Is there a funnier TV show than Fawlty Towers?

[ndru]

- Blackadder. Definitely my favourite. Not so much the first series, but I loved all the others. I periodically drag this out of the DVD collection and watch some favourite episodes;
- Father Ted. I have all the eps on DVD. Ardal O'Hanlan was fantastic! I especially loved "Night of the Nearly Dead". Another one that periodically emerges from the DVD collection;
- The Young Ones. The party episode was "bwilliant";
- Yes Minister. Textbook stuff for where I work, hence my signature. The empty hospital is great;
- Monty Python's Flying Circus. Too many quotable lines!;
- Red Dwarf, except Season 6 onwards. Cat realising he is Dwayne Dibley is priceless!
- Drop the Dead Donkey - a precursor to The Office. Fell apart in the last couple of seasons;
- 'Allo! 'Allo! The last season was not so great.
- The Goodies. Eckythump rules! Pity they haven't released more to DVD.

I enjoyed watching Fawlty Towers once around, but after the second run I found Basil's histrionics just began to irritate me.

Yank shows I enjoyed:
- Seinfeld, especially after the 1st season. As rocker said, its amazing how they kept up the quality for 9 seasons. George's parents were hilarious. Got a little strange in the last season;
- Get Smart. Fantastic writing by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, with spot on delivery by Don Adams;
- Simpsons, clever but getting tired.
- The Nanny. A bit light, but the Niles/C.C. banter and Fran's mother made it worthwhile.
- More recently "Scrubs", but programming is bloody irregular on Ch 7;

Most of the comedies I dislike are from the US. I never understood the "hits" like Friends, Everyone loves Raymond, Becker, Frasier. Cheers and Hogans Heroes were passable.

However, all my absolute extreme hates are the seventies UK series such as Mind Your Language, Are You Being Served, The Benny Hill Show (Yakety Sax!), Love thy Neighbour, Bless this House, Robins Nest, On the Buses, the Good Life. Yuck - what a sad era!

[Harry72]

Yes, what have the Yanks ever done for comedy?

Hogan's hero's!
I know nothink... nothing
Tom and Jerry
Charlie Chaplin(was he a yank?)

[Ashore]

For the Blackadder fans K-Mart have the full set ( all 4 series ) at about $65

For comedy though my personal best were Steptoe & son , Dads Army & Norman Gunston
Though 99 % of the other shows mentioned also rate
Just Don't Panic, Don't Panic, Mister







Useless infomation for the day

Man who run in front of car get tyred.

[journeyman Mick]

...........Charlie Chaplin(was he a yank?)

Born in England, died in Switzerland. US passport revoked after he made a movie in which he kicked a cop in the backside. The passport was revoked when he was on board a ship heading overseas. The authorites deemed the footage was "anti-American" and unpatriotic.

Mick

[Cliff Rogers]

The Roadrunner.... BEEP BEEP.

[vsquizz]

The Goodies

Open all hours - "Thats the worlds most valuable OXO Tin G..G..Granville"

Just gotta love those Dad's Army re-runs

Red Dwarf..yep

definetley Blackadder or is that Slackbladder?

However..Dave Allen was the king I reckon...god rest his funny sole.

Cheers Beep Beep

[sbranden]

Black Adder 2,3,4
The Goodies
Kenny Everet Video Show
The Young Ones
The Family Guy
Red Dwarf
The Big Train
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Shaun Micallef
D Generation
The Games (John Clarke and Bryan Dawe)
Some Futurama Episodes
and yep Dave Allen is agreat call
You really can't go past The Family Guy, Monty Python, Black Adder or The Young Ones for a good belly laugh.

Also, check out BoohBah's for a "what the hell are they smoking" moment- that show really needs heavy drugs to watch.

shaun (typed in authentic frontier gibberish)

[echnidna]

Yank Comedy
M.A.S.H.

[silentC]

Haven't watched an episode of that for years. The theme music puts me off every time. I used to watch it when I was a young 'un though.

[zenwood]

Hogan's hero's!
I know nothink... nothing
Tom and Jerry
Charlie Chaplin(was he a yank?)

• Buster Keaton
• Vincent Price, e.g. the original House on Haunted Hill: what a scream.
• Steve Oedekerk (e.g. Kung Pow: Enter the Fist: laughed myself to acheing point in that one)

Now: how about a mini-thread of overrated American comedians. Here's my suggestions:

• Bob Hope (never funny)
• Robin Willliams (occasionally funny)
• Billy Crystal (except for his performance in Princess Bride as the NY Jewish Magician: "why don'tya gimme a paper-cut an' rub lemon juice in it..."
• Drew Carey
• David Letterman
• Jay Leno (is there a trend here?)
• Kermit the frog (in fact all muppets)
• Jerry Seinfeld (is he really worth all those millions?)
• Mel Brooks (very funny in Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and Dracula: Dead and Loving It, but woeful in Space Balls. Actually, maybe The Producers makes up for it. Oh, ok then, he's not overrated.)
• Tim Allen
• Jim Carrey (some good stuff: e.g. Me, Myself and Irene, but The Grinch was unwatchable)

[silentC]

Are you seriously telling me that silent slapstick movies make you laugh?

[silentC]

Here you go, as voted by the Poms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain%27s_Best_Sitcom

[zenwood]

Are you seriously telling me that silent slapstick movies make you laugh?

Yes: I'm very serious [:|]

[silentC]

Well, there's no accounting for taste, is there?

[zenwood]

Well, there's no accounting for taste, is there?

That explains the Americans (both their humour and George W?)