American vs British humor

[Lulletje Rozewater]

I have seen very few good American humor
Two and a half men was good


British
My family
Father Ted
Some of Mr Bean.

Not one good British or American full time films come to mind

[Loki]

Frasier is awesome American humour. :)

[Psychonaut]

Arrested Development (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_(TV_series)) was a favorite of mine.

This is what comes to mind when I think of British humor...

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[Maelstrom]

British comedy:

Black Books
Spaced
The Office (some people rave about it, others don't really get it. I'm somewhere in between).

And what about Fawlty Towers or Blackadder etc? Brilliant works!

The funniest two films I have seen (straight out of Hollywood, unfortunately) were "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" and "Yes Man".

I find Simon Pegg to be a hilarious actor and comedian, he is also the main character in Spaced. Oh, and I've always been a Jim Carrey fan... :wink

[lei.talk]

Frasier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier) is awesome American humour. :)http://i43.tinypic.com/2s96qz8.jpg (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GZAZ_enUS281US281&q=%22patrick+stewart%22+frasier+episode)
:fdgd:

[Lulletje Rozewater]

http://i43.tinypic.com/2s96qz8.jpg (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GZAZ_enUS281US281&q=%22patrick+stewart%22+frasier+episode)
:fdgd:

Yep that man is good.
He played also in Cheers?????????

[Lady L]

Yep that man is good.
He played also in Cheers?????????

He did play in Cheers. Cheers was a good one! I enjoy The Big Bang Theory these days. Despite the little nerdy Jew boy in it, he is quite funny though! :D

( he is not shown in the pic though )

http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo228/ILoveLucy1901/big_bang_theory.jpg

[Lulletje Rozewater]

He did play in Cheers. Cheers was a good one! I enjoy The Big Bang Theory these days. Despite the little nerdy Jew boy in it, he is quite funny though! :D

( he is known shown in the pic though )

http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo228/ILoveLucy1901/big_bang_theory.jpg

I saw it ones
It is on one of the DSTV channels(Series).
The guy with the glasses seems a bit of an oddball,the other one is cheeky as hell.

[Manifest Destiny]

Frasier was great. So was Married: With Children.

[Thorum]

One of the best American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyester_(film)) films:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51M0CBBANTL._SL500_AA240_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0002RQ3L6/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd)

One of the best British (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail) films:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Monty_python_and_the_holy_grail_2001_release_movie _poster.jpg/200px-Monty_python_and_the_holy_grail_2001_release_movie _poster.jpg (http://www.theapricity.com/wiki/File:Monty_python_and_the_holy_grail_2001_release_ movie_poster.jpg)

Personally, I can find hilarious stuff on both sides of the pond. Don't forget Canada either with SCTV, Kids In the Hall, Tom Green, Dan Ackroyd, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey.......

[Manifest Destiny]

How could I forget the best comedy (and possibly the best TV show) of all time: The Simpsons.

[Sally]

I really enjoy...

From the UK:

Little Britain

The Young Ones

Keeping Up Appearances

From the States:

The Simpsons

Beavis and Butt-Head

Southpark

[Lady L]

I saw it ones
It is on one of the DSTV channels(Series).
The guy with the glasses seems a bit of an oddball,the other one is cheeky as hell.

The cheeky one-yes! Sheldon! He makes the show! :D

[Rainraven]

The cheeky one-yes! Sheldon! He makes the show! :D

Love it! :D

At the moment my comedy watching is Two and a Half Men, Scrubs and The Big Bang Theory.

Classics I never get sick of watching are Family Guy and Black Books :thumb001:

[Osweo]

I abhor:

Little Britain
and don't think these are especially funny:

Keeping Up Appearances
Beavis and Butt-Head
Southpark


My family


Oh, and I've always been a Jim Carrey fan... :wink


Mike Myers, Jim Carrey.......

So there! :grumpy::eviltongue:

And, that has UK/US roughly neck and neck!
I like to laugh, and I think Britain just has the edge when it comes to true genius in this sphere, but honourable mentions for the Simpsons (far from every episode, mind) and Frasier as almost reaching the standard of Phoenix Nights... :)

[Lars]

I must say that I find Two and a Half Men to be absolute rubbish.

Good American humor: Frasier, Seinfeld and GEORGE CARLIN!

