1969". Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
"Brno To Celebrate International Day of Silly Walks This Saturday – Ninth Year of Silly Walks through the City of Brno". 3 January 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
"A crosswalk in Norway makes citizens do a Monty Python silly walk". The A.V. Club. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
"Νέα Φιλαδέλφεια: Τα 10 κορίτσια εξηγούν για παρέλασαν με βήμα… Monty Python". NewsIT. 30 October 2019.
"Monty Python silly parade divides public opinion as to how WWII heroes should be honoured | Neos Kosmos". English Edition. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
"Παρέλαση στη Νέα Φιλαδέλφεια: Δεν ήταν μαθήτριες οι 10 που βάδισαν αλά Monty Python". www.news247.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 30 October 2019.
"Το "μανιφέστο" των 10 κοριτσιών της παρέλασης". Η Εφημερίδα των Συντακτών (in Greek). Retrieved 30 October 2019.
"CTAN: Package sillypage". 11 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
Corbley, McKinley (14 May 2020). "Monty Python 'Silly Walk' Signs Around the World Are Encouraging Pedestrians to Laugh in the Face of COVID". Good News Network. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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Monty Python
Graham ChapmanJohn CleeseTerry GilliamEric IdleTerry JonesMichael Palin
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Television series
Flying Circus episodesFliegender ZirkusPersonal Best
Films
And Now for Something Completely DifferentHoly GrailLife of BrianLive at the Hollywood BowlThe Meaning of Life The Crimson Permanent Assurance
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Albatross!Anne Elk's Theory on BrontosaurusesArchitectsArgument ClinicBrucesCheese ShopColin "Bomber" Harris vs Colin "Bomber" HarrisCrunchy FrogDead ParrotDirty ForkDirty Hungarian PhrasebookElection Night SpecialFish LicenceFish-Slapping DanceFour YorkshiremenThe Funniest Joke in the WorldHow Not to Be SeenKilimanjaro ExpeditionLifeboatMarriage Guidance CounsellorMinistry of Silly WalksMouse ProblemNudge NudgePatient AbusePhilosophers' Football MatchPiranha BrothersSam Peckinpah's "Salad Days"Seduced MilkmenSpamSpanish InquisitionUndertakersUpper Class Twit of the YearVocational Guidance CounsellorWorld Forum/Communist Quiz
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Related
List of Monty Python projectsThe Foot of CupidCambridge CircusI'm Sorry, I'll Read That AgainThe Frost ReportAt Last the 1948 ShowTwice a FortnightDo Not Adjust Your SetWe Have Ways of Making You LaughBroaden Your MindHow to Irritate PeopleThe Complete and Utter History of BritainThe Fred Tomlinson SingersTeach Yourself HeathTiny Black Round ThingBert Fegg's Nasty Book for Boys and GirlsRutland Weekend TelevisionFawlty TowersRipping YarnsOut of the TreesA Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick)Monty Python v. ABCPython On SongAll You Need Is CashThe Secret Policeman's BallA Liar's Autobiography: Volume VIThe Hastily Cobbled Together for a Fast Buck AlbumThe Wind in the WillowsMonty Python LiveConcert for GeorgeDiaries 1969–1979: The Python YearsThe Seventh PythonHoly Flying CircusA Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham ChapmanAbsolutely Anything
Categories: Fictional elements introduced in 19701970 in British televisionMonty Python sketchesBureaucracy in fictionSilliness
The Roots of Monty Python
In the beginning was the word, and the word was "It's...". Generations of fans will know that this utterance, gasped out by a ragged Michael Palin, introduced a new 30-minute sketch series on BBC2. It took a little longer than 30 minutes, but Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-74) would become a comedy phenomenon, catapulting Palin and his five-strong cohort - Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Terry Jones - to international stardom, via four series, four feature films, numerous records and books, an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl and countless collective and individual projects, comic and otherwise. But what if, instead of tracing the history forward from that momentous start, we looked back, taking our historical shovel and unearthing the roots of the illustrious sextet and their unique comic achievements?
In the year or so before the Circus made its maiden BBC flight, the various Pythons were to be found on ITV, in two quite different comedy series made by Rediffusion. Idle, Palin and Jones were writing and appearing in Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967-69) with David Jason and Denise Coffey, supplemented in late episodes by some short animations from Gilliam. As a children's show, its humour was inevitably more silly than innovative, but it anticipated something of Python's anarchic flavour. Meanwhile Cleese and Chapman made up two-fifths of At Last the 1948 Show (1967-68), alongside Marty Feldman, Aimi MacDonald and Tim Brooke-Taylor. This was a more familiar grown-up sketch show, and a few ideas first aired here found their way into Python, notably the ever-popular 'four Yorkshiremen' sketch. Eric Idle made occasional appearances.
At Last the 1948 Show gave Cleese and Chapman the chance to develop a more personal comedic style than they had managed in the cast of The Frost Report (BBC, 1966-67); and to rescue some of the sketches rejected for the earlier series. Nevertheless, The Frost Report is an important branch in the Python family tree, marking the first time that Chapman, Cleese, Idle, Jones and Palin (but not Gilliam, who only arrived in the UK in 1967) all appeared in the same cast, though not necessarily in the same editions. The association with David Frost was useful to the future Pythons professionally, but it also linked them back to the early 60s satire boom, of which Frost, as presenter of That Was the Week That Was (BBC, 1962-64), was such a visible part. Direct political satire may not have been a major Python feature, but ridiculing authority figures or Britain's archaic class system - as Cleese did in a memorable Frost Report sketch - certainly was.
Between series of Do Not Adjust Your Set, Jones and Palin found time to develop their own project, derived from their shared interest in history. The Complete and Utter History of Britain (ITV, 1969) was an absurd, breakneck tour through key events from the Stone Age to Oliver Cromwell, replayed as if television cameras had been present to capture them. The anachronistic blend of history and the contemporary would be a Python favourite, most vividly in the conclusion to Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
Around the same time, Cleese, assisted by Chapman, Palin, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Connie Booth and encouraged by David Frost, created a one-off comedy for American television. Heavily indebted to The Frost Report in form, How to Irritate People (US tx. 21/1/1969) bound together its themed sketches with a narrative by Cleese that feels unnecessary and conventional today, but the barely suppressed anger and cruelty throughout was very Cleese - and very Python. One sketch, with Cleese conducting a job interview as a bizarre exercise in humiliation, reappeared almost unchanged in the Flying Circus's first series, while another, featuring Palin as an evasive used car salesman and Chapman as his increasingly frustrated customer, contains the germ of what became the legendary Parrot Sketch.
With the exception of Gilliam, the Pythons-to-be kept themselves busy in TV comedy throughout the late 1960s, variously writing for and/or performing in other people's projects: Doctor in the House (ITV, 1969-70); Marty and Broaden Your Mind (both BBC, 1968-69); We Have Ways of Making You Laugh (ITV, 1968, with Gilliam's animation in one edition); Hark at Barker and No, That's Me Over Here! (both ITV, 1967-70); Twice a Fortnight and A Series of Bird's (both BBC, 1967). On the way, they would frequently cross each others' paths. Just as significantly, though, they would rub shoulders with more seasoned writers and performers, among them Marty Feldman, Barry Cryer, Frank Muir and John Bird, as well as other up-and-comings such as Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor.
The last three, later to become The Goodies (BBC/ITV, 1970-82), had studied at Cambridge, where, like Cleese, Chapman and Idle, they were active in the Footlights revue (both Idle and Brooke-Taylor served as its president). Footlights, together with its parallel, the Oxford Revue (which numbers Palin and Jones among its alumni), has been the wellspring of a peculiarly British strain of student humour, simultaneously clever and very silly, that has nourished generations of comedians from Beyond the Fringe to Fry and Laurie to Mitchell and Webb. One-time Beyond the Fringe members Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's TV comedy, Not Only... But Also (1965-71), showed signs of incipient Pythonism, particularly in Cook's more lunatic flights of fancy (such as Sir Arthur Strieb-Griebling's forlorn attempts to teach ravens to fly underwater).
The assorted Pythons shared with Cook and Moore an adoration of The Goon Show, the BBC radio comedy that ran from 1951 to 1960, colouring in the process the development of just about every aspiring comic then living in Britain. With their trademark surrealism, anarchy and childishness, the four original Goons, Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine, created a new language for British comedy, making virtually all previous broadcasting seem tame and conservative by comparison.
There were various attempts to bring the Goons unhinged comedy to television, beginning with Milligan and Sellers' The Idiot Weekly Price 2d (ITV, 1956), followed in quick succession by A Show Called Fred and Son of Fred (ITV, 1957). Arguably the most successful was Bentine's It's a Square World (1960-64), which predated Python in several of its innovations, including using a deskbound newsreader (Bentine himself) to link sketches. But the acknowledged head Goon was Milligan, whose own Q series (1969-82) debuted on BBC2 just six months before Monty Python. Q5 and its sequels presented the most anarchic comedy yet seen on TV, with sketches unfolding according to an entirely unfathomable logic, abandoned without a punchline or disintegrating into chaos, just as many of the Pythons' would.
This much is well documented. Less so are the veins of darkness and absurdity which the Pythons drew upon, however indirectly, from earlier generations. We can see traces of proto-Python in the darker Ealing comedies, notably Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) and The Ladykillers (1955), with their grisly class warfare and joyful multiple murder, or in Launder and Gilliat's The Green Man (1956), in which Alistair Sim engagingly plans a campaign of selective assassination. All of these draw upon the kind of relish for the comedy of murder long associated with Alfred Hitchcock.
In the mid- to late-1920s, Adrian Brunel made a number of short 'burlesques' spoofing contemporary film forms, including the silhouette animation of Lotte Reiniger. His Crossing the Great Sagrada (1924) satirised the travelogue genre, with much of its humour resting on the incongruous matching of exotic images with mundane intertitles - "We left the Blackfriars Bridge behind us on Friday" followed by shots of Africans crossing a rope bridge; "We reached the outskirts of London on Friday" accompanied by images of Venice shot from a traveling gondola - Similarly oddball juxtapositions regularly surface in Pythonalia - though perhaps the film more directly anticipates Palin and Jones' Ripping Yarns (BBC, 1977-79).
Brunel was a founder of the film society movement, and during the 1920s societies sprang up across the country, including at Oxford and Cambridge universities. Presumably between studying Sergei Eisenstein and other Soviet auteurs, a group of Oxford students led by Terence Greenidge, whose friends included Elsa Lanchester and Evelyn Waugh, made a series of amateur films, including The Scarlet Woman (1924) pastiching historical melodrama and adventure stories in a way that freely blended the intellectual and the infantile. Meanwhile, the same year, the Cambridge University Kinema Club produced the elaborately daft fairytale The Witch's Fiddle. However obscure, such efforts demonstrate that the towers of academia were producing highbrow silliness long before either Python or Beyond the Fringe.
Certain Python sketches betray a debt to silent comedy, presumably, in the main, the likes of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, although Gilliam has spoken of his admiration for French trickster Georges Méliès. Probably unknown to all was British star Fred Evans, who appeared in some 200 films between 1912 and 1922 as Pimple, a naive, slightly roguish hero in clown make-up. The Pimple films typically spoofed stage or screen hits of their time. Pimple's Battle of Waterloo (1913) buffoonishly re-enacts Napoleon's last stand - he arrives at Waterloo by train, naturally, where a pantomime horse waits for him - climaxing with the defeated dictator defeated by an army of boy scouts: think Python's 'The Batley Townswomens' Guild present the Battle of Pearl Harbour'. Also popular around this time - and long before - was another Python favourite, cross-dressing, as in Love in the Varsity (1913).
We could go back earlier still, taking in early experiments in filmed surrealism such as The '?' Motorist (1906), in which the titular driver, having run over a policeman, takes to the skies, orbits the moon, then rides a comet to saturn before plummeting back to Earth (the animated escape is eerily, if crudely, similar to a more sophisticated sequence masterminded by Gilliam for Monty Python's Life of Brian, 1979); or James Williamson's early 'trick' film, The Big Swallow (1901), in which a cameraman's close-up gets closer and closer, until he is consumed by his subject's cavernous mouth. The Pythons may never have seen such films, and it would certainly be going too far to suggest they were influences. But they all occupied the same rich gene pool of British wit that would one day produce Chapman, Cleese, Idle, Jones, Palin - even Gilliam. Without them, the circus might never have flown so far or so high.
