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British humour is a somewhat general term applied to certain comedic motifs that are often prevalent in comedic acts originating in the United Kingdom and its current or former colonies. Comedy acts and television programmes typical of British humour include Monty Python, Benny Hill, and Keeping Up Appearances to name a few that have become quite popular outside of the United Kingdom. At times, however, such humour can seem puzzling to non-British speakers of English (references to English slang terms or people, who are unknown internationally for example) while certain Commonwealth nations (such as Australia, Canada and South Africa) tend to find it more familiar. Many UK comedy TV shows typical of British humour have been internationally popular, and have been a strong avenue for the export and representation of British culture to an international audience. In literature, a motif is any recurring element that has symbolic significance. ... Monty Python, or The Pythons,[2][3] is the collective name of the creators of Monty Pythons Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. ... Alfred Hawthorn Hill (21 January 1924 – 19 April 1992), better known as Benny Hill, was a prolific English comic, actor and singer, best known for his television programme, The Benny Hill Show. ... Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom starring Patricia Routledge as social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2008. ... A British sitcom is a situation comedy (sitcom) produced in the United Kingdom. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Historical roots

Some deep roots for British humour are:

• the historical reaction to the intolerance of Puritanism (thus the acceptance of saucy and smutty humour), although ribald humour existed much earlier. An example is the Miller's tale in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales (1380s-1390s).
• the tradition of absurd and nonsense poetry made immensely popular by Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll (thus the development of an eccentric form of 'home-brewed surrealism' that leads us to the Goons, Monty Python, Ivor Cutler, John Lennon, etc.)
• the traditional Christmas pantomime, with its mix of social role reversals
• the richness of the English language giving great scope for word play
• British culture (with all its regional variations)
• The broad farces so popular in British humour during much of the 20th century, owed a great deal to the influence of the French comic theatre, and are typified by the series of Whitehall farces starring Brian Rix and gave birth to not only such obvious offspring as Benny Hill and the "Carry On" films, but have also had an influence on everything from Monty Python's Flying Circus to Porridge, Open All Hours, The Young Ones, etc.

The changes in British culture are naturally mirrored by changes in humour. For the record label, see Puritan Records. ... This article is about the second of Chaucers Canterbury Tales. ... Chaucer redirects here. ... For other uses, see The Canterbury Tales (disambiguation). ... Nonsense verse is a form of poetry, normally composed for humorous effect, which is intentionally and overtly paradoxical, silly, witty, whimsical or just plain strange. ... Edward Lear, 1812-1888 Eagle Owl, Edward Lear, 1837 Another Edward Lear owl, in his more familiar style Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was an artist, illustrator and writer known for his nonsensical poetry and his limericks, a form which he popularised. ... The Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (IPA: ) (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll (), was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer. ... The Goon Show was a popular and influential British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC from 1951 to 1960 on the BBC Home Service. ... Monty Python, or The Pythons,[2][3] is the collective name of the creators of Monty Pythons Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. ... Ivor Cutler (15 January 1923 – 3 March 2006) was a Scottish poet, songwriter and humorist. ... John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980), (born John Winston Lennon, known as John Ono Lennon) was an iconic English 20th century rock and roll songwriter and singer, best known as the founding member of The Beatles. ... For other uses, see Pantomime (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... This article is about Word play. ... Look up farce in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up farce in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Brian Norman Roger Rix, Baron Rix, CBE (born January 27, 1924) is an English actor and charity worker. ... This article is about the television series. ...

General features

Some general features characteristic of British humour are:

• Puns: these do not too easily translate into other languages (if at all).
• Nonsense: has its origins in the writings of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear.
• Black humour: main features of black humour can already be found in the drama of the Elizabethan era.
• Eccentricity
• Satire and sarcasm
• Self-deprecation, especially of the country as a whole
• The use of understatement and irony, so that many jokes pass unnoticed by those not familiar with it.