British: Black Books, Monty Python's Life of Brian, A Fish Called Wanda. :D

[Thorum]

So there! :grumpy::eviltongue:

And, that has UK/US roughly neck and neck!
I like to laugh, and I think Britain just has the edge when it comes to true genius in this sphere, but honourable mentions for the Simpsons (far from every episode, mind) and Frasier as almost reaching the standard of Phoenix Nights... :)

OK, Oz, how about rating these American shows? (if you are familiar):

- All in the Family (though it actually has British roots).

- MASH

- The Munsters (had to throw that in.....:laugh:)

Hands down funniest British show is "Are you being served?"!!

[Treffie]

Yes, MASH was funny Thorum, probably the best US comedy. I think we're also forgetting Laurel and Hardy (US and UK) if we take it back even further.

Best of British, mmmm, Rising Damp, Steptoe and Son, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin - all 60's and 70's stuff, they don't make them like they used to.

[Osweo]

OK, Oz, how about rating these American shows? (if you are familiar):
- All in the Family (though it actually has British roots).
- MASH
- The Musters (had to throw that in.....:laugh:)
I was just about to say "Sorry mate, an't seen any of them, can't comment!" but then I realised you meant MuNsters! I actually used to watch it when I was little and wouldn't call it the worst of shows! :D

Christ though, is the first one about the hilarious antics of an inbred and inbreeding household?"? :eek:

MASH was last on telly when I was about ten, so I didn't watch it. sorry! I don't watch telly at all now, either.

Hands down funniest British show is "Are you being served?"!!
Hmm, sometimes hilarious, but rather samey and predictable at times...

I think we're also forgetting Laurel and Hardy (US and UK) if we take it back even further.
Ah, good old Stan, a fine Lancastrian (what is it about this county and humour? :thumb001:)! His statue has finally been put up in his home town of Ulverston. :)

Steptoe and Son, :thumb001::D So TRUE, too! Near enough my life! :p

[Lady L]

I don't know if I should admit this or not but I always enjoyed Rosanne when it was on. :D And, another favorite of mine was The Wonder Years...anyone remember that one..?

Of course the Golden Squirrels ( girls ) :D I just always call it that :D

Dorthy ( Bea Arthur ) just passed away. RIP Bea :)

[SwordoftheVistula]

Never really been a fan of either British humor or American 'sitcoms'

South Park is my favorite currently running TV show

I love Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force

The Daily Show and Colbert Report were favorites of mine for years, the past few months not as much as they've allowed their political leanings to trump comedic value. If they made fun of the current administration as much as the previous one they'd still be awesome.

Jerry Springer is an old favorite of mine, loved that show.

Family Guy, King of the Hill and Simpsons have some funny stuff, as do all those other cartoons they show in the middle of the night.

The Far Side and Calvin & Hobbes are the best comic strips ever

For movies, 'Idiocracy' is by far my favorite.

I love the 'Jay & Silent Bob' (View Askew) movies, especially the original Clerks, Dogma and Mall Rats.

Adam Sandler used to be one of my favorites, but he's gotten a bit stale, I'll still go see his movies when they come out.

There is a enormous quantity of comedic material to be found in 'white nationalist scene drama'

[chap]

I like Peep Show, Black Books, IT Crowd and so on.....

I have noticed that the best comedians & comic writers are invariably English or Irish. Humour comes less easily to the Scots - I don't know why.

[Lulletje Rozewater]

I forgot
Father Ted (Irish)

I thought it was so true to the RC church.
I studied(7 months only) for a Jesuit,but had to finally stop.
When my Father "Heeremans" asked me the reason
I simply said:" Father,how can you expect from me to quote the Bible from front to back to keep my sword sheathed.
Man those 7 months taught me that whatever religious leaders say about the Catholic Priesthood, the Jesuit priests are by far the world wisest with a full dose of humor.
That was way back,have not been in a RC church for years

[Lulletje Rozewater]

I like Peep Show, Black Books, IT Crowd and so on.....

I have noticed that the best comedians & comic writers are invariably English or Irish. Humour comes less easily to the Scots - I don't know why.

May be the Tribe lost its head:)............ of state

[Jamt]

I generally laugh harder at English humor than American but on The Office, the American version is better by far.

[Brynhild]

I lean more towards British humour. Shows like Monty Python, The Goodies, Fawlty Towers (Fatty Owls & Farty Twats LOL), Keeping Up Appearances, Dad's Army, One Foot in the Grave, Steptoe & Son, Mr Bean, Blackadder, Allo Allo, The Young Ones etc were brilliant.

