Editor’s Note: The following is an excellent guest post from writer Garry Berman – author of the fantastic book Best of the Britcoms, an excellent guide to history’s best British sitcoms. Thanks Garry!
Just over ten years ago, my book Best of the Britcoms was first published, celebrating fifty of the finest British sitcoms to cross the Atlantic and grace our American airwaves. It was a labor of love, and I had the pleasure on interviewing many of the writers, actors, directors, and producers of Britain’s most accomplished sitcoms. The revised and updated edition of Best of the Britcoms has just been published, with seven new chapters featuring programs that have aired in the U.S. since 2000. And yet, Anglotopia has asked me to choose just ten of my all-time favorites. Despite the honor, I must acknowledge my inability to limit the list to ten, and offer my list of Ten (Plus Two) All-Time Favorite Britcoms.
1. ‘Allo,’Allo!
A shamelessly silly, fast-paced, and hilarious farce set in German-occupied France during World War II. Cowardly cafe owner Rene Artois finds himself caught up in a myriad of elaborate but harebrained schemes concocted by the French Resistance, as they try foil the Germans’ war operations. Gorden Kaye as Rene leads a large cast of 18 eccentric characters through this sprawling mix of cleverly absurd dialogue and uproarious slapstick. The sheer comic inventiveness of this show can be breathtaking.
2. The Brittas Empire
Set in a suburban leisure centre (i.e. a health club/recreation facility), this series may not be well-known in the U.S., but in its day it was referred to as “the Fawlty Towers of the ‘90s†in the U.K. This compliment was not only warranted, but I consider Brittas the better of the two series. Chris Barrie stars as Gordon Brittas, the hands-on but disaster prone manager of the centre, who unwittingly drives his staff and clientele to near rebellion with his well-meaning but interfering ways. But the employees have their own foibles, too. A typical episode will have several unrelated predicaments converge for a climactic moment, which often involves an explosion or two.
3. Extras
A comic masterpiece, courtesy of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. This follow-up to their breakout series The Office features their signature comedy-of-the-awkward-pause, but in a fresh context. Gervais plays struggling actor Andy Millman, who works as an extra while waiting for his big break. This comes when he sells his sitcom pilot to the BBC, but his creative vision is tampered with to such a degree that he finds himself conflicted between seeking fame and fortune, and his own personal integrity. Ashley Jensen is brilliant as Andy’s platonic pal Maggie, and Merchant is a scream as his incompetent agent. Lots of A-list guest stars play warped versions of themselves as well.
4. Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister
The inner workings and double-dealings that go on within the British government may not sound like the best fodder for a sitcom. But writers Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn combine their superb skills to give us a genuinely funny series that pokes fun at bureaucracy at its most outlandish. Paul Eddington stars as Jim Hacker, the Minister for Administrative Affairs, who finds his efforts to curb government waste perpetually foiled by Private Secretary Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne). Humphrey revels in creating bureaucratic red tape and, when need be, easily confounds Hacker with barrages of dizzying double talk. The dialogue demands that viewers pay attention, but the laughs come at a steady clip. When Hacker becomes Prime Minister, the series smoothly turns its satire to world affairs.
5. Good Neighbors (The Good Life in the U.K.)
A conventional but utterly charming and endearing domestic sitcom from the mid-1970s. Tom Good (Richard Briers) has dropped out of the rat race to pursue a life of self-sufficiency. His adorable wife Barbara (Felicity Kendal) supports him through thick and thin, as they work to grow vegetables and raise livestock in their backyard. But their next door neighbors, Jerry and Margo Ledbetter (Tom’s former colleague and his snobbish wife), often find their patience strained by the Good’s unconventional and somewhat hygienically-challenged lifestyle. Their close friendship survives many tests.
