I have wondered just what it is that draws me to British programming, I think I can say the two are rather different. There are some similarities, such as Coupling, and Friends, well at least in my opinion. As much as I liked Friends, I found Coupling to be much better.
On the other hand there is Bottom, and The Young Ones, which I find it hard to compare them to anything in US sitcoms. I mean in Bottom the beating those two gave the gas meter reader was one heck of a thrashing. In The Young Ones they were also doing things that well, most people would only get to do once.
Then there are ones like Butterflies, Waiting For God, slow, low keyed, yet telling you the most about the people involved. Then ones like Are You Being Served?, or Keeping Up Appearances, Rising Damp, middle of the road sort of stuff.
Then there are ones that could very well be comparable to US sitcoms like Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army.
So what is your defining differences between British and US sitcoms, and what sitcoms would you compare of the two to be alike?
Oh by the way I learned a new word today... dramedy. Ones like Dead Like Me, has anyone seen that one? I love it!!