My favourite sitcoms from the US came out in the 60s with shows like the Addams Family, Hogans Heroes. I don't mind Scrubs, some South Park. I think Metalocalypse is rather funny as well.

[Rainraven]

I've started watching Drawn Together (American cartoon) and it's pretty funny :thumb001:

[Osweo]

Humour comes less easily to the Scots - I don't know why.

Come now! Or admit it - you just didn't understand a damn word of Gregor Fisher's 'Rab C Nesbitt'! :P

Stanley Baxter was genius. That new show Still Game isn't too bad. Mr. MacKay on Porridge was a great performer (though I suppose the scripts were English written). Er... and I believe that's near enough it! Maybe you're right after all! :D

Actually, though, thinking of Scots I know in real life - they're hilarious, but FAR too obscene to put on the telly...

[Manifest Destiny]

Hands down funniest British show is "Are you being served?"!!

No. Monty Python's Flying Circus, thank you.

[Manifest Destiny]

I've started watching Drawn Together (American cartoon) and it's pretty funny :thumb001:

Watch the show Robot Chicken if you get a chance. It is SO demented. I love it.

[Útrám]

I prefer humour not humor :) monty python is my all-time favourite comedic group. The diversity of American humour is unfortunately not often acknowledged, sure much of it are just clowny antics but there are plenty of subtle examples as well.

[Rainraven]

Watch the show Robot Chicken if you get a chance. It is SO demented. I love it.

I started watching and couldn't handle the claymation! :mad:

[Alison]

British humour used to be subtle. It's gone down the toilet. So disappointing.

[Freomæg]

British humour, easily. Just look at the British and American versions of 'The Office' for illustration.

Comedy is one of Britain's greatest post-television exports. Some that I haven't seen mentioned:

The League of Gentlemen, Alan Partridge, Brass Eye, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Blackadder.

There are one or two American comedies I like - mostly the more subversive ones like the Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park, or Futurama (incidentally, all animated).

[Alison]

True, but then I watch Little Britain and I cringe.

[Útrám]

True, but then I watch Little Britain and I cringe.

You're not alone on that one, that show is just abysmally disgusting, it's as though it's makers just mistook offence for humour. It's sad to see these degenerative trends in British comedy programs.

[Rainraven]

True, but then I watch Little Britain and I cringe.

Oh I know, shocking! I can't even watch it :mad:

[Vargtand]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M68GeL8PafE&feature=related

[Lulletje Rozewater]

True, but then I watch Little Britain and I cringe.

I like 'My family' very much.
Some times(4x in previous 6 months and by force) I feel like ripping Jerry Springer apart.This is not comedy it is outright dysfunctional and racists to black and white
I then do a Boerseun stunt in Sterns or other jewelery stores with a Jewish name (including Pick 'n Pay)
Go in as a squatter-holes in my slacks to let my knee breath,a skull cap ala Roman Catholic style-torn shirt and collapsed shoes.
1st reaction is--beware a hillbilly has arrived-- I ask to see the engagement ring section-they show the tray and watch me even more-casually I take out of my pocket R 5000.00-now all smiles,by the way my hands shake and my breath smell of alcohol. I pick out a ring and the whole tray on the floor-the ring between my fingers is thrown underneath the counter 3 meter away.
They collect all the rings-1 short-commotion-threats-phone-police arrive(after 20 min).I explain-they accuse- explain-accuse etc.
Police sees the R 5.000 and advise me to pay.
I insist they must search me first,but are wary of my squatter dress-up,can't find anything. Tell them to look on the floor.A Voila, they find the ring.
Now my turn-get angry-become red faced and shout out loud,so loud that they can hear it outside.Insult them to go back to their Rock country etc.
Leave shop-------smiling.
Next stop P'n P in Northgate. Take 2 trolleys-stuff them with goods(Kosher meat included and frozen fish)-arrive at the till-the cashier rings all-total R2.000,search for wallet-my face turns from a smile to total disbelieve-Left wallet in car-tell them to wait a minute to fetch the wallet.
Get in car and drive away.Cashier still waiting-gives up-cancels the slip and the packers put all the stuff back(but underneath I have left a typed note compliments of Jerry Springer,so smile dude)
Oh, I see all the people here ticking me off and say it is bad what I did.
Tell that Jerry Springer.