What stands out from this list is the importance of verbal humour as a key element. This is not to say that British humour has no place for visuals; but to take a classic example, Benny Hill, whose work was quite visual indeed, was extremely popular in his day, but has long since failed to arouse much interest with British audiences. In the U.S. and France, however, he is still widely regarded as a comic genius. For other uses, see Pun (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Nonsense (disambiguation). ... The Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (IPA: ) (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll (), was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican clergyman and photographer. ... Edward Lear, 1812-1888 Eagle Owl, Edward Lear, 1837 Another Edward Lear owl, in his more familiar style Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was an artist, illustrator and writer known for his nonsensical poetry and his limericks, a form which he popularised. ... Black comedy, also known as black humor, is a subgenre of comedy and satire that deals with serious subjects – death, divorce, drug abuse, et cetera in a humorous manner. ... Elizabethan redirects here. ... In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of a person, as opposed to being normal. ... 1867 edition of Punch, a ground-breaking British magazine of popular humour, including a good deal of satire of the contemporary social and political scene. ... Sarcasm is the sneering, sly, jesting, or mocking of a person, situation or thing. ... Self-deprecation is a form of humour in which a comedian makes jokes about himself, his shortcomings, or his culture. ... Understatement is a form of speech in which a lesser expression is used than what would be expected. ... Ironic redirects here. ... This article is about the properties of language in general. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

Compare this with typical "classics" of UK humour, such as the "Parrot Sketch" from Monty Python, which are usually notable for the fact that fans can repeat them verbatim. Palin, Cleese and the dead parrot, from And Now For Something Completely Different. ... Monty Python, or The Pythons,[2][3] is the collective name of the creators of Monty Pythons Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. ...

Themes

A seaside postcard by Donald McGill 1954

Some themes (with examples) that underpinned late twentieth-century British humour were: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (620x920, 51 KB)A postcard used in the prosecution of Donald McGill on 15 July 1954 in Lincoln. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (620x920, 51 KB)A postcard used in the prosecution of Donald McGill on 15 July 1954 in Lincoln. ... One of the cards used in evidence against McGill in 1954 Donald Fraser Gould McGill, (January 28, 1875 – October 13, 1962) was an English graphic artist whose name has become synonymous with a whole genre of saucy seaside postcards that were sold mostly in small shops in British coastal towns. ... For other uses, see Humour (disambiguation). ...

Smut and innuendo

Smut and innuendo with sexual and scatological themes, typified by: This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

• the seaside postcards of Donald McGill
• the humour of Benny Hill and Julian Clary
• the series of Carry On films
• The Two Ronnies, comedy show starring Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker.
• Alas Smith and Jones, sketch show starring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.
• Hale and Pace, sketch show starring Gareth Hale and Norman Pace.
• the comic magazine Viz
• the Nudge Nudge sketch

The Seaside Postcard, often referred to as the saucy seaside postcard was a 19th and 20th century phenomenon of comedy postcards available in coastal resorts throughout the United Kingdom. ... One of the cards used in evidence against McGill in 1954 Donald Fraser Gould McGill, (January 28, 1875 – October 13, 1962) was an English graphic artist whose name has become synonymous with a whole genre of saucy seaside postcards that were sold mostly in small shops in British coastal towns. ... Julian Clary (born 25 May 1959) is an English comedian and writer who is openly gay and known for his playing-on-stereotypes camp style, with a heavy reliance on innuendo and double entendre. ... The Carry On films were a long-running series of British low-budget comedy films, directed by Gerald Thomas and produced by Peter Rogers. ... The Two Ronnies was a British sketch show that aired on BBC One from 1971 to 1987. ... Ronnie Corbett in Extras Ronald Balfour Corbett, OBE (born 4 December 1930 in Edinburgh, commonly credited as Ronnie Corbett) is a British comedian and actor, best known as one of The Two Ronnies. ... Ronald William George Barker, OBE (25 September 1929 – 3 October 2005), popularly known as Ronnie Barker was an English comic actor and writer. ... Alas Smith and Jones was a British comedy sketch television series featuring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones. ... Mel Smith Mel Smith is an English actor, film director, writer, producer born in London on December 3, 1952) He attended New College, Oxford. ... Griff Rhys Jones (born 16 November 1953) is a British comedian, writer and actor. ... Gareth Hale (left) and Norman Pace Hale and Pace are a British Comedy duo who have starred in several TV sketch series. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... Gareth Hale and Norman Pace Norman Pace is an English comedian and actor, born 17 February 1953 in Dudley, West Midlands, who is best known as one half of the comedy duo Hale and Pace with his friend and comic partner Gareth Hale. ... Cover of Viz (issue 57) Viz is a popular British adult comic magazine that has been running since 1979. ... Nudge nudge is a sketch from the third Monty Pythons Flying Circus episode, How to Recognise Different Types of Trees From Quite a Long Way Away featuring Eric Idle (author of the sketch) and Terry Jones as two strangers who meet in a pub. ...

