This is a really tough question. I grew up being told by my parents that American humour was too watered-down and for the most part made for dumb people while British humour was superior. They also claimed that the few American sit-coms they liked (like Frasier) were made by British writers. I rebelled against that way of thinking and was really into the American sit-coms at one point and completely ignored British comedy shows.

I feel that American comedy shows have evolved alot and I like many current American sitcoms (How I Met Your Mother, My Name Is Earl). I do prefer British comedy these days (Coupling, Little Britain) but there are however some current shows like Katherine Tate that really get on my nerves.

Nowadays, I can't sit through some of the American shows I liked back in the day (The Nanny, Home Improvement, Cosby Show etc.) because they've aged so badly. In my view British comedy shows seem to age better (Black Adder, Allo Allo, Mr. Bean, Bottom etc.) than their American counterparts. Also the humour wasn't as watered-down and there was no need for some "message" at the end of each show as was the case with many American shows. In general, In British shows there seems to be less of the constant need so apparent in American sitcoms to explain the jokes to the viewer (i.e. more subtlety). Of course there are some REALLY good exceptions to this rule (SOAP and Sledge Hammer being the best examples IMO).
[Edited 6/12/07 16:36pm]

NDRU said:

Yeah, but Terry just animated the show and played the armour-guy with the chicken..

His animations are awesome and he's a brilliant director though..

Mushanga said:

They never let him speak. They knew he'd say some dumb American shit. I heard his new movie was offensively bad

Americans make some good comedy, but sometimes it doesn't catch on, as ws the case for Arrested Development. The Office almost didn't make it. My Name is Earl gets away with being very intelligent by masquerading behind dumb characters.

Someone mentioned Home Improvement. WTF was that? Has Tim Allen ever done anything funny?
[Edited 6/12/07 16:51pm]

NDRU said:

Chapman once said about Gilliam, that "Terry Gilliam is a very good visual person, but he's not very good at expressing himself verbally. He basically has two stock phrases that he uses for every occasion. Things are either 'Really great!' or else, they 'Really piss him off!'"

Mushanga said:

I don't remember ever hearing him speak. I do remember him throwing up into a helmet, though. It would be hard to get through a Monty Python sketch without having a way with words

Actually, I vaguely remember him saying "this is my only line."

Hey don't dis us Americans....I love the British and their shows.

America does some good shows, but does England do shows as bad as Saved By the Bell, Diff'rent Strokes, Small Wonder, or Home Improvement?

Well, at its peak The Simpsons made me laugh more than almost anything, and I did like Frasier, do like Arrested Development, and Airplane! still cracks me up, but I'm going to have to go with us Brits.

The Day Today, Brass Eye... all the Chris Morris, Armando Iannucci stuff, to me is just head and shoulders above anything I've ever seen from the US.

Having said that, I'm not too fussed I've been away while comedies like Little Britain have become popular. Seems like things have gone downhill since I was living there, despite The Office and a few other bright spots. I still dig all the old stuff like Only Fools and Horses, Fawlty Towers, Blackadder etc. though

NDRU said:

In "The Meaning of Life" he plays the reluctant rastafar-jew organ donor and has a few lines.. And he's one of the writer in the sketch with chapman playing the rich filmmogul, whom everyone is scared of..

He did the roles, which required uncomfortable costumes or heavy make-up..

And he did vomit in a hat, it was the crunchy frog -sketch, but in the hollywood bowl version..

I'm a big python-nerd..
[Edited 6/12/07 17:40pm]

Mushanga said:

that was amazing since he stood onstage for a long time before he did it. very disgusting.

NDRU said:

The whole show is just SO incredible!!! They really blew my mind! The sketches were taken even more farther than in the tv-show..And I just love the moments when they're craking up and laughing at themselves..

And I adore this sketch:



It's just so much more over the top than on tv.. Love it..

How do you Brits feel about Seinfeld?

Now what's funnier than that 'royal family'?

Friends=Worst Show Ever. Most Overrated Show Ever.

purplehippieonthe1 said:

You are one Cooool man.

I love all types of humor. It just can't be dumb, or obvious humor.

I'm a huge British comedy fan. I really love Catherine Tate. Then again I'm also crazy about Kathy Griffin.



Wow, I just realized. I like female comedians better than men. What the hell is that about?.....


M
[Edited 6/12/07 18:56pm]

oops
[Edited 6/12/07 18:54pm]

TheoHuxtable said:[quote]

NDRU said:

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

Her and Sara Silverman can go take a walk...

lilgish said:

I liked it, though it was never a must-see for me.

Forget Brits or Americans.

The funniest people on earth are the Jews.

Stax said:

absolutely bwilliant!

Hard to say.




Sorry, I haven't added anything to this debate.

Mushanga said:

My old neighbors were at that show, and they appear onscreen laughing for a second.

Definitely a great movie.

Biscuit said:

so many famous comedians are jewish

lilgish said:

Americans like Richard Pryor (rest in peace), Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac, & Sarah Silverman would destory The Brits' comedians ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!!!!













.....just having fun!

I'd like to get familiar with British sitcoms, because I'm not too crazy about a lot of American sitcoms out now. They don't make them like they used to.


Endless list.

People in real life: I'd say english people. Even though I only lived in america 'til 9 years old, so that may be a little unfair

...people in England generally bitch and moan abut anything in general. Media included. Shame I moved to Norfolk, a place where the only thing funny is the way people talk.


Tv wise: Simpsons is the best show of all time period for me. But recently, Britain has done some funny shit. Like Peep show, royle family, office, coupling, extras, dinner ladies.... In the last 10 years, America funny wise has done pretty much jack shit barring sex and the city.

Too many "family" sitcoms where some ugly dude has a hot wife and a couple of teenage kids. WTF kinda formula for good comedy is that?

thesexofit said: