Four classic BBC comedies

British comedy on the screen comes in many shapes and sizes, especially nowadays in the world in which streaming platforms and social media sketches exist. Only one organisation has been consistently filming comedy throughout every era and technical specification change though...

The BBC started pointing TV cameras at funny people over 90 years ago. Since then, it has made over 2,500 different comedy series. Some might admittedly now be long forgotten, but others can be labelled true classics. Here's four of the best...

Fawlty Towers (1975-1979)

Upon entering the world of Fawlty Towers, you will find yourself in a hotel where anarchy reigns supreme and laughter awaits at every step. This legendary sitcom, created by John Cleese and Connie Booth, chronicles the antics of Basil Fawlty (Cleese), a continuously disgruntled hotel owner with a tendency for bad decision-making.

Set in Torquay, each episode is packed with crazy plotlines and hilarious mistakes that have left viewers panting for air because they've been laughing so much. Basil's attempts to keep order usually fail, whether he's dealing with demanding guests or navigating his problematic relationship with his wife Sybil (Prunella Scales).

Basil is not the only one who steals the show; the supporting cast is also impressive. Manuel (Andrew Sachs) is the Spanish waiter straining to understand English idioms and cultural traditions. Also, don't forget Polly (Booth), the astute chambermaid who sometimes gets caught up in Basil's web of chaos.

Only Fools And Horses (1981 - 2003)

Only Fools And Horses, created by the legendary John Sullivan, is still a staple of British television comedy today thanks to its popular repeats. This sitcom ran on the BBC from 1981 till 2003. It follows the ambitious and frequently amusing exploits of the Trotter brothers, Del Boy (David Jason) and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst). They traverse the hardships of life in Peckham, South London.

The show's ongoing success stems from its distinct blend of slapstick humour and emotional moments. Del Boy's has an unwavering optimism as a charming rogue with lofty ambitions.

Del Boy's mantra - "this time next year we'll be millionaires" - is used whenever he plots for a job and tries to persuade Rodney to join him. This tagline exemplifies Del Boy's unrelenting optimism and willingness to take measured chances in the quest of money and success, which frequently yields delightfully unexpected outcomes.

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Blackadder (1983-2000)

Blackadder is a renowned British sitcom that ran from 1983 to 1989 (and briefly revived in 2000 for a one-off special). It has a unique place in the hearts of comedy fans all around the world. This historical parody takes you on a funny voyage through several eras of the English timeline across its episodes.

The one binding thing each series has in common is there's always an Edmund Blackadder in the area (played excellently by Rowan Atkinson) and he is joined by his devoted but dimwitted sidekick Baldrick (Tony Robinson).

From cunning plans gone wrong to smart wordplay and piercing sarcasm, Blackadder never ceases to entertain.

The first series (titled The Black Adder) returns us to the Middle Ages, complete with medieval craziness. Edmund's attempts to outwit his unscrupulous relatives and climb the social ladder are on display in the second series, which takes place in Elizabethan England.

Blackadder III is set in Georgian England, where Edmund portrays Prince George's butler. And, finally, Blackadder Goes Forth, which is many people's favourite series, sees the protagonist trapped in World War I trenches alongside other memorable characters like Captain Darling and General Melchett.

Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-1974)

Monty Python's Flying Circus revolutionised British TV sketch comedy with its distinctive blend of absurdity, satire, and surrealism. On its debut in 1969 it pushed the boundaries of humour and challenged societal norms in ways never seen before on television.

Monty Python - led by comic geniuses Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Michael Palin - ushered in sketches in which the punchline didn't always come at the end of every sketch.

The show's irreverent humour covered a wide range of topics such as politics, religion, history and everyday life. It frequently used brilliant wordplay and outlandish visual humour to deliver its laughs. With skits like The Spanish Inquisition and Spam, Monty Python's Flying Circus became known for its witty writing.

The Pythons' desire to push boundaries was only one of the things that set it apart. This show never backed down from question established standards. Their pioneering style paved the way for future comedians to break new ground in British comedy.