Funny British TV Shows

[Captain Awful]

To some of you, the title may be an oxymoron. I really like the humor in british television, however, being a child of the red, white, and blue, I don't have access to funny TV. I like Green Wing, Peep Show, The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh, and Garth Merenghi's Dark Place. Any shows you can suggest would be appreciated. Anything not British is fine also, but don't you DARE suggest "Everybody loves Raymond" or fucking "Survivor", because I will bombard my child-seeds with radiation to keep them from coming into this cruel world.

[Rad]

Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Trigger happy TV

[Captain Awful]

Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Trigger happy TV

Monty Python's what got me started. Some of the jokes in Flying Circus were just too long though, I mean, aliens turning people into scotsmen is hardly something to base an episode off of. The spanish inquisition episode is hilarious, easily my all time favorite.

Not a huge fan of Trigger Happy TV, there's some funny bits, but I think it'd be better live.

[Farvana]

I've always enjoyed Red Dwarf, personally, but that is a show for nerds.

[Captain Awful]

I've heard Red Dwarf is amazing, but I completely forgot about it until you mentioned it. Farvana, I love you. I'm going to go... find it... now.

[Farvana]

Shucks, tweren't nuffin

I hear Black Adder is pretty good but I've never seen it, so... yeah, I can't vouch.

[Gina]

When I was in Japan, I was flipping through channels on the hotel TV, as you do, and I came across an anime show.
Then I realised that it was an anime version of the Deltora Quest series by Emily Rodda.

I don't know who made it or how long its been around, but anything related to that book series just becomes excellent by default.
Also apparently there is a trading card game and action figures.
(( Also, as a yank, you would need to first read the Deltore Quest series, by Emily Rodda. ))

Black Adder is very funny. A lot better than Mr. Bean, I'd say.

[Rad]

Mr. Bean is hilarious

Also, not TV, but apparantly there was a long running Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio series. Not sure if it's possible to find though...

[Muz]

I liked Black Adder, used to watch it quite a bit, then I stopped after realizing that I starting talking and writing with the same cynical, biting tone of the Black Adder. That show is bad for you! Mr. Bean's not bad, a lot better than most shows, but the cartoon series doesn't have the same charm.

[Soyvoyage]

Hitchhikers Guide did have a television series as well, though I would say it is the worst form in which the story has been told. You do get to see the creature that has been bred to be eaten, though.

I am a massive fan of Red Dwarf, I got it off my brother. I have read the books as well, which provides more back story, along with everyone dying at the end of each one. Also there are the drugs that make you think you are god. They are fun.

Black Books is one of my favourite shows, it is similar to the IT crowd with a few more physical jokes.(and books)

[Kaatridge]

...Would The Office count as a British TV show? I'm pretty sure thats British.

[Trace]

...Would The Office count as a British TV show? I'm pretty sure thats British.

There's a British and American version of The Office.

[Dan]

And the American version is BETTER.

BETTER, I tell you.

[Gina]

And the American version is BETTER.

BETTER, I tell you.

NO DAN IT IS NOT.

[Dan]

YES, GINA, I'M AFRAID IT IS.

[etnlIcarus]

Honestly, The Office and Extras has done for British comedy what Arrested Development did for US sitcoms; all my expectations have been blown out of the water and you can't easily go home again. I still enjoy the odd bit of Monty Python; Black Books or Red Dwarf but their appeal has diminished somewhat in the face of some recent, more subtle programmes, which relied less on the same-old setups.

[Captain Awful]

I honestly prefer the British version of the office. The American one draws things out too much, though it DOES have better actors (no offense). Maybe I just think I like it better, who knows.

[Kaatridge]

DAN I'M SORRY BUT YOU ARE WRONG

[Dan]

NO I AM NOT, KAATRIDGE. IF YOU CONSIDER THE FACTS CAREFULLY, YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM COMPLETELY CORRECT.

But seriously: I like the UK version, but find that the characters tend to be more like collections of quirks rather than genuine people. Also, the boss man is completely unsympathetic, which makes it difficult for me to feel embarrassed for him when he fucks up.

That said, I haven't watched as much of the UK version as I have of the American one, so maybe that's it.

[Fishy]

Top Gear, Doctor Who, and Torchwood. For serious.