The 190 Best British Comedy TV Shows, Ranked
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Over 6.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 190 Best British Comedy TV Shows, Ranked
Diving into the world of television, there's a certain brilliance found in British comedies that’s unmatched anywhere else. These British comedy shows effortlessly blend wit, whimsy, and eccentricity, wrapped up with a decidedly British charm. They represent a rich tapestry of humor that ranges from slapstick tomfoolery to subtle satire and cutting-edge farce. The key to their appeal lies in the distinctive blend of traditional and innovative comedic tropes, coupled with uniquely British ideas and themes.
The allure of these British comedies often lies in their depiction of everyday life through a humorous lens, seasoned with an array of popular tropes. These funny British shows tend to serve up a perfect blend of eccentric characters, absurd scenarios, witty dialogue, and expert comedic timing. Be it the bureaucratic follies encapsulated in office routines or an exaggerated portrayal of the common mundane life, the humor woven into these best British TV shows resonates deeply with audiences, appealing to their shared experiences and cultural understanding.
Highlights from the ensemble of comedy gems include Fawlty Towers and Monty Python's Flying Circus which have been tickling funny bones for decades. Fawlty Towers, with its unique portrayal of a chaotic hotel management scenario, has birthed endless laughs. Meanwhile, Monty Python's Flying Circus revolutionized sketch comedy with its surreal, irreverent humor. Other notable mentions are Mr. Bean and The Inbetweeners, each having etched their mark in the panorama of British comedy series, thanks to their memorable characters and hilarious storylines. Each of these shows brilliantly showcases the the best British comedy TV shows there are, and how drastically each of these types of films can convey the idea of what is to come. And what's more, the convenience of modern streaming has made it easier than ever to indulge in these captivating British comedies. Each show entry comes with handy streaming buttons directing to platforms including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Max, and Paramount+, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.
These England comedy shows form an integral part of television's rich legacy. They've given us memorable characters, iconic catchphrases, and countless moments of laughter. Whether you're new to these comedic masterpieces or revisiting nostalgic favorites, immersing yourself in the best British comedy series promises a delightful blend of hilarity and quintessentially British humor. So, sit back, relax, and let these remarkable funny British shows transport you to a world where laughter truly is the best medicine.
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Delving into the chaotic world of a seaside hotel, this British sitcom thrives on the comedic misadventures of its eccentric proprietor and his long-suffering staff. The show's brilliance stems from its razor-sharp writing, impeccable timing, and the extraordinary performances by John Cleese as the hapless hotelier Basil Fawlty, Prunella Scales as his domineering wife Sybil, Connie Booth as their resourceful employee Polly, and Andrew Sachs portraying the bumbling Spanish waiter Manuel. With only 12 episodes crafted to perfection over two seasons in the late 1970s, it remains an enduring classic that delivers uproarious laughter through its farcical situations and memorable characters.
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David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Buster Merryfield
1,266 VOTES
Premiered: September 8, 1981
This British sitcom follows the lives of two ambitious, yet hapless brothers as they strive to achieve their dreams of becoming millionaires through various get-rich-quick schemes. Set in a working-class neighborhood in London during the 1980s and 1990s, it is lauded for its impeccable comedic timing and witty dialogues that capture the essence of lower-middle class aspirations while also delving into themes such as family bonds and loyalty. The show's success can be attributed to its memorable characters like Del Boy (played by David Jason) and Rodney (played by Nicholas Lyndhurst), whose chemistry on screen creates an engaging dynamic that has resonated with audiences for decades.
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Monty Python's Flying Circus
4
Monty Python's Flying Circus
John Cleese, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman
1,174 VOTES
Premiered: October 5, 1969
This groundbreaking British sketch comedy series, led by an ensemble cast including John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Eric Idle, delves into the absurd and satirical with a unique blend of wit and slapstick humor. The show's innovative approach to comedy is exemplified through its iconic sketches such as the "Dead Parrot" routine and the "Ministry of Silly Walks," which have since become staples in popular culture. Furthermore, Monty Python's Flying Circus has cemented itself as a timeless classic due to its ability to push boundaries while simultaneously providing biting social commentary through memorable characters like the Spanish Inquisition troupe.
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Father Ted
5
Father Ted
Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly
1,045 VOTES
Premiered: April 21, 1995
Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, this critically acclaimed sitcom follows the misadventures of three eccentric priests and their housekeeper. The show's charm lies in its unique blend of surreal humor and razor-sharp wit, brought to life by an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Dermot Morgan as the titular Father Ted, Ardal O'Hanlon as the dimwitted Father Dougal McGuire, Frank Kelly as the cantankerous Father Jack Hackett, and Pauline McLynn as their devoted housekeeper Mrs. Doyle. As these characters navigate through various absurd situations while dealing with their own personal quirks and flaws, they provide viewers with a hilarious yet heartwarming glimpse into human nature and relationships within an unconventional setting.
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Mr. Bean
6
Mr. Bean
Rowan Atkinson
972 VOTES
Premiered: January 1, 1990
The adventures of a peculiar, bumbling man in a tweed suit captivate audiences as he navigates through everyday life with an unusual approach to problem-solving. This British sitcom showcases the comedic prowess of Rowan Atkinson, who brings the titular character to life with his unique physical comedy and minimal dialogue. The charm lies in Mr. Bean's ability to turn mundane tasks into chaotic situations, while interacting with an ensemble of eccentric characters that further accentuate the show's distinct humor and wit.
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Keeping Up Appearances
7
Keeping Up Appearances
Clive Swift, Josephine Tewson, Judy Cornwell
1,102 VOTES
Premiered: October 29, 1990
Created by Roy Clarke, this sitcom revolves around the life of social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket (played by Patricia Routledge) and her relentless attempts to project an image of upper-class refinement. The show's success is attributed to its clever writing that frequently places Hyacinth in situations where her carefully constructed façade crumbles under the weight of reality, as well as the outstanding performances from supporting cast members such as Clive Swift (Richard Bucket), Judy Cornwell (Daisy), and Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow). By expertly blending elements of farce, satire, and character-driven comedy with relatable themes of family dynamics and social aspirations, Keeping Up Appearances has secured its place as a beloved classic within the realm of television entertainment.
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Dad's Army
8
Dad's Army
Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn
541 VOTES
Premiered: July 31, 1968
Dad's Army offers an engaging and humorous portrayal of the Home Guard during World War II, featuring prominent characters like Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), and Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn). The show's charm lies in its ability to blend historical context with well-crafted character development, resulting in a unique combination of comedy and insight into the lives of ordinary citizens defending their homeland. The talented ensemble cast effectively conveys the idiosyncrasies and camaraderie among these unlikely soldiers, making Dad's Army not only an entertaining watch but also a fascinating glimpse into wartime Britain.
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The IT Crowd
9
The IT Crowd
Richard Ayoade, Chris O'Dowd, Katherine Parkinson
1,332 VOTES
Premiered: February 3, 2006
Centered around the misadventures of a quirky trio working in the information technology department of a large corporation, this British sitcom captivates audiences with its clever humor and relatable situations. The dynamic between the socially awkward computer geniuses Maurice Moss (Richard Ayoade) and Roy Trenneman (Chris O'Dowd), along with their technologically inept manager Jen Barber (Katherine Parkinson), results in amusing scenarios that showcase how they navigate through office politics and personal dilemmas. With well-crafted dialogue, memorable catchphrases, and outstanding performances from the cast, this show has garnered critical acclaim for its unique take on workplace comedy.
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The Inbetweeners
10
The Inbetweeners
Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison
1,170 VOTES
Premiered: December 7, 2009
This British coming-of-age sitcom revolves around the tumultuous lives of four socially awkward friends as they navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence, tackling issues such as relationships, school, and their own insecurities. The show's success can be attributed to its razor-sharp wit, relatable storylines, and stellar performances by Simon Bird (Will), James Buckley (Jay), Blake Harrison (Neil), and Joe Thomas (Simon) who bring authenticity to their characters' experiences. Additionally, it has garnered praise for its unapologetic exploration of teenage life without resorting to caricatures or stereotypes, allowing viewers a chance to reminisce about their own adolescent misadventures with both cringe-worthy recognition and heartfelt empathy.
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Porridge
11
Porridge
Ronnie Barker, Brian Wilde, Fulton Mackay
472 VOTES
Premiered: September 5, 1974
Porridge, a British sitcom set in the fictional Slade Prison, offers an engaging narrative that revolves around the life and antics of inmates Norman Stanley Fletcher (played by Ronnie Barker) and Lennie Godber (Richard Beckinsale). The show's unique ability to blend humor with thought-provoking themes of morality and camaraderie within a prison setting is what sets it apart as a timeless classic. With prominent characters such as stern but fair prison officer Mr. Mackay (Fulton Mackay) and the compassionate Mr. Barrowclough (Brian Wilde), Porridge showcases exceptional performances from its cast while providing insightful commentary on human nature under confinement.
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Are You Being Served?
12
Are You Being Served?
Trevor Bannister, John Inman, Wendy Richard
921 VOTES
Premiered: September 8, 1972
Are You Being Served? is a British sitcom that humorously chronicles the daily lives of employees at the fictional Grace Brothers department store, with an ensemble cast featuring prominent characters such as Mr. Humphries (John Inman) and Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden). The show has garnered critical acclaim for its witty writing, impeccable comedic timing, and memorable catchphrases that have stood the test of time since its original airing from 1972 to 1985. What makes this series exceptional is its ability to blend slapstick comedy with biting social commentary on class distinctions and workplace dynamics in Britain during that era, providing both entertainment value and cultural insight for viewers.
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The Two Ronnies
13
The Two Ronnies
Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett
454 VOTES
Premiered: 1971
The British sketch comedy show masterfully showcases the unparalleled wit and humor of its two prominent stars, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett. The dynamic duo's impeccable comedic timing and ability to seamlessly transition between diverse characters contribute significantly to the show's enduring charm. Additionally, the unique blend of situational comedy sketches, musical numbers, and clever wordplay in their monologues has cemented The Two Ronnies as an indelible classic in television history.
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The Young Ones
14
The Young Ones
Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer
659 VOTES
Premiered: November 9, 1982
The Young Ones, a British sitcom from the early 1980s, expertly blends anarchic humor with scathing social commentary to create an engaging and memorable viewing experience. Set in a dilapidated house shared by four students - played by the talented Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, and Christopher Ryan - the show explores themes of political activism and youthful rebellion through its vivid portrayal of these distinct yet equally dysfunctional characters. The unique combination of slapstick comedy, biting satire, and surreal elements has solidified The Young Ones' status as a cult classic that remains relevant even today.
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Yes Minister
15
Yes Minister
Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds
621 VOTES
Premiered: February 25, 1980
This British television series offers a satirical glimpse into the inner workings of government, as it follows the career of an ambitious yet naive politician and his cunning civil servant counterpart. The dynamic between protagonist Jim Hacker (played by Paul Eddington) and Sir Humphrey Appleby (portrayed by Nigel Hawthorne) provides an intriguing exploration of political power struggles, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and conflicting interests that often plague democratic systems. With its razor-sharp wit, incisive dialogue, and timeless themes—bolstered by stellar performances from both leads—the show has earned its place among the pantheon of classic TV comedies while providing valuable insights into the complexities of governance.
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Peep Show
16
Peep Show
David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman
994 VOTES
Premiered: September 19, 2003
Created by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, the British series offers an engaging and unconventional look at the lives of two dysfunctional roommates - Mark Corrigan (played by David Mitchell) and Jeremy "Jez" Usbourne (portrayed by Robert Webb). The show distinguishes itself with its unique use of point-of-view shots from each character's perspective, providing viewers with intimate access to their thoughts and emotions. With its dark humor, complex characters such as Sophie Chapman (Olivia Colman) who adds depth to the narrative, and clever writing that highlights the absurdity of everyday life, Peep Show has garnered critical acclaim for pushing boundaries in comedy while maintaining relatability.
