The Best British TV Comedies (of all time)
by The_Invisible_Dog | created - 13 Nov 2013 | updated - 05 Aug 2022 | Public...in my opinion.
Bound to be ones I forgot or missed.
I'll keep adding as I remember (or discover) more.
"He who doth not laughter with
Be sure to meet with laughter nith"
- B.A. Barararacus (1896-2011)
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Votes: 100,100
2. The Royle Family (1998–2012)
45 min | Comedy
A British sitcom about the everyday life of a working-class family in Northwest England: watching telly, smoking, drinking, and bickering.
Stars: Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson
Votes: 9,083
3. Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003)
TV-PG | 95 min | Comedy
Comedy that follows two brothers from London's rough Peckham estate as they wheel and deal through a number of dodgy deals and search for the big score that'll make them millionaires.
Stars: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd Pack, Buster Merryfield
Votes: 56,673
4. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,103
5. I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A failed television presenter, now presenting a programme on local desperately tries to revive his broadcasting career.
Stars: Steve Coogan, Simon Greenall, Felicity Montagu, Phil Cornwell
Votes: 21,960
6. Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV (1985–1987)
30 min | Comedy
Sketch-based show starring Victoria Wood, Dame Julie Walters, and many others. Included regular items such as "Acorn Antiques" with Julie as Mrs. Overall and a regular advice slot from Agony Aunt Kitty (Patricia Routledge).
Stars: Victoria Wood, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston
Votes: 425
7. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.
Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
Votes: 78,763
8. The Two Ronnies (1971–1987)
Comedy
This long-running BBC comedy show consisted of sketches and humourous musical routines.
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, The Fred Tomlinson Singers, John Owens
Votes: 3,583
9. Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
British sketch comedy starring the likes of Rowan Atkinson and Mel Smith.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Pamela Stephenson, Griff Rhys Jones
Votes: 2,801
10. Blackadder (1982–1983)
TV-PG | 195 min | Comedy
In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed, Elspet Gray, Tim McInnerny
Votes: 41,060
11. Blackadder II (1986)
TV-PG | 176 min | Comedy
In the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson
Votes: 49,865
12. Blackadder the Third (1987)
TV-PG | 180 min | Comedy
In the Regency era, Mr E. Blackadder serves as butler to the foppish numskull Prince George amidst the fads and crazes of the time.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Helen Atkinson Wood
Votes: 47,067
13. Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)
TV-PG | 175 min | Comedy, War
Stuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
Votes: 56,835
14. Blackadder Back & Forth (1999)
33 min | Short, Comedy, History
At a New Millennium Eve party, Blackadder and Baldrick test their new time machine and ping pong through history encountering famous characters and changing events rather alarmingly.
Director: Paul Weiland | Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
Votes: 15,793
15.
Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode:
'Nuts in May'
(1976)
81 min | Comedy, Drama
A middle-class couple go camping in Dorset, but peace and quiet elude them.
Director: Mike Leigh | Stars: Roger Sloman, Alison Steadman, Anthony O'Donnell, Sheila Kelley
Votes: 2,049
16. Phoenix Nights (2001–2002)
25 min | Comedy
The misadventures of club owner Brian Potter who is determined to make The Phoenix Club the best working men's club in Greater Manchester.
Stars: Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, Justin Moorhouse, Paddy McGuinness
Votes: 7,597
17. Minder (1979–1994)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Roguish comedy drama following the misadventures of small-time crook Arthur Daley. Can his ex-boxer bodyguard Terry stay level-headed whilst working for the King of Dodgy Deals?
Stars: George Cole, Glynn Edwards, Dennis Waterman, Gary Webster
Votes: 2,827
18. Extras (2005–2007)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Andy Millman is an actor with ambition and a script. Reduced to working as an extra with a useless agent, Andy's attempts to boost his career invariably end in failure and embarrassment.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson
Votes: 60,366
19. The Young Ones (1982–1984)
TV-14 | 35 min | Comedy
The crazy and sometimes surreal comedic adventures of four very different students in Thatcher's Britain.
Stars: Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan
Votes: 16,441
20. Father Ted (1995–1998)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Three misfit priests and their housekeeper live on Craggy Island, not the peaceful and quiet part of Ireland that it seems to be.