[Rad]

You better mean the original Dr. Who. The new one on sci-fi channel is hella sucks

[chuanoplast]

I like the League of Gentlemen and a lot of the above-mentioned shows. I'm also surprised that nobody mentioned Fawlty Towers.

[etnlIcarus]

Top Gear, Doctor Who, and Torchwood.Not a big fan of the last one.

You better mean the original Dr. Who. The new one on sci-fi channel is hella sucks D:

[chuanoplast]

Oh totally forgot to mention "The Day Today", "Brasseye", "Jam", anything with Alan Partridge, and anything with Chris Morris. Classy.

[Fishy]

All Doctor Who is not equal, but the new one is still awesome, also Torchwood is super cliche and tacky, but I love it.

[Gina]

NO I AM NOT, KAATRIDGE. IF YOU CONSIDER THE FACTS CAREFULLY, YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM COMPLETELY CORRECT.

But seriously: I like the UK version, but find that the characters tend to be more like collections of quirks rather than genuine people. Also, the boss man is completely unsympathetic, which makes it difficult for me to feel embarrassed for him when he fucks up.

That said, I haven't watched as much of the UK version as I have of the American one, so maybe that's it.

GO TO YOUR CORNER.

Seriously.
Speaking of Americans buggering up funny things; did anyone hear of the legend of American Kath & Kim?
Totally shithouse, apparently.

[Usernamehere]

Those wacky Americans! Maybe their imperial measurement system made them no good at making tv shows based off overseas series.

Monty Python, The IT Crowd, Red Dwarf and Docter Who are pretty good, maybe?.
Watching 'Who less and less though, can't be bothered watching it. Maybe if it had less Catherine Tate?

[etnlIcarus]

Speaking of Americans buggering up funny things; did anyone hear of the legend of American Kath & Kim?
Totally shithouse, apparently.Forget Kath & Kim; failing to recreate a crap show is just an exercise in stupidity. Butchering a good show like Red Dwarf is a crime against good taste.

[Soyvoyage]

Those wacky Americans! Maybe their imperial measurement system made them no good at making tv shows based off overseas series.
They obviously have all the set measurements wrong. Doorways are just that more funny when people aren't constantly hitting their heads into them, although the American school of comedy would disagree.


Watching 'Who less and less though, can't be bothered watching it. Maybe if it had less Catherine Tate?

Yes Please. Bring back someone clueless and pseudo-attractive, if you would. Then I get things making sense, with Catherine Tate I just get her walking about alien worlds and coming up with Crazy Stuff That Doesn't Make Any Sense And Any Sensible Person Would Not Of Come Up With. Seriously, Catherine Tate just makes these awe-inspring alien worlds just that less aweinspiring.

[Gina]

Fawlty Towers is absolutely amazing.

[etnlIcarus]

Yes Please. Bring back someone clueless and pseudo-attractive, if you would. Then I get things making sense, with Catherine Tate I just get her walking about alien worlds and coming up with Crazy Stuff That Doesn't Make Any Sense And Any Sensible Person Would Not Of Come Up With. Seriously, Catherine Tate just makes these awe-inspring alien worlds just that less aweinspiring.

I sincerely hope you're being sarcastic.

[Usernamehere]

Fawlty Towers is absolutely amazing.

HOW DID I FORGOT FAWLTY TOWERS

I AM SO HORRIBLE

[Soyvoyage]

I sincerely hope you're being sarcastic.

Sarcastic, not quite. Highly exaggerated to the point of ridiculous? Yes.

I am not that fond of her as the Doctors companion.

[Fishy]

I'm going to agree with Soyvoyage, I can't stand Catherine Tate. I want a borderline cute and totally clueless sidekick. Doctor Who just isn't the same without it.

[etnlIcarus]

I'll admit that season 4 has been pretty sucky thus far but Tate is not the problem. Tate's the first decent sidekick the new Who's have had.

[Twyatt]

Not that anyone would know about it, but I have a fondness for the old Goon Show on record. It's like the forerunner to things like Monty Python, with all those absurd stories and one-liners and whatnot.

Other than that, Fawlty Towers, Mr Bean, etcetera, etcetera.

