Is British Comedy On a Downer?

[Cultural Critic]

I've recently viewed a few British comedies and am not particualrly impressed with some of the offerings

The worst offender being 'The Office'.
Claimed by some scribes to be ground breaking comedy-utter bollocks
I would even go so far as to say that Big Brother was more entertaining

If they had looked at classic office shows like 'Drop the Dead Donkey'
they may have come up with some interesting characters but instead we are left with a complete bunch of wankers.

cheerio
Cultural Critic

[The Healer]

I agree,

DTDD was a classic, the Henry character being most amusing, also Damian and Dave.

Open all hours, Porridge, To the monor born etc all well written and acted.

The Office is OK but not much else from the last 2-3 years is much cop.....

[TopShelfBlue]

Can't agree with slagging off The Office, but you've got a fair point.

How does godawful rubbish like 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps' get comissioned? How? How? How? No really, how?

Thank heavens for Brasseye - simply the best.

[Caractacus]

I've never really got into The Office, but then I didn't take to The Royle Family either---another cult classic, apparently.

Cue S56 calling for the return of Round The Elephant And Up The Castle (or whatever that Jim Davidson shite was called).

[derek]

Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps was a load of ****, anything with that Mellor in is!

Disagree about The Office though, both this and 'Phoenix Nights' I thought both were brilliant and made me laugh!

[the Monkey Wrencher]

As someone who was recently comissioned to co-write a six part comedy drama, I take a professional interest in these matters. My only question is this: what channels are you lot watching when you're not cracking one off?

The Office (BBC) was genius.
As was Peter Kay's 'Phoenix Nights'(C4)
Chris Morris's 'Jam' (C4) was the most radical reinvention of the sketch show in decades.
The League of Gentleman (BBC) have constantly transgressed the boundaries of good taste, creating a fantastic series as a result.
Time Gentleman Please(Sky One) had some great moments.

Not to mention the vast range of new UK comedy talent, currently touring the stand up circuit.

I was labouring under the illusion that UK comedy was finally starting to emerge from the straightjacket of the male, middle class, Oxbridge conspiracy. That's gotta be good surely?

[woodgnome]

i would add to this list the superb spaced. not only hilarious but a beautifully crafted piece of work.

[steve56]

id be quite content with reruns of benny hill,dick emery,etc

[woodgnome]

can i be the first to say, you are awful.

[steve56]

ok,woodgnome