BEST BRITISH COMEDY SERIES': My Top 100 Pom-Coms
PLEASE NOTE: The first 20 titles are my top 20 in alphabetical order... and therefore no particular order. It's way too hard to play favourites. The main reason that I compiled the list this way is because whichever title is #1 on the list will instantly become the thumbnail for the list... and I really don't want the thumbnail to be ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS... because it's a bit gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that :p Real men are totally allowed to enjoy Ab Fab. Let's face it, essentially it's about two middle-aged women who love getting drunk and/or high. What's not to like? ;D
I'm constantly probing Pom-Com's that may or may not prove to be worthy of my precious list. Whenever I discover a new gem, the first ones to be omitted from this list will be the old shows that don't really stand the test of time, the shows that were tragically axed after only one series and the shows featuring Rik & Ade that only made the list because I'm a die-hard fan of THE YOUNG ONES who was clutching at straws and who would probably turn gay for Rik & Ade... if only I could manage to prod a blokes bottom without instantly throwing up all over his back. You heard me! This is what happens when you watch too much BOTTOM. Particularly the BOTTOM LIVE's. You start writing the kind of "jokes" that would make Quagmire from FAMILY GUY or Jay from THE INBETWEENERS go, "EWWWWW! That's a bit much isn't it?!" :p
I look forward to your comments and/or criticisms... whether they're constructive or not. I'm also very keen to receive suggestions for my list. If you recommend it, I promise to give it a fair crack asap. Having said that, please read my comments at the end of the list before commenting, criticising, suggesting and/or having a go at me for including the likes of Frank Spencer whilst excluding the likes of Hyacinth Bucket :p
How's my diction/literacy? Call 1800 DROP OUT! Here, have a few more misplaced commas, overused quotation marks and dots to indicate slight pauses followed by an extra emoticon ...",",",... :D
Probe my other IMDb Lists:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur23177327/
Or add me on your Face:
http://www.facebook.com/MurphysLoreOfAttraction
Or experience my Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/NozinArounRises
I also created this website for my virtual chum, Ewen "Big Keith" MacIntosh:
http://www.ewenmacintosh.com
I'm constantly probing Pom-Com's that may or may not prove to be worthy of my precious list. Whenever I discover a new gem, the first ones to be omitted from this list will be the old shows that don't really stand the test of time, the shows that were tragically axed after only one series and the shows featuring Rik & Ade that only made the list because I'm a die-hard fan of THE YOUNG ONES who was clutching at straws and who would probably turn gay for Rik & Ade... if only I could manage to prod a blokes bottom without instantly throwing up all over his back. You heard me! This is what happens when you watch too much BOTTOM. Particularly the BOTTOM LIVE's. You start writing the kind of "jokes" that would make Quagmire from FAMILY GUY or Jay from THE INBETWEENERS go, "EWWWWW! That's a bit much isn't it?!" :p
I look forward to your comments and/or criticisms... whether they're constructive or not. I'm also very keen to receive suggestions for my list. If you recommend it, I promise to give it a fair crack asap. Having said that, please read my comments at the end of the list before commenting, criticising, suggesting and/or having a go at me for including the likes of Frank Spencer whilst excluding the likes of Hyacinth Bucket :p
How's my diction/literacy? Call 1800 DROP OUT! Here, have a few more misplaced commas, overused quotation marks and dots to indicate slight pauses followed by an extra emoticon ...",",",... :D
Probe my other IMDb Lists:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur23177327/
Or add me on your Face:
http://www.facebook.com/MurphysLoreOfAttraction
Or experience my Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/NozinArounRises
I also created this website for my virtual chum, Ewen "Big Keith" MacIntosh:
http://www.ewenmacintosh.com
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100 titles
- CreatorRichard CurtisStarsRowan AtkinsonBrian BlessedElspet GrayIn the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.MY TOP 20
Obviously I'm referring to "The Whole Damn Dynasty" and not just the first series... although for the record, I'd just like to say that the first series was nowhere near as bad as Ben Elton seems to think it was. Bladder and Balders may not have found their feet at that point, but it still had more charisma in its pinky toe than Mad Gerald had in his entire body. I can certainly understand why it wasn't better received in my neck of the woods. The Seven Network Australia were loosely involved in its production and when they broadcast it in Australia, they butchered several minutes worth of each episode to make way for bloody ads! Luckily I had a video... and in this day and age, if you asked an Aussie if they'd ever heard of Blackadder and they said either "No I haven't" or "Yes I have and I think it's $h!+", that'd be like finding a gold filling in a hens' gob... or a straight female/homosexual male who passionately hates GLEE :p
BALDRICK: Boom Boom... Boom Boom...
