FabSwingers.com forum: Comedy Series

By *ap1 OP Man
over a year ago

cannock

So come on folks Tell me what in your opinion has been the best comedy series ever.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Friday Night Dinner

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Red Dwarf or Blackadder Goes Forth

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *avexxMan
over a year ago

cheshire

phenoix nights

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *hePerkyPumpkinTV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol

Hard to choose one.

Peep Show

Extras

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Surprisingly as their humour generally sucks, think I'd go with an American one for best. Schitts Creek, Veep or Parks & Rec

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's difficult to single out one.

In recent years it has to be Friday Night Dinner

Historically, then Fawlty Towers has to be up there

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oTouchPleaseAndTeaseMan
over a year ago

Harlow

The Inbetweeners was generally funny.

For American, My Name Is Earl had its moments.

One from way back was Chelmsford 123 - seem to remember being very funny, but time may show it wasn't !!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ornycougaWoman
over a year ago

Wherever I lay my hat

Father Ted with Motherland and Modern Family as also-rans

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As a nod to British comedy though the IT crowd never fails to make me laugh out loud

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Frasier and Scrubs are my favourites

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Seinfeld and Father Ted.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Frasier and Scrubs are my favourites

The earlier seasons of Scrubs, yes absolutely agree. The last couple of seasons were just awful though

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

1 Only fools and horses

2 Porridge

Norman Stanley Fletcher

3 Vicar of Dibley

4 Bottom

5 Guest House Parideso

Bottom film

In no particular order x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *riar BelisseWoman
over a year ago

Delightful Bliss

Big Bang Theory

Only fools and horses

They are my favs

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Frasier and Scrubs are my favourites

The earlier seasons of Scrubs, yes absolutely agree. The last couple of seasons were just awful though "

I always like to judge a series on its peak rather than longevity and Scrubs definitely has one of the highest peaks

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Silicon Valley

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Seinfeld and Father Ted.

I tried watching Seinfeld but can't quite get into it. I think imtnit a huge fan of the stand-up cuts

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So come on folks Tell me what in your opinion has been the best comedy series ever."
There'll be no agreement on this. Personally, if I had to think of a modern comedy show that I really enjoyed, I'd have to say Dead Pixels.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Seinfeld and Father Ted.

I tried watching Seinfeld but can't quite get into it. I think imtnit a huge fan of the stand-up cuts"

It's always been a cult thing over here although I think it's the most successful sitcom ever in the US. Have you tried Curb Your Enthusiasm, writer Larry David's other show ?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uyforfun88869Man
over a year ago

Leigh

Early doors

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *mma29Couple
over a year ago

wirral

Curb your enthusiasm

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Beverly Hillbillies

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Seinfeld and Father Ted.

I tried watching Seinfeld but can't quite get into it. I think imtnit a huge fan of the stand-up cuts

It's always been a cult thing over here although I think it's the most successful sitcom ever in the US. Have you tried Curb Your Enthusiasm, writer Larry David's other show ?"

I haven't, no but heard very good things about that too

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Curb your enthusiasm "

You got the box set? Asking for myself

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Office US. I feel awful for enjoying it so much because the humour is so offensive, sometimes even has me like

but I genuinely love it.

Modern Family was pretty funny. And I quite liked The Middle too for light comedies.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ools and the brainCouple
over a year ago

couple, us we him her.

Brooklyn 99.

New girl.

Father Ted.

The Inbetweeners.

Bad Education.

The young ones.

Shelly.

My name is Earl.

Futurama.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *heaspieswingerMan
over a year ago

Peak District

British: Only Fools And Horses, closely followed by Blackadder.

American: Friends, closely followed by The Big Bang Theory

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *s1066Man
over a year ago

Swansea

Dinnerladies

Derry Girls.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Don't no any modern one's but loved max and paddy porridge as someone else has said Chelmsford 123 Blackadder Yong one's comic strip

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inky Biscuit DunkerMan
over a year ago

Gloucestershire

Fawlty Towers

(Don’t mention the war!)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *nterblueMan
over a year ago

manchester

Difficult to choose between Father Ted and Blackadder.

