The Best British Sitcoms of All Time, Ranked
Funniest British TV shows ever produced, ranked by worldwide comedy fans. British sitcoms - or "Britcoms" as they are sometimes called in the US - are known for their crisp dialogue, biting wit and sardonic look at modern life in the UK. Shows like The Office (which inspired the US series), Are You Being Served and Absolutely Fabulous present traditional settings and scenes, but populated by outlandish, even demented, eccentrics, some of whom have become among the nation's most iconic characters. (Both David Brent of The Office and Basil Fawlty of Fawlty Towers have been voted near the top of Ranker's "Funniest TV Characters of All Time" list.)
Additionally, though US sitcoms tend to take one of a few reliable formats - a traditional three-camera set-up in front of a studio audience, say, or the "mockumentary" style of shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation - British sitcoms tend towards the more experimental and daring. Blackadder, for example, sets each new season in a different time period, with relations of the original two characters: Blackadder and Baldrick. Peep Show as well tells a rather familiar story about two wacky roommates, but through a unique POV perspective, with the actors performing largely in voice-over.
What are the best British comedy series? Numerous English comedy shows on this list - as from the obvious The Office - have inspired American remakes, though the vast majority of these - such as the US versions of Fawlty Towers and Men Behaving Badly - have not met with similar success across the pond.
- 1John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Connie Booth
- Premiered: September 19, 1975
- Genres: Comedy
Welcome to the quintessential British comedy that revolves around a hapless hotel owner and his staff's outlandish antics. Chaos always seems to find them as they navigate through endless mishaps and, of course, the eccentric guests they encounter. No need to check out; a stay at this locale guarantees enough laughter and entertainment to ensure you never want to leave.
- 2David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Buster Merryfield
- Premiered: September 8, 1981
- Genres: Comedy
Delve into the lives of two ambitious brothers relentlessly devising schemes to escape their working-class life in South London. However, their harebrained attempts to get rich quick often lead to hilarious complications and far-fetched plots that'll leave viewers in stitches. Jump on their three-wheeled van and join the Trotters on an uproarious ride of side-splitting shenanigans.
- 3Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed, Elspet Gray
- Premiered: 1983
- Genres: Sitcom, Military, Period piece, Comedy
Travel through the ages with this darkly comedic romp which weaves in and out of significant moments within British history. The series follows the trials and tribulations of Edmund Blackadder, a self-serving, opportunistic character forever seeking social advancement - often at the expense of his bumbling sidekicks. Prepare yourself for a whirlwind of farcical predicaments, cunning schemes, and razor-sharp wit delivered in delightful period settings.
- 4Rowan Atkinson
- Premiered: January 1, 1990
- Genres: Comedy
Good old Mr. Bean – that lovable, resourceful, yet socially awkward buffoon – continues to bring joy and laughter to audiences worldwide. The enduring appeal of Rowan Atkinson's brilliant physical comedy and endearing child-like antics has earned this classic sitcom a well-deserved spot on this list. Leave your worries behind, as each episode delivers another dose of visual humour that transcends all language barriers.
- 5Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Elspet Gray
- Premiered: June 15, 1983
- Genres: Comedy
The original series that kickstarted the legendary Blackadder saga takes us through the uproarious shenanigans and ludicrous schemes of Prince Edmund and his dimwitted accomplice, Baldrick. Set during the tumultuous reign of Richard III, this witty and irreverent comedy blends history, dark humour, and unscrupulous characters with some truly hilarious results. After all, who doesn't enjoy watching an incompetent royal ineptly bungle his way through treachery and farce?
- 6Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly
- Premiered: April 21, 1995
- Genres: Comedy
Follow the misadventures of three Irish priests exiled to the remote Craggy Island Parish. Their attempts to manage the eccentric islanders while dealing with their own peculiarities make for some truly hysterical television. It's a divine comedy that will have viewers counting their blessings for having stumbled across such a holy rollercoaster of laughter.
