British Comedy

February 20, 2003

Everyone knows that the UK produces a lot of good comedies and we most often think about Fawlty Towers or Mr. Bean, but now there is some amazing new stuff coming to the US. It's about freaking time. The following are shows that have arrived or will arrive very soon.

Banzai: Sadly, the full show was never picked up in the US. Instead, mini-segments were used as show lead-ins on TNT (I think). This show has people do ridiculous things and then they pause so everyone in the room can bet on whether or not they will succeed. It is hilarious and awesome to watch in a group.

Trigger Happy TV: Think Jackass bred with Candid Camera, but funny and less painful. A cast of characters do ridiculous things around London and film onlookers' reactions. My favorite bits are when they interview someone famous and then do something ridiculous to break up the interview. You have to see it to believe it. This is on during the week on Comedy Central.

The Office: I'm not positive, but I think this is a mini-series. It is a mockumentary on office life. Imagine Dilbert but with real people, funny and no stupid dog. Occassionally, it is one of those "so real it hurts" shows. It is running on BBC America right now.

Ali G: The newest of the imports and, thankfully, it is coming to HBO this Friday. Ali G is certainly a sight. He is a white, jewish guy who wears hip hop clothes and acts a little crazy. The show is him interviewing famous people. This is a perfect example of the brilliance of British comedies; it is all about the way they interact with other people.

I hope you enjoy my programming guide. If you have other suggestions or ones I've missed, leave a comment.

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