MOD EDIT: This thread split off from here.

I know it's an old chestnut, but I really think being British probably makes it funnier. Not that being British automatically makes it hilarious, but it's probably safe to assume that it helps. You've more than once pointed out that British people don't quite "get" King of the Hill.

Of course, the best comedies are the ones that transcend cultural barriers. Shaun of the Dead was a pretty dismal failure in that sense.

British vs. American Comedies.
 

I like Shaun of the Dead. I really hate King of the Hill.

point proven.

i like both Shaun of the Dead and King of the Hill.

I really like Hot Fuzz.

I like Spaced. The difference between British humor and American humor seems to be the intelligence and wit of it. See any channel 4 comedy and then watch Family Guy or something and my point is proven.

you can't say that. so basically the difference is American humour has less wit/intelligence than British humour? that's silly, and Family Guy is just a stereotyping poor example. you know this.

The difference is clearly the amount of toilet humour.

Yeah, ummm no. I've seen a lot of really good from both. But anyone who claims that British comedy is less crass, or more intelligent is doing some really exceptional picking and choosing.

I really can't think of any American comedy that even comes close to just channel 4 comedy. Maybe South Park. Anyone feel free to correct me.

There's a laundry list of fantastic American comedies. I don't know what shows are on your Channel 4, but here's a small list of my favourite comedies from the US of A that probably come close to your Channel 4 programs:


The Simpsons
Seinfeld
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Arrested Development
Fraiser
Portlandia
King of the Hill
Home Movies
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Veep

^All better than South Park(for the most part). You need to watch more American TV, there's so many great shows.

Personally, I don't find Fraiser that funny, the Simpsons is great but waayy overrated, and I really dislike King of the Hill. Those are the only ones I've seen out of them, so for all I know the others could be comedy gold.
Have you never seen Peep Show, The Inbetweeners, Brass Eye, Nathan Barley, Father Ted or The IT Crowd (to name a few)?

Simpsons, overrated? Have you ever watched the classic (before 9th season) episodes?

Yes, actually. I've seen most of those. Peep Show is great, but it isn't like it doesn't enjoy its toilet humor.

Also throw in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dr. Katz, Bob's Burgers, Venture Bros., (lots of cartoons in there, I know), Malcolm in the Middle, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, or Funny or Die.

Sooooo, you're basically saying that you haven't watched American comedies, and so British ones are better. Good work, pony fondler.

IT Crowd sucks.

I enjoy Frasier a lot, it's quite a funny show and Kelsey Grammar's delivery is just spot on. I watched a film about a female boxer called Million Dollar Baby. It was overall an enjoyable film but I wasn't very fond of the ending. Watched Inception again at the weekend. It was really fun and as a videogame fan I enjoy it even more due to all the complexities and great visuals.

As a video game fan, you enjoy masturbating even more due to the no woman will touch your penis.

I believe AlexFili might be too young for that.

I might be wrong, but I have no means to check his age since no one bothered to fix the forums enough so it shows how old is an user.

I have trouble finding the part where I specifically said that.

i'm pretty sure Alex is older than me. i can't remember.

also well done Nep. i tried to steer you clear but ya just kept diggin'.

OH THANKS A LOT. IT REALLY HELPS.

MA is at least 79, get a grip.

Wow, Nep is racist. Who knew?

He's in his mid-20s. Sadly.

What? I'm just going off what I've seen. Which is a whole lot of American sitcoms thanks to my sister. They were all terrible. Specifically I'm talking about stuff like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl etc. All the ones you see on E4. Ironically they stopped broadcasting the only good one, Friends.

Have you ever considered that your sister might have just liked shitty sitcoms? It's fine to form opinions from your own experience, but to base your perception of an entire country's media on the few shows you've seen is a pretty awful idea.

It's not like there aren't shitty English comedies, Nep.

You're confused. You dislike bad sitcoms. You don't dislike American sitcoms.

I thought How I Met Your Mother wasn't that bad. Is there anything wrong with me?

I know there are bad English comedies, it's just the bad American ones seem to be louder about it and overshadow the good ones due to all the obsessive fantards screaming "Bazinga!".

I've never heard anyone do that ever. Maybe only the British are stupid enough to yell quotes from American sitcoms.

one of these days, Alice. one of these days!

I'm fairly sure I'm one of the only non US people I know who 'gets' King of the Hill.

Also 90s Simpsons was overrated in the same way the Beatles were overrated. You have no idea Nep.

How the fuck do people get nationalistic about fucking TV comedies? Grow up, kiddies.

I like good British and American comedies/TV shows/whatever.

Yup. That's the idea. Nationalism is stupid to begin with, but it's always hilarious watching people who think that there is some kind of fundamental difference in the art that's made by their country, that makes it superior to the rest of the world's. Especially America. Because we all know that we're better than you.

you're our cousins.

it's a jealousy thing.

Come on, fuckers. Let's do the Civil War again, right now.

You can take my life, but you can never take my tax-subsidised healthcare.

No, that's Cameron's job.

yeah, we're good at the civil war thing. lost count how many times we've fought amongst ourselves through boredom, gotta get the practice in somehow.

The culture and wealth of the country heavily affect the quality of the shows made there. This is why there are no polish sitcoms that I can even compare to the high-rated shows from USA/UK. They basically all suck in that comparision. The vast majority of modern polish movies/tv shows/art is thrashy, just extremely uninnovative, made exclusively for money with no deeper thought whatsoever. Also, I don't think I'll find... let's say... good tv shows in the North Korea.

My point is... though not very appropriate in "British vs American comedies" situation, nationalist thinking about the culture might not be that bad idea in general.

Catherine Tate was supposed to be funny, she just annoyed me. i wouldn't say no though.

But I promise you that great artists exist in all these places, waiting for the opportunity to present their creations. It's a matter of corporate or political culture that keeps them from doing it.

So long as she didn't speak, amirite?