Disrespect to members of the establishment

Disrespect to members of the establishment and authority, typified by:

• Beyond the Fringe, stage revue from the 1960s
• That Was The Week That Was (TW3), late night TV satire
• The Comic Strip Presents..., a series of short satirical films
• Private Eye, satirical magazine
• Not the Nine O'Clock News, satirical sketch show, notable for launching the careers of Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys Jones, and Mel Smith.
• Yes Minister, political sitcom
• Spitting Image, TV puppet comedy lampooning the famous and powerful
• Saturday Live, Irish equivalent of the American show Saturday Night Live.
• Discworld, a series of fantasy books written by Terry Pratchett, heavy with irony criticizing various aspects of society.
• Have I Got News for You, a satirical panel game.

Album of Beyond the Fringe Published by EMI in 1996 Beyond the Fringe was a British comedy stage revue written and performed by Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Jonathan Miller. ... That Was The Week That Was, also known as TW3, was a satirical television comedy programme that aired on BBC Television in 1962 and 1963. ... This article is about the British comedy group; for the published art form, see comic strip. ... Private eye may mean: Look up Private eye on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Private Eye a fortnightly British satirical magazine-newspaper, edited by Ian Hislop (as of 2005) A private investigator, a private detective for hire (see also crime fiction and detective fiction) Private Eye, a song by Alkaline Trio... Not the Nine OClock News is a comedy television programme that was shown on the BBC, broadcast from 1979 to 1982. ... Rowan Sebastian Atkinson (born 6 January 1955) is an English comedian, actor and writer, famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder and Mr. ... Griff Rhys Jones (born 16 November 1953) is a British comedian, writer and actor. ... Mel Smith Mel Smith is an English actor, film director, writer, producer born in London on December 3, 1952) He attended New College, Oxford. ... Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC television and radio between 1980 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. ... Spitting Image was a British satirical puppet show that ran on the ITV television network from 1984 to 1996. ... Saturday Live was a television chat show which was broadcast in Ireland on RTÉ One in the late 1980s. ... SNL redirects here. ... This article is about the novels. ... Terence David John Pratchett, OBE (born 28 April 1948) is a British fantasy and science fiction author, best known for his Discworld series. ... Have I Got News for You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. It is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, and has been running since 1990. ...

The absurd

Green Wing (2004-2007), a sitcom set in a hospital, but featuring nothing medical. Used experimental filming, surreal jokes and strong female leads.

The absurd and the surreal, typified by: Image File history File links Green_Wing_Poster. ... Image File history File links Green_Wing_Poster. ... Green Wing is an award-winning British television comedy set in the fictional East Hampton Hospital Trust. ... This article is about a genre of comedy. ... For the town in the Republic of Ireland, see Hospital, County Limerick. ...

• Black Books a surreal cult comedy show notable for its absurdity.
• The Goon Show, a surreal radio show.
• Spike Milligan's Q, a sketch show and a direct inspiration for Monty Python.
• Monty Python, a comedy troupe, noted for performing sketches with no conclusions.
• Green Wing, an experimental sitcom, using both surrealism, sped up and slowed down camera work, and strong female characters.
• Big Train, a sketch show with absurd situations performed in a realistic, deadpan style.
• Shooting Stars, a panel game with seemingly no rules.
• I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, a radio panel game with bizarre games, notably Mornington Crescent and One Song to the Tune of Another.
• The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, a variety show of sketches and songs.
• The Bonzo Dog Band, a musical group playing songs inspired by the music of the 1920s and comic rock songs.
• The Mighty Boosh, a comic fantasy containing non-sequiturs and pop-culture references.
• "Bus Driver's Prayer"
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in radio, book, tv series and film.

