Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 27, 2010 17:04:38 GMT -5
I'm just wondering: How many of you Americans and Canadians have ever watched any British comedy programs? Our local PBS station shows a few of them; I find them extremely funny! Years ago there was a show on called Are You Being Served? What a great program. Unfortunately, I don't believe it's being shown on PBS any longer. Of the current shows that I've seen/watched, one really funny one is called One Foot in the Grave. Ever seen it? Then there are a couple of other shows that I've seen but am not quite sure what they're called. One is about a very bossy lady named Hyacinth (?) who spends most of each show bossing this Richard guy around (her husband). And then there are her goofy in-laws who are always getting involved in the thick of things. Very funny show!  Another show I've seen a few times centers around three old British guys who go around doing all sorts of nutty experiments and getting into trouble. Anyone know what this show is? When I first watched these British shows I had a tough time understanding some of the talking due to the thick British accents of some of the characters (plus, I have no hearing in one ear). But I've gotten better now in terms of making out what's being said, even with the accents of the characters . Does anyone else here know and watch these shows? They're really funny! |
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Pax
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Post by Pax on Nov 27, 2010 17:12:39 GMT -5
I've not seen those... I did see "Fawlty Towers," which was pretty good, and "Absolutely Fabulous." I also have seen a few episodes of the british comedy series on which Three's Company was based. All pretty good.
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 27, 2010 17:39:21 GMT -5
I've not seen those... I did see "Fawlty Towers," which was pretty good, and "Absolutely Fabulous." I also have seen a few episodes of the british comedy series on which Three's Company was based. All pretty good. I haven't seen the ones you're referring to, Pax. But I have heard of Absolutely Fabulous. I'm also aware that the American show The Office is based on a British version, which I've never seen. When I was a teen back in the 1980s there was a comedy show called The Young Ones. This show was quite popular with a classmate of mine. Although the show was about some British guys, I'm not quite sure if it was made in the UK or not. It was shown on MTV. |
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 27, 2010 17:41:20 GMT -5
Are they still re-running those things?
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Post by MacBeth on Nov 27, 2010 17:59:41 GMT -5
I have seen most of those - and watch many things on BBC America. Just finished watching the first cycle (I hope there are more) of Luther. The lead actor is astoundingly talented.
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Post by rubytuesday on Nov 27, 2010 18:05:36 GMT -5
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 27, 2010 18:32:55 GMT -5
The programme with Hyacinth (Bucket - pronounced Bookay) is Keeping Up Appearances. Very funny.
The one with the three old guys is Last of the Summer Wine. The three old guys have been replaced several times as the actors became too old. Peter Sallis played Norman Clegg but now does the voices for Wallace and Crommit (if you get that - it is a plasticine animation and very very funny).
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 27, 2010 19:00:59 GMT -5
The programme with Hyacinth (Bucket - pronounced Bookay) is Keeping Up Appearances. Very funny. The one with the three old guys is Last of the Summer Wine. The three old guys have been replaced several times as the actors became too old. Peter Sallis played Norman Clegg but now does the voices for Wallace and Crommit (if you get that - it is a plasticine animation and very very funny). Thanks for the info. So what is the premise behind the Last of the Summer Wine show? I've only seen it a few times. Is the show just about all the goofy things that those old guys do? The episodes I've seen were hilarious! |
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 27, 2010 19:02:13 GMT -5
Thanks for posting those links. |
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Post by qhperson on Nov 27, 2010 20:10:49 GMT -5
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wheelspinner
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Post by wheelspinner on Nov 28, 2010 4:22:53 GMT -5
My favourite British comedies in recent times have been Black Books, The IT Crowd, Gavin and Stacey and Coupling. Being Human, although mainly a drama, had some pretty funny moments too.
