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humour and humor /
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British humo(u)r is absurd. Subtle. Thoughtful. Oftentimes dark. Usually rooted in droll realism and carries with it a heavy dose of self-deprecation. By contrast, American humor is more optimistic and much less ironic and self-negative (overall). I think things are changing in both countries but they are both still distinct flavors of comedy.
Compare: Shawn of the Dead vs. Zombieland and The Office (UK) vs The Office (US) for some more obvious differences between the two countries.
British humor is still British humor, though. Nothing has really changed about that.
This list is in no particular order.
Some of my favo(u)rite comedic talents:
- Mitchell & Webb - These guys are who got me into British comedy in the first place. David Mitchell and Robert Webb are sketch comedy geniuses.
- Fry and Laurie The eponymous Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, another duo of sketch comedy legends.
- Monty Python - One cannot mention British humor and comedy without mentioning these greats. Of course known for The Flying Circus, The Holy Grail and Life of Brian. Members: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman.
- Richard Ayoade - Intelligent and nerdish. His humor is often littered with literary and deep-cut cultural references. Can sometimes be irreverent but not always. IT Crowd. Travel Man. Darkplace. Also directed some cool stuff. He's a fucking renaissance man.
- Matt Berry - Easily one of the most memorable British comedians out there and another early legend like Ayoade. His in-character voice never ceases to make me howl with laughter. IT Crowd. Toast of London. Darkplace. What We Do in the Shadows.
- Diane Morgan - A fantastic comedian in her own right, but she really shines as a character comedian. She has graced us with the brilliant Philomena Cunk and provided us with gems such as Cunk on Earth, Cunk on Britain and of course Cunk on Life.
- James Acaster - A young and up-and-coming comedian that has been making his rounds over the last several years or so. Very quirky, has an awkward sort of humor and tells a lot of stories as opposed to just one-liners. He is usually on one of the many quiz shows, hosts his own, and does stand up.
- Noel Fielding - Whimsical, surreal and absurd would be the best words to describe him. He has a very child-like energy. He's best known for his work on The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd (both listed below), and The Great British Bake Off. He's also an occasional guest on various panel and quiz shows.
- Sacha Baren-Cohen - Known for his provocative work like Da Ali G Show, Borat and Brüno.His comedy usually has some sort of social lesson attached to it.
- Karl Pilkington - Your typical deadpan, absurd comedy. He started out as Ricky Gervais' producer but got his own spin-off with An Idiot Abroad.
- Rowan Atkinson - A British comedy legend. Of course, widely known for his work as Mr. Bean, but has been featured in other works as well, including Blackadder with fellow comedians Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.
- Simon Pegg - Not a standup necessarily, but his film work is legendary in its own right. He's known for the "Cornetto Trilogy," or Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End.
- Bob Mortimer - Eccentric. Definitely surreal. Worked the scene for years with his comedy partner Vic Reeves as Vic and Bob but now mostly does solo work and hangs around the panel show circuit. Some of the most bizarre and hilarious stories I've heard out of a comedian.
- Stephen Merchant
- Ricky Gervais
Favorite Comedy Shows:
- Peep Show
- IT Crowd
- Darth Marenghi's Darkplace
- The Blackadder
- Fawlty Towers
- Red Dwarf
- Brass Eye
- Toast of London
- The Thick of It
- The Mighty Boosh
- Back
- Absolutely Fabulous
- Are You Being Served?
- Father Ted
- The Inbetweeners
- Spaced
- Da Ali G Show
- The Vicar of Dibley
- An Idiot Abroad
- That Mitchell & Webb Look
Panel and Quiz Shows