I love British comedies. I grew up watching them, and I seek them out today. Some are incredibly cheesy to the point of moldiness, and others are simply brilliant. I’ve compiled a list of them for you here! (Caveat: Not all of these are comedies, nor are all British. Some are Irish, etc.)
- Absolutely Fabulous – silly fun, two women who never grew past the 1960s
- After You’ve Gone – is good, but not as good as My Family for dysfunctional family
- Alfresco – sketch comedy with Robbie Coltrane, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson – all before they were famous
- ‘Allo ‘Allo – a bit odd, set during WWII
- Are you Being Served – the epitome of Britcom for me
- As Time Goes By – My parents story, or pretty close. Judi Dench is awesome.
- Ballykissangel – Irish town meets English priest. Hilarity ensues.
- A Bit of Fry and Laurie – Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. Nuff said.
- Black Adder – Rowan Atkinson at his sarcastic best
- Brother Cadfael – lovely historical mysteries with Derek Jacobi
- The Celts – Documentary that made Enya’s music famous
- Chef! – you thought Gordon Ramsay was bad?
- Coupling – Like Friends, but funny and with more sex.
- Doctor Who – No description needed
- Doc Martin – a country doctor afraid of blood, and no social skill whatsoever
- Father Ted – bumbling Irish priests on a small island.
- Fawlty Towers – John Cleese. Nothing more needed.
- French & Saunders – Vicar of Dibley meets AbFab
- Good Neighbors – a young(ish) couple decide to live off the land – while living in the suburbs.
- Hamish MacBeth – Dr. Rush from SGU is a cop in the highlands of Scotland. With an attitude.
- Hold the Sunset – new comedy with John Cleese
- Hotel Babylon – 5 Star hotel in London – the inside view
- Horatio Horn blower – History on the High Seas
- I, Claudius – Derek Jacobi again, fantastic series of ancient Rome.
- Jeeves and Wooster – More Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry
- Little Britain – Silly, toilet humor for the very British. Narrated by Tom Baker
- Lovejoy – Antique dealer/rogue
- Last of the Summer Wine – A group of old men try to have fun in their autumn days
- Michael Palin’s travel vids – He brings travel to life
- Monarch of the Glen – My favorite series ever. Highlands of Scotland.
- Monty Python’s Flying Circus – true silliness as only the Brits can do it.
- Mr. Bean – Sort of a BritMime
- My Family – Dysfunctional family – hilarious
- One Foot in the Grave – Old man complains about forced retirement to anyone who will listen
- Red Dwarf – Space Britcom with human cats
- Rosemary and Thyme – Two gardeners find lots of murderers.
- Roar! – Celtic historical – sort of (Heath Ledger)
- Rome – great rendition of Julius Caesar’s time
- Sharpe’s series – fantastic series of Napoleonic wars (Sean Bean)
- Shaun the Sheep – claymation, very funny
- Sherlock Holmes – any version will do.
- Strange – defrocked priest turned demon hunter
- Thin Blue Line – More Rowan Atkinson – as a cop, this time.
- Torchwood. – Chasing aliens in Cardiff
- The Tudors. – Another great historical series (mostly)
- Upstart Crow – David Mitchell plays Shakespeare before he was famous
- Vicar of Dibley – hilarity from Dawn French as a female vicar in a very small town
- Waiting for God – Fantastic! Sarcastic wit and silliness
- Yes, Minister – amusing, not required, Britcom about the Prime Minister
- The Young Ones – early Britcom silliness