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wheelspinner
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Post by wheelspinner on Nov 28, 2010 4:23:50 GMT -5
I use youtube to keep up with QI: QI is brilliant. It's a rare combination of entertaining and intelligent television. |
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 28, 2010 7:21:22 GMT -5
I use youtube to keep up with QI: QI is brilliant. It's a rare combination of entertaining and intelligent television. And frequently wrong - not that that detracts from its being an excellent programme |
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 28, 2010 7:24:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. So what is the premise behind the Last of the Summer Wine show? I've only seen it a few times. Is the show just about all the goofy things that those old guys do? The episodes I've seen were hilarious! The basic premise is that three people who went to school together and subsequently went their separate ways meet up again in the village of their birth (Holmfirth in Yorkshire) when they retire. The escapades are their way of filling endless time in a small village with nothing to do. The first five years or so were excellent but it has become very repetitive now. |
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 28, 2010 7:50:21 GMT -5
The escapades are their way of filling endless time in a small village with nothing to do. I feel their pain. 
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Post by shiftless2 on Nov 28, 2010 8:36:06 GMT -5
My favorites (all quite old)
"The Two Ronnies" - possibly the funniest show on television ever
"Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" - absolute genius
"Doctor in the House"
"Benny Hill"
You can find episodes of most of these on YouTube - the one thing I do have to say is that the British sense of humor isn't always appreciated by Americans.
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 28, 2010 9:17:06 GMT -5
Never liked Benny Hill. Or Mr. Bean, either.
It doesn't take many prattfalls before I get totally bored.
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Post by MacBeth on Nov 28, 2010 9:32:16 GMT -5
That is not my style either, oskar.....anyone can fall, true comedians do not have to.
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 28, 2010 9:56:12 GMT -5
Same goes for the Three Stooges and Laurel & Hardy - boring.
I liked some Abbott & Costello but never saw the need for all the yelling.
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 28, 2010 12:01:00 GMT -5
Benny Hill has always been more popular in the USA than here. We have basically forgotten him. Very juvenile humour. - same as Mr Bean.
For the British sense of humour see (or "hear", rather) Hancock's Half Hour on BBC Radio 7. Or the Goons.
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Post by qhperson on Nov 28, 2010 12:39:28 GMT -5
Laurel & Hardy were so popular in England that when they visited, in the '30s I think, their lives were endangered by the mobs of people trying to get near them. It was a lot like Beatlemania in later years. L&H had to be sneaked out of the country to keep them safe and alive.
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wheelspinner
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Post by wheelspinner on Nov 28, 2010 14:50:19 GMT -5
QI is brilliant. It's a rare combination of entertaining and intelligent television. And frequently wrong - not that that detracts from its being an excellent programme The very fact that you are checking what they are saying means they are engaging your brain. :-) |
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Post by qhperson on Nov 28, 2010 15:35:06 GMT -5
I've noticed mistakes on QI also. The first one, I think, was when Stephen Fry said that three US presidents had been assassinated. Technically true, though, since four have been assassinated. Everyone forgets Garfield.
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 28, 2010 16:13:03 GMT -5
I've noticed mistakes on QI also. The first one, I think, was when Stephen Fry said that three US presidents had been assassinated. Technically true, though, since four have been assassinated. Everyone forgets Garfield. Obie did it. ;D |
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Post by joethree56 on Nov 28, 2010 18:08:15 GMT -5
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Post by qhperson on Nov 28, 2010 19:33:00 GMT -5
Not comedy, but Radio 4 just started a 6-part adaptation of I, Claudius, if anyone is interested. Each episode lasts just under an hour.
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 28, 2010 19:52:54 GMT -5
What's "Radio 4"?
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Post by qhperson on Nov 28, 2010 23:04:05 GMT -5
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Post by joethree56 on Nov 29, 2010 7:17:51 GMT -5
Our BBC radio channels are designated by number Radio 1 is pop/rock music. Radio 2 is general middle of the road music with some big band and jazz etc. Radio 4 is the spoken word stuff from comedy to serious stuff. Radio 3 is rather more intellectual fringe stuff and classical music. Radio 7 is the place to hear old (some very old) radio programs repeated. All are non commercial and so are blessedly free from any advertising.
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oskar
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Post by oskar on Nov 29, 2010 7:34:55 GMT -5
Ah.
BBC Radio 4.
CBC uses a similar system. I simply didn't know which network.
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