Differences Between American and British Humour

We have a phrase going round our office 'There's no way that's not a good idea', which I think is from Peepshow.

We use it whenever an idea comes up which is bordering on the insane in terms of its lunacy or inappropriateness.

So, explain this, Mr BBC Commissioning Editor:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heil_Honey_I'm_Home!

Originally posted by FMF
The U.K. has plenty of overlooked or underestimated gems. A few that come to mind are A Fairly Secret Army, Bob Martin (with Michael Barrymore), Red Dwarf. Did the two Alan Partridge series (when he was in the motel and then in the caravan) make any impact outside the U.K.?

I enjoyed The New Statesman [with Rik Mayall] when it came out in the late 80s but it ...[text shortened]... com of The IT Crowd, the oddness of Peepshow, and the acquired taste of The League Of Gentlemen.

Yes Prime Minister was extremely funny too - I wish we could see it again here, in Sweden that is - it's been quite a while since last time. 🙂

Originally posted by Rank outsider
So, explain this, Mr BBC Commissioning Editor:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heil_Honey_I'm_Home!

BSkyB not BBC

Originally posted by FMF
BSkyB not BBC

Apologies to Auntie, I should have known better.

Originally posted by Rank outsider
Apologies to Auntie, I should have known better.

It raises a good question though: what was the most tasteless thing that BBC TV ever produced?

Originally posted by stellspalfie
How could you possibly call him the lowest of the low? There have been hundreds of crap tv sitcoms and terrible comedians that offer nothing of value. Despite if you think Gervais is is offensive or not, or how funny you think he is or isnt.

As for the Rowan Atkinson, great comedy actor, but not exactly good when it comes to writing comedy.

First, I called him almost the lowest of the low. I am aware that there is even worse. Still, Gervais' brand of comedy is to go around insulting other people. Atkinson's is, amongst others, to go around insulting himself. The latter is much more quintessential English - self-mockery and understatement are almost the definition of English humour - and the former, well, isn't. If anything, it's American - although that does not do justice to the likes of M*A*S*H.

Richard

Originally posted by lolof
Yes Prime Minister was extremely funny too - I wish we could see it again here, in Sweden that is - it's been quite a while since last time. 🙂

The problem with Yes (Prime) Minister as a comedy series is that it wasn't. No, bear with me.

It wasn't a comedy series, it was a documentary series. The most hilarious documentary series ever made, but still, documentary, not comedy fiction.

Richard

Originally posted by FMF
It raises a good question though: what was the most tasteless thing that BBC TV ever produced?

Nigella Lawson's recent wannabe-Italian series.

Richard

Originally posted by FMF
It raises a good question though: what was the most tasteless thing that BBC TV ever produced?

Not really tasteless (unless you count the theme tune/song) but:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_for_Gold

Let's create a quiz show in which people from different European countries compete....

.....and ask all the questions in English.

Originally posted by FMF
It raises a good question though: what was the most tasteless thing that BBC TV ever produced?

Thought of one.

Any program featuring Jim Davidson and his hilarious 'Chalkie' impression.

And Jim'll Fix It, of course, if it turns out the Beeb knew.....

I'd forgotten Yes Minister (although as someone else pointed out that's documentary, not comedy) and Red Dwarf. But I've managed a couple of Americans too - Hogans Heroes and MASH. Nothing in the last 20 years though.

Ricky Gervais? Anyone seen "Night at the Museum" ?

His first scene was gutbusting. I dont know if he wrote that but I don't really care.
I rewind/fastforward to that bit everytime.

How can you guys be so hard on Ricky?

Originally posted by Shallow Blue
The problem with Yes (Prime) Minister as a comedy series is that it wasn't. No, bear with me.

It wasn't a comedy series, it was a documentary series. The most hilarious documentary series ever made, but still, documentary, not comedy fiction.

Richard

It seems it's to be continued - look forward to that!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9173686/Yes-Prime-Minister-to-return-to-British-screens.html