BLACKADDER: Boom Boom Boom?!
BALDRICK: How did you guess, sir?
GEORGE: I say, sir that is spooky! - CreatorDylan MoranStarsDylan MoranBill BaileyTamsin GreigBernard Black runs a book shop, though his customer service skills leave something to be desired. He hires Manny as an employee. Fran runs the shop next door. Between the three of them many adventures ensue.MY TOP 20
My mum and I were channel-hopping one night when we stumbled upon a new Pom-Com with 2 guys and a girl we were unfamiliar with. It was the episode where Bernard and Manny accidentally guzzle the Pope's wine and Fran's date turns out to be a f(l)op (S1.E3). We both pissed ourselves consistently, fell in love with the humour instantly and purchased the 1st series on DVD the very next day. We soon realised that Bernard, Fran & Manny were far from being one hit wonders. The fact that a guy in his late teens and a woman in her late 50's laughed every 25 seconds for 25 minutes speaks volumes ;)
BERNARD: No one's willing to admit that wine doesn't actually have a taste!
MANNY: But you can't taste anything! You smoke a bajillion cigarettes a day! What's that you're eating?
BERNARD: It's some sort of delicious biscuit.
MANNY: It's a coaster.
BERNARD: Is it? Are there any more? - StarsJack DavenportGina BellmanSarah AlexanderSix best friends talk about all aspects of sex and relationships on their never-ending quest to find true love.MY TOP 20
Hopefully you won't be discouraged if I refer to COUPLING as a more risque Pommy answer to FRIENDS. It's also the show that tenderly filled the gaping void between MEN BEHAVING BADLY and PEEP SHOW. "Scary" Jeff Murdoch is without a doubt the real scene-stealer and unfortunately he's absent from the 4th and final series... probably because his agent advised him to ask for the current balance of Ted Danson's savings account per episode. However the 4th series makes you realise just how well-drawn the other 5 characters are and Jeff's replacement, Oliver also has his fair share of moments.
When introducing a friend to the joys of COUPLING, I highly recommend the 5th episode of series 1 where Jeff chats up a Hebrew Goddess or the 1st episode of series 2 where Jeff accidentally tells a girl that he only has one leg... as you do. Steve and Susan really shine in the episode where Steve attempts to propose and the episode where he pretends to be an Aussie called Bruce and she pretends to be a French bitch called Giselle. Patrick and Sally really shine in the episode where Steve accidentally sees Sally's bottom and the episode with Madame Butterfly and Spider-man. As for Jane... she just generally shines... regardless of the fact that she's a shallow, self-satisfied simpleton.
"CLEFT?!" - CreatorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisAshley JensenStephen MerchantAndy Millman is an actor with ambition and a script. Reduced to working as an extra with a useless agent, Andy's attempts to boost his career invariably end in failure and embarrassment.MY TOP 20
"What's E.T. short for?
Because he's only got little legs."
