British Sitcoms & Comedy Series

British comedy series started in 1920s with popularization of radio. Most of the radio comedy shows were based on variety shows or vaudeville that was popular in the theaters across the country. World War 2 brought a new wave in entertainment and comedy was important factor in keeping the spirit of the armed forces and the country population. ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) that toured the military units also used the radio as a medium to reach the audience. The ENSA shows has influence on many after-war entertainers and in 1950s the new generation of comedians changed the face of British comedy and the comedy around the world.

The precursor of new trends were such artists as Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe or Tony Hancock - their shows influenced such shows as Monty Python’s Flying Circus or I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again and many more. From that point the British comedy series went two ways - the classic ones were quite similiar to the American style based on family stories and rather mild humour, while the other ones were more radical and some of them were even hard to label them (like Might Boosh, The Fast Show, Mr Bean or Green Wing). Since 1980s the influence of stand up comedy have increases, but still most of the classic British comedies series derived from variety shows tradition.

2point4 Children

6.8

3110

The Porter family, typical suburban family from London, their everyday problems... and not everyday solutions to them.

A Bit of Fry and Laurie

8.0

15110

Sketch-based series built around characters developed by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.

Absolute Power

8.0

15110

Prentiss McCabe is a successful PR company from London. Here we have the chance to take a look how do they achieve their goals and how they don’t let such silly things as truth or morality to get in their way.

Agony

5.2

24110

Jane Lucas is an "agony aunt" in Person magazine, where she tries to solve other people problems, although her own life is far from being perfect.

Alas Smith and Jones

6.8

14110

Sketch-based series of pair of comedians, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, that teamed up after Not the Nine O’Clock News and kept working together for next over 20 years.

Alexei Sayle’s Stuff

6.0

5110

Comedian Alexei Sayle as a star of his own show - mixture of sketches and stand up comedy.

All at No 20

4.0

12110

After death of her husband Sheila Haddon has problems with paying off the mortgage of her house. Just as she almost gave up hope she came up with an idea not to lose the house - she decided to take lodgers.

All Gas and Gaiters

7.2

23110

In fictional St Ogg’s cathedral bishop Hever, his jolly friend the archdeacon and the young bishop’s chaplain deal with everyday problems and the one man they simply can’t stand - the dean of St Ogg’s.

All Gas and Gaiters

7.2

11110

Set in fictional St Ogg’s cathedral All Gas and Gaiters shows the life of bishop, his friend the archdeacon and the bishop’s chaplain as they try to deal with everyday problems and one man they simply can’t stand - the dean. Radio version of a popular TV show.

Alone

7.2

17110

Five middle-aged single neighbours live in a same London house divided into flats. Despite being completely different they have one thing in-common - they all are alone.

Anything Legal

6.0

11110

Two city gentlemen are made redundant and come up with idea that could change their lives.

Are You Being Served?

9.2

14110

Staff of Grace Brothers department store in London with their personal problems and their professional secrets.

At Last the 1948 Show

8.8

7110

Sketch based show created by later well known British comedians - Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Marty Feldman.

’Allo ’Allo!

9.2

13110

During World War 2 French cafe owner Rene Artois reluctantly gets involved into Resistance affairs, which brings him nothing but the trouble. Not to mention his wife could any day find out about his affairs with the waitresses...

Bad Education

6.8

19110

Alfie Wickers is a teacher in Abbey Grove School in Watford, but the problem is he is more immature than his students.

Benidorm

7.2

19110

British tourists in Benidorm bring their problems with them to the sunny Spain, but leave with... completely different problems.

Beyond Our Ken

6.8

15110

Sketch-based radio show starring Kenneth Horne and (among others) Kenneth Williams.

Big Business Lark

4.8

14110

Radio comedy show set in the fictional company Allied British Plastics, where the owner Sir Charles Boniface and his son Frank are trying to deal with all sort of threats that could put ABP out of business.

Big Train

3.6

16110

Sketch show presenting the every day situations twisted with absurdal humour.

Black Books

6.0

10110

Bernard Black is owner of small old-fashioned bookshop that barely breaks even, mostly thanks to Bernard’s customer service skills... that he has none. He hires Manny to help around the shop, but his happy-go-lucky attitude really gets on Bernard’s nerves.