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The Vicar of Dibley
17
The Vicar of Dibley
Dawn French, Gary Waldhorn, James Fleet
853 VOTES
Premiered: March 22, 2002
In a quaint English village, the arrival of an unconventional but endearing female vicar disrupts the conservative status quo, leading to heartwarming and hilarious consequences. Starring Dawn French as Geraldine Granger, this sitcom skillfully navigates the challenges faced by a woman in a traditionally male-dominated role while also exploring her relationships with eccentric parishioners such as Alice Tinker (Emma Chambers) and David Horton (Gary Waldhorn). With its witty dialogue, strong character development, and insightful exploration of societal norms, this show has captivated audiences for decades.
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Red Dwarf
18
Red Dwarf
Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Chris Barrie
849 VOTES
Premiered: February 15, 1988
Set in the deep recesses of outer space, this British science fiction sitcom follows the adventures of a hapless human named Dave Lister, portrayed by Craig Charles, as he navigates through an array of cosmic escapades aboard a mining spaceship. Accompanied by his holographic bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), an endearing humanoid feline known as Cat (Danny John-Jules), and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) - a subservient android who gradually develops self-awareness and independence - they form an unlikely crew that continually encounters bizarre situations and compelling storylines. The show's unique blend of humor, character development, and imaginative plotlines has earned it widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike, solidifying its place in cult television history.
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Open All Hours
19
Open All Hours
Ronnie Barker, David Jason, Lynda Baron
444 VOTES
Premiered: February 20, 1976
A charming British sitcom, set in a small town, revolves around the daily occurrences and interactions at a corner shop owned by an endearing yet miserly protagonist. The show's brilliance lies in its witty writing, relatable characters, and impeccable comedic timing delivered by the talented ensemble cast including Ronnie Barker as the penny-pinching proprietor Arkwright and David Jason as his lovable but hapless nephew Granville. With its unique blend of humor rooted in human eccentricities and warm-hearted moments that tug at your heartstrings, this series has etched itself into the annals of classic television comedy.
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The Office
20
The Office
Ricky Gervais, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
1,136 VOTES
Premiered: August 7, 2002
This British mockumentary-style sitcom provides a humorous and engaging look into the daily lives of employees at a nondescript paper company located in Slough. The show's unique blend of dry humor, memorable characters such as the bumbling regional manager David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais) and his long-suffering assistant Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook), along with its realistic portrayal of office dynamics, is what makes it stand out amongst other workplace comedies. Its innovative format has not only garnered critical acclaim but also inspired various international adaptations, including the highly successful American version that went on to achieve widespread popularity.
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'Allo 'Allo!
21
'Allo 'Allo!
Gorden Kaye, Carmen Silvera, Rose Hill
710 VOTES
Premiered: December 30, 1982
Set in a quaint French café during World War II, this British sitcom revolves around the hilarious misadventures of its owner René Artois as he juggles between appeasing his wife and hiding his secret affairs. The show's enduring appeal lies in its unique blend of slapstick humor, linguistic puns, and an ensemble cast that includes memorable characters such as the bumbling Officer Crabtree and the devious Herr Flick. With talented actors like Gorden Kaye and Carmen Silvera leading the charge, it is no wonder that this series has become synonymous with laughter while also providing a lighthearted take on a dark period in history.
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One Foot in the Grave
22
One Foot in the Grave
Richard Wilson, Annette Crosbie, Angus Deayton
443 VOTES
Premiered: January 4, 1990
A darkly humorous British sitcom centers around the life of a cantankerous retiree and his long-suffering wife as they navigate the absurdities of everyday existence. The show's unique blend of surreal situations, biting wit, and moments of genuine poignancy is brought to life by the exceptional performances of Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew, an iconic character known for his catchphrase "I don't believe it," and Annette Crosbie as his patient spouse Margaret. This acclaimed series not only captures the essence of suburban ennui but also provides a satirical commentary on modern society's treatment of aging individuals.
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Black Books
23
Black Books
Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig
716 VOTES
Premiered: October 4, 2003
In this British sitcom, viewers are taken on a hilarious journey through the misadventures of a grumpy, alcohol-loving bookshop owner, Bernard Black (played by Dylan Moran), his eccentric assistant Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey), and their quirky friend Fran Katzenjammer (Tamsin Greig). The show's charm lies in its witty writing and perfect comedic timing that showcases the absurdity of everyday life while exploring themes such as friendship and personal growth. With an excellent cast delivering memorable performances, it is no wonder this series has garnered a cult following over the years.
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Absolutely Fabulous
24
Absolutely Fabulous
Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha
852 VOTES
Premiered: July 24, 1994
This British sitcom revolves around the chaotic and glamorous lives of a heavy-drinking, drug-abusing PR agent and her equally self-destructive best friend. The show's brilliance lies in its razor-sharp wit, biting satire of the fashion industry, and outstanding performances by Jennifer Saunders (who also created the series) as Edina Monsoon and Joanna Lumley as Patsy Stone. With memorable supporting characters like June Whitfield as Edina's mother and Julia Sawalha as her long-suffering daughter Saffron, it delivers both laugh-out-loud moments and poignant reflections on friendship amidst dysfunction.
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The Good Life
25
The Good Life
Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith
328 VOTES
Premiered: April 4, 1975
A captivating television series revolves around the lives of two suburban couples, who navigate through their days with a unique blend of wit and wisdom. The ensemble cast features Richard Briers as Tom Good, Felicity Kendal as Barbara Good, Penelope Keith as Margo Leadbetter, and Paul Eddington as Jerry Leadbetter - all delivering exceptional performances that have contributed to the show's enduring popularity. What sets this program apart is its exploration of societal norms and expectations in 1970s England while maintaining a lighthearted tone throughout; it captivates viewers with its engaging storylines that are both thought-provoking and humorous.
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Yes, Prime Minister
26
Yes, Prime Minister
Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds
422 VOTES
Premiered: January 9, 1986
Delving into the intricacies of British politics, this satirical television series provides a comical yet insightful look at the inner workings of government through the eyes of its protagonist, Prime Minister Jim Hacker. The show's brilliance lies not only in its sharp wit and clever dialogue but also in its ability to remain relevant even decades after it first aired, thanks to well-crafted storylines that expose universal truths about political maneuvering and power dynamics. With stellar performances from actors such as Paul Eddington and Sir Nigel Hawthorne portraying prominent characters like Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, viewers are treated to an engaging exploration of political satire that continues to resonate with audiences today.
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Steptoe and Son
27
Steptoe and Son
Wilfrid Brambell, Harry H. Corbett
355 VOTES
Premiered: January 5, 1962
Delving into the lives of a rag-and-bone father and his ambitious son, this British sitcom masterfully intertwines dark humor with poignant moments, resulting in an unforgettable viewing experience. The show's success can be attributed to the brilliant performances by Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett as Albert Steptoe and Harold Steptoe respectively, who bring depth and complexity to their characters' relationship. Set against the backdrop of post-war London, the series explores themes such as social mobility, generational conflict, and personal aspirations through witty dialogue and engaging storylines that keep viewers invested in these two memorable characters.
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Not The Nine O'Clock News
28
Not The Nine O'Clock News
Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson, Griff Rhys Jones
321 VOTES
Premiered: 1979
This satirical sketch comedy series captivated audiences with its sharp wit and biting social commentary, cleverly dissecting British society during the late 20th century. The ensemble cast, featuring prominent talents such as Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, and Pamela Stephenson, expertly portrayed a diverse array of characters that resonated with viewers from all walks of life. With its innovative blend of political satire, musical parodies and character-driven sketches that pushed boundaries while maintaining a sense of relatability to contemporary issues at hand; this show remains an enduring testament to the power of humor in illuminating societal absurdities.
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Bottom
29
Bottom
Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall
421 VOTES
Premiered: September 17, 1991
This British sitcom, which aired for three series on BBC2 between 1991 and 1995, features the hilarious misadventures of two unemployed, crude, and perverted flatmates living in Hammersmith, London. The show's protagonists - Richard "Richie" Richard (played by Rik Mayall) and Edward Elizabeth "Eddie" Hitler (portrayed by Adrian Edmondson) - constantly strive to improve their lives while navigating a world filled with chaotic, nihilistic humor and violent slapstick comedy. In recognition of its unique comedic style featuring prominent characters and cast members, this show was ranked 45th in a BBC poll for Britain's Best Sitcom in 2004.
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Men Behaving Badly
30
Men Behaving Badly
Martin Clunes, Neil Morrissey, Leslie Ash
362 VOTES
Premiered: February 18, 1992
This British sitcom revolves around the lives of two mismatched flatmates and their hilariously misguided attempts at navigating adulthood, relationships, and masculinity. The show's success can be attributed to its witty writing, relatable themes, and the undeniable chemistry between its main cast members - Martin Clunes as the irresponsible Gary Strang and Neil Morrissey as his lovable yet equally flawed best friend Tony Smart. Furthermore, Leslie Ash and Caroline Quentin deliver memorable performances as their respective long-suffering partners Debbie and Dorothy, adding depth to this entertaining exploration of modern manhood.
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
31
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Peter Jones, Simon Jones, David Dixon
277 VOTES
Premiered: January 5, 1981
This science fiction comedy series, based on the popular novel, follows the adventures of an unwitting human and his alien friend as they traverse through space after Earth's untimely destruction. One of the key factors contributing to the show's success is its unique blend of humor, philosophy, and satire brought to life by memorable characters such as Arthur Dent (played by Simon Jones) and Ford Prefect (portrayed by David Dixon). Additionally, Douglas Adams' clever writing combined with innovative special effects for its time elevate this cult classic into a beloved piece of television history that continues to entertain audiences today.
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The Benny Hill Show
32
The Benny Hill Show
Benny Hill, Nicholas Parsons, Patricia Hayes
456 VOTES
Premiered: 1951
A British sketch comedy series, which aired for over two decades, captivated audiences with its unique blend of slapstick humor and satirical commentary on contemporary society. The show's success can be attributed to the comedic genius of Benny Hill, who not only starred in the program but also wrote and directed many episodes, as well as a talented ensemble cast including Henry McGee and Jackie Wright. With memorable characters such as Fred Scuttle and Chow Mein, this iconic television series has left an indelible mark on popular culture and continues to entertain viewers worldwide through syndication.
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The Royle Family
33
The Royle Family
Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston, Caroline Aherne
352 VOTES
Premiered: 1998
Delving into the lives of a working-class British family, this sitcom offers an authentic and humorous portrayal of their daily interactions, often set within the confines of their living room. The show's unique charm lies in its ability to make mundane conversations about everyday life both relatable and entertaining, as it explores themes such as love, loss, and familial bonds. With brilliant performances by Sue Johnston as Barbara Royle, Ricky Tomlinson as Jim Royle, Caroline Aherne as Denise Best (née Royle), Ralf Little as Antony Royle among others; the series has garnered critical acclaim for its well-crafted dialogue and memorable characters that have resonated with audiences since its inception.
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Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
34
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Michael Crawford, Dick Bentley, Michele Dotrice
339 VOTES
Premiered: 1973
This British sitcom revolves around the accident-prone and socially awkward Frank Spencer, played by Michael Crawford, as he navigates through life with his long-suffering wife Betty, portrayed by Michele Dotrice. The show excels in its slapstick comedy and cleverly crafted dialogue that highlights the protagonist's eccentricities while providing a satirical commentary on British society during the 1970s. What sets it apart is not only Crawford's impeccable physical comedy but also his ability to infuse warmth and empathy into an otherwise bumbling character, creating a truly memorable viewing experience for audiences of all ages.