[Valdez_Leel]

Well as an adopted Brit I zealously recommend Charlie Brookers Screenwipe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSa3W06gQZk) to all. It's a bits and bobs kind of show with reviews, animation and what not.

Its funny, cynical and enlightening. If you like the sort of thing Yahtzee does with his game reviews you'll probably warm to Charlie. You can find the first 4 series on you tube. The 5th ones due out autumn time.

[chuanoplast]

I love Charlie Brooker. He is so grumpy and stern. I just started watching Nathan Barley, which is written by him and Chris Morris. Cringe-worthy, just like Peep Show (in a good way).

[Valdez_Leel]

I love Charlie Brooker. He is so grumpy and stern. I just started watching Nathan Barley, which is written by him and Chris Morris. Cringe-worthy, just like Peep Show (in a good way).

I shall have to look it up - how else will be able to complete my love shrine? If you like Peep Show you should probably check out 15 Storeys High. Its by Sean Lock and its stark, surreal and quite unlike anything I've seen before - I'm currently working my way through season 1 and its been good so far.

[matte_k]

The Mighty Boosh.

The Young Ones.

Also, Peep Show. Two of the most fucked up geek idiots you've ever seen, all done in first person perspective, featuring unpleasant situations just getting worse and worse, mainly down to the fact that one of the two lead characters is a total git.

I love it.:D

Also, if you want to see how cringeworthy old British TV humour can be, check out
'Allo 'Allo.

[Captain Awful]

Is it just me, or is Channel 4 some sort of revolutionary comedy finder? Most of the funny shows I've seen have been through them. Also, Jerry Springer the Opera, it looks interesting. What'd you guys think?

[Captain Awful]

Black Books is one of my favourite shows, it is similar to the IT crowd with a few more physical jokes.(and books)

Just started watching it, and it is FUNNY. Thank you for this suggestion, you'll be the last to go.

[XWonka]

The Young Ones.

Also, ther american version of The Office is best, but i like david brent more than michael scott. But i love Dwight Shrute. So that's that.

[va5el1ne]

Yes! A place for me to talk about the IT Crowd.

I have loved the Mighty Boosh for a while and an IT guy at my work gave me the IT Crowd to watch and it is spectacular! Moss is fantastic.

I love 'Return of the Golden Child' where Denholm dies and Douglas shows up at the funeral. Faaaathhhheeeeeer!!!

Also, Black Books! Roy reminds me of Bernard Black

And Spaced! Brilliant.

[Scribe]

My favourite british comedy show (that hasn't been named yet) is Coupling. Go pick up the first season or download it or something, it's awesome. I couldn't do it justice by describing it, even though I know "go get it, it's good" isn't terribly useful to know.

Also, va5el1ne is right; Spaced is fantastic too. It's Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's show and directed by Edgar Wright, the three dudes behind Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.


American Office ftw. My 2c. Going back to lurking now, kbai.

[Daisy Chubb]

LITTLE BRITAIN.

[va5el1ne]

LITTLE BRITAIN.

Eek. I have watched it a few times and I remember laughing once. When the wheelchair guy was up a tree and the other guy asked him how he got up there and he said "I fell".

I like the British Office. I watched the first ep of the US one and hated it. Steve Carrel grggh. Apparently it gets better in season 2?

[munroe]

Eek. I have watched it a few times and I remember laughing once. When the wheelchair guy was up a tree and the other guy asked him how he got up there and he said "I fell".

I like the British Office. I watched the first ep of the US one and hated it. Steve Carrel grggh. Apparently it gets better in season 2?

As for UK comedies, anybody seen Peep Show? That's a fuckin' riot right there.

Oh, and Little Britain shan't be mentioned in front of actual British people. It's like American Idol over there.

The first season of the American Office was bad. They were all almost direct rips from the UK one..they didn't find their own legs until partway through the second season. It's brilliant now, in a different way. The supporting characters make it incredible. ...Creed.

[Captain Awful]

Peep Show is fucking fantastic. It took me awhile to get used to the camera, but once I did I could pay more attention to the comic gold that was happening. That Mitchell and Webb Look is awesome too, it's the sketch comedy show the guys from Peep Show did.

