Classic comedy on the BBC

Guide to classic comedies on TV and other comedy shows on the BBC

Hi-de-Hi!

1980, UK, BBC, Sitcom,
Starring: Simon Cadell, David Griffin, Paul Shane
Writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft built a sitcom around the trials suffered (or enjoyed) by an entertainment troupe at a British holiday camp in the 50s, calling the camp Maplin's and the entertainers. The show contained the academic(is it contageuous, i said academic not epidemic)Jeffrey Fairbrother. He is in contrast to his team: the working-class comic Ted Bovis (note the name a cross between hovis and bovril, so working class), and hapless understudy Spike( I once spent two hours in a job looking to hand a note to somone called Spike it turned out they wanted to put the note on a spike not to Spike); Gladys Pugh, the ambitious and passionate senior Yellowcoat from Wales; child-hating Punch And Judy Man Mr Partridge; the snobbish dance instructors Barry and Yvonne Stuart-Hargreaves; the diminutive jockey Fred Quilly; and Peggy, a chalet maid with a burning ambition to become a Yellowcoat (that is a type of of employee, not the garment).

One Foot In The Grave

1990, UK, BBC, Sitcom, colour,
Starring: Richard Wilson, Annette Crosbie, Doreen Mantle

Believe it or not Richard Wilson had a long career as a TV comedy-actor, with hundereds of bit-part and supporting roles, before in his mid 50s, being elevated to superstardom (I don't believe it). The transformation, after years of slogging away, was from his portrayal of the cantankerous Victor Meldrew in One Foot In The Grave, and from being a recognisable face to which few viewers could put a name (who is that guy), award-winning and greatly popular actor (i don't believe ,it is is that guy off the TV).

At the beginning of the first series Victor Meldrew is forced into taking early retirement, (not from the show, there would have only been 1 episode) and tries to adjust to an unwanted final years of leisure with his wife Margaret. Refusing to believe ( I don't) that he is no longer of any use to society( why should he), he takes odd jobs, helps out with good causes and generally tries to be busy. Although glum of expression, and fed up with the difficulties in life, he nevertheless maintains an air of optimism, despite all evidence, that things will turn out nice again( that's not his catchphrase, it is copyright of Mr Formby). He is invariably wrong about this, and all manner of events conspire against Meldrew (CIA, conspiracy same happens to me) to send him into increasingly strange situations. These consequences are rarely of his making but by coincidences, misunderstandings, bureaucratic inefficiencies and bad luck. As Victor becomes embroiled in such shenanigans, his temper erupts in a torrent of verbal vitriol against the unfairness of it all, such onslaughts usually being preceded by his bemoaning exclamation I don't believe it.

Richard Wilson became a star because the role was written for him(Oh and i thought the role was written for the Mr Heseltine), and because he perfectly captured the stupefied disbelief (who are you calling stupid) with which the Scotsman Meldrew confronted each and every surreal turn in life. He was also blessed to be working with Annette Crosbie( And a human crosbie too), who turned in a brilliant and underrated (i rated it high) performance as Margaret, a Scotswoman (well she was Scottish, that wasn't so difficult) whose expressions and silences could speak volumes(Listen this this then........I hope i made my point). Rounding out the cast was Margaret's friend Mrs Warboys, a widow, who has attached herself to the couple(not literally) and neighbours Nick Swainey, a cheerful, individual looking after his senile mother; and neighbours (on the other side) young couple Patrick and Pippa. The last mentioned becomes good friends with Margaret but Patrick, always catching Victor in the most preposterous situations, believes him to be certifiably insane and malicious. In reality he is much like his neighbour. Patrick and Pippa eventually move away but the Meldrew curse follows them.

Only Fools And Horses

1981, UK, BBC, Sitcom, colour,
Starring: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Lennard Pearce
The comic adventures of the Trotter brothers, Del and Rodney, as they duck and dive (not literally) through the streets of south London. From humble beginnings, Only Fools And Horses grew to a national favourite, with its beautifully drawn( where the pictures), superbly cast cast.

The public was slow to react (wake up its the nineteen eighties), though, and ratings for the first series were poor, but eventually the show started to grow, and by the finals shows was ranked with the most watched TV shows in history.