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Jeeves and Wooster
35
Jeeves and Wooster
Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Robert Daws
346 VOTES
Premiered: April 22, 1990
Set in the 1930s, this British sitcom revolves around an endearingly bumbling aristocrat and his ingenious valet as they navigate a plethora of comedic situations. The impeccable chemistry between Hugh Laurie (as Bertie Wooster) and Stephen Fry (as Jeeves) is undoubtedly one of the key factors contributing to its success. Additionally, the show's witty dialogue, adapted from P.G. Wodehouse's classic novels, coupled with intricate plots involving eccentric characters such as Aunt Agatha and Roderick Spode, has rendered it a timeless favorite among audiences worldwide.
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Rising Damp
36
Rising Damp
Leonard Rossiter, Frances de la Tour, Don Warrington
292 VOTES
Premiered: September 2, 1974
Set in a dilapidated Victorian townhouse, this classic British sitcom chronicles the lives of its eccentric tenants and their miserly landlord. The series is renowned for its sharp wit, well-crafted characters, and exceptional performances by Leonard Rossiter as the scheming Rigsby, Richard Beckinsale as the charming medical student Alan, and Don Warrington as the suave son of an African chief named Philip. By exploring themes such as class struggle and racial prejudice with humor and nuance, it has secured its place among television's most enduring comedies.
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The Thin Blue Line
37
The Thin Blue Line
Rowan Atkinson, Mina Anwar, James Dreyfus
356 VOTES
Premiered: November 13, 1995
Set in a fictional police station, this sitcom masterfully weaves together the lives and antics of its diverse ensemble cast. The show is anchored by the comedic talents of Rowan Atkinson as the bumbling Inspector Fowler, while his colleagues such as Sergeant Patricia Dawkins (played by Serena Evans) and Constable Goody (portrayed by James Dreyfus) provide ample support with their own idiosyncrasies and quirks. What sets this series apart from others in its genre is not only its clever writing but also the way it delves into themes like bureaucracy, power dynamics, and interpersonal relationships within a seemingly mundane setting - all while maintaining a lighthearted tone that keeps audiences coming back for more.
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The Goodies
38
The Goodies
Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden
229 VOTES
Premiered: 1970
This British television series, which aired from 1970 to 1982, follows the comedic adventures of three friends who run a fictitious agency that undertakes any task for their clients. The show's unique blend of surreal humor, witty satire, and slapstick comedy is brought to life by its talented cast - Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, and Bill Oddie - who also wrote the scripts for each episode. Memorable characters such as Kitten Kong and the Giant Dougal showcase not only the absurdity of this cult classic but also highlight how it cleverly subverted traditional sitcom tropes while remaining consistently entertaining throughout its twelve-year run.
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The League of Gentlemen
39
The League of Gentlemen
Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
241 VOTES
Premiered: August 6, 1999
The macabre and darkly comedic world of a fictional Northern English town is brought to life through the eccentric, often grotesque inhabitants that reside within it. With an ensemble cast consisting of Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, and Jeremy Dyson portraying multiple characters each, the show weaves together intricate storylines involving memorable personas such as the sadistic shopkeepers Edward and Tubbs or the sinister clown Papa Lazarou. The unique blend of horror elements with surreal humor sets this series apart from its contemporaries while showcasing exceptional writing and acting talent throughout its run.
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I'm Alan Partridge
40
I'm Alan Partridge
Steve Coogan, Phil Cornwell, Simon Greenall
468 VOTES
Premiered: November 18, 2002
I'm Alan Partridge is a quintessential British sitcom that has etched its place in the annals of comedy history. Starring the inimitable Steve Coogan as the eponymous Alan Partridge, a failed television presenter now slumming it as a radio DJ in Norwich, the show is a masterclass in character comedy and cringe-inducing hilarity.
With its razor-sharp wit, the series deftly satirizes the quirks of media personalities and the desperation often found in the climb to reclaim lost fame. The brilliance of I'm Alan Partridge lies in its ability to blend the mundane with the absurd, creating a comedic symphony that resonates with anyone who has witnessed the often ludicrous nature of the entertainment industry. Its status as one of the funniest British TV shows is undisputed, thanks to its memorable catchphrases, Coogan's impeccable comedic timing, and a supporting cast that brings the fictional world of Alan Partridge to life with uproarious effect.
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Fleabag
41
Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ben Aldridge, Sian Clifford
778 VOTES
Premiered: July 21, 2016
This dark comedy series follows the life of a young woman living in London, as she navigates through grief and self-discovery with an unfiltered approach. The show's masterful writing and storytelling is complemented by its talented cast, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the titular role and Olivia Colman as her delightfully passive-aggressive stepmother. What sets this series apart from others is its ability to balance raw emotion with humor while addressing complex themes such as family dynamics, trauma, and personal growth.
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A Bit of Fry and Laurie
42
A Bit of Fry and Laurie
Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
283 VOTES
Premiered: January 13, 1989
This eclectic British sketch comedy series showcases the versatile talents of its stars, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, as they present a myriad of characters through witty sketches and musical numbers. The show's brilliance lies in the duo's impeccable comedic timing, clever wordplay, and their ability to create memorable characters such as Tony Inchpractice or John and Peter. Additionally, fans are treated to the chemistry between these two prominent actors who would later go on to find individual success - Fry as an author and presenter, while Laurie gained international fame with his portrayal of Dr. Gregory House.
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As Time Goes By
43
As Time Goes By
Judi Dench, Geoffrey Palmer, Philip Bretherton
391 VOTES
Premiered: January 12, 1992
A British romantic sitcom unfolds as two former lovers, portrayed by the talented Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, unexpectedly reunite after a 38-year separation caused by a lost letter. The engaging storyline explores how their lives have changed over time, while they rekindle their relationship amidst the challenges of merging contrasting lifestyles and dealing with an eccentric cast of supporting characters. With its clever dialogue, genuine chemistry between the leads, and subtle yet poignant exploration of love's endurance through life's twists and turns, this show has captivated audiences for years.
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Harry Enfield's Television Programme
44
Harry Enfield's Television Programme
Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, Kathy Burke
198 VOTES
Premiered: 1990
Harry Enfield's Television Programme offers a satirical take on British culture through the eyes of various characters portrayed by the talented comedian himself. With prominent figures such as the iconic duo of Smashie and Nicey, played by Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, viewers are treated to an insightful exploration of social norms and stereotypes in a humorous manner. The show's success can be attributed to its witty writing, exceptional performances from its cast members, and its ability to provide both entertainment and commentary on contemporary issues.
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Last of the Summer Wine
45
Last of the Summer Wine
Peter Sallis, Robert Fyfe, Russ Abbot
432 VOTES
Premiered: November 12, 1973
Last of the Summer Wine is a delightful excursion into the lives of Yorkshire's most endearing senior delinquents, capturing the hearts of viewers with its unique blend of humor and charm. As Britain's longest-running sitcom, it has etched its mark on the comedy landscape, inviting audiences to revel in the misadventures of a trio of aging friends who prove that mischief knows no age limit. The show's genius lies in its ability to weave slapstick with wry wit, all while painting a picturesque view of rural England.
Last of the Summer Wine stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of British humor, with its clever writing and impeccable comedic timing ensuring that each episode delivers a hearty dose of laughter. It's this consistent delivery of humor that solidifies Last of the Summer Wine as one of the funniest British TV shows, resonating with generations of fans who find joy in its lighthearted take on the golden years.
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Doc Martin
46
Doc Martin
Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz, Ian McNeice
622 VOTES
Premiered: September 2, 2004
Nestled within the picturesque Cornish village of Portwenn, an irritable yet brilliant London surgeon finds himself transitioning from his successful career to becoming the town's general practitioner. The show masterfully weaves together a delightful ensemble cast, including Martin Clunes as Dr. Martin Ellingham and Caroline Catz as Louisa Glasson, providing viewers with a perfect balance of heartwarming relationships and well-timed comedic moments. Additionally, the series' exploration of various medical cases combined with its portrayal of small-town life creates a unique narrative that keeps audiences captivated season after season.
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Derry Girls
47
Derry Girls
Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Ian McElhinney
649 VOTES
Premiered: January 4, 2018
Set against the backdrop of 1990s Northern Ireland, this quirky coming-of-age comedy series follows a group of five teenagers as they navigate the trials and tribulations of adolescence amidst political turmoil. The show's unique blend of humor and poignancy is anchored by an ensemble cast featuring Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, and Dylan Llewellyn. Its success can be attributed to its witty writing that captures the essence of teenage life while also providing a fresh perspective on historical events through the eyes of its endearing characters.
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The Brittas Empire
48
The Brittas Empire
Chris Barrie, Harriet Thorpe, Michael Burns
185 VOTES
Premiered: 1991
The Brittas Empire was a British sitcom created and originally written by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen. Chris Barrie played Gordon Brittas, the well-meaning but incompetent manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. The show ran for seven series and 53 episodes — including two Christmas specials — from 1991 to 1997 on BBC1. Norriss and Fegen wrote the first five series, after which they left the show. The Brittas Empire enjoyed a long and successful run throughout the 1990s, and gained itself large mainstream audiences. In 2004 the show came 47th on the BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom poll, and all series have been released on DVD. The creators Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen often combine farce with either surreal or dramatic elements in episodes. For example in the first series, the leisure centre prepares for a royal visit, only for the doors to seal, the boiler room to flood and a visitor to become electrocuted. Unlike the traditional sitcom, deaths were quite common in The Brittas Empire.
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The Morecambe & Wise Show
49
The Morecambe & Wise Show
Millicent Martin
264 VOTES
Premiered: 1968
This British television classic, which ran from 1968 to 1977, features the incomparable comedic duo of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise as they deliver their unique blend of humor through sketches, musical numbers, and celebrity guest appearances. The show's enduring appeal can be attributed to the chemistry between its lead performers and their ability to create memorable moments that are still celebrated today - such as the iconic dance routine with newsreader Angela Rippon or André Previn's unforgettable turn as a bemused conductor. With an impressive roster of guests including Elton John, Shirley Bassey, and Glenda Jackson among others, this series remains a testament to the timeless wit and talent of its prominent characters.
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Friday Night Dinner
50
Friday Night Dinner
Tamsin Greig, Paul Ritter, Simon Bird
457 VOTES
Premiered: February 25, 2011
Friday Night Dinner is a delightful slice of British sitcom genius that captures the weekly Shabbat dinner of the Goodman family, often descending into chaos with the arrival of eccentric neighbor Jim and his dog, Wilson. This show, with its cleverly crafted characters and sharp, situational comedy, has become a staple of British television.
The series shines by turning the relatable family gathering into an event filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it a standout for its humor and heart. Friday Night Dinner has cemented itself as one of the funniest British TV shows through its unique blend of traditional and contemporary comedic styles, creating moments that are both uproariously funny and warmly familiar.
The show's success is driven by its dynamic cast, led by Tamsin Greig and Paul Ritter, whose performances bring depth and hilarity to every family interaction, ensuring that viewers come back for seconds, thirds, and more.
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Spaced
51
Spaced
Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg, Julia Deakin
433 VOTES
Premiered: September 24, 1999
In this unique British sitcom, two young Londoners, Tim Bisley (played by Simon Pegg) and Daisy Steiner (Jessica Hynes), find themselves posing as a couple to secure the lease on a flat. The show expertly weaves together elements of pop culture references, surreal humor, and genuine human connection to create an unforgettable experience for viewers. Not only do Pegg and Hynes deliver outstanding performances, but they are also supported by an exceptional ensemble cast that includes Nick Frost as Mike Watt and Mark Heap as Brian Topp - all contributing to the show's enduring appeal among fans of offbeat comedy.
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Ripping Yarns
52
Ripping Yarns
Michael Palin
183 VOTES
Premiered: January 7, 1976
Ripping Yarns stands as a paragon of British humor, a series that delightfully parodies the adventure stories typically found in boys' magazines of the early 20th century. Created by the legendary Monty Python alumni Michael Palin and Terry Jones, this anthology series is a treasure trove of eccentric characters, outlandish plots, and a uniquely British blend of the surreal and the mundane.