6. The Vicar of Dibley
Dawn French stars in this virtually perfect sitcom as a lady vicar, who turns the quiet village of Dibley upside down with her zest for life, bawdy sense of humor, and genuine affection for its inhabitants. But she finds herself constantly butting heads with David Horton, the stuffy chairman of the motley town council. Dawn French demonstrates a talent that her former comedy partner Jennifer Saunders seems to lack, i.e. playing a true-to-life, very human character, as opposed to an over-the-top caricature. French is superb, as are her cast mates. Created and co-written by the prolific Richard Curtis (The Blackadder, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually).
7. Are You Being Served?
A staple among PBS affiliates for years, this show treats us to the dilemmas, schemes, and endless double-entendres exchanged among the sales staff of Grace Brothers department store. Each episode is rather thin on plot, preferring instead to concentrate on the colorful characters as they deal with customers as well as each other. Their wonderfully easy chemistry shines through in every episode. John Inman as Mr. Humphries is often singled out, but my favorite has always been Trevor Bannister as the fast-talking, wisecracking Mr. Lucas.
8. Father Ted
A daringly irreverent sitcom by American standards (it was literally “banned in Bostonâ€). A trio of Irish priests– Father Ted Crilly (Dermot Morgan), his imbecilic younger colleague, Father Dougal McGuire, and the elder, perpetually inebriated Father Jack Hackett. They have a knack for indulging in various schemes that can be somewhat less than holy, and tend to result in the priests inadvertently humiliating themselves in public. The series boasts surreal black-out gags, ludicrous dialogue, and an anything-goes comic sensibility treats many sacred institutions as fair game. But the comedy here is too absurd to be taken seriously, if you know what I mean.
9. The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
The great Leonard Rossiter’s most memorable role, as a harried dessert company executive on the verge of a nervous breakdown. His lightning fast delivery and jittery mannerisms perfectly convey a man becoming unraveled by life’s pressures. After faking his own death and traveling in disguise for a while, he returns home to embark on a series of bizarre new business ventures. A true classic.
10. One Foot in the Grave
The winner of a dozen television awards, this deceptively simple sitcom actually boasts several innovations in both its storytelling and production. Curmudgeonly Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson), forced into early retirement, must find ways to keep himself occupied each day. But as he and his long-suffering wife Margaret try to lead a quiet life (that is, when Victor isn’t at war with neighbors, store clerks, and the rest of the world), they find themselves regularly entangled in the most macabre of comic situations and misunderstandings. David Renwick’s intricately plotted scripts–which often allow the characters to react to plot twists before we viewers are made privy to them–are ingenious, to say the least.
11. Red Dwarf
This wildly imaginative cult favorite successfully blends the best of comedy and science fiction as no program has done before or since, on either side of the Atlantic. The series takes place 3 million years in the future, aboard the huge spaceship Red Dwarf. The ship is manned only by David Lister, his cat in human form (long story), Holly, the ship’s computer, Kryten, a mechanoid, and, in hologram form, the late Arnold Rimmer, who had inadvertently killed the entire crew, including himself, many moons ago (Lester’s erstwhile girlfriend Kristine Kochanski joins the show as a regular in its later series). The comedy can be silly, sometimes crude, but always fabulous, as the gang wander through the galaxy meeting new life forms, traveling through time dimensions, and playing juvenile pranks on each other.
12. Outnumbered
This series is just about to appear for the first time in the U.S. on a few PBS
stations, and hopefully it will get the widespread attention it deserves. It takes a simple premise, the day-to-day life of an average married couple and their young children—and creates a semi-improvised comedy of amazing realism. The three kids keep their chronically exhausted parents forever on their toes with an onslaught of hard-to-answer questions and refusals to eat their dinner. Their rapport is so natural, you’d swear you’re eavesdropping on a real (and very funny) family. Keep an eye out for this award-winning gem.
–Garry Berman
About Guest Writer
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia is now our full time jobs and we spend our time working on the site and planning our yearly trips to Britain. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
Last of the Summer Wine deserves mention as the longest running sitcom. Peter Sallis and Bill Owen are brilliant!
