Blast from the past: an incomplete list of period sitcoms
Oh that most elusive of television comedic ventures, the period sitcom! Whether set in the darkest of the Dark Ages or smack dab in the middle of World War II, period sitcoms are few and far between in comparison to their more serious cousin the period drama. But never fear, if one does desire to watch some good old historical hilarity there are options available for even the most couchiest of couch potatoes.
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- CreatorLarry GelbartStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersLoretta SwitThe staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.Probably the most successful period sitcom, MASH lasted for 11 series and endures as an American television classic.
- 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.The alternative history sitcom The Black Adder starred Rowan Atkinson as the sniveling (and fictional) Prince Emund Blackadder. While the dimwitted prince's plans always fail, his character was reworked in later seasons and became both intelligent and unscrupulous.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonTim McInnernyIn the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.The second Black Adder series sees Prince Edmund's conniving descendent scheme his way into the heart of Queen Elizabeth I. He is joined by his dimwitted friends Baldrick and Percy.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonHugh LaurieIn the Regency era, Mr E. Blackadder serves as butler to the foppish numskull Prince George amidst the fads and crazes of the time.The Blackadder family has come down in the world during Regency-era England. Blackadder works as butler to the moronic Prince of Wales in the third series of the popular sitcom.
- DirectorMandie FletcherStarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonStephen FrySir Edmund Blackadder must protect, and later rescue, King Charles I from the Roundheads.Set during the Civil War, this Blackadder special sees the erstwhile schemer attempting to keep King Charles I on the throne.
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonMiranda RichardsonAfter a genial spirit shows the benevolent Ebenezer Blackadder visions of his unscrupulous ancestors, he resolves to mend his generous ways.Blackadder's Victorian-era incarnation is renowned for his good works. However, when the Spirit of Christmas visits him, he decided to throw caution to the wind and behave as badly as his nefarious ancestors.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonStephen FryStuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.Captain Blackadder tries to avoid certain death in the midst of World War I.
- DirectorPaul WeilandStarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonStephen FryAt a New Millennium Eve party, Blackadder and Baldrick test their new time machine and ping pong through history encountering famous characters and changing events rather alarmingly.Blackadder time travels to prehistory, the Battle of Waterloo, Elizabethan England and Roman era Britain in this final installment of the series.
- CreatorGarry MarshallStarsRon HowardHenry WinklerMarion RossThe Cunningham family live through the 1950s with help and guidance from lovable and almost superhuman greaser Fonzie.A nostalgic look back at the 1950s, Happy Days spawned the saying "jumping the shark" as well as numerous spinoffs.
- CreatorLowell GanzGarry MarshallMark RothmanStarsPenny MarshallCindy WilliamsDavid L. LanderThe misadventures of two single women in the 1950s and '60s.Documented the life of two working girls in Milwaukee in the 1950s and 60s.
- CreatorLowell GanzGarry MarshallStarsScott BaioErin MoranAl MolinaroThe romantic adventures of Joanie Cunningham and Chachi Arcola as they pursue music careers in Chicago.Another spinoff of Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi was set in the 60s.
- CreatorEarl PomerantzStarsJoel HigginsCarlene WatkinsMeeno PeluceThe Wild West misadventures of a mild-mannered store owner turned town Marshal.Sort-lived sitcom set in the Wild West.
- CreatorMark BrazillBonnie TurnerTerry TurnerStarsTopher GraceLaura PreponMila KunisA comedy revolving around a group of teenage friends, their mishaps, and their coming of age, set in 1970s Wisconsin.Ashton Kutcher's launching pad to fame was this sitcom set in 1970s America (obviously).
- CreatorMark BrazillTerry TurnerBonnie TurnerStarsGlenn HowertonTinsley GrimesChyler LeighThat '80s Show is a half-hour ensemble comedy focusing on a group of twenty-somethings finding their way through the '80s in San Diego.Unlike its more successful 70s counterpart, That 80s Show only lasted a few months.
- CreatorJessica HynesStarsJessica HynesVicki PepperdineEmma PiersonA group of Suffragists band together to spread the word--but they need to learn their own lessons first.The comic misadventures of some very unmilitant suffragettes in Edwardian England.
- StarsStephen FryHugh LaurieRichard DixonBertram Wooster, a well-intentioned, wealthy layabout, has a habit of getting himself into trouble and it's up to his brilliant valet, Jeeves, to get him out.The amusing adventures of the plucky Bertie Wooster (Hugh Laurie) and his capable butler Jeeves (the very lovely Stephen Fry). Set gloriously in the 1930s with all of the decade's lovely slang courtesy of PG Wodehouse.
- StarsKate LonerganAdam MorrisDanny John-JulesRobin was a cowardly tailor from Kensington, and Marian was the brains behind the Merry Men. With her ruthless band of freedom fighters, Marian seeks to save the villagers of Worksop from the tyrany of King John and his cunning henchman.In Middle Age-era Britain, the Merry Men follow Maid Marian rather than Robin Hood.
- CreatorGraham LinehanArthur MathewsStarsSimon PeggJulian Rhind-TuttSally PhillipsIn 1969 London, the editor of an underground magazine and his friends get into wacky situations.Simon Pegg starred as the editor of an underground magazine in this period sitcom set in London in 1969.
- CreatorJimmy PerryStarsArthur LoweJohn Le MesurierClive DunnA ragtag group of Home Guard volunteers prepare for an imminent German invasion during World War II.Local townspeople defend Britain from the Nazis (albeit bumblingly) as part of the Home Guard in World War II. Famously, the series lasted longer than the war actually did.
- CreatorDavid CroftJimmy PerryStarsPaul ShaneRuth MadocJeffrey HollandComic goings-on in this series. Ted's the camp comic but is always on the lookout for a way to make money. Gladys has her eye on the boss, and Peggy wants to swap her mop and cleaner's outfit for a 'yellow coat.'A period Brticom set from 1959 to 1960 in a holiday camp in Essex.
- StarsPaul ShaneJeffrey HollandSu PollardAdventures and misadventures of Lord Meldrum, his family and their servants in the 1920s.After the close of WWI, two former soldiers use their influence to secure positions as butler and footman in a wealthy London household.
- StarsRichard WilsonVivienne MartinBernard CribbinsA shady character buys a decrepit seaside pier with a view to refurbishing it.Period sitcom set after World War II in an English seaside town (strangely a popular setting for period Britcoms).
- CreatorMaurice GranLaurence MarksStarsNicholas LyndhurstVictor McGuireChristopher EttridgeBritish sitcom in which an unhappily married man discovers he can time travel back to 1940s war-torn London where he masquerades as an MI5 agent and part-time songwriter whilst courting the local barmaid.A time traveling TV repairman spices up his life by alternating between the present day and wartorn 1940s London.
- StarsPaul ShaneSu PollardJeffrey HollandThe trials and tribulations of the staff at Hatley railway station, who are all wondering if Dr Beeching will close them down.Set in a 1960s railway station.
- StarsFrankie HowerdElizabeth LarnerKerry GardnerLurcio is a much-put-upon slave in the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. More often than not, Lurcio finds himself keeping his owner's family members apart, in order to keep them together.BBC comedy set in Pompeii circa 70 AD.