EXTRAS just barely beat THE OFFICE to a place in my Top 20. The main reason that the former pipped the latter at the post (and believe me it was a photo-finish) is the breakthrough performance of a lanky, goggle-eyed freak known as Stephen Merchant. After watching the bonus features on THE OFFICE DVD's (yeah... I'm one of those nerds), I couldn't understand why Steve didn't portray Gareth (all due respect to Mackenzie) or at least another recurring character instead of appearing for a mere minute or two in only one episode. I could tell that he was equally as talented as Ricky... and I was right! Special mentions should also go to Barry From Eastenders and every other celebrity who contributed along the way. Having said that (Curb Your Enthusiasm reference), the REAL main reason that EXTRAS pipped THE OFFICE at the post is because I've always wanted to be "Famous"... without having to "Kill A Prostitute"! - StarsJohn CleesePrunella ScalesAndrew SachsHotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.MY TOP 20
A little-known gem :p
"ZOOM! What was that? That was your life mate. Oh, that was quick. Do I get another? Sorry mate, that's your lot. Back to the world of dreams." - CreatorJesse ArmstrongSam BainStarsZawe AshtonGreg McHughKimberley NixonA comedy that follows a group of six students about to embark on the most exciting period of their lives so far, university.MY TOP 20
It's pretty rape :p
My Facebook chums Jesse Armstrong & Sam Bain, who created the modern masterpiece PEEP SHOW and the piss-funny film FOUR LIONS, also conceived and gave birth to this stupendously brilliant comedy series about a group of British university students who share a house (No points for originality :p). I recently bumped NIGHTY NIGHT from my top 20 in favo(u)r of FRESH MEAT because after watching the 3rd series I realised that there's much more to love. Sorry Julia. - CreatorVictoria PileStarsSally BrettonOliver ChrisOlivia ColmanFunky hospital-based sketch-comedy-drama type show.MY TOP 20
2 words... MARK and HEAP! Not to mention everyone else who ever uttered a single syllable in this (arguably) Pommy answer to SCRUBS. Much like COUPLING is (arguably) the Pommy answer to FRIENDS.
Discuss... - StarsJohnny VegasGraham DuffNicola ReynoldsMoz is a drug dealer and has very strange clientele who come and go from his flat.MY TOP 20
Much like a stoner, this series takes a while to get going. Once you reach the 2nd last episode of the 1st series where Moz (Johnny Vegas) utters the immortal words, "We should take Craig out", I guarantee you'll be addicted... whether you're a stoner or not. The good news is that there are 6 whole series' of the show and it gets more addictive as it goes. The bad news is that it was axed and they wouldn't even allow the ultra scrummy Graham Duff to wrap it up with a 7th series or at least a feature-length special. Whoever made that decision seriously needs to be axed!
"Kids are like farts. You hate other peoples but you relish your own." - StarsSimon BirdJames BuckleyBlake HarrisonFollows four friends and their antics during their final years of school.MY TOP 20
Down under, in my great brown land, the 5 most popular Pom-Com's of the 21st century (particularly amongst the "Young Adult" demographic) are undoubtedly BLACK BOOKS, THE IT CROWD, LITTLE BRITAIN, THE OFFICE and a very risque series about a foursome of randy teenage lads that made the AMERICAN PIE movies look like utter $h!+ (which let's face it, isn't very hard). The popularity of Will, Simon, Jay & Neil in my neck of the woods is not only due to their instant appeal, but also due to the fact that the networks actually gave them a decent run on Aussie commercial networks instead of airing each episode once (at the most) in late time slots that constantly changed without warning. If only GREEN WING and PEEP SHOW had enjoyed similar treatment!
"So just to be clear... that's AMBULANCE... or MUMMY!" - StarsChris O'DowdRichard AyoadeKatherine ParkinsonThe comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss and their grifting supervisor Jen, a rag-tag team of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.MY TOP 20
Knock Knock Knock "Penny".
Knock Knock Knock "All Of My Friends".
