Timeless TV comedies

[XFool]

It was only later in life I twigged that Mrs Slocombe and Captain Peacock were double entendres, although the former's pussy was clearly not be be stroked.

Goodness me - I've only now just realised that it was a double entendre on reading your message.

Snap! We're so innocent.

(Though who could forget Mrs. Slocombe's pussy?)

[Arborbridge]

It was only later in life I twigged that Mrs Slocombe and Captain Peacock were double entendres, although the former's pussy was clearly not be be stroked.

Goodness me - I've only now just realised that it was a double entendre on reading your message.

Snap! We're so innocent.

(Though who could forget Mrs. Slocombe's pussy?)

Since then, I've always thought twice before using the word at all!

[Lootman]

M*A*S*H - the only US programme I've ever been able to watch without cringing.

I would agree that few US sitcoms are actually funny. They mostly seem to involve people shouting at each other.

An honourable mention to Cheers, however. And its derivative, Frasier.

Trailer Park Boys, from Canada, has its moments.

[AleisterCrowley]

Seinfeld....

[Lootman]

Seinfeld....

You know, I tried and I tried and I just cannot see the humour in it, even though many people I know deem it hilarious.

It is just that each of the characters is so miserably unappealing. I don't find Larry David funny either.

Veep with Julia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus Hall is funny for its political incorrectness, however:

"If you put any more skin bronzer on me they will think I am a diversity hire".

[AleisterCrowley]

It grew on me - you get to know the characters. They are pretty unpleasant , just like real people !

[XFool]

I Used to love The Larry Sanders Show - with Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor and Rip Torn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Larry_Sanders_Show

[DiamondEcho]

I see Rising Damp just got a mention. How about 'On the buses', 'The good life' [so of it's time, and perhaps once more today), and 'It ain't half hot mum'?

[Watis]

I see Rising Damp just got a mention. How about 'On the buses', 'The good life' [so of it's time, and perhaps once more today), and 'It ain't half hot mum'?

Agree with everything suggested so far, until the mention of 'It ain't half hot mum'?'

For me, this is the worst comedy show I can recall.

But I do recommend 'Goodnight Sweetheart'. And 'A very peculiar practice'.

Watis

[XFool]

But I do recommend 'Goodnight Sweetheart'. And 'A very peculiar practice'.

Yes. I wouldn't mind seeing 'A Very Peculiar Practice' again.

Also, that has somehow reminded me of a comedy drama series that, surprisingly, nobody has mentioned. With Robby Coltrane, the very enjoyable: 'Tutti Frutti'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutti_Frutti_(1987_TV_series)

Richard Wilson was in 'Tutti Frutti' and of course also in 'One Foot in the Grave'.

And another one I very much enjoyed at the time, but rather seems to have been forgotten: 'Roger Roger'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Roger

[ursaminortaur]

I see Rising Damp just got a mention. How about 'On the buses', 'The good life' [so of it's time, and perhaps once more today), and 'It ain't half hot mum'?

Agree with everything suggested so far, until the mention of 'It ain't half hot mum'?'

For me, this is the worst comedy show I can recall.

But I do recommend 'Goodnight Sweetheart'. And 'A very peculiar practice'.

Watis

I quite liked 'It ain't half hot mum'?' but couldn't stand 'On the buses'. But I'd second 'The Good Life' and 'Rising Damp'.

[kiloran]

Another classic: the fall and rise of reginald perrin

doolally

I've just noticed that Series 1 of Reggie Perrin is starting on BBC4 at 20:30 on Tue 23Feb. Hope it doesn't disappoint

--kiloran

[marronier]

My all time favourite was Bilko . An early pioneer of sit-coms was "I married Joan " from America .

Does anyone remember "The Rag Trade " on the BBC with Reg Varney and Peter Jones ,who went on to have a hit with "Beggar My Neighbour " which was killed off after two series , along with Amanda Barrie's show ,by a protracted TV strike.

