Enjoying British comedy
Are you ready to dive into a world of razor-sharp wit, clever wordplay, and side-splitting punchlines? Look no further than comedy! From Monty Python's absurd sketches to Ricky Gervais's biting satire, British comedy has captured the hearts and funny bones of millions worldwide.
When it comes to giggling alone in your free time, there are tonnes of great shows and films out there, so take some time to explore and see what makes you laugh. They range widely in style, reflecting hugely differing aspects of society across near enough a whole century. In fact, you could easily be overwhelmed with choice - BCG's own Comedy Rewind column is a good place to start in exploring what was so popular about comedies of the past.
Once you have a good selection of titles to try, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty of enjoying them. Especially if you're interested in writing and the mechanics of humour, one curious approach advocated by some is to watch with the sound off and just read the subtitles. This can offer a very different experience of those carefully crafted jokes - especially if you're someone who doesn't care for the audience laughter on a traditional comedy series. And of course, unlike viewers in decades long past, you can hit pause to think about the beats, the characters and the structure of the jokes. This is a very useful analytical approach to appreciating the craft of the knob gag.
On the other hand, you may find a classic that you just want to sit back, turn up the volume and roar at - and we certainly can't blame you!
If you're seeking something to watch with others, whether friends of family, there are still acres of brilliant sitcoms, panel shows, sketch shows, films and stand-up titles to discover. Enjoying laughing with others is of course the root of all comedy, from the communal experience of the theatre or cinema - and we are not snobbish about hearing other peoples' reactions in other entertainment past-times such as playing UK Bingo, watching sports, or sharing a gorgeous meal. Ultimately there's no wrong way to enjoy comedy. Just relax, have fun, and let the laughter flow!
Here is a handful of classic movies and TV series you might want to take a look at.
A Fish Called Wanda
Written by and starring John Cleese, this now-iconic feature was directed by Ealing veteran Charles Crichton, winning near-universal acclaim and picking up a variety of awards. Following a farcical criminal endeavour and everyone who gets caught up around it, it was released in 1988 and also stars Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis and Michael Palin, with a host of fantastic guest players.
The Rag Trade
A pioneering female-centric sitcom that puts industrial strife in the spotlight, The Rag Trade was written by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, now better known for their later creation, On The Buses. It followed the female workers at a small clothing factory somewhere in London, regularly outwitting the manager and company owner Harold Fenner (Peter Jones), with foreman Reg (Reg Varney) caught in the middle. Running for three series on the BBC in the early 1960s, it was revived for ITV toward the end of the 1970s, offering a fascinating and directly comparable contrast of society and popular comedy styles.
Green Wing
What do you get when you mix sitcom pacing with the structure of a comedy drama and sketch-like vignettes? This hit Channel 4 comedy about the dysfunctional and often inept staff of an NHS hospital. An exceptional ensemble cast and unique script development process helped combine to create Green Wing's comedy magic. Two series and a climactic finale special were produced between 2004 and 2007.
Steptoe And Son
A long-running BBC sitcom hit that has acclaimed near-legendary status, Steptoe And Son is by turns wickedly funny and deeply dark and tragic - a true pioneer of the now all-too-familiar black comedy drama. Casting straight actors rather than comics - Harry H. Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell - in the lead roles helped celebrated writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson paint an on-screen realism that has rarely been achieved before or since in quite such stark brilliance.
The Lovers!
Already a hit sitcom from ITV broadcaster Granada, this brilliant film comedy from 1073 is one of the most accurate representations of the sexual revolution, the permissive society, and changing societal attitudes and expectations: not reaching beyond TV screens and the streets of Soho for most! The brilliant Richard Beckinsale and Paula Wilcox reprise their roles in the reboot, penned by the series' creator Jack Rosenthal, charting the on-off burgeoning but struggling relationship of Mancunian 20-somethings Geoffrey and Beryl. A beautiful high definition restoration was released on Blu-ray last year and it remains very funny.
Whether you prefer traditional broad laughs and slapstick, biting satire, the dry humour of embarrassment or contemporary social realism, there will be dozens of comedies out there waiting to be discovered, perfect for putting a smile on your face and livening up any entertainment library. So don't miss out on these opportunities; start exploring the witty world of British comedy today!