This show is quite funny... and in my opinion, the main reason for the well-deserved success of THE BIG BANG THEORY is due to the fact that the Yanks merely pinched a hint of THE IT CROWD's essence instead of insulting our intelligence with a blatant rip-off. If only they'd done that with the likes of FAWLTY TOWERS, MEN BEHAVING BADLY and RED DWARF, they MIGHT have had hits on their hands. Much in the same way that the Pom's (arguably) pinched a hint of FRIENDS to create COUPLING and a hint of SCRUBS to create GREEN WING. Discuss... :p
If you're introducing a friend to the joys of Roy, Moss, Jen, Richmond & the Reynholm's, I highly recommend the 4th episode of series 1 where Jen upsets the delicate eco-system by opening "The Red Door" or the 1st episode of series 2 where they attend "GAY: The Musical". You're friend will... ahem... never look back ;D
"I'M DISABLED!" - StarsMark GatissSteve PembertonReece ShearsmithAn interweaving narrative chronicling the antics of such diverse characters as: a transgender taxi driver, a family obsessed with hygiene and toads, a fiery reverend, a carnival owner who kidnaps women into marriage, and a xenophobic couple who run a local shop for local people.MY TOP 20
These platonic bum-chums of the LITTLE BRITAIN guys certainly gave Matt and David some stiff competition with their remarkably dark sense of super-intelligent silliness. There's also a movie, THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN'S APOCALYPSE, that many of my fellow LOG fans didn't know about. What would they do without me?
"How many killings are there?"
"LOADS!" - CreatorMatt LucasDavid WalliamsStarsMatt LucasDavid WalliamsTom BakerMatt Lucas and David Walliams, the creators of this character-comedy sketch show, delight in all that is mad, bad, quirky and generally bonkers about the people and places of Britain.MY TOP 20
It cost me AUS$130 to see these guys perform live on stage. They originally intended on doing 2 shows in Western Australia, but they instantly sold out, so they added 2 more... then 2 more... then 2 more... then 2 more... then 2 more... then 2 more for a total of 14. How many Comedians can boast ticket sales like that? If Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran joined forces for a tour... they MIGHT be able to compete. Even THE INBETWEENERS LIVE would be lucky to score audiences of that magnitude. If Kurt Cobain came back from the dead for one last world tour with Dave and Krist... they MIGHT make Matt and David feel a bit inadequate. Failing that, I'd like to see any entertainer of any kind try to steal LITTLE BRITAIN's well-deserved crown. Nuff said? It's also important to note that as they approached Perth International Airport to embark on their journey home... it was a bit like when Graham Chapman died and Michael Palin said, "No more Python!" Hmmm... wait a minute... Matt and David realising that it's the end of an era... as they approach an AIRPORT. Funny that ;) Actually they might've flown to Japan before going home and if so, all I can say in my defense is, "Martin Clunes. Martin Clunes. Chinky. Chinky. Martin Clunes." :p
"I look a pillock." - CreatorSimon NyeStarsMartin ClunesCaroline QuentinLeslie AshTwo early thirties best friends live together while having completely different personalities. While their girlfriends try to help them take on more responsibilities the boys seldom respond well and usually end up drinking together.MY TOP 20
If you've never experienced the joys of MEN BEHAVING BADLY... you must live outside of the United Kingdom or something! That's the only half-decent excuse I can think of. I was originally exposed to Gary and Tony's antics when I happened to catch the episode where Mr Strang has a mid-life crisis and drags everyone to a rave. I suddenly found myself looking back at the likes of MONTY PYTHON, FAWLTY TOWERS, THE YOUNG ONES, BLACKADDER, RED DWARF and countless other Pom-Coms before asking myself, "Why can't the Yanks write consistently classic comedy as brilliantly as their British counterparts?" Then I pulled my head out of my arse (ass) and asked myself why the Poms can't transfer their talents to the big screen like their American counterparts. Then I started to wonder whether or not space really is the final frontier. What if there's space... then space... then space... and then suddenly milk and oh no I've gone cross-eyed!
