The best (British) sitcom writers ever? (IYO) Page 3

Quote: Tim Walker @ November 13 2010, 1:21 AM GMT

Then again, Roger Roger...

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I rather enjoyed Roger Roger.

Quote: Badge @ November 13 2010, 1:12 AM GMT

I get the case for some of those old couples but look at the stats. Galton and Simpson? Steptoe and Hancock. Clement and Le Frenais? Likely Lads and Porridge. They only average one decent show each, but Sullivan had several on his own.

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In fairness HHH ran for a decade and was constantly playful and inventive, as was Galton and Simpson's Playhouse. While Clement & La Frenais can also boast Auf Weidersehn, Pet and some decent film credits such as Otley and The Jokers. In later years both partnerships output declined, but then so did Sullivan's. But Sullivan is certainly a contender for third place.

As a one-man sitcom factory Eric Chappell deserves a mention, though perhaps only Rising Damp really scaled the heights.

Ben Elton was involved in several great shows; and Simon Nye has done a lot of work(Love 'How Do You Want Me).

Oh, and Steven Moffat has had a few good shows, too.

Gervais and Merchant are responsible for one genuinely great sitcom and one good one.

No one seems to have mentioned Roy Clarke.

Open all Hours has to be credited as one of the best sitcoms ever.

Then of course. LOTSW and Keeping Up Apperances.

Quote: chipolata @ November 13 2010, 12:43 PM GMT

Gervais and Merchant are responsible for one genuinely great sitcom and one good one.

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And a third on the way, which is something to look forward to.

Coogan, although I know he is always one of several writers, has had one classic and one good sitcom.

And Iannucci's been involved in a couple of great ones.

I was never a fan of Croft and Perry but love Clement and Le Frenais.

Also Lineham is up there with the best.

Quote: Oldrocker @ November 13 2010, 12:23 AM GMT

But then, I am a fully paid up cock !

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Quote: Timbo @ November 13 2010, 9:43 AM GMT

Sullivan is certainly a contender for third place.

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He wouldn't be in my top three but I was just making a point. I think.

Quote: chipolata @ November 13 2010, 12:43 PM GMT

Gervais and Merchant are responsible for one genuinely great sitcom and one good one.

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i agree although I think extras was great as well, not as good as the office though.

Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong need a mention for the peep show and jesse's work on the thick of it. I don't like the old guys though

Roy Clarke, Eric Chappell and Galton and Simpson for me

Sullivan for OFAH. Although the later efforts weren't as good to keep that series running on UK TV for so many years is a huge achievement (64 episodes and 7 Xmas specials).

People forget the really good ones that are really good like Home To Roost, brilliantly written Eric Chappell who also did Rising Damp and Only When I Laugh, which are so clever and funny. There is a more up to date writer now who I like because of how real it is for comedy and getting the funny out of day to day things that people hide to themselves, or with the person closest to them, the way you act when you are being your true self it reminds me of Eric's work and it's Him & Her writer Stefan Golaszewski. Am watching the new one he is doing called Marriage. One take things that would normally seem mundane and behind close doors (Stefan) and the other takes situations in normal conditions brings out the day to day life and brings the comedy out of the directions the character wants but ends up going wrong as most things in life do (Eric). There are many more factors but they do something intelligent that brings up the things people especially want to keep hidden away.

David Renwick for me. One Foot is flawless.

Quote: Sitcomfan64 @ 14th November 2024, 9:18 PM

David Renwick for me. One Foot is flawless.

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Does that mean you're hopping about with foot off the floor?

David Renwick for If You See God, Tell Him 🙏 . Such a great, miserable, yet funny satire of the effects of adverts on humans with goldfish brains.

Curtis and Elton for Blackadders II-IV.
Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn for Yes Minister and Yes PM.
David Nobbs for Reggie Perrin perhaps although it does go off a bit.
Croft and Perry were often great as are Clement and Ie Frenais.
I'm not sure I'd rate Roy Clarke that highly. So much of Keeping Up Appearances and Last of the Summer Wine is ropey.