Only Fools And Horses was set in south London ("sarth London")- its base was Peckham ("pekem", that is where all the pigeons live). Derek Trotter is a streetwise geezer(don't blow his top), always looking to make a fast buck( or Euro) with a supply of get rich quick schemes and belief in his ability to sell anything to anyone(even to himself), Derek - or 'Del Boy', as he is known to one and all - embroils the firm in all sorts of situations. His brother is a tall, thin, (educated), individual, Rodney - or 'Rodders' as Del calls him - looks upon all of Derek's dealings with intrepetation, usually well founded, yet he is always cajoled into the capers. Academically, ( 2 o's) Rodney is much brighter than Del but lacks his elder brother's street smart, confidence and self-assurance. The third member of the team is their Grandad, the character was later replaced, due to death, in the series by another older relative.

The sudden popularity of Only Fools And Horses led to the making of annual Christmas specials, and Sullivan's wish to give the characters more room to stretch(get a bigger flat then) was granted so that, for two series, the episodes were 50 minutes long instead. Later still, this was extended to 60. As the show progressed Del and Rodney, single in the earliest episodes, settled down with respective partners, but both experienced problems. They became millionaires then lost their money, they became wealthy again.

Blackadder

(BBC, 1983-1999, 26 episodes)
The history of scheming Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) and his downfalls from dark age to present day delighted viewers throughout near 20 years. The cast included Brian Blessed, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson and in every series Tony Robinson, who made famous the catchphrase "I have a cunning plan", (and no I do not want to become an MP).
Writers: Rowan Atkinson (Series 1 only)/Richard Curtis/Ben Elton

Blackadder was an historical comedy series. There were 4 series. Blackadder one was set in medieval times. Blackadder two was set in the 16th century. Blackadder three was set in the 18th century. Blackadder four was set in the great war. The comedy started Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson and numerous great brittish comedy acting supremes such as Stephen Fry, (Viviyan from the young ones, Mayill from the young ones).

The Vicar Of Dibley

1994, UK, BBC, Sitcom, colour,
Starring: Dawn French, Gary Waldhorn, James Fleet
When their vicar, Pottle, dies during a service, the villagers of Dibley prepare for a replacement, hoping the new man is enthusiastic enough to stir the locals from apathy and get a decent-sized congregation packing the church (try nude bingo) instead of the recent single figure attendances(as in one). What they get is Geraldine Granger, a chocolate fanatic, jokey(not a jockey), irreverent reverend who breezes into the place.

The other main player is the verger, Alice Tinker, a staggeringly naive, off beam young woman with the IQ of a kettle(pot calling the kettle), who went on to become engaged to Hugo, much to the distress of his father. Hugo's and Letitia's culinary creations, mixing, anchovies with peanut butter, or ham with lemon curd, helped bring a greatly pleasing, surreal tone to what was otherwise a relatively straightforward situation. (The Letitia character, portrayed by the great Liz Smith, was killed off in the April 1996 Easter special.) Romance blossomed between Hugo and Alice (despite David's opposition) resulting in marriage and the birth of their first child (and many other ones all named Bernie, after the tory MP who the writer was obssessed with).

Dad's Army,

Starring: Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn
The voice of Bud Flanagan singing 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding, Mr Hitler?' (it should say Britain not England), a Second World War propaganda singalong written especially for the show (by Jimmy Perry), introduced Dad's Army, the great of British comedy sitcom. Consistently good writing and a cast of old timers and newer talents combined to produce one hillarious period piece that continues, justifiably, to be savoured and now assumed a place in the 'hall of greats'(where is this hall) pantheon, adored by new generations of the public.

Walmington-on-Sea, an imaginary south coast town not far from Eastbourne, was the setting for the Second World War adventures of a group of men stopped due to age from war action. One of the largest collections of memorable characters, each with a recognisable trait, the Captain, Mainwaring, was pompous and suffered from delusions of grandeur that regularly led to his downfall, his Sergeant, Wilson, was vague and to the perpetual annoyance of Mainwaring, cultured and public school educated, Jones (don't panic, they don't like it up em) was the loyal but panicky former soldier; Pike was the precious spoilt teenager; there was also amusingly dour Scottishman Frazer ("we're doomed"); and Godfrey was maturely laid back. Often in opposition to them were the vicar, the verger, the ARP warden and the officious Colonel, Mainwaring's rival from a nearby town. All the men had day jobs: Mainwaring was the local bank manager, Wilson his chief clerk and Pike the clerk; Jones was butcher; Frazer was undertaker. The comedy arose from the bickering between all these characters and the sometimes desperate attempts to solve unlikely problems encountered by the accident-prone but determined platoon.

