British humor (or humour, if you want to get technical) isn’t for everybody. The jokes and delivery tend to be dry, cultural references often get lost in translation, and many shows feature laugh tracks that make the ones on Two and a Half Men sound discreet.
But if you’ve ever wanted to jump in and see what our friends across the pond have to offer as far as TV comedies, now is the perfect time to explore. Like all TV, the British style is made up of different categories: sitcom, sketch, animated, surreal, and more. Below is a list (in no particular order) of classic and contemporary UK programming, with options of how you can watch online. Next time you get in an argument over which version of The Office is superior, just reference this post and say Bob’s your uncle.
The League of Gentlemen – Netflix Watch Instantly, Amazon
Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, and Reece Shearsmith play more than 60 different characters in this show about a fictional village.
Peep Show – Hulu, Fancast
If you like the extreme awkwardness of Curb Your Enthusiasm, you should like this. Innovative in that it’s told exclusively through point of view shots of the characters.
The Office UK – Hulu, Netflix Watch Instantly, Amazon
The original. The best.
Extras – Amazon, iTunes
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s acclaimed follow up to The Office.
The Mighty Boosh – One episode free on Adult Swim, also on Amazon and iTunes
Highly imaginative cult comedy featuring a speaking gorilla named Bollo.
Coupling – Hulu, Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes, Amazon
Fans of Friends and Sex and the City might want to check this out.
Rex The Runt – Hulu
Aardman animation (Wallace & Gromit) gets weird with this fast and funny claymation sitcom.
Keeping Up Appearances – Netflix Watch Instantly, Amazon
Social classes are skewered in this long running sitcom.
Red Dwarf – Netflix Steaming, Amazon VOD
Science fiction comedy with a serious fan base.
The Catherine Tate Show – Netflix Watch Instantly
Prolific comedienne Catherine Tate plays dozens of characters, both male and female, in this award-winning sketch show.
Fawlty Towers – Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes, Amazon
Monty Python’s John Cleese plays the eccentric Basil Fawlty, owner of the titular hotel.
Yes, Minister – Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes, Amazon
Dry, dry comedy that satirizes the British government.
Yes, Prime Minister – Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes, Amazon
Sequel to Yes, Minister. The real Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher, considered it her favorite television programme.
That Mitchell and Webb Look – Netflix Watch Instantly
Dark sketch comedy from the cast of Peep Show.
The Vicar of Dibley – Netflix Watch Instantly
Feel good comedy with Dawn French as a female vicar. Created by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill), a central figure in British television.
Black Adder – Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes
Another Richard Curtis project. This one co-created with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Black Adder is a sitcom set during different historical periods. The first episode features British comedy god Peter Cook (Bedazzled) getting beheaded.
Mr. Bean – iTunes
Speaking of Mr. Bean, it’s Mr. Bean! Physical comedy at its best.
Spaced – Hulu
From the minds behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Edgar Wright, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes navigate through their late twenties amidst strange neighbors and pop culture references.
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em – Amazon
Pratfalls abound in this early 1970s sitcom with the most British sounding title on this list.
A Bit of Fry and Laurie – Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes, Amazon
Before becoming Dr. House, Hugh Laurie teamed up with Stephen Fry for this influential sketch comedy series.
The IT Crowd – Netflix Watch Instantly, iTunes, Amazon
The lowly existence of information technology staffers is detailed in this sitcom. A US remake featuring Joel McHale almost made it to NBC before being canceled.
Smack The Pony – Hulu
This all-female sketch group proves girls are funny too.
Green Wing – Hulu, Fancast
Hospital comedy from the creative team behind Smack the Pony.
Little Britain – Netflix, Amazon, iTunes
Matt Lucas and David Walliams parody all walks of British life in this radio show turned TV sketch series. The pair followed it up with an HBO series called Little Britain USA.
Now’s your chance to become an all-knowing, British TV comedy mastermind! For the jaded fans out there, what am I missing? Feel free to add recommendations in the comments.
