British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

The Ultimate Sitcom

  • TV factual
  • Channel 4
  • 2006
  • 1 episode

Alexander Armstrong presents the results of a poll of those in the comedy industry to name the best sitcoms ever made. Features Pauline McLynn, Jon Plowman, Simon Pegg, Robin Ince, Paul Jackson and more.

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Fawlty Towers. Image shows from L to R: Manuel (Andrew Sachs), Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales), Polly (Connie Booth). Copyright: BBC TV

Fawlty Towers

Comedy about a hotel and its owner, a man of infinite rudeness with a rabid dislike of almost all guests.

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.

Dad's Army. Image shows from L to R: Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Walker (James Beck), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Private Pike (Ian Lavender) TV

Dad's Army

Beloved sitcom about the struggles of a Home Guard platoon during World War II who are fighting incompetence, age and pomposity more than Nazis.

Blackadder. Mr. Edmund Blackadder, Esquire (Rowan Atkinson) TV

Blackadder

The Blackadder dynasty has run through English history since time immemorial, seemingly always hampered by a Baldrick, and often a Percy and Melchett.

Spaced. Image shows from L to R: Marsha Klein (Julia Deakin), Mike Watt (Nick Frost), Daisy Steiner (Jessica Hynes), Brian Topp (Mark Heap), Tim Bisley (Simon Pegg), Twist Morgan (Katy Carmichael) TV

Spaced

Cult Channel 4 sitcom. Tim and Daisy decide to pose as a professional couple in order to find a decent flat to rent.

The Office. David Brent (Ricky Gervais) TV

The Office

A BBC documentary team film the office of David Brent, manager from hell: he's tactless and talentless, yet somehow thinks everyone loves him.

Father Ted. Image shows from L to R: Father Dougal McGuire (Ardal O'Hanlon), Father Ted Crilly (Dermot Morgan), Mrs Doyle (Pauline McLynn), Father Jack Hackett (Frank Kelly). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions TV

Father Ted

Fathers Ted Crilly, Dougal McGuire and Jack Hackett are the inept priests of Craggy Island, banished from the mainland in various circumstances.

I'm Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Talkback Productions TV

I'm Alan Partridge

Deluded, insincere, tactless and largely talentless TV chat show host Alan Partridge is reduced to hosting a back-water local radio show.

Yes Minister. Image shows from L to R: James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC TV

Yes Minister

Political satire in which well-meaning MP Jim Hacker has a fast introduction to the world of Whitehall and must then struggle against the Civil Service.

The Good Life. Image shows from L to R: Margo Leadbetter (Penelope Keith), Tom Good (Richard Briers), Jerry Leadbetter (Paul Eddington), Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal). Copyright: BBC TV

The Good Life

After Tom Good becomes disillusioned with his life, he packs in his job and he and his wife attempt to live a completely self-sufficient life in suburbia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Britain's Best Sitcom. Copyright: BBC TV

Britain's Best Sitcom

A poll conducted in 2004 asked the public what they thought was the best sitcom produced in Britain. Presented by Jonathan Ross.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation TV

50 Greatest Comedy Sketches

Tom Baker narrates a line-up of Britain's favourite 50 comedy sketches of all time, as voted for by the public.

Life Of Brian TV

The 50 Greatest Comedy Films

The funniest films of all time battle it out in this top 50 comedy film countdown, as voted for by the British public.

The World's Greatest Comedy Characters TV

The World's Greatest Comedy Characters

Channel 4 reveals the 50 Greatest Comedy Characters, as determined by website voting, industry experts, and critical opinion.

The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups. Billy Connolly. Copyright: Visual Voodoo Films TV

The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups

A four-hour programming marathon showcasing the funniest men and women to have graced the stage in the name of laughter.

Channel 4 logo. Copyright: Channel 4 Television Corporation TV

The Comedians' Comedian

A poll of 300 comedians, writers, producers and directors to find who truly is the greatest comic of them all, by those in the comedy business.

The Black Adder. Copyright BBC TV

Greatest Ever Sitcoms

Countdown show looking at the nation's most treasured sitcoms.

Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms. Tony Robinson. Copyright: North One Television TV

Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms

A new poll across all age groups to find the nation's most loved sitcom. Narrated by Tamsin Greig.

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