British Comedy Guide
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Sex And The Sitcom. Copyright: Crocodile Media
Sex And The Sitcom

Sex And The Sitcom

  • TV documentary
  • BBC Four
  • 2011
  • 1 episode

Documentary examining how society's attitudes towards sex and sexuality since the 1950s have been reflected in sitcom. Features David Quantick, Dick Fiddy, Bruce Dessau, Anna Raeburn, Jon Plowman and more.

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See also

BBC Two TV

Crumpet! A Very British Sex Symbol

Documentary that charts that peculiarly British notion of 'crumpet' on TV and in film from the 1950s right through to the late 1980s.

BBC Two TV

Beefcake! A Very British Sex Symbol

Follow-up to Crumpet, examining the role of the hunky or macho male in British entertainment from the 1950s onwards.

Beyond A Joke. Copyright: Granada Productions TV

Beyond A Joke

Series exploring how sitcoms reflect contemporary Britain at the close of the 20th century, featuring archive news footage, interviews and clips.

Comedy Connections. Copyright: BBC TV

Comedy Connections

A series of comedy documentaries, examining one hit comedy show per episode, with cast and crew interviews providing additional background info.

Hancock's Half Hour. Image shows from L to R: Sidney James (Sid James), Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock (Tony Hancock), Bill Kerr (Bill Kerr) Radio

Hancock's Half Hour

Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock is a loser whose plans and aspirations are continually ruined by bad luck, Sidney Balmoral James or, more often than not, by his own pomposity and ambition.

Hancock's Half Hour. Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock (Tony Hancock). Copyright: BBC TV

Hancock's Half Hour

Tony Hancock stars in Galton & Simpson's comic masterpiece, with his delusions of grandeur and acquaintances at the root of his every downfall.

Up Pompeii!. Lurcio (Frankie Howerd). Copyright: BBC / London Weekend Television TV

Up Pompeii!

Frankie Howerd starrs as Lurcio, a Roman slave in Pompeii, serving senator Ludicrus Sextus and his family.

Up Pompeii. Image shows from L to R: Ammonia (Barbara Murray), Lurcio (Frankie Howerd), Ludicrus Sextus (Michael Hordern). Copyright: Associated London Films Limited Film

Up Pompeii

Classic British farce in which Roman slave Lurcio unwittingly gains possession of a list of people who are conspiring to bring down the Emperor Nero.

The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. Image shows from L to R: Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter), Doc Morrissey (John Horsley). Copyright: BBC TV

The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin

A midlife crisis sitcom about a bored executive who fakes his own suicide and seeks to reinvent himself in a desperate search for purpose and contentment.

Him & Her. Image shows from L to R: Becky (Sarah Solemani), Steve (Russell Tovey). Copyright: Big Talk Productions TV

Him & Her

BBC Three sitcom set around a lazy working-class couple in their mid-20s, and following the minutiae of their relationship and lives.

Butterflies. Image shows from L to R: Ben Parkinson (Geoffrey Palmer), Ria Parkinson (Wendy Craig) TV

Butterflies

Sitcom following dissatisfied housewife Ria Parkinson as she considers embarking on an exciting romantic affair with successful businessman Leonard.

Men Behaving Badly. Image shows from L to R: Gary Strang (Martin Clunes), Dorothy (Caroline Quentin), Tony Smart (Neil Morrissey), Deborah (Leslie Ash). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd TV

Men Behaving Badly

Flat share sitcom following security salesman Gary and his lodger, as they attempt to navigate the opposite sex.

Terry & June. Image shows from L to R: Terry Medford (Terry Scott), June Medford (June Whitfield). Copyright: BBC TV

Terry & June

June Whitfield and Terry Scott star as a middle-class, middle-aged, middle-England suburban couple who never fail to get into trouble.

Meet The Wife. Image shows from L to R: Thora Blacklock (Thora Hird), Freddie Blacklock (Freddie Frinton). Copyright: BBC TV

Meet The Wife

Domestic sitcom following working-class northern couple Freddie and Thora Blacklock, a plumber and proud housewife.