Black Books is a British sitcom broadcast on Channel 4 starring Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig. ... The Goon Show was a popular and influential British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC from 1951 to 1960 on the BBC Home Service. ... Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan KBE (16 April 1918–27 February 2002), known as Spike Milligan, was an Irish comedian, writer, musician, poet and playwright. ... Milligan in costume for his Q series. ... Monty Python, or The Pythons,[2][3] is the collective name of the creators of Monty Pythons Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. ... Green Wing is an award-winning British television comedy set in the fictional East Hampton Hospital Trust. ... For the Washington Senators pitcher nicknamed Big Train, see Walter Johnson. ... Shooting Stars was a UK television comedy panel game broadcast on BBC Two. ... Im Sorry I Havent a Clue, sometimes abbreviated to ISIHAC or simply Clue, is a BBC radio comedy which has run since April 11, 1972. ... An enamel sign at the Mornington Crescent station, the games namesake. ... One Song to the Tune of Another was the first game played on the BBC Radio 4 comedy panel game Im Sorry I Havent A Clue and is still almost always played every other episode. ... The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer was a BBC TV sketch show written by and starring double act Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer. ... The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (more often the Bonzo Dog Band) were the brainchild of a British art-school set of the 1960s. ... The Mighty Boosh, colloquially referred to as The Boosh,[1] is the collective name for the creators of the British television situation comedy. ... This article is about the logical fallacy. ... This, also known as the Busmans Lords Prayer, was a parody of the Lords Prayer that takes the bus driver around Britain. ... The cover of the first novel in the Hitchhikers series, from a late 1990s printing. ...

The dark

Black humour, in which topics and events that are usually treated seriously are treated in a humorous or satirical manner, typified by: Black comedy, also known as black humor, is a subgenre of comedy and satire that deals with serious subjects – death, divorce, drug abuse, et cetera in a humorous manner. ...

• The League of Gentlemen, a cult comedy revolving around the bizarre inhabitants of fictional town Royston Vasey.
• Jam, an unsettling TV sketch comedy with an ambient music soundtrack.
• Nighty Night, a TV series about a sociopathic arch-manipulator who takes advantage of the people around her.

The League of Gentlemen is a quartet of British comedy writer/performers, formed in 1995 by Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. ... This article does not discuss cultist groups, personality cults, or cult in its original sense of religious practice. See cult (disambiguation) for more meanings of the term cult. A cult following is a group of fans devoted to a specific area of pop culture. ... Royston Vasey is: the real name of Roy Chubby Brown the fictional setting of The League of Gentlemen (comedy) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Jam is a British comedy television series created by Chris Morris. ... Sketch Show redirects here. ... Ambient music is a musical genre in which sound is more important than notes. ... Nighty Night is a BBC Television comedy with a black edge to its humour. ... Antisocial personality disorder (APD) is a personality disorder which is often characterised by antisocial and impulsive behaviour. ...

The manic

• Vic Reeves Big Night Out
• Bottom
• The Mighty Boosh

Vic Reeves Big Night Out was a cult British comedy stage show and later TV series which ran on Channel 4 for two series in 1990 and 1991, as well as a New Year special. ... Bottom was a British sitcom (aka britcom) of the early 1990s (and later a series of stage shows) written by Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson. ... The Mighty Boosh, colloquially referred to as The Boosh,[1] is the collective name for the creators of the British television situation comedy. ...

The humour inherent in everyday life

The Office (2001-2003) is mainly based on mundane office life. This is one of the most successful British comedies, being exported to several countries.

The humour, not necessarily apparent to the participants, inherent in everyday life, as seen in: Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Office is a British television comedy series, created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and first aired in the UK on BBC Two on July 9, 2001. ...