Closely followed by Trailer Park Boys.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eah BabyCouple
over a year ago

Cheshire, Windermere ,Cumbria

Shameless, Only Fools & Horses & Phoenix Nights

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Brooklyn nine-nine was is one of my favourites

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eacupsbearCouple
over a year ago

York

Too many to name just one

The Young Ones

Bottom

Friday Night Dinner

Father Ted

Peep Show

The League of Gentlemen

So many great ones..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh and still game!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *awpleasureMan
over a year ago

Sutton Coldfield

Obviously there's the classics from the 1970s like Porridge, Steptoe, Rising Damp and Fawlty Towers etc. In the 80s & 90s there was OFAH, Game on and Father Ted but going by just this century, my favourites are Spaced, Black Books, Inbetweeners, White Gold, IT Crowd and Friday night dinner.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eacupsbearCouple
over a year ago

York

"Oh and still game! "

Hell yes..

I have a Weclom mat by my front door

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Oh and still game!

Hell yes..

I have a Weclom mat by my front door

No way, that’s amazing

I’ve rewatched it all too many times to count

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There is one I can’t mention on hear

A certain West Ham fan

I think some of us know

It was faf though

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

Early Doors

This came out at almost the same time as Phoenix Nights and was somewhat overshadowed by that. This wasn't helped by it being quietly slipped out on BBC2 on a Monday night and it was missed by many people. Whilst it doesn't have the same gag ratio as Phoenix Nights, it had a heck of a lot more depth and even soul. This was a programme where you cared about the characters, wanting them to get their little victories.

It was written by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey and whilst it does have echoes of the Royle Family (unsurprisingly since Cash was co-writer there, too), for me this always felt more relatable and a lot more enjoyable. I think the balance between pathos and joy was better in Early Doors.

The extended cast of pub regulars were all perfectly believable characters and that was a real strength. Ken, the landlord, had the weary demeanour of someone who has accidentally got stuck on a coach trip to Whitby with the flat earth society and knew that there was no escaping this bunch of loons. Jean was quietly manipulative, Tommy entertainingly miserable, Eddie helpless in a sympathetic way, Joe and Duffy relatable every men and the girls well cast as people you'd see in a northern pub – especially Joan who was played with incredible tenderness. Both her and Eddie might not have been the sharpest of people, but the fact that they had each other was incredibly heart warming. Phil and Nige were the exceptions. They weren't especially realistic, but that worked as a great contrast and tension breaker in comparison to the front of bar atmosphere of The Grapes. The running gag involving the phonetic alphabet on their radios was a guaranteed laugh.

This wasn't fast comedy, but it was gloriously deep and there is just oodles to enjoy in it. Even the dvd commentary is very satisfying to listen to. There were some very memorable lines that are still able to raise a chuckle even now, like Crime can't crack itself, To the Regiment! And the great do you like circuses?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There have been a fair few, but for the complete range of emotions it has to be Blackadder goes Forth, Ridiculous hilarity all the way through and rips your heart out at the end.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *mma29Couple
over a year ago

wirral

"Curb your enthusiasm

You got the box set? Asking for myself

Just watched it on sky sorry

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Cant choose just one, top 5..

The Office US

Only Fools and Horses

King of Queens

Everybody Loves Raymond

Friday Night Dinner

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ryan...Man
over a year ago

1950's Original

In its time

.. George and Mildred.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ap1 OP Man
over a year ago

cannock

Yes Early Doors was so good and very funny shame it was overshadowed at the time.Have it on DVD and watch it all the time never fails to make me laugh

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *algormMan
over a year ago

maghera

Game on…..hands down

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple
over a year ago

Leeds

The fast show.