[Alison]

LOL! You are very naughty, Boerseun. You need a good spanking. I'm going to get hold of your missus. :D

[Lulletje Rozewater]

LOL! You are very naughty, Boerseun. You need a good spanking. I'm going to get hold of your missus. :D
She left me because of my antics.
She is a real Newcastle on Tyne birdie num num

[anonymaus]

What's truly funny is me trying to write a post about this for 45 minutes and coming up with naught save this comment about it.

[Spaniard_Truth]

I actually don't think British TV comedy does justice to British humour at all. A lot of the most popular British shows I don't find remotely funny: Little Britain, Mr Bean, Alistair McGowan, and that Katie Brand person.

Ali G isn't really that funny, but it can be at times, and shows like Red Dwarf are OK but not brilliant.

My favourite British comedies are Blackadder Goes Fourth and The Office.

As for American comedy, I only like The Simpsons, although it has been terrible for the last ten years or so. It did used to be good, though. The few seasons of Rescue Me were quite good too.

I can't stand shows like Will and Grace, and I detest nearly all Hollywood comedies, especially things like Scary Movie and Meet The Spartans.

[Rainraven]

I detest nearly all Hollywood comedies, especially things like Scary Movie and Meet The Spartans.

Spoof movies are awful no matter where they come from.

[Birka]

The best comedy in the US today is The Office. Which is a rip off from a British series.

[Psychonaut]

The best comedy in the US today is The Office. Which is a rip off from a British series.

I like the American version way better though.

[SwordoftheVistula]

Scary Movie and Meet The Spartans.

I thought those were kinda funny. Not enough to watch more than once though.

[lei.talk]

Sir Dr. Stephen T. Colbert (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert), D.F.A. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Fine_Arts) (pronounced /koʊlˈbɛr/), is the persona of political satirist Stephen Colbert, portrayed most notably on The Colbert Report (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Colbert_Report) (pronounced /koʊlˈbɛər rəˈpɔr/, kohl-BAIR rə-POR — t is silent in both "Colbert" and "Report" [French pronounciation à la his French eritage]). Described as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed high-status idiot", the character is a self-obsessed right-wing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-wing_politics) commentator with a strong distaste for facts. He incorporates aspects of the real Colbert's life and interests, but is modeled primarily as a parody of cable news pundits, particularly Bill O'Reilly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_O%27Reilly_(political_commentator)).


http://i44.tinypic.com/2hhg5g1.jpg (http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-february-12-2007/fountainheaded?videoId=82099)



but - as the giggling man said - seriously (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand)...

[Cato]

There are points of similarity.

http://zoomdoggle.com/wp-content/uploads/benny-hill-copy.jpg

http://geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2009/03/2009-03-26-three_stooges.jpg

[Tabiti]

I thought those were kinda funny. Not enough to watch more than once though.
Do Americans really call that humor?:confused:

[Lulletje Rozewater]

allo allo is true British humor

[MrsNglund]

Friends is good American humour and you can watch it over and over again and still laugh.
But I think England has the best comedians. Michael Mcintyre, Russell Brand, Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle etc. Also I find Outnumbered very funny.

[The Ripper]

allo allo is true British humor

So many legendary characters... Herr Flick from ze Geshtapo, René, LeClerc, etc... not to mention that guy who shouts "klop!" when others go "Heil Hitler!" :D

[Roguegunner]

When comparing the Office US to the UK version, I can positively say that the latter was much better humor! In the English version, I actually felt like I was watching genuine people in a white collar office scenario. With Steve Carrel, and the American version, it felt too dramatized and surreal.

[Graham]

Come now! Or admit it - you just didn't understand a damn word of Gregor Fisher's 'Rab C Nesbitt'! :P

Stanley Baxter was genius. That new show Still Game isn't too bad. Mr. MacKay on Porridge was a great performer (though I suppose the scripts were English written). Er... and I believe that's near enough it! Maybe you're right after all! :D

Actually, though, thinking of Scots I know in real life - they're hilarious, but FAR too obscene to put on the telly...

Chewin' the fat was always a favourite in Scotland. Don't think the BBC ever showed it in Engand though.


Britain and Ireland do better stand up comedians imo :thumb001:

Always like Scrubs, Malcolm in the Middle, 2 and a half men. Loved Trailer Park Boys, but that's canadian. Don't know if the US has anything like Mock the week, Would I lie to you or QI.