• Hancock's Half Hour
• Till Death Us Do Part
• Human Remains
• The Office
• The Royle Family
• Peep Show
• One Foot In The Grave
• Monkey Dust
• The Giles cartoons

Hancocks Half Hour was a famous BBC radio comedy series of the 1950s starring Tony Hancock. ... This article is about the BBC TV series. ... Human remains refer to portions of a human body that are left after a person dies. ... The Office is a British television comedy series, created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and first aired in the UK on BBC Two on July 9, 2001. ... The Royle Family is a popular, BAFTA award-winning[1] television sitcom produced by Granada Television for the BBC, which ran for three series between 1998 and 2000, with a special episode in late 2006. ... Peep Show is a BAFTA award-winning British sitcom starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. ... One Foot in the Grave was a popular BBC television situation comedy series written by David Renwick. ... Monkey Dust is a British animated TV series that satirises the darker side of life in the United Kingdom. ... Ronald Carl Giles (September 29, 1916 – August 28, 1995), often referred to simply as Giles, was a cartoonist most famous for his work for the British newspaper the Daily Express. ...

The 'war' between parents/teachers and children

The 'war' between parents/teachers and their children, typified by:

• The Beano and The Dandy, comics of publisher D C Thomson.
• Just William, books by Richmal Crompton
• Molesworth books by Geoffrey Willans and illustrated by Ronald Searle
• St Trinians books and films also originated by Ronald Searle
• Kevin the Teenager in Harry Enfield and Chums
• My Family, British TV Series

This March 2007 does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... // The Dandy is a British childrens comic published by D. C. Thomson & Co. ... D. C. Thomson & Co. ... Just William is the first book of childrens short stories about William Brown written by Richmal Crompton, published in 1922. ... Richmal Crompton Lamburn (1890–1969) Richmal Crompton Lamburn (November 15, 1890–January 11, 1969) was a British writer, most famous for her Just William short stories. ... Molesworth is the title of a series of books satirising the English public school system witten by Geoffrey Willans and illustrated by Ronald Searle. ... St Trinians is a fictional girls school created by Ronald Searle, a British cartoonist. ... Kevin Patterson is a character created and played by the British comedian, Harry Enfield. ... Harry Enfields Television Programme is a British sketch show starring Harry Enfield. ... My Family is a British sitcom starring Robert Lindsay and Zoë Wanamaker that first aired in 2000. ...

The British class system

The British class system, especially pompous or dim-witted members of the upper/middle classes or embarrassingly blatant social climbers, typified by:

• Jeeves and Wooster, books by P. G. Wodehouse (later played by Fry and Laurie)
• Dad's Army, comedy TV series
• Mr. Bean, comedy TV series, Movie
• Fawlty Towers, comedy TV series
• Keeping Up Appearances, comedy TV series
• You Rang, M'Lord?, comedy TV series
• Absolutely Fabulous, comedy TV series
• To the Manor Born, comedy TV series
• Blackadder, comedy TV series
• The New Statesman, political comedy TV series

Jeeves and Wooster is a British humorous television series adapted by Clive Exton from P.G. Wodehouses Jeeves stories. ... Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE (15 October 1881 – 14 February 1975) (IPA: ) was a comic writer who has enjoyed enormous popular success for more than seventy years. ... Hugh Laurie (left) & Stephen Fry on the set of A Bit of Fry and Laurie Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are a successful British comedy double act of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. ... Dad’s Army was a British sitcom about the Home Guard in the Second World War. ... For the animated television series of the same name, see Mr. ... Fawlty Towers is a British sitcom made by the BBC and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975. ... Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom starring Patricia Routledge as social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket. ... You Rang MLord? was a British television series written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, broadcast between 1990 and 1993 on the BBC (although there had earlier been a pilot episode in 1988). ... This article is about the television series. ... To the Manor Born is a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1979 to 1981. ... For other uses, see Blackadder (disambiguation). ... The New Statesman was an award-winning British sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s satirising the Conservative government of the time. ...

The lovable rogue

Blackadder (1983-1989), a sitcom set in several periods of British history. The title character is an antihero, being rude and mean to almost everyone, particularly his servant Baldrick.

