Right, this is inspired by the Ringu v The Ring thread (just given props where they're due).


Am I right in thinking that UK sitcoms get shown in the US on some obscure cable channel? If so, has 'The Office' been shown? It's been one of the biggest things in the UK of recent times (along with Phoenix Nights, more of later).

I'm just curious to know if it's translated the Atlantic? I can't see Phoenix Nights working in the US (because it's based so heavily on things unique to British culture) & I am a bit sceptical about The Office. I know there's a big $ remake going on of 'The Office' at the moment.

Is watching Brit sitcoms in the US considered a kind of 'Elitist' thing, like watching subtitled movies?

I'd love to hear a bit of feedback from our American friends. Have you seen the any of the big 3 British comedies of late?

1. The Office (fly-on-the-wall documentary spoof)
2. Phoenix Nights (set in Northern England, based round tiny entertainments club)
3. The League Of Gentleman (cross Monty Python with Hammer House of Horror)

Office - classic!

i have seen the office (britcom version) only on region 2 or 4 (i think) dvd

i dont know of any american cable that is showing it, possibly bbc america?

as far as it being elitist to enjoy foreign import shows, i have been accused of being so many times.

ooh! thought of another one! "the young ones" LOVE that show

I've seen The Office a few times, but I've been out of the tv loop for a while and I can't remember when it comes on. It's cool. I can't say I've heard anyone else in the US talking about it, though. Sometimes things like this either take off immediately and eventually fade after the novelty has worn off, or they're slow burners and develop a cult audience before becoming big - if at all.

cborgman said:

Killer. I bought the DVDs. 'WE GOT A LETTER FROM THE COUNCEL'

US sitcoms are at an all-time low right now, in my opinion. There's not a lot of good comedy writing out there, especially in situation comedies. The only television comedy that can consistently make me laugh is "The Daily Show", which is hardly a sitcom. The last sitcom that made me laugh regularly was also from Comedy Central - "Strangers With Candy". I'd love to see a return to the form of a show like "Seinfeld" or "Taxi", or heck...even shows like "Alice" or "One Day At A Time" - a good ensemble cast and a sensibility that puts humor over gloss, it ain't that difficult...or maybe it IS these days...

CAMILLE4U said:

rik mayall is fucking HILARIOUS!

Anxiety said:

absolute co-sign

cborgman said:

U need some video tapes of the live bottom shows. You'll be laughing in pain!

cborgman said:

Huge fan of "The Young Ones"...superb writing on that show.

CAMILLE4U said:

Only seen it a couple of times. I do wish to marry Gina Bellman, so I was a bit dissapointed to find her character very unsexy.

daned said:

:shock: I think Jane is extremely sexy. I'm very surprised. I've had many a moment over her charecter (and her)

CAMILLE4U said:

gonna have to look for them!

Byron said:

now i am gonna have to get the DVDs. have not seen that show in years.

i've not seen the office on BBCAmerica, but i'd like to

I know they do show Coupling occasionally, but I gave up trying to catch it and have just been buying the DVDs

I just got season 2 yesterday and watched 6 episodes in a row...that show cracks me up...it's too bad the US version is as horrid as it is, it gives the show a bad name

endorphin74 said:

YOUR SHAKING THE CARAVAN JEFFRY!

I wanna see the newest AbFabs. Anybody know when they'll air here?

I don't suppose America gets the League of Gentlemen either ... or do you?

Not a sit-com, but 3-Non Blondes might go down well in America.

It's kind of a candid-camera-esque thing where three Black London girls go out onto the street and basically make fools of themselves in front of hidden cameras.

It sounds contrived, but it's quite individual and very funny.

Romance1600 said:

Those women R a riot! I like the 'Animals in search of kindness' woman! eheheh

JDINTERACTIVE said:

"no i dont want your money just give us a snog..just a little one..

lol...i like that show...altho i havent seen it on in a while .

my favorite clip is where she goes into a store and tries to hypnotize the cashier .."when you wake you wont even remember i took this bag of donuts" ...or when she runs up out of breath to other black peeps and asks "excuse me love but are you black?

Gotta love the Young Ones!!!



Althought I haven't seen that program since it was on Comedy Central. I wonder where there showing it now.

PBS here in America still plays these programs too:



The Fawlty Towers



Keeping Up Apperances

and of course



Mr. Bean

Raspberry said:

Fact!

Brent's comedy dance is v. funny. Der, der, der, der, der der!

If the U.S haven't seen any Blackadder, U missed the classic of a generation!

'dre