Each episode is a standalone narrative, weaving tales that range from the hilariously absurd to the delightfully farcical. Ripping Yarns earns its place among the funniest British TV shows through its ingenious storytelling, the impeccable comedic pedigree of its creators, and its clever subversion of classic tropes. The show's ability to consistently deliver laughs while also providing a smart commentary on the adventure genre cements its status as a comedic gem that continues to entertain audiences with its timeless humor.
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The Likely Lads
53
The Likely Lads
Wendy Richard, James Bolam, Sheila Fearn
198 VOTES
Premiered: 1964
The Likely Lads, a pioneering comedy series, charts the lives of Bob and Terry, two friends navigating the trials and tribulations of working-class England. Its humor is rooted in the sharp contrast between the aspirations and realities of the two protagonists, whose escapades are as poignant as they are humorous. The show's legacy as one of the funniest British TV shows is secured by its insightful writing, which captures the essence of a changing Britain, and the undeniable chemistry between the leads, James Bolam and Rodney Bewes.
The Likely Lads not only delivers consistent laughs but also offers a time capsule of 1960s British culture, making it a beloved classic. Its success paved the way for a sequel series, further embedding its characters in the nation's collective memory. The show's blend of witty banter, slapstick, and social commentary ensures its enduring appeal and status as a cornerstone of British comedy.
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My Family
54
My Family
Robert Lindsay, Zoë Wanamaker, Gabriel Thomson
341 VOTES
Premiered: September 19, 2000
My Family was a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadcast from 2002 onwards. My Family was voted 24th in the BBC's "Britain's Best Sitcom" in 2004 and was the most watched sitcom in the United Kingdom in 2008. As of 2011, it is one of only twelve British sitcoms to pass the 100 episode mark. Set in Chiswick in west London, it stars Robert Lindsay as Ben Harper, Zoë Wanamaker as his wife Susan, and Kris Marshall, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Gabriel Thomson as their children; Nick, Janey and Michael, respectively. Since the show’s debut, several characters have left and, equally, several new characters have been introduced. The character of Janey left in 2002; however, she returned in 2004 and remained until the end. Kris Marshall’s character, Nick, left in 2005 and did not return. The character of Abi, as played by Siobhan Hayes, was introduced in 2002 and left in 2008. The characters of Roger and Alfie were introduced in 2003 and 2005, respectively, as played by Keiron Self and Rhodri Meilir.
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French & Saunders
55
French & Saunders
Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Simon Brint
227 VOTES
Premiered: 1987
Delving into the world of sketch comedy, a dynamic duo of British comediennes masterfully captivate audiences with their witty humor and spot-on parodies. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, both prominent figures in the realm of television comedy, seamlessly blend their unique comedic styles to create an unforgettable viewing experience. The show's brilliance lies in its perfect mix of original sketches featuring an array of eccentric characters along with clever satirical takes on pop culture icons such as Madonna and Cher, solidifying its place as a quintessential piece in the pantheon of British humor.
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To the Manor Born
56
To the Manor Born
Penelope Keith, Peter Bowles, Angela Thorne
279 VOTES
Premiered: September 30, 1979
A woman finds out she is bankrupt after her husband dies.
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The Fast Show
57
The Fast Show
Paul Whitehouse, Caroline Aherne, Mark Williams
259 VOTES
Premiered: 1994
This British sketch comedy series, which aired during the 90s, captivated audiences with its unique blend of eccentric characters and rapid-fire humor. The ensemble cast, including Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson, masterfully portrayed a diverse array of personalities such as Ted and Ralph or Rowley Birkin QC while seamlessly transitioning between sketches. Its innovative approach to comedic storytelling combined with memorable catchphrases solidified its status as a groundbreaking television program that continues to influence contemporary comedians today.
The Fast Show, known as Brilliant in the US, was a BBC comedy sketch show programme that ran from 1994 to 1997, with specials in 2000 and 2014. It was one of the most popular sketch shows of the 1990s in the UK. The show's central performers were Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and Caroline Aherne. Other significant cast members included Paul Shearer, Rhys Thomas, Jeff Harding, Maria McErlane, Eryl Maynard, Colin McFarlane and Donna Ewin. It was loosely structured and relied on character sketches, recurring running gags, and many catchphrases. Its fast-paced "blackout" style set it apart from traditional sketch series because of the number and relative brevity of its sketches; a typical half-hour TV sketch comedy of the period might have consisted of nine or ten major items, with contrived situations and extended setups, whereas the premiere episode of The Fast Show featured twenty-seven sketches in thirty minutes, with some items lasting less than ten seconds and none running longer than three minutes. Its innovative style and presentation influenced many later series such as Little Britain and The Catherine Tate Show.
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Little Britain
58
Little Britain
David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Anthony Head
625 VOTES
Premiered: December 1, 2003
Comic actors David Walliams and Matt Lucas take viewers on a cockeyed tour of Great Britain via a gallery of eccentric characters, including Daffyd, "the only gay" in his tiny Welsh village; teen delinquent Vicky Pollard; Fat Fighters mentor Marjorie Dawes; Sebastian, the flamboyant aide to the Prime Minister; dear old Mrs. Emery, who is sweet, friendly and totally incontinent; unconvincing transvestites Florence and Emily; and roommates Lou and Andy. "Little Britain" began as a radio show before being adapted for TV.
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Alas Smith and Jones
59
Alas Smith and Jones
Sarah Alexander, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith
162 VOTES
Premiered: 1984
Alas Smith and Jones is a British comedy sketch television series featuring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones that ran for four series and two Christmas specials on BBC2 from 1984 to 1988, and as Smith and Jones for five series on BBC1 from 1989 to 1998. The show also had a brief run in the United States on A&E and PBS in the late 1980s.
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It Ain't Half Hot Mum
60
It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Windsor Davies, Melvyn Hayes, Michael Bates
162 VOTES
Premiered: January 3, 1974
It Ain't Half Hot Mum is a BBC television sitcom, about the adventures of a Royal Artillery Concert Party, broadcast on the BBC between 1974 and 1981, and written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. It was set in India and Burma, during the last months of the Second World War, starting just after V-E Day in 1945. It Ain't Half Hot Mum was the second of the two sitcom series co-written by Perry and Croft set in the Second World War, the first being Dad's Army.
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Hale & Pace
61
Hale & Pace
Gareth Hale, Norman Pace
159 VOTES
Premiered: 1988
Hale & Pace is a British Television Comedy series.
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Extras
62
Extras
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Ashley Jensen
461 VOTES
Premiered: July 21, 2005
Delving into the lives of struggling actors in the competitive world of Hollywood, Extras offers a refreshing take on the unglamorous side of fame. The show's protagonist, Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais), navigates the cutthroat industry alongside his loyal friend and fellow extra, Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen). With its sharp wit and poignant moments, the series has garnered critical acclaim, including several Emmy and BAFTA nominations. The show's unique blend of humor and heartbreak paints a realistic picture of the challenges faced by those pursuing their dreams in the entertainment world, while providing thought-provoking commentary on the price of success.
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Detectorists
63
Detectorists
Mackenzie Crook, Toby Jones, Rachael Stirling
421 VOTES
Premiered: October 2, 2014
Two friends go searching for what their hearts desire with a couple of metal detectors.
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Still Open All Hours
64
Still Open All Hours
Lynda Baron, James Baxter, Stephanie Cole
189 VOTES
Premiered: 2013
Still Open All Hours (BBC One, 2013) is a British television sitcom created by Roy Clarke and the sequel to the sitcom Open All Hours. Set within the small grocer's shop in Balby, a suburb of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, the show focuses on the life of Granville (David Jason), now much older and the owner of Arkwright's shop after his uncle's death.
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Spitting Image
65
Spitting Image
Steve Nallon, Kate Robbins, Chris Barrie
234 VOTES
Premiered: February 26, 1984
Spitting Image redefined satirical comedy with its unapologetically bold puppetry, lampooning political figures, celebrities, and the royal family with equal fervor. This iconic series, known for its biting wit and visual gags, became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s by pushing the boundaries of humor and political commentary.
The show's return to television screens reaffirms its status as one of the funniest British TV shows, with its legacy of influencing public opinion and pop culture remaining unmatched. Spitting Image stands out for its fearless approach to satire, its innovative use of caricatured puppets, and its ability to distill complex political situations into accessible humor. The show's clever scripting and impactful visual humor have made it a staple of British comedy, resonating with audiences eager for a laugh in the face of serious global and domestic issues.
Puppet show featuring rubber re-creations of prominent people.
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Till Death Us Do Part
66
Till Death Us Do Part
Warren Mitchell, Una Stubbs, Antony Booth
190 VOTES
Premiered: July 22, 1965
Till Death Us Do Part is a British television sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1965 to 1975. First airing as a Comedy Playhouse pilot, the show aired in seven series until 1975. Six years later, ITV continued the sitcom, calling it Till Death.... From 1985 to 1992, the BBC produced a sequel In Sickness and in Health. Created by Johnny Speight, Till Death Us Do Part centred on the East End Garnett family, led by patriarch Alf Garnett, a reactionary white working-class man who holds racist and anti-socialist views. His long-suffering wife Else was played by Dandy Nichols, and his daughter Rita by Una Stubbs. Rita's husband Mike Rawlins is a socialist layabout. The character Alf Garnett became a well known character in British culture, and Mitchell played him on stage and television up until 1998, when Speight died. In addition to the spin-off In Sickness and in Health, Till Death Us Do Part was re-made in many countries including Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Many episodes from the first three series are thought to no longer exist, having been wiped in the late 1960s and early '70s as was the policy at the time.
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Not Going Out
67
Not Going Out
Miranda Hart, Lee Mack, Megan Dodds
190 VOTES
Premiered: 2006
Not Going Out is a British television sitcom that has aired on BBC One since 2006 starring Lee Mack, Tim Vine, and Sally Bretton. Recurring roles throughout the series have been portrayed by Miranda Hart, Katy Wix, Megan Dodds, Simon Dutton, Bobby Ball, Hugh Dennis, and Abigail Cruttenden. Mack and Andrew Collins were the initial writers for the show, with Paul Kerensa, Simon Evans and Daniel Peak joining the writing staff in later series. The show was originally cancelled by the BBC in 2009, whilst the third series was still airing - but the decision was later reversed due to a combination of strong DVD sales, and an online petition leading to the show receiving a renewal for a fourth series, which aired from 6 January 2011. A fifth series began airing from 13 April 2012. A sixth series began airing from 5 April 2013, with a Christmas special following later that year. A seventh series comprising ten episodes including a Christmas special began airing on the 17 October 2014. While appearing on The One Show on 5 April 2013, Lee Mack confirmed that a seventh series and two Christmas specials had been commissioned.
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All Creatures Great and Small
68
All Creatures Great and Small
Nicholas Ralph, Anna Madeley, Samuel West
185 VOTES
Premiered: December 10, 2018
All Creatures Great and Small is a heartwarming drama that beautifully captures the trials and triumphs of a rural veterinary practice in 1930s Yorkshire. The show's charm lies in its engaging characters, picturesque landscapes, and its blend of humor and emotion. It explores themes such as friendship, community spirit, and the human-animal bond. The series has been critically acclaimed for its stellar performances and rich storytelling, earning it a nomination for Best New Drama at the National Television Awards. All Creatures Great and Small truly encapsulates the timeless appeal of James Herriot's beloved books.
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Gavin & Stacey
69
Gavin & Stacey
Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, James Corden
515 VOTES
Premiered: May 13, 2007
A man and a woman become engaged after a long phone courtship.
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Toast of London
70
Toast of London
Matt Berry, Robert Bathurst, Shazad Latif
356 VOTES
Premiered: August 20, 2012
A successful actor is down on his luck after appearing in a controversial West End play.
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Archer
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The Thick of It
71
The Thick of It
Chris Addison, James Smith, Joanna Scanlan
365 VOTES
Premiered: May 19, 2005
Behind the closed doors of government.
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The Best British Sitcoms of All Time, Ranked
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An Idiot Abroad
72
An Idiot Abroad
Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
438 VOTES
Premiered: September 23, 2010
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send their best mate on a global voyage of discovery.