The lovable rogue, often from the impoverished working class, trying to 'beat the system' and better himself, typified by: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (500x781, 45 KB)[edit] Summary http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (500x781, 45 KB)[edit] Summary http://www. ... In literature and film, an anti-hero is a central or supporting character that has some of the personality flaws and ultimate fortune traditionally assigned to villains but nonetheless also have enough heroic qualities or intentions to gain the sympathy of readers or viewers. ... Baldrick is a fictional character featured in the television series Blackadder. ...

• The Andy Capp cartoon strip created by Reginald Smythe
• The Likely Lads
• Steptoe and Son
• Rising Damp
• Open All Hours
• Only Fools and Horses comedy TV series (1981-2003) starring David Jason as Del Trotter
• Flashman books
• Norman Wisdom
• Porridge
• Blackadder

Not to be confused with German curler Andy Kapp. ... Reginald Reg Smythe (July 10, 1917 – June 13, 1998) is a British cartoonist who is the creator of the Andy Capp comic strip. ... The Likely Lads was a hit British sitcom created and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. ... Steptoe and Son is a British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about two rag and bone men living in Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherds Bush, London. ... Rising Damp was a UK television sitcom produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV, first broadcast from 1974 to 1978. ... Open All Hours was a BBC sitcom written by Roy Clarke which ran for four series (26 episodes in all) between 1976 and 1985, with a pilot episode from the Seven of One series in 1973. ... Only Fools and Horses is a British television sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan, and made and broadcast by the BBC. Seven series were originally broadcast in the UK between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003. ... Sir David John White, OBE known by his stage name David Jason (born 2 February 1940) is a highly regarded English actor, admired equally for his dramatic work as for his comedy roles. ... Harry Paget Flashman is a fictional character originally created by the author Thomas Hughes in his semi-autobiographical work Tom Browns Schooldays, first published in 1857. ... Sir Norman Wisdom, OBE (born 4 February 1915) is an English comedian, singer and actor. ... Porridge was a British BBC television sitcom (1974–1977), written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale. ...

The embarrassment of social ineptitude

The embarrassment of social ineptitude, typified by:

• Mr. Bean, comedy TV series starring Rowan Atkinson
• The Office comedy TV series starring Ricky Gervais
• Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, comedy TV series starring Michael Crawford
• Alan Partridge comedy TV series starring Steve Coogan
• Count Arthur Strong radio show
• Extras
• One Foot In The Grave comedy TV series starring, 1990 to 2000.
• Peep Show

For the animated television series of the same name, see Mr. ... Rowan Sebastian Atkinson (born 6 January 1955) is an English comedian, actor and writer, famous for his title roles in the British television comedies Blackadder and Mr. ... The Office is a British television comedy series, created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and first aired in the UK on BBC Two on July 9, 2001. ... Ricky Dene Gervais (born 25 June 1961) is a triple Golden Globe-, double Emmy- and seven-time BAFTA award-winning English comedian, writer, actor and former New Romantic musician from Reading, Berkshire. ... Frank Spencer sporting his trademark beret in a scene with Broadcaster David Jacobs Some Mothers Do Ave Em (1973-1978) was a BBC situation comedy, written by Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. ... Michael Crawford (right) as Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do Ave Em Michael Crawford, OBE (born Michael Patrick Dumble-Smith, 19 January 1942 in Salisbury, Wiltshire), is an English actor and singer. ... Information Gender Male Date of birth April 2, 1955 ) Occupation Radio and Television Broadcaster Portrayed by Steve Coogan Alan Gordon Partridge is a fictional television and radio presenter portrayed by English comedian Steve Coogan. ... Stephen John Steve Coogan (born 14 October 1965) is an English actor, impressionist, and comedian. ... Count Arthur Strong is a fictional comedy character created by English comedian Steve Delaney. ... The term extra has many meanings: in drama, an extra is a character who has no role or purpose other than to appear in the background (for example, in an audience scene or a busy street scene). ... One Foot in the Grave was a popular BBC television situation comedy series written by David Renwick. ... Peep Show is a BAFTA award-winning British sitcom starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. ...