Dad's Army benefited from inspired casting, featuring veterans of the business, some of whom had worked together in the past and formed professional friendships. Arthur Lowe, best known at the time as Leonard Swindley from Coronation Street and its sitcom spin off Pardon The Expression!, (I wondered what that smell was) was originally invited to play the role of Wilson, with John Le Mesurier as Mainwaring, but were more comfortable in each other's roles. Lowe was 52 when the show began and 62 when it finished, but was a mere junior compared to some of the others, their ages at the beginning were: Le Mesurier 56, Laurie 71 and the daddy of them all, Arnold Ridley the actor and playwright, best known beforehand as author of the stage and film favourite The Ghost Train, 72 at the start and 81 at the finish. Clive Dunn, who had carved a reputation by playing characters much older, was 46 when the show began.

Fawlty Towers

1975, UK, BBC, Sitcom, colour,
Starring: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs
These 12 achingly funny visits to a Torquay hotel. (the show was funny too)The show's genesis occurred in 1971 when Cleese and some of the other Monty Python's Flying Circus team stayed at the Gleneagles hotel in Torquay, Devon, which was managed by an incredibly illtempered man(was it Basil Fawlty). Realising the comedic potential in such a situation, the show was created.

Fawlty Towers made its first appearance on BBC2 in 1975. Basil Fawlty, a frustrated, angry, short tempered, snobbish misanthrope, runs the quaint Fawlty Towers, or, rather, he runs it jointly with his formidable wife Sybil, a woman who has the ability to exude cahrm, but is vitriolic towards her husband. Despite his anger and tendency to verbal violence, Basil is under Sybil's thumb. To help run the hotel the Fawltys employ Polly, a sensible, down to earth waitress often embroiled in Basil's schemes and their inevitably disastrous consequences, being forced to lie on his behalf or extricate him from trouble. The Fawltys also employ a Spanish waiter/porter, Manuel from Barcelona. A keen worker, Manuel is eager to please but possesses poor English. Basil vents his frustration on Manuel, screaming at the hapless soul, browbeating him and often physically assaulting him (well Manuel should have got Basil locked up, don't use humans as an emotional punch bag). Classic episodes turned on the comedy potential of angst ridden panic sticken times such as the visit of hotel inspector, choosing cheap option for repairing the hotel, the head cook getting drunk, a mouse escaping.

Yes Minister, (Yes Primeminister)

1980, UK, BBC, Sitcom, colour,
Starring: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds
political satire, admired by the public but also by politicians who saw the government machine as stopping politcians from doing their will, and reputedly Prime Minister Thatcher's favourite show.

Yes Minister depicted the career of minister - James Hacker MP, BDc Econ (Eeek on what) as he negotiates immense responsibility and complexities of government office (I can empathise with the pressure of government office, I worked in an office once and the photo copier broke). Hacker represents an unspecified political party but is clearly a moderate. He enters office as Minister of Administrative Affairs with enthusiasm and ambition, determined to make his mark upon public life, but soon realises that his hands are tied by complex bureaucratic regulations seeming indecipherable. His Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley, does his best to steer Hacker through the minefield, but whatever progress the two make is usually revealed as a dead-end. This is because, keeping one or more steps ahead of Hacker, is Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby KCB, MVO, MA Oxon (what do Ox's have to do with it?). In Sir Humphrey's hands, Hacker is merely the ball in a game of political ping-pong. (He is like butter in Machiavelli's hand, look get that picture out of your mind, this is not carry on internet)

The Minister eventually became primeminister.

Porridge

1973, UK, BBC, Sitcom,
Starring: Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay
The first episode of Ronnie Barker's Comedy Playhouse Seven Of One introduced northern shopkeeper Arkwright, who went on to become a TV favourite in Open All Hours. But the following week's edition, Prisoner And Escort, provided viewers with their first sight of the London lag Norman Stanley Fletcher.

