Do Americans get British humour?

Question

When you see British comedies, do you find it funny or just confusing?

Answer 1

I love a good britcom although some of the jokes go sailing over my head because I don't get all of the references.

Answer 2

Howdy!

Of course Americans get British humor. If we didn't, there would be no need for BBC America over here, with the comedy programs.

Using the most obvious example would be Monty Python. When MP started, most of the members said that it would not be a good idea to bring it to the U.S., since they believed their humor was above Americans. They couldn't have been more wrong, and Eric Idle even says now that their beliefs were because of their "own sense of self superiority with their humor, that Americans were too simple or different to understand it". He says that that was a huge mistake on his part, and he's kinda embarrased by it.

But it all worked out well in the end.

I'm a huge Seinfeld fan, and I've read that some Brits don't find it funny at all. I don't neccesarily chalk that up to our humor being superior to the Brits, but rather it's not for everyone, since I've heard of a lot of Brits who find Seinfeld hillarious.

Answer 3

It is quite obvious from the majority of the responses that the people of the US of A do not appreciate British comedy.
This confirms the fact the people of the US of A find the comedy intellectually challenging as it requires the person to think a little bit about what is being said and comprehend what events are unfolding. The ability to think and comprehend is not a common characteristic of the people of the US of A, hence if it is not of USA origin or concept it is considered inferior or stupid. It is far easier to state something is stupid, inferior or confusing that admit the truth of being intellectually sterile!

Answer 4

Roland Atkins ?
OH - ROWAN SEBASTIAN ATKINSON !!! More american confusion of English humour LOL.
Actually I think it`s just classic britcom that americans an get ,the others they just pretend to understand ,remake and usually lose the fun - except The Office - now THAT I prefer as the american version (I HATE Ricky Gervais` smugness and self-importance - he`s not funny!)

Answer 5

Probably not but I find American humour a little contrived.
I come from a city famed for comedians but few people outside it appreciate the speed or playful selfmockery. Local comedians have to amed it when they leave town even a few miles down the road

Answer 6

i think that it mostly depends on the individual person, and also to some degree, where abouts in the US they live.

my boyfriend is from Miami, and he understands my sense of humour without any problems.. infact, his sense of humour is very much like my own... (dry and a bit warped. lol)

and a lot of Americans enjoy British comedies... the main things that they struggle to understand are some of our accents, and some of the political / social references that are made.

Answer 7

Quite simply no im sorry im not prejudice against americans but most of them dont get sarcasm a keystone in all good british comedy.

Answer 8

British humor is alot drier than American humor. I usually get some of it and think it's funny...but most just goes over my head. I still watch it though.

Answer 9

I'm American Nigerian, but I love watching British comedies.... I love watching CHEF, and I liked that Johnny English movie...that dude is SOOOOOOOO funny lol

Answer 10

Peter Kaye and Billy Connolly,Jasper Carrot, Phil Cool are FAR funnier than any comedians the Yanks have.