Making fun of foreigners

Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006), a film featuring a fictional news reporter from Kazakhstan, played by a British comedian, making fun of prejudiced Americans.

Making fun of foreigners, sometimes bordering on xenophobia and especially common in television sitcoms and films of the 1970s, typified by: Image File history File links Borat_movie. ... Image File history File links Borat_movie. ... Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, often abbreviated to Borat or BOЯДT, is a 2006 mockumentary comedy directed by Larry Charles. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

• Love Thy Neighbour, TV programme that Bill Bryson once referred to as 'My Neighbour's a Darkie'
• Mind Your Language, TV programme set in a language school in London
• Till Death Us Do Part, TV sitcom which mocked its own main character, Alf Garnett, for his racism
• 'Allo 'Allo!, British TV comedy series about a French village occupied by Germans during the Second World War.
• Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, film starring British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen as a news reporter from Kazakhstan, reporting on the American way of life, whilst exposing common American prejudices; while the character Baron Cohen plays is Kazakh, the criticisms made of Americans are characteristically British.
• Fawlty Towers, TV comedy programme featuring heavily stereotyped characters from the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Ireland, the United States, and Germany
• Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42, TV programme featuring an Indian family, staring Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal

Love Thy Neighbour was a British sitcom that ran from 13 April 1972 to 22 January 1976, made by Thames Television for ITV. It starred Jack Smethurst, Rudolph Walker, Nina Baden-Semper and Kate Williams. ... William McGuire Bill Bryson, OBE, (born December 8, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa) is a best-selling American author of humorous books on travel, as well as books on the English language and on scientific subjects. ... Mind Your Language was a British comedy television series originally shown on ITV between 1977 and 1979. ... This article is about the BBC TV series. ... Alf Garnett was a fictional character on the BBC television sitcom Till Death Us Do Part, the ITV sitcom Till Death. ... Allo Allo! was a long-running British sitcom broadcast on BBC1 from 1982 to 1992 comprising eighty-five episodes. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, often abbreviated to Borat or BOЯДT, is a 2006 mockumentary comedy directed by Larry Charles. ... This article is about the British comedian. ... Fawlty Towers is a British sitcom made by the BBC and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975. ... Goodness Gracious Me was a BBC English language sketch show originally on BBC Radio 4 and later on BBC TWO, based on four Indian-British actors: Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia. ... The Kumars at No. ... Vic Chopra (Sanjeev Bhaskar) falls foul of Ash Desai (Manish Patel) Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE (born 28 June 1964 in Essex, grew up in Hounslow, West London England). ... Meera Syal MBE (born Feroza Syal 27 June 1961 in Essington, near Wolverhampton, England) is a British comedienne, writer, playwright, singer, journalist and actress. ...

Bullying and harsh sarcasm

Harsh sarcasm and bullying, though with the bully usually coming off worse than the victim - typified by:

• Blackadder, comedy TV series
• The Young Ones, comedy TV series
• The New Statesman, satirising a domineering Conservative Member of Parliament.
• The Thick of It, satirising the spin culture prevalent in Tony Blair's heyday.

The Young Ones was a popular British sitcom, first seen in 1982, which aired on BBC2. ... The New Statesman was an award-winning British sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s satirising the Conservative government of the time. ... The Conservative Party is the largest political party in the United Kingdom and the most successful party in political history based on election victories. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... The Thick of It is a British comedy television series, which satirises the inner workings of modern British government. ...

Parodies of stereotypes

Making fun of British stereotypes, typified by: For other uses, see Stereotype (disambiguation). ...