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Dinnerladies
73
Dinnerladies
Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Shobna Gulati
225 VOTES
Premiered: 1998
In this captivating British sitcom, viewers are taken behind the scenes of a factory canteen, where they are introduced to an eclectic group of dinnerladies and their daily antics. The exceptional writing by Victoria Wood and stellar performances from renowned actors such as Julie Walters and Thora Hird create a delightful blend of humor and heartwarming moments. Through its exploration of workplace dynamics, friendships, and personal struggles faced by characters like Bren (Victoria Wood) and Tony (Andrew Dunn), the show offers both entertainment value and relatability for audiences.
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Taskmaster
74
Taskmaster
Greg Davies, Alex Horne, Kerry Godliman
159 VOTES
Premiered: July 28, 2015
Taskmasker Greg Davies puts the wit and wisdom of five comics to the test.
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Rab C. Nesbitt
75
Rab C. Nesbitt
David Tennant, Barbara Rafferty, Elaine C. Smith
133 VOTES
Premiered: 1988
Rab C. Nesbitt is a Scottish Comedy which began in 1988. Produced by BBC Scotland, it stars Gregor Fisher as an alcoholic Glaswegian who seeks unemployment as a lifestyle choice. Rab C. Nesbitt was originally a recurring character in the BBC Two Scotland sketch series Naked Video.
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Brass Eye
76
Brass Eye
Chris Morris, Hugh Dennis, Alexander Armstrong
152 VOTES
Premiered: 1997
Brass Eye is a surreal UK television series parodying the current affairs style news programming of the mid 1990s. A series of six episodes aired on Channel 4 in 1997, and a further episode in 2001. The series was created by Chris Morris, and written by Morris, David Quantick, Peter Baynham, Jane Bussmann, Arthur Mathews, Graham Linehan and Charlie Brooker. The series was directed by Michael Cumming. It was a sequel to Morris's earlier spoof news programmes On the Hour and The Day Today. It satirised media portrayal of social ills, in particular sensationalism, unsubstantiated establishmentarian theory masquerading as fact, and creation of moral panics. The series starred Morris's The Day Today colleague Doon Mackichan, along with Gina McKee, Mark Heap, Amelia Bullmore, Simon Pegg, Julia Davis, Claire Skinner, Hugh Dennis and Kevin Eldon.
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The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
77
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
Leonard Rossiter, Geoffrey Palmer, Sue Nicholls
224 VOTES
Premiered: 1976
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin is a series of novels that developed into a British sitcom starring Leonard Rossiter in the title role. Both the books and television series were written by David Nobbs, and the screenplay for the first series was adapted by Nobbs from the novel, though subplots in the novel were considered too dark or risqué for television and toned down or omitted, an example being the relationship between Perrin's daughter and his brother-in-law. The story concerns a middle-aged middle manager, Reggie Perrin, who is driven to bizarre behaviour by the pointlessness of his job at Sunshine Desserts. The first novel in the series, The Death of Reginald Perrin, was published in 1975, with later editions retitled to match the title of the television series. Subsequent novels were written by Nobbs with the express goal of being adapted into the second and third television series, respectively; Rossiter did not want to take the series forward unless it continued to be grounded in novels. The original three television series, all of the same name, were broadcast between 1976 and 1979; a fourth, The Legacy of Reginald Perrin, also written by Nobbs, followed in 1996.
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Miranda
78
Miranda
Miranda Hart, Patricia Hodge, Sarah Hadland
529 VOTES
Premiered: May 7, 2010
With Miranda Hart.
Is Miranda Worth Your Time?
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Minder
79
Minder
Suzi Quatro, Patrick Malahide, George Cole
221 VOTES
Premiered: 1979
Minder was a British comedy-drama about the London criminal underworld. Initially produced by Verity Lambert, it was made by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television and shown on ITV. The show ran for ten series between 29 October 1979 and 10 March 1994, and starred Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, an honest and likable bodyguard and George Cole as Arthur Daley, a socially ambitious, but highly unscrupulous importer-exporter, wholesaler, used-car salesman, and purveyor of anything else from which there was money to be made whether inside the law or not. The series was principally set in inner West London, and was largely responsible for putting the word minder, meaning personal bodyguard, into the UK popular lexicon. The characters often drank at the local members-only Winchester Club, where owner and barman Dave acted, often unwillingly, as a message machine for Arthur, and turned a blind eye to his shady deals. The series was notable for using a range of leading British actors, as well as many up-and-coming performers before they hit the big time; at its peak was one of ITV's biggest ratings winners.
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Drop the Dead Donkey
80
Drop the Dead Donkey
Sarah Alexander, Sara Stewart, Susannah Doyle
155 VOTES
Premiered: 1990
Drop the Dead Donkey is a situation comedy that first aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 1990 and 1998. It is set in the offices of "GlobeLink News", a fictional TV news company. Recorded close to transmission, it made use of contemporary news events to give the programme a greater sense of realism. It was created by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. The series had an ensemble cast, making stars of Haydn Gwynne, Stephen Tompkinson and Neil Pearson. The series began with the acquisition of GlobeLink by media mogul Sir Roysten Merchant, an allusion to either Robert Maxwell or Rupert Murdoch. Indeed, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin note on their DVDs that it was fortunate for their libel lawyers that the two men shared the same initials. The series is mostly based on the ongoing battle between the staff of GlobeLink, led by editor George Dent, as they try to maintain the company as a serious news organisation, and Sir Roysten’s right-hand man Gus Hedges, trying to make the show more sensationalist and suppress stories that might harm Sir Roysten’s business empire. The show was awarded the Best Comedy Award at the 1994 BAFTA Awards.
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Still Game
81
Still Game
Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill, Paul Riley
295 VOTES
Premiered: 2002
Still Game is a Scottish sitcom, produced by The Comedy Unit with the BBC. It was created by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, who play the lead characters, two Glaswegian pensioners, named Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade respectively. The characters were originally from Ford and Greg's previous show Chewin the Fat. Following its debut on 1 September 2002 forty-four episodes of Still Game were aired, including Christmas and Hogmanay specials. The first three series were broadcast only on BBC One Scotland, though five episodes compiled from the first two series were later broadcast throughout the UK on BBC Two in January–February 2004. All subsequent episodes received UK-wide broadcasts on BBC Two. The show enjoyed higher ratings than its neighbours on the BBC Two Comedy Zone and received wide critical acclaim.
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The Mighty Boosh
82
The Mighty Boosh
Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt, Michael Fielding
386 VOTES
Premiered: May 18, 2004
Surreal comedy set in a zoo.
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Birds of a Feather
83
Birds of a Feather
Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph
173 VOTES
Premiered: October 16, 1989
Two sisters with different lifestyles must live together after their husbands abandon them.
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Coupling
84
Coupling
Jack Davenport, Gina Bellman, Sarah Alexander
396 VOTES
Premiered: May 12, 2000
The tangled love lives of close-knit friends.
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The New Statesman
85
The New Statesman
Rik Mayall
147 VOTES
Premiered: September 13, 1987
Rik Mayall stars as Alan B'Stard, the egocentric MP who stops at nothing to further his career.
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Inside No. 9
86
Inside No. 9
Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
268 VOTES
Premiered: February 3, 2014
A darkly comic, macabre peek inside a series of buildings, each with the number nine on the door.
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New Tricks
87
New Tricks
Dennis Waterman, Tamzin Outhwaite, Denis Lawson
251 VOTES
Premiered: March 27, 2003
Detective Sandra Pullman heads the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad.
Is New Tricks Worth Your Time?
The Catherine Tate Show
88
The Catherine Tate Show
Catherine Tate, Mathew Horne, Niky Wardley
212 VOTES
Premiered: April 12, 2004
Comedy sketch series co-written and performed by Catherine Tate.
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Green Wing
89
Green Wing
Sally Bretton, Oliver Chris, Olivia Colman
281 VOTES
Premiered: 2004
Green Wing is a British sitcom set in the fictional East Hampton Hospital. It was created by the same team behind the sketch show Smack the Pony, led by Victoria Pile, and stars Tamsin Greig, Stephen Mangan and Julian Rhind-Tutt. Although set in a hospital, it uses no medical storylines; the action is produced by a series of soap opera-style twists and turns in the personal lives of the characters. They proceed through a series of often absurd sketch-like scenes, or by sequences where the film is slowed down or sped up, often emphasizing the body language of the characters. The show had eight writers. Two series were made by the Talkback Thames production company for Channel 4. The series ran between 3 September 2004 and 19 May 2006. An episode was filmed with the second series, which was shown as a 90 minute long special on 4 January 2007 in the UK, but was shown in Australia and Belgium on 29 December 2006. Separate from the series, a sketch was made for Comic Relief and screened on 11 March 2005. Another was performed live at The Secret Policeman's Ball on 14 October 2006.
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Benidorm
90
Benidorm
Jake Canuso, Elsie Kelly, Janine Duvitski
235 VOTES
Premiered: February 15, 2007
Guests at a Spanish resort encounter problems while on holiday.
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Inspector George Gently
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Goodnight Sweetheart
91
Goodnight Sweetheart
Michelle Holmes, Nicholas Lyndhurst, David Ryall
263 VOTES
Premiered: November 18, 1993
Goodnight Sweetheart is a British sitcom that ran for six series on BBC1 from 1993 to 1999. It stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Gary Sparrow, an accidental time traveller who leads a double life after discovering a time portal allowing him to travel between the London of the 1990s and the same area during the Second World War. The show was created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, also creators of Birds of a Feather and The New Statesman. The creators wrote the first series, while subsequent episodes were by a team of writers. Although originally made for the BBC the series has subsequently been repeated on ITV3. Series 1-6 is now being broadcast on GOLD. For his starring role, Lyndhurst won the Most Popular Comedy Performer at the National Television Awards twice in 1998 and 1999.
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Just Good Friends
92
Just Good Friends
Paul Nicholas, Jan Francis, Ann Lynn
139 VOTES
Premiered: 1983
Just Good Friends is a British sitcom written by John Sullivan. It starred Paul Nicholas and Jan Francis as former lovers Vincent Pinner and Penny Warrender, who meet in a pub five years after he jilted her at the altar. Three series and a 90 minute Christmas special were produced for the BBC by Ray Butt. In 2004, it came 43rd in Britain's Best Sitcom.
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Shameless
93
Shameless
David Threlfall, Elliott Tittensor, Rebecca Atkinson
267 VOTES
Premiered: January 13, 2004
The lives of the dysfunctional Gallagher family.
Is Shameless Worth Your Time?
Lovejoy
94
Lovejoy
Ian McShane, Dudley Sutton, Caroline Langrishe
230 VOTES
Premiered: January 10, 1986
A dubious ladies' man is also a colorful antique dealer.
Is Lovejoy Worth Your Time?
Chef!
95
Chef!
Lenny Henry, Roger Griffiths, Caroline Lee Johnson
185 VOTES
Premiered: January 28, 1993
A temperamental chef lets nothing stand in the way of fine food.
Is Chef! Worth Your Time?
Man Down
96
Man Down
Greg Davies, Roisin Conaty, Mike Wozniak
190 VOTES
Premiered: October 18, 2013
Man Down is a British sitcom first broadcast on Friday 18 October 2013 on Channel 4 and starring Greg Davies as Dan, a man who hates his job as a teacher, and Rik Mayall as his father in the first series. Channel 4 commissioned an additional 25 minute Christmas special before the first series aired, and a second series was announced during Davies's live tour "The Back of My Mum's Head", though this was prior to Rik Mayall's death in June 2014. Following Mayall's death, Davies met with Channel 4, to discuss the future of the show. However on 28 November 2014, Channel 4 announced that Man Down would return for a second Christmas special on 23 December 2014 with a second series due to follow in 2015.