[gnawsome]

[/quote]Does anyone remember "The Rag Trade " on the BBC with Reg Varney and Peter Jones [/quote]

"Never mind the quality, feel the width "

[stevensfo]

I like Dad's Army as nostalgia
More recent stuff - Fawlty Towers, and the melancholy Rising Damp/Steptoe& Son/Likely Lads
Very recent (well relatively) - Spaced, Black Books, Father Ted

I like your definition of 'very recent'. It shows our age!

I took your advice and am halfway through 'Spaced', and it's brilliant, and the director/writer were very clever, though I keep comparing it to my own life at that time and getting confused about the references to the 'internet', their infrequent use of mobile phones etc, yet Daisy still uses a typewriter. Strange how our memories play tricks. I have the impression that the script was written a few years before it was filmed. Love it!

Black books arriving soon.

Steve

[AleisterCrowley]

'Spaced' probably appeals to a certain demographic who pick up on all the cultural (mainly sci fi) references!
I just checked - ye gods, twenty years ago. Where did it all go?
Directed by Edgar Wright, who also directed Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz etc (with Pegg and Frost of course)
I have a soft spot for 'Shaun of the Dead' as it was mainly filmed in Crouch End where I was living in the 90s. Shaun's corner shop was my corner shop!

Black Books is very different, so don't expect 'more of the same' - but great performances from Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran, Tamsin Greig.

[Itsallaguess]

'Spaced' probably appeals to a certain demographic who pick up on all the cultural (mainly sci fi) references!

I just checked - ye gods, twenty years ago. Where did it all go?

Directed by Edgar Wright, who also directed Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz etc (with Pegg and Frost of course)

Hot Fuzz eh...

Well what were the chances of that?

https://i.imgur.com/9CtS4Pm.png

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMaiKjsAhIM

:O)

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[Charlottesquare]

I could also ask whatever Happened to the Likely Lads as they are missing from the above (or I have not spotted them), Up Pompeii also omitted (though I found it hit or miss), Only Fools ran and ran (though after they find the watch I was not so keen) and of course Monty Python. Whilst not really a comedy, or maybe it is, there was also Dangermouse with David Jason, and whilst not really a comedy Boys from the Blackstuff has some pretty funny moments along with some pretty sad ones.

[AJC5001]

who also directed Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz etc (with Pegg and Frost of course)

Ah yes, Nick Frost - as in Hyperdrive, with Kevin Eldon (who sometimes appears with Bill Bailey) and Miranda Hart. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481449/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_46

Which page also lead me to Look Around You - A parody of educational programs. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358323/?ref_=tt_sims_tti starring Peter Serafinowicz (also in Spaced, Black Books and Star Wars) and an unknown called Olivia Coleman.

I remember one program that featured a spoof Periodic Table, with elements such as 'Wood'. I did have a copy of it somewhere but I cannot remember where it is

Idiot - should have tried Google http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/lookaroundyou/series1/periodic.shtml
Try
Mr - man
Ng - nothing (0 protons/0neutrons)
Fo - foramyinstance
To - toronto
Mu - music (4 protons/4neutrons )
Dy - disprosium
Fr - france
Lt - light
Jz - jazz
A - Atom
Mz - marzipan
Wx - wax
Mt - malt
Bu - business
Rb - rhubarb
followed by Cu - custard
Dn - doreen
Xm - christmas
Hi - hello
Kr - kryptonite
Rd - red
H2O - water
Po - podium
G - goo
Od - odium
Te - tedium
Do - docherty
Ro - rodeo
Wi - wine
Lu - lavender
Bf - beef

and especially for here ..
fAu - fools gold

Adrian

[AleisterCrowley]

Which page also lead me to Look Around You - A parody of educational programs. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358323/?ref_=tt_sims_tti starring Peter Serafinowicz (also in Spaced, Black Books and Star Wars) and an unknown called Olivia Coleman.

Adrian

Peter Serafinowicz - whose sister is married to Graham Linehan who co-wrote Father Ted, Black Books, and the IT Crowd (did I mention The IT Crowd? It gets better with every viewing. 'God damn these electric sex pants')