Little Britain is pretty funny, the second season was pushing the boundaries of good taste, and I haven't seen the third season or the American version. The IT crowd (http://www.reynholm.co.uk/) is still one of my favorites, but Black Books is right up there next to it. According to the gmail update that just flashed in the lower right of my screen, Spaced disc 1 is now shipping to me via netflix.

I've seen Green Wing which is all right. It has it's moments of hilarity, but a lot of it is just people humping things. The Young Ones is pretty good, one of the stranger comedies I've seen, but as far as "older" comedies go I prefer the humor in Fawlty Towers.

I will check out Coupling, asap.

[munroe]

Peep Show is fucking fantastic. It took me awhile to get used to the camera, but once I did I could pay more attention to the comic gold that was happening. That Mitchell and Webb Look is awesome too, it's the sketch comedy show the guys from Peep Show did.

Little Britain is pretty funny, the second season was pushing the boundaries of good taste, and I haven't seen the third season or the American version. The IT crowd (http://www.reynholm.co.uk/) is still one of my favorites, but Black Books is right up there next to it. According to the gmail update that just flashed in the lower right of my screen, Spaced disc 1 is now shipping to me via netflix.

I've seen Green Wing which is all right. It has it's moments of hilarity, but a lot of it is just people humping things. The Young Ones is pretty good, one of the stranger comedies I've seen, but as far as "older" comedies go I prefer the humor in Fawlty Towers.

I will check out Coupling, asap.

My problem with the IT Crowd is the laugh track. I know it was probably necessary from a production standpoint, but it seems SO out of place in modern television. I also would of liked to see a developer added to the team, I know the tech support angle is a lot more universal, but there's tons of humour to gleam from developers. He could even look down on Moss and Roy...because we do that for real.

Spaced was also really funny. I picked up the DVD recently, and I was roarin' pretty hard at it.


...has anybody mentioned League of Gentlemen yet? It was really strange, but damn funny after a few viewings.

[chuanoplast]

Peep show is excellent but hard for me to watch because I feel so bad for Mark even though he is a creepy critter.

I love the League of Gentlemen, especially Pauline and Benjamin's crazy relatives. Actually, I love everyone in that show.

Father Ted: Top Trumps

Milk Truck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MUz0rhBews)

[Seaborgium]

cricket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXHkrmS3vco)
and that is why no episode of the Mighty Boosh will ever surpass the first one.

[chuanoplast]

Because you don't like cricket?

[Captain Awful]

My problem with the IT Crowd is the laugh track. I know it was probably necessary from a production standpoint, but it seems SO out of place in modern television. I also would of liked to see a developer added to the team, I know the tech support angle is a lot more universal, but there's tons of humour to gleam from developers. He could even look down on Moss and Roy...because we do that for real.

Spaced was also really funny. I picked up the DVD recently, and I was roarin' pretty hard at it.


...has anybody mentioned League of Gentlemen yet? It was really strange, but damn funny after a few viewings.

I'm used to American TV, where to go without a laugh track is an abomination. A developer? A software developer? That's what Moss' job.

Oddly enough, I just started watching League of Gentlemen last night on netflix. The first thing I noticed is how much Little Britain stole from them character wise. League of Gentlemen is great, and the murderous shop keep is my favorite character.

I wasn't a big fan of Coupling. It seems like Britains version of Sex in the City. Haven't seen Father Ted yet.

[Seaborgium]

Anyone a fan of Brass eye?

[Demaar]

My sister and her husband tried to get me to watch the British version of The Office, but it seems that show is impenetrable to me regardless of origin. Like, I "get" the show and characters and stuff, and it's amusing, but it's no where near as hilarious as people I know have made out. Little Britain is good for pure inappropriateness.

Only Brit show I truly love that hasn't been mentioned already is Red Dwarf. Chris Barrie is awesome.

[The flying banana]

You mean no-one has mentioned Red dwarf? I didn't bring it up because I presumed someone would have and couldn't be bothered trawling through archives to check. Red dwarf is made of awesome, I like Holly (Played by Norman Lovett.) most.

Ok, now I know not to take stuff for granted, what other shows?

Blackadder, The goodies, The young ones (I look like Neil when my hair is straightened.) and Auf wiedersehen pet. That last one isn't technically a comedy, but it's funny nonetheless.