The mr

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *annaPlayABCCouple
over a year ago

Bacup

Mrs. Brown's Boys

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

After life was excellent.

Only fools

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

(Mr) Dad’s Army , Only Fools & Horses , Friday Night Dinner , Big Bang Theory , The Fast Show , Bo Selector . To name a few

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *outhman15Man
over a year ago

southampton

Only fools and horses and not going out

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

US Office for me

And while it’s maybe not a Sitcom I love the detectorists…..gently funny and smart

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ornyguyMan
over a year ago

Hillsborough, NI

"Oh and still game!

Hell yes..

I have a Weclom mat by my front door

No way, that’s amazing

I’ve rewatched it all too many times to count

Still Game is just brilliant. One of the best modern British sitcoms for me.

I have Jack and Victor whiskey which they have launched a while ago.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *U1966Man
over a year ago

Devon

Porridge without any doubt

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *agneto.Man
over a year ago

Bham

Seinfeld, Larry sanders.

Father Ted. Only fools and horses probably.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *awpleasureMan
over a year ago

Sutton Coldfield

"Mrs. Brown's Boys

One man's meat and all that....

That program imo is absolute rubbish.

Royle Family was very good. Caroline Aherne a comedy genius.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inda May SimmonsTV/TS
over a year ago

hexham

I don’t know about the best ever, but I have been binge watching “Still Game” on the iplayer over the last few weeks and it is brilliant. Well worth a view if you want a good laugh

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Old school:- Dad’s Army and Steptoe and Sun.

More recent:- Plebs and Toast.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Motherland

Father Ted

The Royle family

Friday night dinner

Game on

Modern family

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he AmbassadorMan
over a year ago

IRLANDA. / Prague. / Cil Dara

Still Game,

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *2000ManMan
over a year ago

Worthing

Fawlty Towers. Everyone young/old in my close family likes it. There are others but this seems to be universally liked.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Can't pick one, here's a few.

Porridge

Chewin the fat

Fraiser

Young ones

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *enrietteandSamCouple
over a year ago

Staffordshire

The IT crowd.

Or maybe peep show.

No, it’s phoenix nights.

We do love plebs also.

Old school porridge might be the overall winner.

So yeah…

No definitive decisions made here

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I bumped into the Still Game guys in a shopping centre years ago after I'd just bought my dad their DVD. Asked them to sign it and they're absolutely tore me to shreds as it had a reduced sticker on it

. They did though, nice guys.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he AmbassadorMan
over a year ago

IRLANDA. / Prague. / Cil Dara

"I bumped into the Still Game guys in a shopping centre years ago after I'd just bought my dad their DVD. Asked them to sign it and they're absolutely tore me to shreds as it had a reduced sticker on it

. They did though, nice guys. "
i was late to the series, but i work with a Scot, he suggested it, i think its brilliant, hilarious

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *awpleasureMan
over a year ago

Sutton Coldfield

"Motherland

Father Ted

The Royle family

Friday night dinner

Game on

Modern family "

Motherland is good but the lead character does not have any redeeming qualities. She's such a user. Kevin is hilarious though.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

Some not mentioned:

Some mothers do ave em

Derry Girls

Harry Enfield

Spitting image

Would I lie to you (panel show though)

Goodness gracious me (had to look it up)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *heggMan
over a year ago

South Brum

I'm shocked no-one's mentioned Yes (Prime) Minister, some of the finest television ever made.

Moving medium sightly, radio comedy can be rather brilliant. Hunt out anything by John Finnemore: the sitcom Cabin Pressure (with the stellar cast of Stephanie Cole, Roger Allam and Benedict Cumberbatch), the series of two handers John Finnemore's Double Acts and the wonderful sketch show John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oot SuitCouple
over a year ago

Canterbury

For me, it has to be Detectorists.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eroLondonMan
over a year ago

Mayfair

All of the above...

...but I absolutely love "The Mighty Boosh".