"I was just wondering what car rubbish is." - StarsJulian BarrattNoel FieldingMichael FieldingSurreal British comedy in which Vince Noir and Howard Moon have adventures filled with oddball characters while working as Zoo Keepers, before pursuing a musical career and running a second-hand shop.MY TOP 20
It's not everyone's cup of tea... but if you put 2 tabs of acid in the cup it should really hit the spot. Whether or not you end up being sectioned by your loved ones as a result is utterly irrelevant ;) In fact I have a theory that Julian and Noel created THE MIGHTY BOOSH whilst watching THE GOODIES on LSD. That is my theory. It is mine. I own it and what it is too :p
"I took a s**t on a gravestone once. Right on it!" - CreatorGraham ChapmanEric IdleTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseTerry GilliamThe original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.MY TOP 20
It should be mandatory for schools around the globe to force-feed AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT and PARROT SKETCH NOT INCLUDED to their students! I have spoken... and I hit the ball first time and there it was in the back of the net!
I bet you thought I was gonna say HOLY GRAIL and LIFE OF BRIAN, didn't ya? I would never be that predictable. Someone might watch HOLY GRAIL and see Graham Chapman deliberately poorly pretending to ride a horse whilst Terry G deliberately poorly bangs coconuts together and they could be forgiven for saying, "Stop that! It's silly!" Someone could find the controversial subject matter of LIFE OF BRIAN and/or the gratuitous exposure of Mr Chapman's bell-end (which hardly serves as a revelation for his character) to be "A Bit Much". However... regardless of how reserved a person might be... The Ministry Of Silly Walks, The Five Minute Argument, How Not To Be Seen, Just A Pair Of Panties Then Please, Shut Up You Silly Bitch It's Only A Bit Of Fun and countless other sketches will always be overwhelmingly hilarious to anyone who isn't dead inside.
"Oh, Mollusks. I thought you said bacon." - CreatorJesse ArmstrongSam BainAndrew O'ConnorStarsDavid MitchellRobert WebbMatt KingMark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.MY TOP 20
When I take over the world, the first thing I'll do is force everyone over the age of 13 to discover "The El Dude Brothers". When it comes to Pom-Coms that are far too consistently hilarious for their own good and should appeal equally to both males and females aged 13 to 130, 3 shows instantly spring to mind. They are MEN BEHAVING BADLY, COUPLING and PEEP SHOW. I try not to be too opinionated with my descriptions on this list... but if you don't like those shows... particularly the latter... YOU HAVE SERIOUSLY MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS! I've half a mind to have you sectioned. The way PEEP SHOW is written is inconceivably impeccable, the way the cast carry their characters is constantly classic and as for the way it's filmed... it's beyond brain-bogglingly brilliant. I HAVE SPOKEN! :p
"I'm just a statue. A dirty, filthy statue!" - CreatorRob GrantDoug NaylorStarsChris BarrieCraig CharlesDanny John-JulesThe adventures of the last human alive and his friends, stranded three million years into deep space on the mining ship Red Dwarf.MY TOP 20
It's like I've always said... If you're going to be a sci-fi nerd... at least have a sense of humour about it.
Please don't judge it by the 1st series alone. It really finds its groove by the 3rd series and most die-hard Dwarfers will bore each other stupid arguing about whether series 5 or 6 is the best. In my opinion series 5 is the best... but what the hell do I know? I actually enjoyed RETURN OF THE JEDI more than EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and the only STAR TREK I've ever watched is JJ Abrams' recent remake... because I'm a fan of LOST... and because Simon Pegg is in it :p
Check out RED DWARF: THE NEXT DIRECTIVE on Facebook. - StarsSimon PeggJessica HynesJulia DeakinFriends Tim and Daisy, 20-something North Londoners with uncertain futures, must pretend to be a couple to live in the only apartment they can afford.MY TOP 20
A stepping stone for many of Britain's finest comic talent including Simon Pegg, Nick Frost & Edgar Wright, the trio who gave us their "Three Cornetto Flavours Trilogy" which includes such crowd-pleasing modern classics as, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ and THE WORLD'S END. This show is jam-packed with more pop culture references than Seth "FAMILY GUY" MacFarlane could possibly bash out in a whole decade. The episodes are a well-crafted string of independent forms... like sausages. - StarsDavid MitchellRobert WebbJames BachmanA comedy sketch show featuring David Mitchell and Robert Webb.MY TOP 20
When I first discovered these titan's of comedy, I laughed so hard that I'm lucky I didn't pi$$ myself, $hi+ myself and cum at the same time.
