See, that's how we laugh, innit?

The best part about British sitcoms (especially those from the BBC's stable) was that you could find one (or many) to suit your own sense of humour, for they spanned a large variety of topics & comedy styles. From the witty & highbrow to the fairly raunchy, they had it all.

There's been a revival of these comedies for me thanks to the large DVD collection that the local British Library has made available for its members. Thanks to a timely investment in a DVD player, some of us have wasted no time in raiding the larder for films & TV series. I got to catch up with some old favourites.

The first BBC comedy I ever saw was Yes Minister that DD so paternally screened. I didn't get any of the jokes then and wondered why (and who) was laughing from time to time. The situation improved a little when the pre-commercialised Star Plus had a British comedy every weeknight. IIRC, the sequence was Yes Minister (and then Yes Prime Minister), Some mothers do 'ave 'em, Are you being served, 'Allo 'Allo and Porridge. The "mega-serial" monster was just beginning to bite moms & dads on all the regional channels (resulting in the ultimate downfall of Star Plus as well), so I didn't get to see all these sitcoms all the time.

I got Porridge & borrowed Yes Minister from Sujay, so I'm having a good time watching one episode daily. The books Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister are must-haves, for the quality of writing is brilliant with some of the most elegant puns I have ever encountered.

Going back to the sitcoms, I have thoroughly enjoyed the likes of the brilliant Blackadder (now that's what revisionist history should be like) and Fawlty Towers among others. The BBC has a detailed list (link) of all its comedies and it was interesting to note that Only Fools and Horses was voted its best ever comedy. (Link to the top 10)

Makes you wish that we had a rich tradition of interesting comedy on our domestic TV circuits as well instead of the phoney & poorly derivative stuff whose only purpose is to provide employment to laughing jackasses on their soundtracks.