Irishman Graham Linehan was involved in Black Books, Father Ted and the IT Crowd, fucking genius. 3 of my favourites.

[Turkophagos]

American humour?

[Foxy]

Between the Simpson and Mr Bean I go for the US.
http://www.dissapore.com/wp-content/uploads/homer.png

[Comte Arnau]

I lean more towards British humour. Shows like Monty Python, The Goodies, Fawlty Towers (Fatty Owls & Farty Twats LOL), Keeping Up Appearances, Dad's Army, One Foot in the Grave, Steptoe & Son, Mr Bean, Blackadder, Allo Allo, The Young Ones etc were brilliant.


Completely agree with that, although I'm not really into Mr Bean, I preferred him in Blackadder. I personally would add Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and George and Mildred to the pack.

[Aces High]

Some US humour is pretty good,youve got to look for it but some of its pretty good.

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Although you cant beat a good old British dark sense of humour.imo.

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[Bloodeagle]

I enjoy British humor, because their accents are so funny! :D
However American humor, with the help of so many Canadians, is the shiznit.

[Ivanushka-supertzar]

Between the Simpson and Mr Bean I go for the US.
http://www.dissapore.com/wp-content/uploads/homer.png

I think it's Monty Python who should represent British school of humour.


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[Aces High]

Id like to join the police please sir......:rotfl:

L8Jpz3dYs7U

[Bloodeagle]

Classic American humor.
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[Ivanushka-supertzar]

Jim Carrey = American humour

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[SwordoftheVistula]

I like Aqua Teen Hungerforce, Robot Chicken, South Park, and The Onion. That thing in your sig, The Mighty Boosh, airs on the same channel as Aqua Teen Hungerforce and Robot Chicken, but I think it is unfunny and stupid, same as the American show on the same channel Tom Goes to the Mayor.

[Ivanushka-supertzar]

The Mighty Boosh, airs on the same channel as Aqua Teen Hungerforce and Robot Chicken, but I think it is unfunny and stupid, same as the American show on the same channel Tom Goes to the Mayor.

Mighty boosh is not for everyone, definitely not for mediocre South park fan. It requires some wider imagination and deeper inner world to understand it. :cool:


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[Max]

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Both are pretty damn funny:bounce:

[Germanicus]

Eh hem .......................you are forgetting my favorite series.

"Phoenix nights" which went on to make "Max and Paddy"


dJsDFij0JRY

my favorite American comedy series ATM is "Family Guy"

[Wyn]

I find American humour to be - overall - rather unfunny and really quite poor. I've sat through the likes of Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno on multiple occasions and find it hard to describe their comedy as anything but shite. The same goes for American sitcoms (Frasier, Seinfeld etc.) which tend to be almost - but not quite - as interesting as getting up in the night to take a piss.

[SwordoftheVistula]

I've sat through the likes of Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno on multiple occasions and find it hard to describe their comedy as anything but shite. The same goes for American sitcoms (Frasier, Seinfeld etc.) which tend to be almost - but not quite - as interesting as getting up in the night to take a piss.

Those are all bland and stale, as is all of the network TV shows here. Only the cartoons are any good.

[SwordoftheVistula]

Mighty boosh...It requires some [heavier drug use than I am accustomed to] to understand it.

[Albion]

I find American comedy to be more simplistic than British, British comedy plays on wit and sarcasm a lot more and is more funny.

[Lulletje Rozewater]

I find American comedy to be more simplistic than British, British comedy plays on wit and sarcasm a lot more and is more funny.

And more intelligent

[Logan]

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[Mordid]

Depends on your individual humour. The majority of the time Brits find British humour funnier and the Americans find American humour funnier. Personally, British is best by a long long way. Anyway, to me, British humor can be funnier, because it's more mental. American humor is usually just a string of insults.

2-zM81cIFVY :D

[Logan]

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[Aces High]

I find American comedy to be more simplistic than British, British comedy plays on wit and sarcasm a lot more and is more funny.

Not to mention some of it is pretty dark too.

0koz0lGfyrg

[Logan]

ULLfH5O8wS0

[Canute]

I've got to admit that I'm a fan of British humor. I've seen every episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus at least three times, and I've seen all the movies. I plan on watching The Knack... And How To Get It sometime soon. :D

[Graham]

Good example of british humour here. People might not find it funny, but I laughed.

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[Daco Celtic]

Typical American sarcasm and comic sensibilities


https://youtu.be/_ZW-AZ2mNeA