IMO it is Galton and Simpson, the evidence - Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe & Son, both immensely popular and enduring classic character based sitcoms.
The best (British) sitcom writers ever? (IYO)
I dunno but they were probably Jewish, gay, hermaphrodite who was in Al Quaeda
How would you be a hermaphrodite bisexual now I think about it?
Even if they were, they were very English and very very good at sitcoms.
Does it have to be pairs?
If so I'd add Clement & Frenais or Matthews & Linehan into the mix
Clement & La Frenais for me.
Galton & Simpson by some distance.
Fair enough
Close the thread... nothing to see here
Hmm . . whilst I love G&S for Hancock etc, it's hard to overlook the Perry/Croft factor.
You Rang, M'lord?, Dad's Army, Are You Being Served?, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Hi-de-Hi! and 'Allo 'Allo!.
But then, I am a fully paid up Hancockian !
Graham Linehan has been involved in three very good sitcoms, which is at least two more than most sitcom writers these days.
I really need to get around to buying the Steptoe boxset.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ November 13 2010, 12:30 AM GMTGraham Linehan has been involved in three very good sitcoms, which is at least two more than most sitcom writers these days.
One very good sitcom, one pretty good sitcom and one mostly alright sitcom... but, yes, a good batting average nonetheless.
I'd rate Black Books higher than pretty good, personally. Though obviously he was only on the first series.
Ted is the only show where the characters will still be universally enjoyed in another 20 or 30 years time. And enduring characters are what elevate sitcoms to the level of greatness. The other shows have fun characters to play with, but I can't find much love for them, to be honest. (No, not even Moss.)
Oh, I love all three in Black Books, certainly.
As essentially cartoon characters, they're very good, yes. Certainly, GL's shows are a masterclass in how to a certain type of silly, throwaway humour really, really well.
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 13 2010, 12:48 AM GMTsilly, throwaway humour really, really well.
Oh, I hate that, the idea that it's throwaway because it's silly. All those silly moments will stay with me throughout my life, I ain't throwing them away! 