THE MITCHELL & WEBB SITUATION is also a MUST SEE! - StarsRik MayallAdrian EdmondsonNigel PlanerThe crazy and sometimes surreal comedic adventures of four very different students in Thatcher's Britain.MY TOP 20
A show for young adults, made by young adults and concentrating on all the things that young adults are interested in... like sex, violence & lentils. THE YOUNG ONES is actually MY #1 TV SHOW OF ALL TIME because it began my love affair with Pom-Coms. If I never discovered NEVERMIND by NIRVANA, I probably would've ended up being one of those people who conformed to "Popular Music" and simply enjoyed whatever tunes happened to be in the charts at the time. Or god forbid I might've gotten into mindless Rap, Hip-Hop & Doof-Doof crap instead of mindless Grunge, Punk & Very Metal crap. Similarly if I never discovered The People's Poet, The Punk, The Hippie & The Cool Person, I might've ended up watching all the American crap that the Aussie networks told us to watch instead of developing a mind of my own. I owe the discovery of both Kurt Cobain AND Rik Mayall to my best mate Matt. Since then I've returned the favour by introducing him to every other show on this list as a reward. We've also been known to impeccably impersonate Rik and Ade at the best and worst of times, usually with me as Rik and Matt as Ade. Surprisingly... we also manage to get laid... occasionally. I don't care if you believe me or not :p
"We would've brought Harry but... we don't know anyone called Harry." - StarsJennifer SaundersJoanna LumleyJulia SawalhaThe wild misadventures of Edina "Eddy" Monsoon and her best friend Patsy Stone, who live in a nearly constant haze of drugged, drunken selfishness.With all due respect to the eternally fabulous Jennifer Saunders and friends... the series went downhill after series 3. They peaked around the episode entitled "Sex" where they attempt an orgy. By the time I reached "Ab Fab At 20", I couldn't help but feel that I'd be enjoying the show much more if I was either gay or a wealthy, middle-aged British woman who's desperate to hang out with Madonna & Elton. Having said that, I did enjoy the fact that Saffy did time as "Top Dog" of the local slammer and the whole scenario of Patsy getting her birth certificate. "I'm a person." :D Bo & Marshall were ball-bouncingly funny when they first appeared in the episode entitled "Birthday"... but now they're just cringe-worthy. And even though I love the bloody arse off of Jane Horrocks... I remember when Bubble was funny! As for Katie Grin... she literally hurts my teeth! On the plus side, the friction between Patsy & Saffy never fails to amuse, June Whitfield never gets old and Mrs Edmondson will always be one of the funniest females in history. Once again... I HAVE SPOKEN! ;p
"Eddie... Eddie... Eddie... don't ever make me a cup of tea!" - StarsMel SmithGriff Rhys JonesGeoffrey McGivernMel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones present a series of short (often tasteless, always scathing) sketches about modern life and the stupidity and gullibility of those who believe in it.Remember WILT? That was a good film... as far as I can remember :p
- StarsKarl PilkingtonRicky GervaisStephen MerchantBritish comedy duo Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send their simple and closed-minded friend Karl Pilkington on a trip around the world to experience a variety of people and cultures.Just because it's technically a "Travel Show" doesn't necessarily mean that it can't simultaneously qualify as a "Comedy Series" :p
As Karl himself would say,
"Bulls**t! You're talking Bulls**t!" - StarsAlexander ArmstrongBen MillerJim HowickBritish comedy sketch show starring Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller.Isn't it?
- CreatorDerren LittenStarsJake CanusoJanine DuvitskiTony MaudsleyBritish comedy series following holidaymakers at the Solana Resort in Benidorm. Hilarity ensues as guests try to get value for their Euros.It's a bit hit & miss... but the awesome cast ensures that it's mainly hits.