[va5el1ne]

cricket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXHkrmS3vco)
and that is why no episode of the Mighty Boosh will ever surpass the first one.

Yes! :lol:

I also like the part when Howard shows Vince the naked pictures of himself and then he goes to unbutton his shirt and Vince tries to get away. Oh man the look on his face!


I think my favourite episode is The Legend of Old Gregg. I love Old Gregg

OR The Nightmare of Milky Joe. Or The Hitcher...Eels...The Crack Fox
OK I cannot choose

[va5el1ne]

I just watched the first episode of Peep Show and it wasn't bad. It made me cringe mostly haha

[Zolbrod]

Yeah, Black Adder is a must see, but only seasons 2 to 4, don't bother with the first one.

Also, I'm surprised noone's mentioned Bottom yet, easily one of the best Britcoms EVER.
It stars Adrian Edmondson and Rick Mayall of The Young Ones fame (there are cameos by the other members too) and it's profane, absurd, violent and idiotic. In another word, PERFECT.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=uLvS_w9gy8g&feature=related

[munroe]

I just watched the first episode of Peep Show and it wasn't bad. It made me cringe mostly haha

That fades away after an episode or two, and pure hilarity takes over.

[va5el1ne]

I think I will have to watch more of it!

[va5el1ne]

I was at JB Hi Fi and the first season was $16 and I bought it

It better be worth it *shakes fist*

I also bought the IT crowd Season 2 for my bro for Christmas

[Captain Awful]

I've just seen all of the episodes of Season 3 of The IT Crowd. It wasn't as memorable as the first two seasons, but it did have it's charm. There's one episode where Roy gets involved in a bank heist, and that was fucking hilarious.

I don't know if Garth Merenghi's Dark Place has been mentioned, but it's a pretty good show. I don't know why I haven't added youtube clips of all of these shows. I added some that have all ready been shown because they seem to have been taken down.

Garth Merenghi's Dark Place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR5t876Z7Ys)

The IT Crowd (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrQUWUfmR_I&feature=related)


League of Gentlemen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja3ZlYNaCuI)

The Mighty Boosh-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZp7oKgbFU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZp7oKgbFU)

Black Books - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qKxZO7tFfc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qKxZO7tFfc)

Peep Show Bear with quality (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iIWCFW8o5A)

That Mitchell And Webb Look (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5WoLnOOlU)

Spaced - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4E_o0WpGPI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4E_o0WpGPI)

Damnit, I just realized that embedding is disabled on half of these. Oh well, I'll fix it later.

Edit: Fuck it. Almost everything has embedding disabled. For those that still don't work, I put the link in the title.

[goblin]

I haven't seen 'The fast show' mentioned on here yet, that's worth a look.
As other people have said, anything Chris Morris has been involved in, i.e. Brass Eye, Nathan Barley, The Day Today tends to be great.
Been watching 'Boys from the Blackstuff' recently, that's pretty good, not exactly comedy though.
Father Ted, Red Dwarf, Peep Show, Monty Python all pretty good.

[The flying banana]

Ah, the fast show. That's worth it for Roley Burkin, or however it is you spell that. Paul Whitehouse looks suspiciously like Herge.

[Gina]

I love the I.T. Crowd and The Mighty Boosh with a passion, but one British show I found to be amazing not funny was The Office.

Just... ugh. So boring.

[The flying banana]

I love the I.T. Crowd and The Mighty Boosh with a passion, but one British show I found to be amazing not funny was The Office.

Just... ugh. So boring.

I seem to be the only person who agrees with you. Everyone else just seems to love it, but it's DULL. And the same goes for the royle family.

[Matt]

Any love for A Bit of Fry and Laurie in this thread?

Here's a clip that never fails to make me smile.

Dancersizing (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=aZUU31kHrnw)

[Malefact]

Glad to see the thread has caught a lot of the awesome ones. "Have I got News For You" is usually pretty awesome (although it does sort of center around British current affairs) and you should definitely check out "Lead Balloon" with Jack Dee. "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" is consistently great; shame that Bill Bailey had to leave, but Simon Amstell is just *awesome*. I was really surprised, though, not to see "Monkey Dust" listed by any folks. I would have thought that its deeply unsettling brand of animation would have been right up several of your collective streets.



