I find British shows superior to American shows overall. I like how they do not suffer the consequences of having actors with such long contracts that they can never be killed off and will continue long after they have gone stale. And even though my favorite of anything is usually “more,” it is probably better that the British series rarely go past nine episodes a year!
I would love for you to add your favorites, this list is a work in progress. I will constantly be updating as I check out more and more recommendations, but I will not add your suggestion if I do not like the show! This is my blog, and I’ll cry if I want to!
My Top:
Absolutely Fabulous is one of the most brilliant satires ever written. Started in the early 1990’s, and ended with the recent full length movie. The series is my favorite comedy of all time. Started from a French & Saunders skit!
Mrs. Browns Boys is hilarious. They break the fourth wall constantly and it is brilliant. It is like a sit-com, but has a studio audience like a play.
Gavin & Stacey is a beautiful and hilarious comedy co-created by James Corden.
Coupling is a brilliant comedy based around the sex lives of three male and three female leads in their 20’s. This original British version (the Americans tried to copy it and failed) is brilliant with it’s terrific nuances and story lines.
Mum is a sweet story, labeled a comedy, and had me hooked from the first minute.
Benidorm is funny and crazy. A nice distraction. I am currently on season three and it gets hilariously crazier every season.
Keeping Up Appearances, starring Hyacinth Bucket, pronounced Bouquet. When you are almost posh in Britain, and your family isn’t! This is a classic.
The Vicar of Dibley from Dawn French is charming and witty and a delightful comedy.
Father Ted, haven’t seen this one in yea, but enjoyed it back in the day.
Derry Girls (Irish)! Everyone is discovering this show and it is a delight.
Catastrophe – he got her knocked up and a sweet, funny story ensued.
Fleabag – the first season had too much sex, but overall, this is an extremely entertaining comedy.
Afterlife with Ricky Gervais – even my husband enjoyed it, and we never agree on entertainment. I never saw the Office, or loved any of Ricky other stuff, but this is fantastic.
Chewing Gum – a little crazy, very enjoyable.
Chef, is another from the olden days, very charming comedy! He was married to Dawn French!
Good Omens was brilliant and hilarious.
Barbara – funny show about Barbara and her family!
Kath & Kim – Australian, very funny!
Sketch Comedy:
Catherine Tate – she is brilliant, her sketches are amazing, she is so talented. She was also a Doctor Who companion and she was great. I think she was in a few seasons of the American version of The Office.
Miranda Hart – her own little comedy show, this is adorable. And Tom Ellis, of Lucifer fame, is her love interest!
Little Britain – a classic from Matt Lucas and David Walliams. It was so good, they did a season from America.
I am always looking for recommendations, and will update this list as I find new, funny shows, that tickle my funny bone.
Please feel free to send your suggestions in the comments!
I am very opinionated and do not like everything. I am also only interested in shows from 2000 and forward, for the most part. I liked Monty Python in the old days, but that is not current enough for this list. I am not a Mr. Bean fan, nor a fan of Red Dwarf. Also, I did not love the Inbetweeners as much as everyone else seems to have.
New Additions:
Last Tango in Halifax – a couple from high school reunite and get married. Drama and hilarity ensue.
Boy Meets Girl – And girl is a transexual. Absolutely charming show.
Flack – Anna Paquin stars, but this is a British show. It’s like Scandal, but on steroids, and a little trashier. So in a word, riveting!
Kate & Koji – It is as bad as an American comedy, but it stars Brenda Blethyn who I adore, and Jimmy Akingbola, and it deals with current issues that are important.
The Durrells in Corfu – it took weeks to get through the first episode, and I am glad I did, I love this show, it is worth the binge!
Man Down – starring Greg Davies, a huge British comedian. Also co-starring comedienne Roisin Conaty.
Scarborough – it hasn’t gotten great reviews, but I enjoyed it. He also created Benidorm, one of my faves!
We Are Lady Parts – This series follows the adventures of an all-female Muslim punk band in London. This is ground breaking.
Sex Education – this show took me a few episodes to get into, but then I binged two seasons in three days. I can’t wait for season three in September, 2021!
Ted Lasso – was worth the Apple TV free trial!
Currently in my queue from Brit Box:
Friday Night Dinner
The Job Lot
Fat Friends
What I fabulous idea for a post! I can’t wait to check these out! I would love to see your list of British crime shows if you watch.
ok i would add Black Books, IT Crowd (both by the creator of Father Ted), Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (the most hilarious show ever, its on youtube), Spaced, Peep Show, My Mad Fat Diary, Detectorists. I also enjoyed an Australian show called Please Like Me.
Two newer shows that I really enjoyed are Gameface (so good!) and This Way Up (more of a dramedy).
I will probably think of some more later, i am a HUGE fan of british comedy
Here are a few more for you to try:
Derek (a brilliant Ricky Gervais comedy – closer to After Life than The Office)
My Mad Fat Diary
IT Crowd (absolutely genius – I gave it to my father on DVD years ago, but wasn’t sure he’d enjoy it. I heard him and my brother cracking up and went to see what was up and they were watching it)
There She Goes
Please Like Me (by Josh Thomas, who created and starred in Everything’s Gonna Be Okay – also genius)
Hunderby (very strange, darkly humerous)
Miranda (by Miranda Hart and the basis for Call Me Kat)
Mulberry (you’ll have to find it on DVD – it starred Geraldine McEwan)
Vicious
The Wrong Mans
Finding Joy
Uncle
Hold the Sunset
Men Behaving Badly
Moone Boy
Threesome
Red Dwarf
Those are just some to get you started. 😉
I love British tv too.
sounds very funny !great!!
Sounds like a great show!