British comedy vs American comedy

[kainedamo]

Who has the better sense of humor? Who makes the best comedy? America or Britain?

Let's look at the evidence. America has a never ending sea of pants sit coms. Sit coms that all follow the same formulae, very predictable, and rubbish jokes. Only a small handful of sit coms are any good. Britian is guilty of this too, but not to the same scale as the US.

But what about the good? America has a good history of animated comedy. I think this is one thing that trumps Britain.

The Simpsons. By itself, The Simpsons has two decades of good humor, sometimes reaching the levels of genius. Alas, it went past it's prime a long time ago and desperately needs to come to an end.
South Park
Family Guy

One of the best things to happen to British comedy recently is Ricky Gervais. Brits can pull off realism and subtilty, cringing and embarrising stuff in their humor that Americans can't quite pull off, and Ricky Gervais is a great example of that. Though, the Americans do have Larry David.

Movie wise, I really can't think of any good recent British comedies besides Shaun Of The Dead. I think the Americans trump the Brits in that department. I love Zoolander. Ben Stiller is great in that.

In terms of TV shows, I'd really have to say the Brits are better. I really can't picture the yanks doing something as good as the Brasseye paedophile episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1VL-ZAIfxw&mode=related&search=

I just can't picture the Americans doing anything like that, except for maybe South Park.

A show I'm really enjoying at the moment is Time Trumpet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKQ29aR3uK4

 

[Fried Gold]

I think Britain does better comedy, such as The Office, Operation Good Guys and Brass Eye, but America does better sitcoms like Frasier, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

 

[kainedamo]

Curb Your Enthusiasm isn't really a sitcom though.

 

[Outsiderzedge]

Zoolander?...

wtf

 

[The Evolutionist]

I've always failed to see the point of this argument (it comes up a lot in my circle of friends). Comedy is comedy, its point is to entertain, who cares where it comes from?

 

[Outsiderzedge]

I've always failed to see the point of this argument (it comes up a lot in my circle of friends). Comedy is comedy, its point is to entertain, who cares where it comes from?

cool avy

WE REQUIRE MORE MINERALS

haha...

yea...

 

[kainedamo]

I've always failed to see the point of this argument (it comes up a lot in my circle of friends). Comedy is comedy, its point is to entertain, who cares where it comes from?

There are clear differences between the humor of Americans and the British. There are some things yanks don't get that Brits find absolutely hilarious, and vise versa. It is FUN to discuss such things.

 

[Equint77]

I grew up on Benny Hill and loved Shaun of the Dead...... i think british humor is more on the dry end... which is cool... but not really for me nowadays.

I seek instant gratification... hence I'm looking forward to Jackass 2.

 

[JLBats]

See, it's weird, because I appreciate both, but when I'm tired and need some laughs, I always go to American comedy. British comedy is the kind you should be awake for.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

american.

 

[kainedamo]

Why? I mean, we are having a discussion, this isn't the "one word answer" game.

 

[black_dust]

If it makes me laugh im sold!

Being British and all i say we have alot of long running sitcoms so....

 

[enterthemadness]

Coupling (UK version) is so funny, it owns any american show already made or any future american sitcom.

 

[CorporalHicks]

king of the hill

 

[kainedamo]

Coupling (UK version) is so funny, it owns any american show already made or any future american sitcom.

Coupiling has some good jokes, but it's not THAT good.

 

[enterthemadness]

Guess it's a matter of opinion. I usually laugh out loud when I watch it. Only show that can make me do that...on a consistent basis...is Whose Line is it anyway? (american version....out on DVD this september)

 

[Spade]

Trying to compare one person's reaction to humor to another is a tad ridiculous, especially in different climates where whole societies differ in mannerisms (even with the close American/British example). Not everyone has the same grade of humor; some find some shows hilarious while others have PTA meetings over it. An example: I like Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, yet like Jay more than Conan. Some diehard fans of Conan would claim heresy and say I have no humor...but does that make the humor I feel from watching comedy any less valid than someone else?

You cannot turn opinion into the irredeemable truth.

 

[JLBats]

Trying to compare one person's reaction to humor to another is a tad ridiculous, especially in different climates where whole societies differ in mannerisms (even with the close American/British example). Not everyone has the same grade of humor; some find some shows hilarious while others have PTA meetings over it. An example: I like Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, yet like Jay more than Conan. Some diehard fans of Conan would claim heresy and say I have no humor...but does that make the humor I feel from watching comedy any less valid than someone else?

You cannot turn opinion into the irredeemable truth.

Um... are you Kevin Eubanks?

 

[Spade]

Um... are you Kevin Eubanks?

I remember saying I liked Conan too...just not as much. Again, just an opinion.

 

[Rac]

Gotta go with the Brits. Monty Python, The Fast Show, The Young Ones, Benny Hill, Mr. Bean, Office, Harry Enfield stuff etc. etc.

 

[enterthemadness]

I used to think Leno and Letterman were funny...then I saw Conan. ofcourse Mr....Carson Daily blows them out of the water.

 

[sassycat]

Father Ted nuff' said!

 

[JLBats]

I remember saying I liked Conan too...just not as much. Again, just an opinion.

Da na na- DOW!

 

[WeaponZ2]

Father Ted nuff' said!

He has a point...

To me funny is funny no matter where it comes from. And with that said allow me to post some Rick Mercer....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS6aGtdvHUs&search=mercer%20stratford%20feore%20oliver%20cbc%20canada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhoVNaTLOjQ&NR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Uj-nw3XUk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORXQyt7idJ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vQvKpj5ThQ&NR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g5fxGu3Cxc&NR

 

[Tsunulia]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Mr. Bean yet