Have I got News for You (with Brian Blessed): (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=W1gwVIhJ8II)


Lead Balloon: (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Eci0OJbJw)

Never Mind The Buzzcocks: (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot5rr4hi4uI&feature=channel_page)




Monkey Dust (compliation of "Clive" sketches): (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CAfsjLZr-K4&feature=related)

[va5el1ne]

What's Jen doing with the internet?!



That whole episode is my new favourite

[IM_n0t_Ed]

Anything with Rowan Atkinson in it is brilliant... Though the first season of Blackadder grated a fair bit...

[Malefact]

Anything with Rowan Atkinson in it is brilliant... Though the first season of Blackadder grated a fair bit...

The first season of Blackadder is sort of an acquired taste. I agree that it's the worst of the series, though.

As for Rowan Atkinson, I can't object to most of his other TV appearances, but "Keeping Mum" was just bloody dire.

[Captain Awful]

I've been watching the first season of Blackadder, and it really isn't bad at all. How come it gets so much heat? Were the other three seasons marvelous?

[Patrick Alexander]

Can't bear people shitting on The Black Adder. It's a great series and very funny; it just has a very different tone from its successors. It's like a straight costume drama in presentation, but it's very, very silly. The other series don't have the wonderful, dramatic atmosphere of the first. (I think they had smaller budgets, so, for one thing, there are very few outdoor shots.)

[IM_n0t_Ed]

Hell, I liked it - it just wasn't as "laugh-a-minute" as season 2, 3 & 4 were... And I prefer more 'intelligent' comedy, rather than just the plain silly...

But in the end it's all down to personal preference I 'spose.

[Malefact]

(I think they had smaller budgets, so, for one thing, there are very few outdoor shots.)

I watched the "Behind the Scenes" of Blackadder which was on British TV lately, and they mentioned that the budget got slashed because of poor reception among the British public. They almost didn't manage to make a second season.

Yet more proof that people don't know what good comedy is.

It's interesting, actually. I think if the The Black Adder was just a stand alone series that had been dropped, it'd be seen as far more of a classic today.

And I prefer more 'intelligent' comedy, rather than just the plain silly...


But c'mon, what part of eating horse a horse willy / calling someone "Darling" / Lord Flashheart isn't just plain silly? I'm sure you loved those bits of the show, too.

[IM_n0t_Ed]

It's interesting, actually. I think if the The Black Adder was just a stand alone series that had been dropped, it'd be seen as far more of a classic today.
Yeah, agreed...

But c'mon, what part of eating horse a horse willy / calling someone "Darling" / Lord Flashheart isn't just plain silly? I'm sure you loved those bits of the show, too.

True, true...

Blow it, Blackadder is awesome, no matter what season.

[The flying banana]

I like all the seasons of Blackadder, the one thing which I dislike about the first season is Blackadder's voice. It may fit him, but it grates after a while.

[IM_n0t_Ed]

He just seems very unlikeable in the first season (that sneer!). But if you haven't been exposed to Atkinson at all, you aren't going to notice, are you...?

[Captain Awful]

I've been watching the first season of Blackadder, and it really isn't bad at all. How come it gets so much heat? Were the other three seasons marvelous?

I think the first season is an ongoing history joke. I'm not sure how important history is in British culture, but by reading about the actual accounts of some of the funny things in the show, I thought the joke was that much better.

[English Bob]

Nobody's mentioned my favourite British sitcom of recent years, which is "The Thick Of It". It's about a government minister at the Department for Social Affairs and his efforts not to get sacked. The real star of the show is Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker, a terrifying Scottish spin doctor. Vicious political satire with some remarkably funny swearing. The entire series plus the Christmas special are on youtube.

Unfortunately shortly after the first series was filmed Chris Langham, who played the minister, got into some trouble with the law - the kind of trouble that leads to a prison sentence, hysterical tabloid headlines and a promising comedy career cut short.

On the bright side they kept going without him and now made a film of it called "In The Loop", which will hopefully be good (although I have to say most high-profile British comedy movies in the last 20 years have been absolutely dire).

Clip from the Christmas special:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_7pyktzpY8

[jim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl0LqMeLKBU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLD0SNCFtyA

You can never have too much Jaaaammm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJP4dr_mioA