Following their pilot (when did you mention the aeroplane), the writers Clement and La Frenais waited, for the BBC to decide whether to develop the idea to a full series(You could say it was criminal not to develop this series, but not literally, that would be a waste of police time arrest the BBC for this).

 
Each episode began with the noise of prison doors slamming shut (no that was just 
for you) and the ringing tones of a judge voiced by Barker sentencing Fletcher 
to prison for five years. This set criminal Fletcher returning to jail for another 
stretch (and press up), although this time he is determined it will be his last. 
Hoping his senior status earns him a single cell (you are an experienced criminal 
surely that deserves 5 star rating, not), Fletcher is forced to share with a first 
time offender, Lennie Godber, a naive, Birmingham lad. Unintentionally, Fletcher 
becomes a father-figure to the man, steering him on choppy waters of prison life. 
Although the pair aim for a quiet time, they clash with authority in the shape 
of kindly, well meaning and guard Mr Barrowclough, and the harsh and suspicious, 
everything by the book Scots warden Mr MacKay. Fletcher's sharp tongue gets them 
into trouble , at other times it might be Godber's naivety, more often than not 
it is fate and circumstance that lands them in trouble with the officious MacKay, 
but, by using all his guile and prison experience, Fletcher manages to stop them, 
hoping and usually succeeding to score a little victory along the way, something 
to cling to in the long, dark hours behind bars. In essence, Fletcher's advice 
to Godber, born of his long prison experience, is bide your time and don't let 
the bastards grind you down.

Open All Hours

1973, UK, BBC, Sitcom, ,
Starring: Ronnie Barker, David Jason, Sheila Brennan
First seen in Seven Of One, the series of Ronnie Barker pilots, Open All Hours provided more memorable slices of northern England life from Last Of The Summer Wine creator Roy Clarke.

A comic actor par excellence, Ronnie Barker's performance as the old fashioned Arkwright was wonderfully judged, with the stutter used to comic effect and not over used for cheap laughs. A few complaints were registered over the humorous use of speech impediment but Arkwright was so amiable and the humour so good natured it was deemed by most people to be a portrayal without malice. Barker also showed aptitude for physical comedy in a wonderful double act with the shop's till, which grabbed the money from his fingers with speed.

Equally adept at verbal and physical comedy was Barker's principal support, David Jason. He was cast as Granville, Arkwright's dreamer of a nephew who wiles away his hours as shop assistant and delivery boy, with trusty bicycle sighing heavily, feeling life is slipping away without romance, foreign travel, glamour and exotic or erotic experiences.

The Good Life

1975, UK, BBC, Sitcom,
Starring: Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Paul Eddington
Middle class suburban couple, Tom and Barbara Good, decide to turn their Surbiton home into a farm, growing their own food, keeping animals and making their own tools and equipment. This creates friction with their neighbours, especially the Leadbetters, located next door, prime examples of the gin and tonic set.

Sitcom stalwart Richard Briers was cast as Tom Good, an irrepressibly chirpy man who, on his fortieth birthday, quits the rat race to start afresh and invest in his back garden. Felicity Kendal played his wife Barbara, initially hesitant over the plan but who, when committed, mucks in. Tom and Barbara, it is a great marriage, being fully attuned to another's needs (the camera did not see those scenes, but we all had those fantasies). Paul Eddington was cast as Jerry Leadbetter, an executive at a company which designs plastic toys for cereal packets (he must make a packet in that industry) (Tom had been one of the designers of said items). Penelope Keith played his wife, Margo, a terrible snob (the character, not the actress). Margo and Jerry, whose marriage is apparently more conventional yet less (well who knows), have serious misgivings about the Goods' self-sufficiency venture, but as the show progresses they treat their neighbours with tolerance and warmth.

To The Manor Born

(1979-1981, 21 episodes)
Wealthy gentlewoman Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith) falls on hard times and sells her stately home to entrepreneur Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles). She tries to teach him nobility (How can you teach no ability)while coming to terms with her own reduced financial terms as his tenant. Slowly romance grows (baawooga).

The Young Ones

(1982-1984, 12 episodes)
A group of students trying to be cool Rik (Rik Mayall), hippy Neil (Nigel Planer), punk Vyvyen (Adrian Edmondson) dangerous Mike (Christopher Ryan) share a house near a university and have surreal, anarchic adventures loosely revolving around student life and politics.