No fear–I give “Summer Wine” plenty of tender loving care in the book!
I was very glad to see Yes, Minister on this list – it’s by far my favorite British Comedy of all time. Such a lovely show. Wish I could go see the play!
Here goes! I have to add my two pennies worth. Not in any particular order:
Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister
Coupling
Black Adder
Chef
Ab Fab
Vicar of Dibley……No, no, no, no, no, no, yes!
As Time Goes By……having been in a similar situation and still am ergo I can say also that I remember Judi Dench years ago when she looked like that young photo of her on the dresser!!!
Keeping up Appearances……. doesn’t everyone have a Hyacinth in their family?
Waiting for God
Are You Being Served…..and I am unanimous in that!
What do they all have in common? Brilliant and quickfire repartee.
Good list. Adore Red Dwarf. Are you being served and ‘allo ‘allo I also enjoy.
Monty Phyton!!! meaning of life
I think Mind Your Language should be on the list as well…..
I have to mention Porridge, Blackadder and Only Fools and Horses (I still laugh at Del vs the Ax Murderer)!
I love Del-Boy. He was brilliant.
Must mention the amazing Coupling. I have the DVDs and I have watched the eps over and over, and they always make me laugh, even though I’ve practically memorized the jokes!! Jeff particularly has some of the best stuff in the series, including his “Giggle Loop” and the “unflushable” among others. And Steve’s disquisition on sofa cushions is so perfect.
“…Buttocks. Gusset. Bicycle saddle….”
Even thinking about it cracks me up.
Never look for the pathetic American remake…it was terrible.
A classic pub question and should generate endless debate. Not sure if they aired in the US (I think they might have bombed) but my list would have Blackadder, Fools and Horses and Porridge in the top 10.
My all time fav top 12. In no particular order.
Blackadder
Fawlty Towers
I’m Alan Partridge
The Office
The Mighty Boosh
Spaced
Only Fools and Horses
The Thick of It
The Young Ones
Phoenix Nights
The League of Gentlemen
The Royle Family
Could easily have made a top 50.
Only Fools and Horses is my number one. Characters you cant help but love as well as laugh at. I love how the brilliant writing allows for very funny and very moving scenes all at once. The only thing is i think the one where they finally make their millions should have been the final episode. Also love Ab Fab, Porridge, Open All Hours, Fawlty Towers, Peep Show, Allo Allo, Vicar of Dibley, The Inbetweeners and many many more!
Fawlty Towers
Steptoe & Son
Porridge
Dad’s Army
Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister
Only Fools And Horses
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
Red Dwarf
Sykes
Some Mothers Do Have ‘Em
Blackadder
It Ain’t Half Hot Mum
Blackadder and Fawlty Towers are MUSTS on such a list. Fawlty Towers was so good that it set a benchmark for other similar shows to follow: Go out on a high, not when the network (or the public) wants you to stop. Not heard of the last one and I even subscribe to a UK TV slingbox service. I don’t think any “all-time” list should ever include anything contemporary.
what about Mulberry? The episode where he falls off a cliff and ends up in the morgue and has to have his father remind him that because he is the child of Death and Springtime he can not die was a wonderful conundrum to watch.
Absolutely love(d) the Benny Hill show. Does this count?
No love for Chef? For shame.
It is strange that Father Ted got banned in Boston. Even though it was made under a British production company, the writers and cast were Irish. Most of the Irish compalints to RTE, who aired it in Ireland was for not making it themselves, and letting it go to Channel 4.
My favourite sitcoms in no particular order:
Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, Phoenix Nights, The Royle Family, Porridge, The Young Ones, Bottom, Outnumbered, Red Dwarf, Rab C Nesbitt, I’m Alan Partridge.
I can’t believe Open All Hours did not get a mention… Steptoe and Son, George & Mildred, Man About the House, On the Busses, The 2 Ronnies… the list could go on…
I’m sorry to say but i have to disagree with with most of your choices. With the exception of Father Ted, Yes Minister, and Red Dwarf none of the above would get i my top 12 and would go as far as saying that most of the others are poor or very outdated.
