What do you think of the English sense of humour?

Question

UK here.

Answer 1

In the late 1800s, Mark Twain wrote a short piece on the differences between American humor and British humor. Apparently at the time, according to his short essay, the Brits were the ones with obvious set-ups, stories, and then the all-too-predictable punchlines followed by their own guffawing at their own joke. Twain contrasted this with what he perceived to be the great American "southwest" humor of his day, wherein the storyteller pretended not to know that what he was saying was humorous (dry humor, in other words).

So in this regard, it's interesting that in the course of 100 years, the two styles of humor have been completely transposed; with the Brits for some time now having completely commanded the dry style (understated -- my favorite); and Americans partaking far more in slapstick, "tell me a joke" kind of jokes, physical humor, etc. (over-the-top stuff).

With the exception of someone like Robin Williams and his physical, to-the-limits performances, I do prefer understated humor.

The best comedian of the last half of the 20th century was Peter Cook. Beautiful -- the kind of stuff that you think about a week later and discover a new fold to it, and a new wrinkle/social-commentary that makes you chuckle. Absolutely the best of improv and understated humor. Began as the early-'60s forerunner of Monty Python. For anyone who doesn't know of him, start by watching the late-'60s Stanley Donen film "Bedazzled" (which he stars in and wrote, largely), and then go from there -- by reading and listening to his various recorded performances archived online.

As to recent examples, I'm a big fan of the writing and acting on the BBC show "Coupling," which has reruns here in America. Flawless and very funny.

Answer 2

Crackling dry wit from Peter Sellers, Terry Thomas and John Cleese to their counterpart Benny Hill.

Answer 3

I like it most of the time. Sometimes it goes a bit too far, but that can happen anywhere. Saturday Night Live, anyone? I actually prefer crude English humor over crude American humor.

Answer 4

Ilove Mr. Bean, Fawlty Towers, Benny Hill, Last of the summer's wine, Most Haunted(Eve is a riot, did you hear that?all the time.)
The British are the ones who put funny on the map

Answer 5

**I personally prefer "English" humor, over all others, due to the fact, I CAN ONLY SPEAK ENGLISH !!!!!
**I wouldn't have a clue about other nationalities,....BECAUSE I CAN'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING BUT E N G L I S H !!!!

------J/K..lol...No seriously, I am from the U.S. and I consider myself quite a humorous person. I am going with the term "Witty"..or "Intellectual" humor, us Americans have.
-------Now for the rest , (from waaay across that vast ocean) all there humor, is very plain, or silly, is actually the best word to describe it. To me, most of sounds like something a 5 yr. old could've come up with. Just not much behind it....

Answer 6

you can't beat the English sence of humour

star time

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Answer 7

best in the world

Answer 8

probably the best
but there are also some ace American comedians

Answer 9

Except for the brillaince that is Monty Python, i dont really get it. sorry.

Answer 10

We are funnier than Americans.