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2point4 children
97
2point4 children
Belinda Lang, Gary Olsen, Julia Hills
165 VOTES
Premiered: 1991
2point4 Children is a BBC television sitcom that was created and written by Andrew Marshall. It follows the lives of the Porters; a seemingly average family whose world is frequently turned upside-down, due to bad luck and bizarre occurrence. The show was originally broadcast on BBC One from 1991 to 1999, and ran for eight series, concluding with 30 December 1999 special episode, "The Millennium Experience". The September 2000 death from cancer of one of the lead actors, Gary Olsen, who played the father, ended the possibility of any subsequent specials. The show is now repeated regularly in the UK on Gold and Drama, and in Australia on UKTV. The title of the show refers to the once average size of a UK family. There are two children in the Porter family, however Andrew Marshall has indicated that the father, Ben, could be considered almost another child, making up the "point four". The show regularly picked up large audiences of up to 14 million in the early 1990s, with an average of between 6 and 9 million, the final episode was viewed by 9.03 million people. In 1997 a remake of the show debuted in the Netherlands: Kees & Co starring Simone Kleinsma.
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Bread
98
Bread
J. G. Devlin, Rita Tushingham, Gilly Coman
173 VOTES
Premiered: 1986
Bread is a British television sitcom, written by Carla Lane, produced by the BBC and screened on BBC1 from 1 May 1986 to 3 November 1991. The series focused on the devoutly-Catholic and extended Boswell family of Liverpool, in the district of Dingle, led by its matriarch Nellie through a number of ups and downs as they tried to make their way through life in Thatcher's Britain with no visible means of support. The street shown at the start of each programme is Elswick Street. A family called Boswell had also featured in Lane's earlier sitcom The Liver Birds and Lane admitted in interviews that the two families were probably related. Nellie's feckless and estranged husband, Freddie, left her for another woman known as 'Lilo Lill'. Her children Joey, Jack, Adrian, Aveline and Billy continued to live in the family home in Kelsall Street and contributed money to the central family fund, largely through benefit fraud and the sale of stolen goods. In a 2004 poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom, Bread came 39th.
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Plebs
99
Plebs
Tom Rosenthal, Joel Fry, Ryan Sampson
205 VOTES
Premiered: 2013
Plebs is a British television series, broadcast on ITV2. It was first broadcast in March 2013, and is produced by Tom Basden, Caroline Leddy, Sam Leifer and Teddy Leifer. It stars Joel Fry, Tom Rosenthal and Ryan Sampson, who play young residents of ancient Rome. The format has been compared to The Inbetweeners, Up Pompeii and Blackadder. The first two episodes were shown on 25 March 2013. On 20 March 2015, it was announced that the show had been renewed for a third series. The style is contemporary and anachronistically uses modern language especially by the character Stylax. The series is notable for its unusual use, for the setting, of predominantly reggae music during all the opening and closing titles and during each episode as background music.
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Misfits
100
Misfits
Karla Crome, Joseph Gilgun, Natasha O'Keeffe
251 VOTES
Premiered: November 12, 2009
Misfits, a British television series that flawlessly fuses science fiction and dark comedy, has garnered a cult fan base since its debut. The show revolves around a group of young offenders who, after being struck by lightning during community service, discover they have developed inexplicable superpowers. With an ensemble cast that includes Robert Sheehan as the mischievous Nathan and Iwan Rheon as the introverted Simon, Misfits has been lauded for its sharp writing and distinct characters. The series boasts numerous accolades, including a BAFTA award for Best Drama, impressing audiences with its wit, originality, and unexpected twists.
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Modern Family
rising to #11 on
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Dead Hot
101
Dead Hot
Bilal Hasna, Vivian Oparah, Peter Serafinowicz
1 VOTES
Premiered: March 1, 2024
Class, love and identity are explored through the friendship of Elliot and Jess.
Is Dead Hot Worth Your Time?
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Brush Strokes
102
Brush Strokes
Gary Waldhorn, Greg Ellis, Christopher Ellison
116 VOTES
Premiered: 1986
Brush Strokes is a British television sitcom, broadcast on BBC television from 1986 to 1991. Written by Esmonde and Larbey and set in South London, it depicted the amorous adventures of a good-looking, wisecracking house painter, Jacko. There were 40 episodes spread over 5 series.
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Butterflies
103
Butterflies
Wendy Craig, Geoffrey Palmer, Nicholas Lyndhurst
142 VOTES
Premiered: 1978
Butterflies was a British sitcom series written by Carla Lane broadcast on BBC2 from 1978–83. The situation is the day-to-day life of the Parkinson family in a bittersweet style. There are both traditional comedy sources and more unusual sources such as Ria's unconsummated relationship with the outwardly-successful Leonard. Ria is still in love with her husband, Ben, and has raised two potentially fine sons, yet finds herself dissatisfied and in need of something more. Throughout the series Ria searches for that "something more" and finds some solace in her unconventional friendship with Leonard. In a 2002 interview, Carla Lane explained, "I wanted to write a comedy about a woman contemplating adultery." In the first episode, an expository discussion between Ria and Leonard alludes to the significance of the series' title: "We are all kids chasing butterflies. You see it, you want it, you grab it, and there it is, all squashed in your hand." She adds, "I am one of the few lucky ones, I have a pleasant house, a pleasant man and two pleasant sons. My butterfly didn't get squashed." Ria's husband Ben collects and studies butterflies.
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Derek
104
Derek
Ricky Gervais, Karl Pilkington, Kerry Godliman
223 VOTES
Premiered: February 23, 2013
A bittersweet comedy-drama involves a group of people living on society's margins.
Is Derek Worth Your Time?
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Citizen Smith
105
Citizen Smith
Robert Lindsay, Peter Vaughan, Janine Duvitski
113 VOTES
Premiered: 1977
Citizen Smith is a British television sitcom. The show was written by John Sullivan, who later wrote Only Fools and Horses. The pilot was transmitted on 12 April 1977 in the Comedy Special series of one-off plays, and the series proper ran from 3 November 1977 to 31 December 1980. Citizen Smith starred Robert Lindsay as "Wolfie" Smith, a young Marxist "urban guerrilla" living in Tooting, South London, who is attempting to emulate his hero Che Guevara. 'Wolfie' is a reference to the Irish revolutionary Wolfe Tone who used the pseudonym Citizen Smith in order to evade capture by the British. Wolfie is the self-proclaimed leader of the revolutionary Tooting Popular Front, the goals of which are "Power to the People" and "Freedom for Tooting". In reality, he is an unemployed dreamer and petty criminal whose plans fall through because of laziness and disorganisation.
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Fresh Meat
106
Fresh Meat
Kimberley Nixon, Robert Webb, Joe Thomas
223 VOTES
Premiered: 2011
Fresh Meat is a British comedy-drama created by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, who also created Peep Show. The first episode, directed by David Kerr, was broadcast on Channel 4 on 21 September 2011, and aired on Wednesdays at 10 pm. Fresh Meat marked the acting début of comedian Jack Whitehall and also stars Kimberley Nixon of Cranford and Joe Thomas of The Inbetweeners. Channel 4 described the show as a comedy drama. The second series started airing on 9 October 2012 and consisted of 8 episodes. On 22 November 2012, a third series was commissioned and began broadcasting on 4 November 2013. Sam Bain, a co-creator of Fresh Meat, has revealed that ideas are being developed for a potential movie adaptation. In November 2014, it was confirmed that series four is in works and will be filmed in 2015.
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Catastrophe
107
Catastrophe
Sharon Horgan, Rob Delaney, Ashley Jensen
219 VOTES
Premiered: January 19, 2015
In a refreshingly honest portrayal of modern relationships, Catastrophe offers viewers a witty and relatable exploration of the complexities that arise when two strangers become entwined in each other's lives. The critically acclaimed British sitcom, which has garnered BAFTA and Emmy nominations, follows the unconventional love story of Irish schoolteacher Sharon Morris (Sharon Horgan) and American advertising executive Rob Norris (Rob Delaney), as they navigate the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy, cultural differences, and the everyday struggles of marriage. Through its clever script and standout performances, the show masterfully balances humor with heartfelt emotion, making it a must-watch for fans of character-driven comedy.
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The Comic Strip Presents
108
The Comic Strip Presents
Peter Richardson, Adrian Edmondson, Jennifer Saunders
113 VOTES
Premiered: November 2, 1982
Self-contained films starring performers from London's Comic Strip comedy club.
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The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin
109
The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin
Noel Fielding, Hugh Bonneville, Asim Chaudhry
3 VOTES
Premiered: March 1, 2024
Dick Turpin is a legendary British highwayman, defined by his charm, showmanship and great hair.
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Pie in the Sky
110
Pie in the Sky
Richard Griffiths, Maggie Steed, Malcolm Sinclair
169 VOTES
Premiered: March 13, 1994
Richard Griffiths stars as detective-turned-restaurateur Henry Crabbe.
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One Foot in the Grave
falling to #10 on
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Boarders
111
Boarders
Jodie Campbell, Josh Tedeku, Sekou Diaby
4 VOTES
Premiered: February 20, 2024
Five Black inner-city teenagers are offered scholarships to a prestigious boarding school.
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Extraordinary
112
Extraordinary
Máiréad Tyers, Sofia Oxenham, Bilal Hasna
4 VOTES
Premiered: January 25, 2023
Jen continues her powers journey as she enrolls as a client at the Power Clinic.
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The Windsors
113
The Windsors
Harry Enfield, Haydn Gwynne, Hugh Skinner
83 VOTES
Premiered: 2016
The Windsors (Channel 4, 2016) is a British sitcom created by George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore. The parody series tells the story of the British Royal family, but re-imagined through the lens of a soap opera. Although the stories are completely fictional, they are inspired by real events.
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Cunk on Earth
114
Cunk on Earth
Diane Morgan
52 VOTES
Premiered: September 19, 2022
In this mockumentary, Philomena Cunk traces the history of civilization.
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The Lenny Henry Show
115
The Lenny Henry Show
Hugh Laurie, Alexei Sayle, Lenny Henry
103 VOTES
Premiered: 1987
The Lenny Henry Show is a comedy sketch show featuring Lenny Henry. It was originally broadcast between 1984 and 1988, and was later revived twice, in 1995 and 2003-2005.
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Tales of the Unexpected
116
Tales of the Unexpected
John Houseman
144 VOTES
Premiered: March 24, 1979
Star-studded sinister and amusing stories, each with a twist in the tale.
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The Durrells
117
The Durrells
Keeley Hawes, Josh O'Connor, Milo Parker
98 VOTES
Premiered: April 3, 2016
A widow moves her family from Britain to Corfu in 1935.
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Staged
118
Staged
David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Georgia Tennant
93 VOTES
Premiered: June 10, 2020
David Tennant and Michael Sheen's play is put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Truth Seekers
119
Truth Seekers
Emma D'Arcy, Malcolm McDowell, Nick Frost
92 VOTES
Premiered: October 30, 2020
Truth Seekers immerses viewers in a blend of comedy and supernatural intrigue as it follows a team of part-time paranormal investigators. Led by Gus Roberts (Nick Frost), a broadband technician by day and ghost hunter by night, the team ventures into haunted hotspots across the UK, capturing ghostly happenings with their array of homemade gadgets. As they delve deeper into the mysteries, they edge closer to uncovering a conspiracy that could bring about Armageddon. Dave (Simon Pegg), is the mysterious boss overseeing the broadband company's operations. The series combines eerie adventures and dark humor.
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Murder Most Horrid
120
Murder Most Horrid
Dawn French
91 VOTES
Premiered: 1991
Murder Most Horrid is a British dark comedy anthology series starring Dawn French. It was broadcast on BBC Two for four series runs, in 1991, 1994, 1996 and 1999. Created by Paul Smith, who also co-created Colin's Sandwich and has written for The Brittas Empire, among other programmes, the series starred French as a different character in each episode. Many episodes were directed by the noted director Bob Spiers, who also worked with French on The Comic Strip Presents... and French and Saunders. Most episodes parodied the thriller and murder mystery genres with one notable episode lampooning the trials and tribulations of being a children's presenter in general, and Blue Peter in particular. In 1998, this episode was repeated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Blue Peter, as part of a section entitled "Spoof Peter", which also featured the Python skit "How to Do It". Each episode was standalone, and the episodes were written by different writers or writing teams with several contributing multiple episodes across the four series. Among these writers, the pairing of series-creator Paul Smith with Terry Kyan is particularly notable.
