Top Five Favorite "Britcoms"

[Franklin]

Being an old fogey, I like Saturday nights on TV because the PBS stations around here play old British comedies.

Here's my top five:
1. Monty Python's Flying Circus. (I was 14 when Iowa public TV started showing Python in 1974. They showed them uncut, even the occasional full-frontal nudity. I still send them thank you notes for that.)
2. As Time Goes By.
3. Fawlty Towers.
4. Yes, Minister.
5. Chef!

Honorable mention: Are You Being Served? The final seasons were a little too goofy, though.

Edited to add: Damn! The topic should be TOP Five Favorite Britcoms. Can the title be changed? I need a "p."

 

[Mary Ann]

Re: To Five Favorite "Britcoms"

I remember watching Britcoms on Saturday night on PBS in the late 80s and early 90s. Along with Are You Being Served?, 'Allo! 'Allo!, Keeping up Appearances and The Good Life were firm favourites in our house.

The Lawrence Welk Show was on before the Britcoms started, and though it wasn't an intentionally funny show my brother would do a running commentary that would have my mom and me in stitches ("It's-a Bobby and-a Sissy. Today-a Bobby let-a Sissy wear de skirt!").

 

[Trekker4747]

None.

Honestly, none. Anytime I try and to watch a "Britcom" I fall asleep.

 

[Jadzia]

Here's my top five:

1. Dad's Army
2. Rising Damp
3. Fawlty Towers
4. One Foot In the Grave
5. Are You Being Served?

Also-rans:
Keeping up Appearances
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Open All Hours
Steptoe And Son
Till Death Us Do Part

 

[trekkiebaggio]

Hmm...

Dad's Army
Fawlty Towers
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Only Fools
The Office

Honourable mentions to:

The Brittas Empire
Red Dwarf
I'm Alan Partridge
Blackadder

 

[Roshi]

Monty Python's Flying Circus
Spaced
The New Statesman & Bottom had me in stitches!
Da Ali G Show.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Mr Bean (just kidding)

In addition to some that were already mentioned, Peep Show and My Hero are two I enjoyed a lot too.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

None.

Honestly, none. Anytime I try and to watch a "Britcom" I fall asleep.

I defy you to not enjoy this.

Edit: Embedding disabled. Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vbzoJHqf5Y

 

[Omnius]

In no particular order:

• Monty Python's Flying Circus
• Coupling
• Blackadder
• Little Britain
• IT Crowd

 

[Roshi]

Fuck! I forgot the IT Crowd too!

 

[Trekker4747]

Eh, it was... "funny" "ish." But hardly bust out loud funny. For me anyway. The guy in the wheel chair overplayed the facial mannerism and the "disabled" voice and joke and, honestly, whenever I watch any British show the accents just drive me crazy.

Not my cup of tea.

 

[trekkiebaggio]

Mr Bean (just kidding)

In addition to some that were already mentioned, Peep Show and My Hero are two I enjoyed a lot too.

Ohh I LOVE Mr. Bean.

In no particular order:

• Coupling

Can't believe I forgot Coupling, it's genius.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

That's just crazy to me. My wife and I rewound it three times.

 

[Canadave]

For me:

Monty Python's Flying Circus
Spaced
Fawlty Towers
The Office
Blackadder

 

[Candlelight]

None.

Honestly, none. Anytime I try and to watch a "Britcom" I fall asleep.

Whereas Americans make shit like Everybody Loves Raymond and try to pass it off as comedy.

1 - Father Ted
2 - The IT Crowd
3 - Monty Python
4 - Blackadder
5 - Red Dwarf

 

[tharpdevenport]

1. Mr. Bean
2. Red Dwarf
3. Are You Being Served?

Not seen enough to name any others.

 

[auntiehill]

Fawlty Towers
As Time Goes By
Are You Being Served?
The Good Life
Black Books
(also seasons 1 & 2 of Chef! and Red Dwarf)

 

[Canadave]

None.

Honestly, none. Anytime I try and to watch a "Britcom" I fall asleep.

Whereas Americans make shit like Everybody Loves Raymond and try to pass it off as comedy.

Of course, Americans also make utter brilliance like Arrested Development, so we can't be too hard on 'em.

 

[Franklin]

Hmm...

Dad's Army
Fawlty Towers
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Only Fools
The Office

Honourable mentions to:

The Brittas Empire
Red Dwarf
I'm Alan Partridge
Blackadder

Red Dwarf. How did I forget that? I'd give it an honorable mention, too. It was up and down in quality.

I'd like to get the British version of The Office on DVD. I really liked the few episodes I saw. However I absolutely HATE the American version. At least in my opinion, Ricky Gervais is ten times better (and more believable as character) than Steve Carell in the same basic role. I loved to hate Gervais's character. I just hate Carell's.

 

[Roger Wilco]

None.

Honestly, none. Anytime I try and to watch a "Britcom" I fall asleep.

Whereas Americans make shit like Everybody Loves Raymond and try to pass it off as comedy.

Of course, Americans also make utter brilliance like Arrested Development, so we can't be too hard on 'em.

Both countries produce mountains of shit and some excellent tv.