Writers: Ben Elton/Rik Mayall/Lise

Hancock's Half Hour

(1956-1960, 58 episodes)
Tony lives at 23, Railway Cuttings (don't gve his address away to the public) and has aspirations continually thwarted by fate, his own pride, or neighbour Sid James. The show was adapted from Hancock's earlier radio series of the same name (coincidence or conspiracy). The most famous episode is the blood donor.
Writers: Ray Galton/Alan Simpson

Ever Decreasing Circles

(1984-1989, 27 episodes)
Good bloke Martin Bryce tries the patience of his bland ungrateful wife (Penelope Wilton), accompanied by mild-mannered neighbours (Stanley Lebor) and Hilda (Geraldine Newman) in quiet suburbia. Bryce is upset when snobby snide bullying

Paul (Peter Egan) a snide arrogant sneering type who has an idiotic idea he is smooth, when really he is a piece of work. The guy is a real nightmare to live next too, in the end they move.

'Allo 'Allo!

(1982-1992, 84 episodes)
Gorden Kaye, as café owner Rene Artois, was the star of this long running spoof of World War 2 occupation films. The French resistance, Gestapo, and an assortment of British and French lotharios were playfully depicted, complete with cod French and German accents (since when could cod speak french).
Writers: Jeremy Lloyd/David Croft

Keeping Up Appearances

(1990-1995, 45 episodes)
Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge) passionaltey tries to show she is aristocracy, and antagonises her neighbours and her working class family (Geoffrey Hughes, Judy Cornwell, Shirley Stelfox, Mary Millar) with her affectations. Henpecked (get that chicken farm away from the house) husband Richard (Clive Swift) is carried along in her wake, trying to curb his wife's excesses.
Writer: Roy Clarke

Steptoe and Son

(1962-1974, 59 episodes)
Harry H. Corbett is the trapped and anguished son of rag and bone man Wilfrid Brambell. His plans constantly thwarted by his cunning and cantankerous father.
Writers: Ray Galton/Alan Simpson

Are You Being Served?

(1972-1985, 69 episodes)
The staff of Grace Brothers department store (although you did not have to pay for everything, get it, I'm free) served up a bawdy comedy of sexual innuendo for over ten years. Central characters were Mrs Slocombe (Molly Sugden), Captain Peacock (Frank Thornton), Miss Brahms (Wendy Richard), and high camp Mr Humphreys (John Inman).
Writers: Jeremy LLoyd/David Croft

Sykes

(1960-1979, 128 episodes)
This sitcom starred Eric Sykes as accident prone, of Sebastopol Terrace, London, and struggling with modern life. Each episode featured a different theme Sykes and a Tap…etc. He was aided by his sister 'Hat' (Hattie Jacques).
principal writer: Eric Sykes

Men Behaving Badly

(ITV then BBC 1992-1998, 44 episodes)

Rugger bugger types Gary Strang (Martin Clunes) and Dermot (Harry Enfield) share a flat and get up to all sorts of politically incorrect (Up with PC) things. Gary's girlfriend Dorothy (Caroline Quentin) and the girl upstairs Debbie (Leslie Ash) played major supporting roles as well as being romantic foils. After Series 1 Dermot was replaced by Tony (Neil Morrissey).
Writer: Simon Nye

Absolutely Fabulous

(1992-2003, 27 episodes)
Fashion show satire with Eddy (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley) Sixties firebrands took the public by storm. An inverted generation gap theme between mother and daughter Saffy (Julia Sawhalia) triggered much comedy.
Writer: Jennifer Saunders

Sorry!

(1981-1988, 43 episodes)

Timothy Lumsden (Ronnie Corbett) is a 41 year-old librarian living at home with mum (Barbara Lott) and dad (William Moore). Smart, witty and bright, he was awkward around women, and so remained tied to his mother's apron strings. The show's main catchphrase was "Language, Timothy", uttered by Pa.
Writers: Ian Davidson/Peter Vincent

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

(1973-1978, 22 episodes)
Hapless Frank Spencer (Michael Crawford) as the Laurel and Hardy rolled into one of the seventies. Old comedy genuis, but at the same time politically correct. The main character causes hillarity as he ruins work place after work place due to his clumsiness and over ambtious effort to help. Marries Betty, creating the famous saying.