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The Outlaws
121
The Outlaws
Rhianne Barreto, Darren Boyd, Gamba Cole
49 VOTES
Premiered: October 25, 2021
The Outlaws is a British crime thriller-comedy that brings together an unlikely group of seven strangers, each serving a community payback sentence in Bristol. Created by Stephen Merchant and Elgin James, the show stars Merchant himself alongside Christopher Walken, with Rhianne Barreto and Gamba Cole among the ensemble cast. The misfit characters find themselves entangled in a dangerous criminal world far beyond their petty offenses. As they work to renovate a derelict community center, their pasts catch up with them, leading to unexpected alliances and personal growth. The series deftly harrmonizes humor with tension, featuring themes of redemption, class disparity, and the complexity of justice.
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The Cleaner
122
The Cleaner
Greg Davies, Zita Sattar, Helena Bonham Carter
37 VOTES
Premiered: September 10, 2021
A crime scene cleaning technician deals with a gruesome job.
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Mrs. Brown's Boys
123
Mrs. Brown's Boys
Brendan O'Carroll, Jennifer Gibney, Eilish O'Carroll
378 VOTES
Premiered: January 23, 2010
An Irish matriarch meddles in the lives of her six children.
Is Mrs. Brown's Boys Worth Your Time?
The End of the F***ing World
124
The End of the F***ing World
Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden, Wunmi Mosaku
202 VOTES
Premiered: October 24, 2017
The End of the Fing World, a dark comedy-drama series, invites viewers on an unexpected journey alongside two misfit teenagers, James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), as they embark on a chaotic road trip. The critically acclaimed show, based on Charles Forsman's graphic novel, explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery while balancing both humor and heartbreak. With its talented ensemble cast and captivating storytelling, the series has garnered numerous accolades, including a British Academy Television Award nomination for Best Drama Series. The End of the Fing World masterfully navigates the complexities of adolescence and human connection, leaving audiences eager for more.
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Starstruck
125
Starstruck
Rose Matafeo, Nikesh Patel, Emma Sidi
209 VOTES
Premiered: April 26, 2021
Starstruck is a British comedy series that follows Jessie (Rose Matafeo), a millennial living in East London juggling two dead-end jobs and navigating the awkward morning-after-the-night-before when she discovers she's accidentally slept with famous film star Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel). As the creator of the series, New Zealand comedian Matafeo brings her unique brand of humor to the role. The show highlights the complexities of modern dating and an unlikely romance. As Jessie and Tom's connection deepens throughout the series, Starstruck explores themes of celebrity, identity, and the unpredictability of life with a charming and witty touch.
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Man vs. Bee
126
Man vs. Bee
Rowan Atkinson
54 VOTES
Premiered: June 24, 2022
Man vs. Bee is a British comedy series that premiered on June 24, 2022. The show follows Trevor (Rowan Atkinson), a bumbling and quirky house-sitter who finds himself engaged in a ludicrous battle with a persistent bee while staying in a luxurious mansion. The escalating conflict leads to a series of comedic and catastrophic events. Atkinson's performance as the hapless protagonist showcases his signature physical comedy and highlights man versus nature - and the chaos of everyday life. Man vs. Bee has been praised for its light-hearted humor and Atkinson's return to television comedy.
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Agatha Raisin
127
Agatha Raisin
Ashley Jensen, Mathew Horne, Katy Wix
176 VOTES
Premiered: June 7, 2016
Amateur sleuth Agatha Raisin investigates eight entertaining murder mysteries.
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Us
128
Us
Thaddea Graham, Sofie Gråbøl, Tom Hollander
215 VOTES
Premiered: September 20, 2020
Following the Petersen family during their vacation across Europe.
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Cold Feet
129
Cold Feet
James Nesbitt, Helen Baxendale, Kimberley Joseph
138 VOTES
Premiered: 1998
Cold Feet is a British comedy-drama television series produced by Granada Television for the ITV network. The series was created and principally written by Mike Bullen as a follow-up to his award-winning 1997 Comedy Premiere of the same name. The storyline follows three couples experiencing the ups-and-downs of romance. Adam Williams and Rachel Bradley are a new couple who go through dating, marriage and the birth of a child. Pete and Jenny Gifford are a married couple with a newborn son; they experience parenthood, adultery, separation and eventually divorce when Jenny leaves for a job in New York. Pete starts a new relationship with Jo Ellison. Karen and David Marsden live an upper-middle-class lifestyle, employing a nanny for their son and holding dinner parties with friends. Their marriage disintegrates after each has an affair. The series was executive-produced by Bullen with Granada's head of comedy Andy Harries, and produced by Christine Langan, Spencer Campbell and Emma Benson. 32 episodes were broadcast over five series from 15 November 1998 to 16 March 2003. The series is set in Greater Manchester and was primarily filmed there for all five years.
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Alexei Sayle's Stuff
130
Alexei Sayle's Stuff
Alexei Sayle, Mark Williams, Angus Deayton
87 VOTES
Premiered: 1988
Alexei Sayle's Stuff is a comedy sketch show which ran on BBC2 for a total of 18 episodes over 3 series from 1988 to 1991.
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That Mitchell and Webb Look
131
That Mitchell and Webb Look
David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman
11 VOTES
Premiered: September 19, 2006
With David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
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Timewasters
132
Timewasters
Daniel Lawrence Taylor, Kadiff Kirwan, Adelayo Adedayo
201 VOTES
Premiered: October 9, 2017
A struggling South London jazz band are transported back to the 1920s via a block of flats.
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Stath Lets Flats
133
Stath Lets Flats
Jamie Demetriou, Natasia Demetriou, Alastair Roberts
69 VOTES
Premiered: June 27, 2018
An incompetent young man works for his dad's rental agency, where he helps people find apartments.
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White Gold
134
White Gold
Ed Westwick, James Buckley, Joe Thomas
151 VOTES
Premiered: May 24, 2017
The story of a showroom in Essex in the mid-80s, led by charismatic Vincent Swan.
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Splitting Image
135
Splitting Image
John DiMaggio, Matt Forde, Jess Robinson
63 VOTES
Premiered: October 31, 2020
A revival of the classic satire show using puppets that are caricatures of major public figures.
Is Splitting Image Worth Your Time?
Frank of Ireland
136
Frank of Ireland
Brian Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Greene
64 VOTES
Premiered: April 15, 2021
Self-proclaimed musician Frank, 32, has a tenuous grasp of reality.
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Being Human
137
Being Human
Michael Socha, Damien Molony, Kate Bracken
142 VOTES
Premiered: February 18, 2008
In a compelling exploration of what it means to be human, this supernatural drama series delves into the lives of three housemates, each struggling with their own extraordinary circumstances. The show follows werewolf George Sands (Russell Tovey), vampire John Mitchell (Aidan Turner), and ghost Annie Sawyer (Lenora Crichlow) as they navigate the complexities of living with their supernatural abilities, while attempting to maintain semblances of normalcy. Garnering critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base, the series boasts a perfect balance of humor, horror, and heart-wrenching drama. With its outstanding cast and thought-provoking storytelling, Being Human is a must-watch for any enthusiast of the genre.
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The Larkins
138
The Larkins
Bradley Walsh, Joanna Scanlan, Tok Stephen
55 VOTES
Premiered: October 10, 2021
The Larkins is a British television series that serves as an adaptation of H.E. Bates' novel The Darling Buds of May. Set in the 1950s, the show follows the Larkin family, a close-knit, generous, and often unconventional clan living in the idyllic Kent countryside. Led by the charismatic Pop Larkin (Bradley Walsh) and his much-adored wife Ma (Joanna Scanlan), the family navigates various comedic and tender situations while enjoying life's simple pleasures. The primary themes include family bonds, rural community life, and the pursuit of happiness.
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Little Britain USA
139
Little Britain USA
Matt Lucas, David Walliams
106 VOTES
Premiered: September 28, 2008
A character-based sketch show.
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Watching
140
Watching
Liza Tarbuck, Elizabeth Spriggs, Noreen Kershaw
83 VOTES
Premiered: 1987
Watching is a British television sitcom, produced by Granada Television for the ITV network and broadcast for seven series and four specials between 1987 and 1993. The series was written by Jim Hitchmough and starred Paul Bown and Emma Wray as mismatched couple Malcolm Stoneway and Brenda Wilson.
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Crashing
141
Crashing
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jonathan Bailey, Julie Dray
129 VOTES
Premiered: January 11, 2016
Crashing, a semi-autobiographical comedy series that premiered in 2016, and is the brainchild of stand-up comedian Pete Holmes. The show explores the life of a young comic who, after his marriage crumbles, finds solace and inspiration in the unpredictable world of New York's stand-up scene. Notable guest stars include Artie Lange and Sarah Silverman playing versions of themselves. Crashing offers an authentic look at the struggles and triumphs of making it in comedy, while also delving into themes of faith, failure, and finding one's identity.
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Mulberry
142
Mulberry
Karl Howman, Geraldine McEwan, Tony Selby
86 VOTES
Premiered: 1992
Mulberry was a fantasy situation comedy airing on BBC1 in the early 1990s. The creative team behind the programme included writers John Esmonde and Bob Larbey. Mulberry ran for two series: the first series of six episodes ran from 24 February to 30 March 1992 and the second series of seven episodes ran from 8 April to 25 May 1993. A third series was planned, but was cancelled before production began. As a result, Mulberry never arrived at its logical conclusion.
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Mum
143
Mum
Lesley Manville, Peter Mullan, Sam Swainsbury
49 VOTES
Premiered: May 13, 2016
Following a year in Cathy's life as she moves on from the death of her husband.
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Absolute Power
144
Absolute Power
Stephen Fry, Geoffrey Palmer, John Bird
60 VOTES
Premiered: 2003
Absolute Power is a British comedy series, set in the offices of Prentiss McCabe, a fictional public relations company in London, run by Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe. It started in 2000 on BBC Radio 4, lasting until 2004 with the fourth and final radio series. A six-part television series ran on BBC Two towards the end of 2003; the second six-episode television series ran on BBC Two on Thursdays at 10 pm from 21 July to 25 August 2005. A one-off radio episode was broadcast on 3 November 2006. The title is taken from a quotation by the historian Lord Acton that "power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely".
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The Piglet Files
145
The Piglet Files
Nicholas Lyndhurst, Clive Francis, John Ringham
66 VOTES
Premiered: 1990
The Piglet Files is a British sitcom produced by LWT. The show consisted of 3 series totalling 21 episodes that ran between 7 September 1990 and 10 May 1992. The programme follows the life of reluctant MI5 agent Peter "Piglet" Chapman as he tries to instruct his fellow agents on the finer points of spy gadgetry while keeping his wife Sarah in the dark about his new career.
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Year of the Rabbit
146
Year of the Rabbit
Matt Berry, Alun Armstrong, Freddie Fox
95 VOTES
Premiered: June 10, 2019
DI Rabbit is a hardened cop who's seen it all, but health issues force him to take on a partner.
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Chewing Gum
147
Chewing Gum
Michaela Coel, Robert Lonsdale, Danielle Isaie
134 VOTES
Premiered: October 6, 2015
In a refreshingly candid exploration of modern relationships, Chewing Gum delves into the life of Tracey Gordon (Michaela Coel), a 24-year-old woman who yearns to break free from her conservative upbringing. Set in a London housing estate, the show masterfully blends humor and heart as it tackles topics such as love, friendship, and self-discovery. With its diverse cast and authentic portrayal of British working-class life, Chewing Gum has garnered critical acclaim, earning Michaela Coel a BAFTA award for her outstanding performance. The show's distinct voice and relatable characters have resonated with audiences, making it a standout hit in contemporary television.
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Hitmen
148
Hitmen
Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Asim Chaudhry
66 VOTES
Premiered: March 25, 2020
Misfits Fran and Jamie are typical best friends; they also happen to kill people for a living.
Is Hitmen Worth Your Time?