All Gas And Gaiters. Image shows from L to R: Henry - The Archdeacon (Robertson Hare), The Rt. Rev. Dr. Cuthbert Hever - The Bishop (William Mervyn), The Rev. Mervyn Noote - The Chaplain (Derek Nimmo). Copyright: BBC TV

All Gas And Gaiters

The fictional St. Ogg's Cathedral is the setting for a good natured look at life among the clergy.

All Gas And Gaiters. Copyright: BBC Radio

All Gas And Gaiters

Radio 4 adaptation of the popular TV series set around the fictional St. Ogg's cathedral.

That Was The Week That Was. Copyright: BBC TV

That Was The Week That Was

Groundbreaking and controversial weekly satire series, fronted by David Frost, Millicent Martin, Ken Cope, Lance Percival, Willie Rushton and others.

It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, Darling.... Image shows left to right: Pudding (Jane Carr), Clover Mason (Elizabeth Knight), Bobby Dutton (Jeremy Lloyd), Samantha (Joanna Lumley), Dominic (Jonathan Cecil). Credit: BBC TV

It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes, Darling...

Flatshare sitcom about a group of girls from well-off backgrounds.

The Liver Birds. Image shows from L to R: Beryl Hennessey (Polly James), Sandra Hutchinson (Nerys Hughes). Copyright: BBC TV

The Liver Birds

Sitcom exploring the lives and loves of two young, single females sharing a flat together in Liverpool.

The Lovers. Image shows from L to R: Beryl (Paula Wilcox), Geoffrey (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: Granada Television TV

The Lovers

Young and inexperienced couple Geoffrey & Beryl have differing views on what is acceptable before marriage.

Scott On.... Terry Scott. Copyright: BBC TV

Scott On...

Themed sketch series starring Terry Scott, examining everything from wealth to food, and language to habits and culture.

On The Buses. Stan Butler (Reg Varney). Copyright: London Weekend Television TV

On The Buses

Comedy following workshy bus driver Stan and his family; his conductor, Jack; and their depot boss, Inspector Blake.

On The Buses. Image shows from L to R: Inspector Blake (Stephen Lewis), Jack Harper (Bob Grant), Stan Butler (Reg Varney). Copyright: Hammer Film Productions Film

On The Buses

Feature-length film spin-off from the popular 1970s sitcom. Stan and the rest of the lads are horrified when the company decides to hire women drivers.

Mutiny On The Buses. Image shows from L to R: Suzy (Janet Mahoney), Stan Butler (Reg Varney). Copyright: STUDIOCANAL Film

Mutiny On The Buses

Second spin-off from the popular sitcom. Stan wants to get married, but his family are not impressed by the idea.

Holiday On The Buses. Image shows left to right: Stan Butler (Reg Varney), Jack Harper (Bob Grant). Credit: STUDIOCANAL Film

Holiday On The Buses

Third film spin-off from On The Buses. There is mayhem at a holiday camp when Stan, Jack and Blakey go to work there during the summer.

Casanova '73. Henry Newhouse (Leslie Phillips). Copyright: BBC TV

Casanova '73

Leslie Phillips stars as reluctant womaniser Henry Newhouse, who just can't help getting himself into the most farcical situations possible.

George & Mildred. Image shows from L to R: Mildred Roper (Yootha Joyce), George Roper (Brian Murphy). Copyright: Thames Television TV

George & Mildred

Sitcom about George and Mildred Roper, an endlessly bickering working-class couple in a middle-class neighbourhood.

George And Mildred. Image shows from L to R: George Roper (Brian Murphy), Mildred Roper (Yootha Joyce) Film

George And Mildred

Big-screen adaptation of the dysfunctional couple's unique life.

Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Yorkshire Television TV

Rising Damp

Rupert Rigsby is the grubby landlord of a seedy boarding house. His put-upon tenants include students Philip and Alan, and the glamorous Miss Jones.

Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Black Lion Films Film

Rising Damp

Film adaptation of the popular ITV sitcom. Middle-aged Rigsby plays landlord to college tutor Ruth Jones, medical student Philip and art student John.

Agony. Image shows from L to R: Laurence Lucas (Simon Williams), Jane Lucas (Maureen Lipman). Copyright: London Weekend Television TV

Agony

Jane Lucas is a radio and magazine agony aunt whose problems seem to eclipse those of her 'patients'.

Agony Again. Image shows from L to R: Catherine (Valerie Edmond), Debra (Doon Mackichan), Daniel (David Harewood), Jane (Maureen Lipman), Bea (Maria Charles), Richard (Niall Buggy), Michael (Sacha Grunpeter). Copyright: Humphrey Barclay Productions TV

Agony Again

Agony aunt Jane Lucas returns in this sitcom revival - and now she has her own TV chat show, Lucas Live.

The Young Ones. Image shows from L to R: Vyvyan (Adrian Edmondson), Neil (Nigel Planer), Mike (Christopher Ryan), Rick (Rik Mayall). Copyright: BBC TV

The Young Ones

Hippy Neil, nerdy Cliff Richard-obsessed Rick, psychopathic punk Vyvyan and smooth Mike share a squalid and collapsing student house together.

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Mr. Mackay (Fulton Mackay), Fletcher (Ronnie Barker), Godber (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: BBC TV

Porridge

Ronnie Barker stars as Norman Stanley Fletcher, trying to keep his nose clean and guiding his young 'roomie' Godber, whilst residing in HMP Slade.

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Oakes (Barrie Rutter), 'Bunny' Warren (Sam Kelly), Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker), Rudge (Daniel Peacock). Copyright: WitzEnd Productions Film

Porridge

Feature film based on the TV sitcom of the same name, featuring Ronnie Barker and the regular cast in the classic prison comedy.

Birds Of A Feather. Image shows from L to R: Sharon Theodopolopodous (Pauline Quirke), Dorien Green (Lesley Joseph), Tracey Stubbs (Linda Robson). Copyright: Alomo Productions / Retort TV

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Sitcom about mismatched sisters Tracey and Sharon, and their glamorous friend, Dorien.

Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Bubble (Jane Horrocks), Saffron (Julia Sawalha), Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Mother (June Whitfield), Patsy (Joanna Lumley). Copyright: Saunders And French Productions / BBC TV

Absolutely Fabulous

Public relations maven Edina and best friend Patsy drive sensible daughter Saffron up the wall with their self-absorbed, substance-abusing escapades.

Gimme Gimme Gimme. Image shows from L to R: Linda (Kathy Burke), Tom (James Dreyfus). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions TV

Gimme Gimme Gimme

Repulsive, overweight, loudmouth cretin Linda La Hughes shares a flat with Tom Farrell, an extremely camp gay man: both are obsessed with men.

Peep Show. Image shows from L to R: Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb). Copyright: Objective Productions TV

Peep Show

Sitcom starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb as a pair of socially dysfunctional flatmates with little else in common.

The Thick Of It. Image shows from L to R: Oliver Reeder (Chris Addison), Terri Coverley (Joanna Scanlan), Nicola Murray (Rebecca Front), Glenn Cullen (James Smith), Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Copyright: BBC TV

The Thick Of It

Satirical political sitcom. Number 10's foul-mouthed policy enforcer Malcolm Tucker rules the Government's PR team with an iron fist.

Thou Art Awful ... But I Like Thee. Dick Emery. Copyright: BBC Radio

Thou Art Awful ... But I Like Thee

Tim Brooke-Taylor presents an examination of all things bawdy in comedy.

Julian Clary. Copyright: Twofour TV

God Save The Queens

Three-part series celebrating 60 years of gay performers, including comedians and TV personalities, throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

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