Some bullying snobs are offened by the lead character in this play. If you are then please got to Broadmore now as you are a deeply dangerous snob. In my view if you are disgusted or hate the lead character in this comedy you are almost certinaly an evil danger to society.

Brittas Empire, The

(1991-1997, 53 episodes)
Chris Barrie starred as (an over the top version of Brent ) leisure centre manager Gordon Brittas in this 1990s show. The staff of the Whitbury Leisure Centre were plunged into outrageous plots.

Rab C. Nesbitt

(1989-1997, 53 episodes) Gregor Fisher starred as the poverty stricken man , in the satire of working class life, targetting the police, government, culture, and some types of working class too. In the Scots comedy that began life as a short sketch on Naked Video. The comedy explores Rab's family life and philosophical views on modern Scotland.

Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin,

The (1976-1979 + Special, 1982) Reggie Perrin (Leonard Rossiter) is a frustrated middle manager who fakes his own death to escape from nightmarish boss CJ (John Barron), and what he sees as a frustratingly mapped out life. He returns to reclaim his life and becomes a cult figure. The series was famous for catchphrase I didn't get where I am today by, and for Reggie's visions of his mother-in-law as a hippopotamus.

My Family

(2000-2003, 48 episodes) Ben (Robert Lindsay) is a dentist who wishes he'd become a doctor. He tries but often fails to understand his kids, and cannot wait until they leave home. His wife Susan (Zoe Wanamaker) is a tour guide in a museum, and knows how to get what she wants from her family. Written in USA style team format (what do they play baseball as they write).
principal Writer: Fred Barron

The Office

(2001 - 2003, 12 episodes)
Manager David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is the satire of a boss who sees himself as the great comedian, motivator. In reality he is Tactless, talentless, egotistical, and conniving, he nonetheless genuinely believes he is loved and respected by his staff. These include Territorial Army Gareth (Mackenzie Crook), and Tim (Martin Freeman), who visibly hates his job.
Writers: Stephen Merchant/Ricky Gervais

Citizen Smith

(1977-1980, 30 episodes)
Robert Lindsay starred as would be revolutionary Wolfie Smith, of the Tooting Popular Front. This London set comedy followed Wolfie’s schemes and his relationships with girlfriend Shirley (Cheryl Hall), and comrades Ken (Mike Grady), and Tucker (Anthony Milan).
Writer: John Sullivan

Coupling

(2000-2002, 22 episodes)

A group of twenty something friends (there were just five of them) discuss love, sex and modern life while getting into and out of various relationships with each other. The series began life as a British version of USA comedy Friends but quickly developed a more offbeat personality.

The Thin Blue Line

(1995-1996, 14 episodes)

Rowan Atkinson starred as Inspector Raymond Fowler in this series set in a cosy British police station. Notable other characters included James Dreyfus as camp, but heterosexual PC Kevin Goody and David Haig as bitter DI Derek Grim.
Writer: Ben Elton

Red Dwarf (1980s)

The show had a pro bully bias, and i have to admitt i have gone off the show as an adult. When i was growing up I did not realise the writers wanted the viewer to hate the Rimmer character. I genuinley mean this i just thought he was like laurel and Hardy character an amusing character. To be honest I found the lister character more offensive. And i allways had thios nudging suspicion Lister was a bullies idea of what they think they appear like. They think eveyone sees them as a funny care free type. Rubbish I see them as terrifying bullying cruel, and haunting. In reality bullies are far more nasty, terrifying, vicous, and cruel, ofcourse the writers did not show that side in the negative light they should have.

The Alan Partridge show

(1990s): The show was quite funny, but I don't know why they list the Alan Partridge character as having been bullied at school. Is that supposed to be funny. Bullies are abusive scum, not funny.

Have I got news for you

Classic panel show started in 1989. Hosted by Angus Deayton, with captians Merton (comedy genius)and Hislop (private eye). Deayton left the show after a coke sex scandal (what was he doing having it off on a coke can anyway) to be replaced by guest captains.

Whimisical intelectual comedy with comedy actor Fry, with guest panelist guests offering intelectual humour.

The grey cell find this comedy funny.

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