Not only have you missed most of the best modern comedy such as Peep Show, Spaced, I’m Alan Partridge but also the classics like Only Fools, Porridge and even Black Adder.
But worst of all you wrote that The Brittas Empire was better than Fawlty Towers.
Shame on you
To those (like Tom) who are apparently fuming over my choices and/or omissions, I was originally asked to list my 10 personal favorites, (which I stretched out to 12)—in other words, my OPINION. I am not claiming to be the final authority on which British situation comedies are the “best” ever. It is all subjective. We all have our own favorites. In my book, I devote one chapter each to 57 different programs I consider to be the best representation of British sitcoms since the early 1970s. So most of your favorites, whether they are on the list above or not, are probably in the book. Some programs have not aired in the U.S., so I omitted them from the book for that reason alone.
So, Tom, no need for your rudeness. And yes, I’ll stick by my OPINION that “The Brittas Empire” is better than “Fawlty Towers.” I have my reasons for feeling this way. Looks like we’ll just have to agree to disagree. No shame involved at all. Have a nice day, everyone!
Where is Peep Show? Black Adder and Men Behaving Badly?
What’s Occurin’ with these lists?
I’se won’t lie to you… if the truth be told… when all’s said and done, at the end of the day..
Gavin & Stacy would be on my list.
Hi,
Anyone who can tell me the name of the UK Tv series showed on BBC around 2001 about a small office community (not The Office). 3 main characters: An extremely irretating Indian secretary, an older very sexual oriented boss and a middle aged unlucky middle officer?
Thanks.
Hi
I’ve been desperately looking for the same show as well. After almost one year of searching I finally found it.
The show you are looking for is PERFECT WORLD (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238796/)
Enjoy!
Fraser i agree with you wholeheartedly.
however i think that some of the regional episodes ie not in or around London accents would be difficult for most American’s to follow.
i also have to add Boys from the Black Stuff and Auf viedersein Pet (incorrect spelling i know)
both very funny but with their thick accents i doubt they would ever make it here.
Keeping Up Appearances – How can you leave Hyacinth, Daisy, Rose, Violet, Richard and ONSLOW off your list? You must have had a “bone idle” day!
Also As Time Goes By – with Judi Dench! Her acting skills are superb!
I have become a big fan of DOC MARTIN here in the US.The quirky characters leave me laughing every week ! I especially love the scenery in Cornwall, and the music score in the opening scene.Does anyone know the composer, or how I could get this sound track ?
How could you leave out Dear John? Finding out that Kirk was not a flash, suave, sophisticated single but lived with his mum was as shocking to me as finding out that Father Christmas isn’t real.
Have you checked out The Day Today (the show which brought us Alan Partidge) and Brasseye?
Chris Morris is so underrated!
Porridge definitely needs a mention, as does the Thick Of It, Peep Show, The Detectives, Blackadder, and some of Only Fools And Horses (I’d recommend series 6 and The Jolly Boy’s Outing and series 7). As a wild card, I’d highly recommend Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads – it’s about two working class lads in the early 1970s, one who returns to newcastle after five years in the army to find his hometown and society in general changed, and his best mate who’s changed with it.
My favorites in no particular order:
Waiting For God
Chef!
The Mighty Boosh
The I.T. Crowd
Pulling
Blackadder
Fawlty Towers
Absolutely Fabulous
Keeping Up Appearances
The Vicar of Dibley
oh! And Coupling!
One that you must all check out is Green Wing, in my opinion British comedy at its best.
From a Brit.
I can’t believe Fawlty Towers wasn’t on here!
I’d also have included:
Last of the Summer Wine
Keeping Up Appearances
Bottom
Blackadder
Only Fools and Horses
Monty Python’s Flying Circus – not a sitcom but a classic in the UK!