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Some not mentioned:

Some mothers do ave em

Derry Girls

Harry Enfield

Spitting image

Would I lie to you (panel show though)

Goodness gracious me (had to look it up)

Bob Mortimer on would I lie to you is comedy gold

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Friday night dinner and still game.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *isfits behaving badlyCouple
over a year ago

Coventry

I really enjoyed Monkey Dust and Brass Eye.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ily WhiteWoman
over a year ago

Fawlty Towers

Blackadder

Father Ted

League of Gentlemen

Married with Children

Only Fools & Horses

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Vladimir Zolenskey.. the best comedy is always based in the real world and

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

And full respect to him

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago

East London

The Morecambe and Wise show.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Fraiser

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ittlebirdWoman
over a year ago

The Big Smoke

Father Ted and Black Books for me

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *asycouple1971Couple
over a year ago

midlands

Fraiser.

The Royle Family.

Pheonix Nights.

One Foot in The Grave.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *im RoyleCouple
over a year ago

chester

Curb your enthusiasm

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *asterR and slut mayaMan
over a year ago

Bradford

Still game ever decreasing circals

Boston legal Hancock half hour

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ove2pleaseseukMan
over a year ago

Hastings

Morecombe and wise

My Family

This is not going to Hurt by Addam kay OMG

The book made me belly larf on a sun bed on holiday.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *unscot44Man
over a year ago

Stepps (Glasgow)

This is a toughie as so many over the years

In terms of American comedies which I am not a huge fan of then Cheers was and remains in my view one of best comedies ever both when it was a romantic comedy with Sam & Diane and then more general comedy in later years.

Frasier wasn't too bad either as was early 3 seasons of Friends.

In UK then obvious choices would be Fawlty Towers, Not the Nine O'clock news, inbetweeners, Rising Damp, Father Ted & Blackadder, Still Game & Chewing the Fat to name but a few

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *alking HeadMan
over a year ago

Bolton

Steptoe and Son, Bottom, Rising Damp. Anything that has that bit of pathos to get you caring a bit more about the characters.

The Man Down episode with the personal trainer with a massive arse just for pure silliness.

Hancock's Half Hour- Sunday Afternoon at Home and the East Cheam Festival were perfect.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Shameless

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *lickingFingersMan
over a year ago

Wilts

The Office.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My wife and kids

Malcom in the middle

Parks and Rec

New girl

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *taffscpleCouple
over a year ago

stafford

Not going out

My family

Ab Fab

Smack the pony

Men behaving badly

Monty pythons flying circus

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

The young ones

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ove2pleaseseukMan
over a year ago

Hastings

One foot in the grave

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Chapelle Show or Married with Children

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *atnip make me purrWoman
over a year ago

Reading

I'm going American too Schitts creek and Brooklyn 99

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Father Ted or One Foot in the Grave. Both very clever in different ways.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eyondhornyMan
over a year ago

Edwardsville

Coupling

Written by Stephen moffatt, pure genius

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Wayyyyyyy too many favourites to Puck a "best".

Fond memories of Soap though.

Winston

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes, Minister/Prime Minister. The original series from the 80s.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Father Ted

IT Crowd

Phoenix Nights

The Fast Show

Big Train

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obwhateverMan
over a year ago

Falkirk

I revisited Chelmsford 123 on All4 some time ago. Enjoyed it bitd, sadly not aged well.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obwhateverMan
over a year ago

Falkirk

Flight of the Concords

More of an absurd dramady, Atlanta.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *esparate danMan
over a year ago

glasgow

"Flight of the Concords

More of an absurd dramady, Atlanta."

Have you tried Dave

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Yes, Minister/Prime Minister. The original series from the 80s."

I knew you'd say that

Mine are more modern :

The IT Crowd

Life in pieces

The Office US

The Big Bang Theory

Modern Family

Motherland

Cleaner

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *KG12Couple
over a year ago

Burnley

Only fools, porridge, open all hours, game on, big bang and friends

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread