I've always felt the UK punches above it's weight when it comes to comedy, with something about our nations cold, damp miserableness and air of faded empire lending itself particularly well to creating the kind of comedy I love. Don't get me wrong, right now I think the USA is putting out some great comedies like Community, Parks & Recreation etc, but I thought I'd share some great UK comedy shows that don't seem to have made the jump outside this sceptred isle, and hopefully provoke some of you into sharing some great shows I might not have caught.
I've tried to pick some that people might not know, but hopefully not so obscure that you can't find them on dvd somewhere (or via less salubrious channels).
Black books revolves around Bernard Black, the drunken belligerent owner of a run down bookshop, who has little time for customers and the selling of books, preferring (as most bookshop owners seem to) peace and quiet in which to read and get drunk. Featuring Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig, who are all funny on their own, Black Books was a hilarious series that ran for 3 seasons between 2000 and 2004. Depending on your location most of the episodes may well be available on Youtube, and are well worth checking out.
And if you're not familiar with Dylan Moran or Bill Bailey, make sure to check out some of their stand-up as well, with Dylan Moran carrying on his drunken irishman persona, and Bill Bailey providing a great musical comedy showcase at his gigs. Dylan Moran on Women: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUH34iqK7cI Bill Bailey on Loneliness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4GepPNQro
A sketch format show, Big Train stands out for the great performers in very much a "before they were famous" way. Featuring Kevin Eldon, Mark Heap and Simon Pegg to name just a few, the show is full of great sketches without relying too much on recurring characters and catchphrases like many of these shows tend to.
A classic, containing so many hilarious scenes that I really can't recommend it enough if you haven't seen it. Centring on three Irish Roman Catholic Priests on Craggy island, while it does get in a few digs at the churches expense, it's the characters of the irascible father Ted Crilly and the dim-witted but good-hearted Father Dougal McGuire who make the show. Following the sad death of Dermot Morgan (Father Ted), there can unfortunately never be more episodes, but the 25 that exist are fantastic. The below scene is probably my favourite joke ever, and is still capable of making my friends and I laugh like crazy.
JAM is the brainchild of Chris Morris, who has also created Four Lions, Brass Eye and numerous other great black comedies. For me though, this is his best work, and it's ability to simultaneously make me laugh while being deeply uncomfortable is one of it's great strengths. If you can pick up the DVD as well, you'll get the 'remixed' version featuring slowed down and re-edited versions of the sketches giving it an ever darker and more surreal edge. If you're of a squeamish disposition I suggest skipping the second of the videos.
The reason I decided to write a blog in the first place, this show is woefully underappreciated, mainly due to the BBC's decision to only show it on BBC scotland. While it contains a profusion of thick scots accents, the comedy shines through and it really deserves a bigger audience. Also I could listen to Kirsty Strain talk in her Glaswegian brogue forever!
So hopefully at least one of those was new to you, and if not, well sorry I guess. Let me know what you think of my first ever blog (TM) and let me know if you think you're country has great comedy too and share some examples. My life is short of great comedy from around the world!