Open All Hours
Love the site by the way!
I love “Last of the Summer Wine” my favorite characters are Mr. Humphries and Mrs. Slocum; but the article failed to mention “Open All Night” with the characters of Grandville and Mr. Arkwright and nurse Gladys
I can’t believe Benny Hill was not mentioned.
Father Ted!
Father Ted!
Father Ted!
I want to add to the list “As Time Goes By.” I try to watch it whenever I can. I have been trying to gat the series on DVD, but haven’t had the extra around $130.00 yet.
Many of these comedies have not been widely broadcast here in America. But I do agree with Are You Being Served and Allo Allo. BUT missing from your list is the muddy, plain, simple but incredibly smart, warm, beautifully paced and zany (a la Charlie Chaplin) comedy, Last of the Summer Wine. I love As Time Goes By and the Old Guys as well. Has anyone ever heard of a British Comedy called Colin’s Sandwich??
Ab fav, to the manor born, and butterflies; these are all such fun!
“The Young Ones”
some quality british sitcoms that certainly need to be mentioned and are a must to anybody that collects classic comedy tv programmes.
The Royle Family, Phoenix Nights, Not Going Out, Open All Hours, Dear John, Mind Your Language, One Foot In The Grave, Love Thy Neighbour, Early Doors, Till Death Us Do Part, Mrs Brown’s Boys, Miranda, Green Green Grass, Nearest And Dearest, George And Mildred, Benidorm, Bottom, The Young Ones, Keeping Up Appearances, Allo Allo, Man About The House, Bless This House, The Inbetweeners, Gimme Gimme Gimme, The Office, The League Of Gentleman, Please Sir, 15 Storeys High, Citizen Smith, Black Books, Peep Show, Dad’s Army, Are You Being Served?, I’m Alan Partridge, Absolutely Fabulous, Vicar Of Dibley, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, The Good Life, Rab C.Nesbitt, Hancocks Half Hour, Britta’s Empire, Men Behaving Badly, Red Dwarf, Spaced, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Yes Minister, Last Of The Summer Wine, I Didn’t Know You Cared, Butterflies, Terry And June, Goodnight Sweetheart, The IT Crowd, The Thin Blue Line, Green Wing, Only When I Laugh, Outnumbered, Shelley, Gavin And Stacey, The Detectives, Curry And Chips, Sykes, The New Statesman, The Thick Of It, The Likely Lads / Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads, Dinner Ladies, Mr. Bean, Doctor In The House, As Time Goes By, Sorry, Just Good Friends, Duty Free, Home To Roost, Robins Nest, To The Manor Born, The Liver Birds.
My Top 12 British Sitcoms would be:
1.Only Fools And Horses
2.Fawlty Towers
3.Some Mother’s Do ‘Ave ‘Em
4.Rising Damp
5.Still Game
6.In Sickness And In Health
7.Steptoe And Son
8.Porridge / Going Straight
9.Father Ted
10.The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin
11.Blackadder
12.On The Buses
Enjoy, They’re are so many great british sitcoms, it’sdiffiuclt to compile a top 100 nevermind a top 10. There’s many more that i haven’t even mentioned!
Leaving out OFAH from the top ten makes this post invalid.
I saw a sit-com many years ago with “Mr Humphries” as a secretary to a female Government official. She was extremely attractive and seems to have had romance problems. It was almost like a soap opera. Have you ever seen/heard of this one?
I do not comment, however I looked through a few responses on this page Guest Post:
And, if you are posting at additional online social sites,
The Top 12 British Comedies of All Time – Best Britcoms
With Clips! – Anglotopia.net | Anglotopia – For People That Love Britain.
I actually do have a couple of questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be only me or does it give the impression like a
few of the remarks look as if they are coming from
brain dead people?
I would like to follow everything new you have to post.
Could you make a list of every one of your social networking
sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
Only Fools and Horses should have been on here, otherwise pretty good choices.