October 9
Love This – British Sitcoms
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We speak a common language, but not every American can appreciate British comedy. I am one that can and does. These are five British sitcoms that I love. This is not an all-inclusive list, just a little snapshot of some shows that have made me laugh…a lot.
“Are You Being Served?”
This show was my introduction to the brand of humor that is uniquely British. The show ran from 1972 to 1985 and is set in the ladies’ and gentlemen’s clothing departments of Grace Brothers, a large, fictional London department store.
Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers was broadcast in 1975 and 1979 and only had 12 episodes. The series is set in Fawlty Towers, a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay. The show centers on the tense, rude and put-upon owner Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) who also co-wrote the series.
Waiting for God
Waiting for God ran from 1990 to 1994 and focuses on two lively resident of a retirement home who spend their time butting up against the home’s oppressive management and their own families.
Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances centers around Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet, according to Hyacinth) an eccentric, social-climbing snob whose working-class family is a constant source on embarrassment (and laughs). Keeping Up Appearances ran from 1990 to 1995.
The Vicar Of Dibley
I love Dawn French who plays Geraldine Granger, a female vicar who is assigned to a small Oxfordshire village called Dibley. Fun-loving and outrageous, the vicar has her hands full with the Parish Council. The show ran from 1994 to 2007.
I first enjoyed these British sitcoms thanks to my local PBS station. Do you have a favorite British sitcom?
Daily Inspiration
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At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
Jean Houston
I loved Vicar of Dibley, Waiting for God and Are ou Being Served. Mrs. Slocombe and her pussy and the one that said I’m free had me in creases. They don’t make them like that any more:)
I’m glad we get BBC America, but it would be great to get a BBC channel devoted to British sitcoms in the States. Love their quirky humor.
Fawlty Towers is the only one on your list that I’ve seen, but it is very funny! The one that kills me is Mrs. Brown’s Boys. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqfwYk-Gt1I
This almost killed me with laughter…only the Brits. I have never heard of Mrs. Brown’s Boys. I want to watch more!
I agree Lori, they are all so funny. The old ones are the best ones 🙂
Lynne x
We used to always watch Fawlty Towers and another, Some Mother’s Do Have Them. 🙂
I haven’t heard of Some Mother’s Do Have Them. I must check that show out.
YES! FAWLTY TOWERS! I loved Mr Bean too. It took me a while to appreciate British humour but I now think it’s the best in the world. I thought there was a fair bit of it in the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies LOL.
And I LOVE your groovy daily inspiration picture. Is it fabric or paper?
The Daily Inspiraton photo is of a design on a plastic notebook.
We are huge fans of British sitcoms which we see on PBS. Waiting for God, Are You Being Served and As Time Goes By are our favorites.
Oh you have some classics there! If you haven’t seen it you should try “Only Fools and Horses” and a great oldie is “The Good Life” which ran from 1975 to 78. It might be called Good Neighbours over your side of the pond. Deccy x
I haven’t heard of either of these and will have to check them out.
We LOVE Fawlty Towers.
The Man and Lady Of The House went away last weekend and bought the Boy Of The House back series one and two on DVD.
The drama group the LOTH goes to did a day of play and comedy readings recently – and the LOTH got to play the deaf old lady with the hearing aid that she turns off to save the batteries driving Basil and Polly mad. Oh, and the Girl Of The House played Polly.
Love and licks, Winnie
What fun! I would love to see you and the Girl Of The House on stage.
Oooh! I love British comedies!! Some time (in all my spare time this weekend, tee hee) I’m going to find a picture for you. We discovered “The Vicar of Dibley” while visiting my brother. I have the first season on DVD. Anyway, the outside shots of the church are filmed only a few minutes from my bro’s house…incidentally, it’s very near the windmill that was in “Bedknobs & Broomsticks”!
How cool!