• Beyond the Fringe
• That Was the Week That Was (TW3), late night TV satire
• Little Britain
• The Fast Show
• Harry Enfield's Television Programme
• Catherine Tate in her sketch show, The Catherine Tate Show
• French and Saunders
• The Day Today
• Brass Eye
• Mind Your Language Late 1970s sitcom

That Was The Week That Was, also known as TW3, was a satirical television comedy programme that aired on BBC Television in 1962 and 1963. ... This article is about the British TV show Little Britain. ... The Fast Show is a BBC comedy sketch show programme that ran for four series from 1994 to 2000. ... Harry Enfield (born 30 May 1961 in Sussex, England) is an English comedian. ... This article is about the actress. ... The Catherine Tate Show is an award-winning British television sketch comedy written by Catherine Tate who stars in all of the shows sketches, which feature a wide range of characters. ... French & Saunders is a British sketch comedy television show starring and written by comedy team Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, and is also the name by which they are known on the rare occasions when they appear elsewhere as a double act. ... The Day Today is a surreal British parody of television current affairs news programmes. ... Brass Eye is a UK television series of satirical spoof documentaries which aired on Channel 4 in 1997 and was re-run in 2001. ... Mind Your Language was a British comedy television series originally shown on ITV between 1977 and 1979. ...

Tolerance of, and affection for, the eccentric

Tolerance of, and affection for, the eccentric, especially when allied to inventiveness

• Heath Robinson cartoons
• Professor Branestawm books
• Wallace and Gromit animations
• Doctor Who science fiction TV programme about an eccentric time traveller
• The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, situation comedy starring Leonard Rossiter.
• Morecambe and Wise, comedy show starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.
• Last of the Summer Wine, the longest running TV comedy series in the world. (Started 1973)
• A Bit of Fry and Laurie, sketch show written by and starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, noted for its eccentric and inventive use of language.
• QI or Quite Interesting, an intellectual panel game with questions so hard, points are given for being quite interesting and points are taken away for being pathetically obvious.

William Heath Robinson (May 31, 1872 - September 13, 1944) was a British cartoonist and illustrator, who signed himself W. Heath Robinson. ... Professor Branestawm is a character in a series of books by Norman Hunter. ... Gromit redirects here. ... This article is about the television series. ... The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin is a novel and British sitcom starring Leonard Rossiter in the title role. ... DVD of first series of The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin starring Leonard Rossiter Leonard Rossiter (21 October 1926 – 5 October 1984) was a distinguished English actor, known for his comedy roles in two British television series of the 1970s, and for his roles in two Stanley Kubrick films. ... Morecambe and Wise were a famous British comic double act comprising Eric Morecambe OBE and Ernie Wise OBE. The act lasted four decades until Morecambes death in 1984. ... John Eric Bartholomew OBE (May 14, 1926 – May 28, 1984), better known by his stage name, Eric Morecambe was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise, formed the double act Morecambe and Wise. ... Ernest Wiseman OBE (27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), better known by his stage name of Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became an institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials. ... Last of the Summer Wine (Originally The Last of the Summer Wine in the pilot episode), is a BBC sitcom written by Roy Clarke. ... This article is about the television series. ... Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, columnist, filmmaker and television personality. ... James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English actor, comedian, writer and musician. ... For other uses, see QI (disambiguation). ... A game show is a radio or television program, involving members of the public or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, playing a game, perhaps involving answering quiz questions, for points or prizes. ...

See also

• British comedy and British sitcoms (which blend elements of all of these in varying weaves)
• Comic Relief and Red Nose Day
• History of the British comic
• Understatement
• Irony
• American humor
• Canadian humour

British Comedy, in film, radio and television, is known for its consistently quirky characters, plots and settings, and has produced some of the most famous and memorable comic actors and characters in the last fifty years. ... A British sitcom is a situation comedy (sitcom) produced in the United Kingdom. ... For the origin of the term, see comic relief. ... A British comic is a periodical published in the United Kingdom that contains comic strips. ... Understatement is a form of speech in which a lesser expression is used than what would be expected. ... Ironic redirects here. ... American humor is the conventions and common threads that tie together humor in the United States. ... Canadian humour is an integral part of the Canadian Identity. ...

References

• Sutton, David. A chorus of raspberries: British film comedy 1929-1939. Exeter: University of Exeter Press, (2000) ISBN 0-85989-603-X

External links

• History of English Humour, Vol. 1, by Alfred Guy Kingan L'Estrange, 1878, available at Project Gutenberg.
• History of English Humour, Vol. 2, by Alfred Guy Kingan L'Estrange, 1878, available at Project Gutenberg.