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by Halskiisaklink on May 27th, 2007
American humour, it can be said, is created to accomodate an audience that has been zombified by years of over-simplified public relations in all spheres of life. British humour has wit and something more than just commercial dross to it. American humour is often mocked and criticised in the UK, because, with such a powerful government-funded force as is the BBC, the excesses of the free market haven't taken over and viewers are somewhat more enlightened. However, American humour does sell marginally well to those who are either marginalised by society or those who have so much money available to them that they marginalise themselves.
British shows are often ignored in America because of the intense patriotic proganda that festers all forms of American public relations. More often than that, they have 'Americanised' counterparts made (as is the case with The Office).
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on October 9th, 2007
The best ones travel both ways, the worst neither. There are probably a greater number of British ones that travel to America, but shows like Cheers have a big following in the UK as well.
One thing that tends to go down very badly in the UK is the laugh track. Mash, for example, has no laugh track in the UK, but has one in the US. A fake in the laugh track - too big a laugh for the joke - turns Brits of very fast, whereas it doesn't seem to worry Americans.
by unknown on May 27th, 2007
British TV is hysterical no matter where you watch them. American Comedies are rarely very funny anywhere. The British have it all over us in that category.
by We miss our girl! on October 9th, 2007
Well, I haven't seen any British comedy programs in years, but I used to LOVE the Kenny Everette Video Show. I watched it every Saturday night before SNL.
by FOR3SKIN500 is remembering one more on October 9th, 2007
I live in California, and when I was younger I used to stay up just to watch Are you being served. Who doesn't love Benny Hill?
by weatherman taking week or so off on October 9th, 2007
There were times when American humor was leaps and bounds the best in the world. All in the Family, MASH, The Jeffersons, Married With Children, The Cosby Show, Cheers, Coach, Drew Carey, Seinfeld.
The 2000's have been nothing but crap for American sitcom (and big screen) humor. The only good humor on American TV these days is SNL and the animated series (Simpsons, South Park, King of the Hill)
by slothmister on October 9th, 2007
From my experience the American comedies are popular in the UK however Americans just can not understand British comedies.
OFC the best British ones do make it in the US but most UK comedies are remade before being aired in the US, The Office and Red Dwarf for example.
by Not Here Anymore on October 9th, 2007
I would say yes and yes, but it depends on the show itself and what it's about. Personally, my favorite comedians are from the U.K. and I'm American. (Eddie Izzard and Billy Connolly top my list)
by Gonzo on October 9th, 2007
The fact is Americans just don't GET British comedy. We rely on this kinda 'in joke' thing. If you're not familiar with the British way of life, you most likely wont get the joke. I think us Brits do, however get American comedy. It's not kinda stapled to a specific society.
by The Hockey Kid on May 27th, 2007
I think British comedy is designed to be funny and witty, while American humor is to keep the attention of people who can't pay any attention to something.
by Abbra gone Underground on May 27th, 2007
i am european, not british but lived in britain for many years and in my opinion british humour is best. incredibly funny they are and are able to laugh about themselves.
by claymore04 on August 4th, 2008
I lived in London for three years and I never found many shows that were funny. The funny shows were imported from America (Friends, Simpsons, etc.) Black Book was hilarious though but was only on for 4 weeks. It won awards so the Brits thought it was funny too but it still didn't stay on. I loved My Family too but I found out it had American writers which explained alot. BTW Zoe Wannamaker was the mom in the show and the flying teacher in Harry Potter (the first movie.)
by Retrovampire on August 4th, 2008
When I was younger British comedy was the best in the world(my view), but American comedy was terrible, loads of canned laughter but nothing to laugh at.
Now? American sitcoms have come on in leaps and bounds, some of it is brilliant.
by Berkeley on August 4th, 2008
I'm an American who LOVES British comedy: Benny Hill, Blackadder, Peep Show, Extras. The Brits are HILARIOUS!
by Anonymous on October 9th, 2007
the american office is absolutely rubbish the original english version is awesome
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Comments
British humor is setting up an unfunny joke for 5 minutes when you can see it coming.
by claymore04 on August 4th, 2008
American humour is repeating an unfunny joke for half an hour with the same laugh track played over and over again each time it's told.
by Halskiisaklink on August 4th, 2008
30 years ago maybe but not anymore. American humor has evolved beyond the laugh track. I doubt British humor has gone beyond a pie in the face.
by claymore04 on August 5th, 2008
Do you know what the 'BBC' is?
by Halskiisaklink on August 5th, 2008
Yes I do. Having lived in London for three years, I became very aquainted with it. I had only five channels so I was stuck with it. We couldn't get cable (aka Sky) because we lived way out near Marylebone Station. You know, that desolate part of London they couldn't service. I liked channel five at about 11 pm on Fridays though.
by claymore04 on August 6th, 2008
Have you seen League of Gentlemen?
by Halskiisaklink on August 6th, 2008
Yes and I thought it was crap.
by claymore04 on August 7th, 2008
Why?
by Halskiisaklink on August 7th, 2008
Because I thought it was like all other crappy British comedies. They're just not funny.
by claymore04 on August 7th, 2008
Why are you unable to see/comprehend the humour?
by Halskiisaklink on August 7th, 2008
American humour will never be on par with British humour - at least not in our lifetimes. That isn't to say that some American sitcoms aren't mildly amusing, but the comedy is always insultingly obvious and simplified - nothing like the clever and ingenious subtleties of British humour.
by PrettyPirate on August 7th, 2008
Exactly. Although saying that to him is almost like slapping a police officer in the face with a fish.
by Halskiisaklink on August 7th, 2008
That's my second "Exactly" from you this afternoon :)
by PrettyPirate on August 7th, 2008
I can't think of a better word. :P
by Halskiisaklink on August 7th, 2008
I can comperhend anything so DO NOT INSULT ME in that way! I believe a three year old can comprehend British humor. Americans have wittier show like Frasier, Friends, Scrubs and so on. I can't think of any British shows while I lived there (for three years) that I would call funny. My Family was hilarious because it had AMERICAN writers and Black Book was only on for 4 weeks. It must have been too funny for those that like a 10 minute lead to an unfunny punchline that the same three year old could have come up with.
by claymore04 on August 9th, 2008