British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Television

Top 20 British TV sketch shows

This page lists the top 20 British TV sketch shows, determined by a combination of the results of previous polls, award wins, and BCG's visitor data.

The League Of Gentlemen. Image shows from L to R: Tubbs (Steve Pemberton), Edward (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC

1. The League Of Gentlemen

Royston Vasey is an isolated Northern community where dark, perverted and horrifying things happen behind closed doors.

Monty Python's Flying Circus. Image shows from L to R: Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam. Copyright: BBC

2. Monty Python's Flying Circus

Highly influential off-the-wall 1970s sketch series, starring John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones.

Vic & Bob's Big Night Out. Image shows from L to R: Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves. Copyright: BBC

3. Vic & Bob's Big Night Out

Comedy from the madcap duo Vic & Bob.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton

4. Horrible Histories

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series.

The Fast Show. Image shows from L to R: Paul Whitehouse, Simon Day, Arabella Weir, John Thomson, Caroline Aherne, Charlie Higson, Mark Williams. Copyright: BBC

5. The Fast Show

Fast-moving BBC Two sketch show featuring a host of hugely popular characters.

A Bit Of Fry & Laurie. Image shows from L to R: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie

6. A Bit Of Fry & Laurie

A TV sketch show which helped launch the careers of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie and set them on their way to comedy super-stardom.

Little Britain. Image shows from L to R: David Walliams, Matt Lucas, The Prime Minister (Anthony Head)

7. Little Britain

Matt Lucas and David Walliams take a comic look at British life in this character-based sketch series.

Spitting Image

8. Spitting Image

Groundbreaking, long-running and hugely popular satirical sketch show with a cast of grotesque latex puppets.

French And Saunders. Image shows from L to R: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders

9. French And Saunders

Long-running popular sketch show starring Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

That Mitchell And Webb Look. Image shows from L to R: David Mitchell, Robert Webb. Copyright: BBC

10. That Mitchell And Webb Look

Sketch series starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb in various roles, from tramp-detectives to participants of impossibly difficult maths quizzes.

The Two Ronnies. Image shows from L to R: Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker. Copyright: BBC

11. The Two Ronnies

Hugely popular and long-running sketch show that established Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker as two of the biggest names in British comedy.

Big Train. Image shows from L to R: Simon Pegg, Kevin Eldon, Julia Davis, Mark Heap, Amelia Bullmore. Copyright: Talkback Productions

12. Big Train

Sketch show featuring stars including Simon Pegg, Mark Heap, Kevin Eldon, Julia Davis and Catherine Tate.

The Benny Hill Show. Copyright: Thames Television

13. The Benny Hill Show

Hugely popular, long-running sketch series written by and starring Benny Hill.

The Day Today. Chris Morris. Copyright: TalkbackThames

14. The Day Today

Following on from Radio 4's On The Hour, The Day Today is a biting satirical swipe at television news in the early 1990s.

The Keith & Paddy Picture Show. Copyright: Talkback

15. The Keith & Paddy Picture Show

An affectionate and humorous tribute to some of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness's favourite movies.

Smack The Pony. Image shows from L to R: Fiona Allen, Sally Phillips, Doon Mackichan

16. Smack The Pony

Stylish, original and uninhibited Emmy award-winning sketch show starring Fiona Allen, Doon Mackichan and Sally Phillips.

Not The Nine O'Clock News. Image shows from L to R: Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Pamela Stephenson, Griff Rhys Jones. Copyright: Getty Images

17. Not The Nine O'Clock News

Popular satirical sketch show of the late 70s and early 80s starring Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson.

Victoria Wood As Seen On TV. Victoria Wood. Copyright: BBC

18. Victoria Wood As Seen On TV

Victoria Wood casts another comic glance at the world, with help from Julie Walters and Celia Imrie.

Alas Smith & Jones. Image shows left to right: Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones

19. Alas Smith & Jones

Popular sketch show starring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.

The Catherine Tate Show. Catherine Tate

20. The Catherine Tate Show

Popular sketch show starring Catherine Tate as a range of characters, including a rude nan and a talkative teenager.

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