Quote: Kenneth @ February 4 2011, 7:00 AM GMTAs for US sitcoms never shown in the UK, did you get That's My Bush?
Was that Matt Stone and Trey Parker?
I don't think we got that.
US sitcoms that had limited or no showing in UK Page 2
Quote: Matt79 @ February 8 2011, 11:28 PM GMTI have never heard of Herman's Head. One very strange US sitcom I remember seeing in the mid-80s (it seemed quite freaky to me then as I was only around 6!)was Small Wonder about a robot who looked like a little girl...it was so weird. I live in the Central region and I can imagine that all US comedy shows were networked by then. Small Wonder is said to be one of the worst sitcoms ever...
Small Wonder was a syndicated sitcom aimed at kids and no more ill shall be spoke of it.
I wasn't aware that Small Wonder was aimed at kids specifically. I don't know if the girl who played the Vicki robot is still acting.
Quote: zooo @ February 8 2011, 11:41 PM GMTWas that Matt Stone and Trey Parker?
I don't think we got that.
Yes, the South Park guys. I enjoyed it, partly because it co-starred the great Kurt Fuller (Russell from Wayne's World and the principal from Scary Movie) and Marcia Wallace (Edna Krabappel of The Simpsons), but mostly because it was so stupidly poking fun at sitcom conventions. I don't think it was a great critical/ratings hit. The final episode (where the show is retitled That's My Dick because Cheney becomes president) was amazingly great.
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 8 2011, 11:39 PM GMT
Presumably it was this show that inspired two (better) comedy moments...?
a) The Fast Show's spoof b&w US sitcom, featuring a (talking) corpse in a box as a main character.
b) The Simpsons's episode featuring ideas for spin-off sitcoms, one of which was where the spirit of a dead Grandpa Simpson haunted the 'Love Tester' machine in Moe's Tavern.
I'm reading a book on The Simpsons that mentions executive producer Jim Brooks started out in sitcoms writing scripts for My Mother the Car and That Girl. There was an episode in Series 15 (of The Simpsons) called 'My Mother the Carjacker'.
My Mother The Car sounds so weird...
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 8 2011, 11:39 PM GMT
Presumably it was this show that inspired two (better) comedy moments...?
a) The Fast Show's spoof b&w US sitcom, featuring a (talking) corpse in a box as a main character.
No, 'Mr Dead' was a twist on 'Mr Ed', starring a man and his talking horse.
The theme tune was even the same, though instead of it saying 'he's a horse of course', it said 'he's dead of course'.
I don't think our region (London at that time) had Mr Ed at all at lest I don't remember it, I do remember Champion the Wonder Horse, but that's not supposed to be a comedy.
Quote: sidecar jon @ February 12 2011, 5:39 PM GMTI don't think our region (London at that time) had Mr Ed at all at lest I don't remember it, I do remember Champion the Wonder Horse, but that's not supposed to be a comedy.
Mr Ed was definitely show oop north, in Cumbria.
We don't get loads The Critic, Gary Shandling Show, any American classics like Dick Van Dyke. And if you don't have Sky you don't get Friends and MASH or any of the ones like King of the Hill or Cheers that they show on FX.
I can't believe no UK network will take a chance on Parks & Recreation.
Quote: Jowan Mounsey @ May 2 2012, 5:46 PM BSTWe don't get loads The Critic, Gary Shandling Show, any American classics like Dick Van Dyke. And if you don't have Sky you don't get Friends and MASH or any of the ones like King of the Hill or Cheers that they show on FX.
In the USA, currently, you'd need to subscribe to cable to see most of those shows atm.
What's weird to me is the way Comedy Central UK is a warehouse of American sitcoms. It doesn't seem like they broadcast anything they make for the American channel except South Park. Daily Show and Colbert aside, they've had several good shows over the years like the already mentioned That's My Bush, Chappelle's Show, Crank Yankers, Insomniac, Reno 911, Dr. Katz, Strangers with Candy...
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 4 2011, 1:22 AM GMTHerman's Head http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman's_Head
Had a limited run on C4 in 1993/4. It was atrocious.
A lost period in my life but yes its flooding back. Sort of reminiscent of the Numskulls from the Beezer if I remember right.
A far better limited run US comedy from this period was Bakersfield PD, a great premise, really good cast, jokes and situations. I think it was axed in the US after the first series, a real shame.
Quote: Vince Ives @ May 2 2012, 8:25 PM BSTI can't believe no UK network will take a chance on Parks & Recreation.
Wow, that's ridiculous. It's at the peak of its form.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ February 12 2011, 5:35 PM GMTNo, 'Mr Dead' was a twist on 'Mr Ed', starring a man and his talking horse.
The theme tune was even the same, though instead of it saying 'he's a horse of course', it said 'he's dead of course'.
'Mr Dead' was actually a Harry Enfield sketch rather than The Fast Show. But Paul Whitehouse did play Mr Dead in the sketches, Enfield was his naive young friend who Mr Dead would give advice to. I think The Garry Shandling Show was shown over here on the old Paramount Comedy Channel years ago, but I'm not certain on that.
It is strange that 'Comedy Central' don't show a wider range of US shows over here. It seems to be about 90% repeats of Friends and Two & a Half Men (or Frasier and Sex & the City on Comedy Central Extra). I haven't seen Parks & Recreations (cos it's not on), but I'd like to.
Surely they have access to something better than Two & A Half Men or Mike & Molly?
I wish we got Colbert over here, that would be fantastic. A weekly Daily Show just about tides over my Jon Stewart needs but it's not enough.