British or American Comedies?

Question

I love British comedies they are witty and subtle and make you genuinely laugh. Only fools and horses, fawlty towers, the fast show, open all hours, the vicar of dibley and dads army, these are all good classic british comedies that you can kick back relax and have a good laugh to.

American comedies I have never liked, they don't make me laugh and I tend to get the impression that they are trying too hard to be funny which in the end makes the program not funny at all and pretty boring. This maybe because i am british and I understand british humour better, so my opinion may in that sense be biased, which is why I want YOUR opinion. (the only american program that I actually make sure I never miss and always watch is Gilmore Girls)

Also I want to know what you guys think of the american version of the office, I personally think they should have stuck to the British version I mean no one can beat Ricky Gervais!!!!

I don't like the simpsons i know shocking the rest of my family does but I got bored of it after a while, I used to like friends.

Answer 1

British comedy is far superior. I agree with you about American comedians trying too hard and ultimately messing up what could have been a brilliant quip. For example, Jon stewart and his clan always have good material, but at least 50% of the time give a poor delivery by dragging the joke out. American comedians often seem to do this. The intelligence of most comedy is in its subtletly and slight ambiguity. However, many American comedians virtually explain the joke and why it is apparently so funny, ergo, the whole routine becomes predictable and obvious.
This is painfully apparent in programmes such as Friends.


The other factor which turns many British viewers of American comedy off is the volume of and physical accompaniment to a joke. Brits love self-deprecating, dry humour (hence, the success of programmes such as the office). Therefore, loud, slapstick comedy is rarely seen On British Television nowadays. However, whenever I see American comedies (Friends, etc) I see much louder, physical delivery. Many British people simply don't find this funny. This is probably a reflection of the world-famous british reserve. It doesn't mean that American comedy is always bad. The success of certain American programmes in Britain such as the simpsons could be due to the vast array of characters and types of comedy. All tastes are catered for, be it dry, slapstick, loud, dark.

Answer 2

Most of the time, I do prefer British comedies. I just cannot enjoy most American comedies. However, in terms of The Office, I found the British version to be an absolute bore but the American one much funnier.

The Fast Show is a brilliant British comedy, I completely agree.

Answer 3

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU!! British comedies are SO much better than most of the American sit-coms. With the exception of the rare good ones (Home Improvement, Murphy Brown, Friends, Designing Women to name a few), I find too many rely on vulgarity for laughts, whereas the Brits are genuinely FUNNY!
I crave a good "belly laugh" and the Brits are better at providing that laugh.
p.s. - I cannot STAND "The Simpsons"! Never could.

Answer 4

American comedies were very good in the 70's but are just plain boring now. Full of precocious kids and pain in the ***, humourless parents. Rosanne was very good. But I do agree and I am a Brit too but the British comedy is and alway has been hilarious and very cleverly funny. After all Britain has always been very good in the theater arts and music etc...

The British "Office" cannot be beat. Rick is priceless.

Answer 5

i love British comedies(don't forget Alan partridge!) but there are some very witty subtle American comedies too! i mean, you must like the Simpson's, everyone likes the Simpson's surely? and it might not be the cleverest comedy in the world but Friends is pretty consistently funny and good easy viewing.
There are good and bad comedies from both counties in my opinion

as for your last question, the office without Ricky Gervais? Like it was ever going to work

Answer 6

I like both. I think the British comedian are like old fashion but still make me laugh out laud. The American comedian have a different type they always curse and even though I don't like the cursing part they manage to make me laugh, so my opinion is that They are 2 different type but both are likable. I love my American comediants to.

Answer 7

I much prefer British comedies, and anything pre-2000s. I don't know why , but I don't get the humour of "Little Britain" and "The league of gentlemen" and other more recent comedies. Maybe it's because of what I grew up watching. I regularly watch "Are you being served?" , which has to be one of my favourites.

Answer 8

It really depends...you cannot make such a general statement.
There are some funny comedies in the States, such as Frasier, King of Queens, Sex and the City etc....

Answer 9

I liked life of Brian.