Stars: Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly, Pauline McLynn
Votes: 43,773
Technically Irish but couldn't leave it off the list
21. The Day Today (1994)
30 min | Comedy
A spoof of the British style of news broadcasting - including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Steve Coogan, Patrick Marber, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 5,543
22. Brass Eye (1997–2001)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy
Controversial spoof of current affairs television, and the role of celebrity in the UK.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Mark Heap, Kevin Eldon, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 11,552
23. The Thick of It (2005–2012)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
Stars: Chris Addison, James Smith, Peter Capaldi, Joanna Scanlan
Votes: 26,109
24. Porridge (1974–1977)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Crime
The prison life of Fletcher, a criminal serving a five-year sentence, as he strives to bide his time, keep his record clean, and refuses to be ground down by the prison system.
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Brian Wilde, Fulton Mackay, Richard Beckinsale
Votes: 6,831
25. Open All Hours (1976–1985)
30 min | Comedy
Arkwright is a miserly and eccentric shopkeeper with a stammer, who longs to marry his lifelong love Nurse Gladys. He runs a small town grocery store along with his errand boy and nephew, Granville and a particularly dangerous till.
Stars: Ronnie Barker, David Jason, Lynda Baron, Barbara Flynn
Votes: 5,951
26. Alas Smith & Jones (1984–1998)
30 min | Comedy
Mel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones present a series of short (often tasteless, always scathing) sketches about modern life and the stupidity and gullibility of those who believe in it.
Stars: Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Robin Driscoll
Votes: 1,922
27. French and Saunders (1987–2017)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders satirically present aspects of British life, films such as Batman Forever and Pulp Fiction.
Stars: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Simon Brint, Rowland Rivron
Votes: 3,745
28. A Bit of Fry and Laurie (1987–1995)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie perform a variety of comedy skits and the occasional musical number.
Stars: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Deborah Norton, Geoffrey McGivern
Votes: 9,917
29. Last of the Summer Wine (1973–2010)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Three old men from Yorkshire who have never grown up face the trials of their fellow town citizens and everyday life and stay young by reminiscing about the days of their youth and attempting feats not common to the elderly.
Stars: Peter Sallis, Jane Freeman, Kathy Staff, Robert Fyfe
Votes: 3,650
30. Look Around You (2002–2005)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A parody of educational programs. Just don't believe anything in the show is true.
Stars: Peter Serafinowicz, Nigel Lambert, Robert Popper, James Serafinowicz
Votes: 2,950
31. Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
Martin Bryce lives in a quiet suburban close with his wife Anne. He does his best to "organise" the leisure time of all of the other inhabitants of the close, running umpteen societies and doing "good works".
Stars: Richard Briers, Penelope Wilton, Peter Egan, Stanley Lebor
Votes: 1,344
32. Rising Damp (1974–1978)
30 min | Comedy
Popular sitcom set in a seedy bedsit lorded over by the mean, vain, boastful, cowardly, racist landlord Rigsby. In each episode, his conceits are debunked by his long-suffering tenants.
Stars: Leonard Rossiter, Don Warrington, Frances de la Tour, Richard Beckinsale
Votes: 2,813
33. The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer (1993–1995)
30 min | Comedy
Bizarre, anarchic and frequently silly comedy sketch show written by and starring double act Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
Stars: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Charlie Chuck, Patrick Allen
Votes: 1,079
34. Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer (1999– )
30 min | Comedy
The pair's follow-up to The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, this BBC comedy sketch show features more surreal vignettes, as well as an ongoing mockumentary series called The Club - a parody of popular British series of the time.
Stars: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Charlie Higson, Morwenna Banks
Votes: 611
35. Catterick (2004– )
30 min | Comedy
Ex soldier Carl Palmer returns home from Cyprus to join his brother Chris who has agreed to help find Carl's son.
Stars: Morwenna Banks, Mark Benton, Tim Healy, Matt Lucas
Votes: 877
36. Shooting Stars (1993–2011)
30 min | Comedy, Game-Show
Comedy panel game show hosted by anarchic surrealist comic duo Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
Stars: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Ulrika Jonsson, Matt Lucas
Votes: 2,832
37. Spaced (1999–2001)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Friends Tim and Daisy, 20-something North Londoners with uncertain futures, must pretend to be a couple to live in the only apartment they can afford.
Stars: Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes, Julia Deakin, Nick Frost
Votes: 57,648
38. Vic Reeves Big Night Out (1990–1991)
25 min | Comedy
Hugely influential, surreal and anarchic parody of the variety show format. Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer introduce a selection of eccentric characters. The show often appears to be completely random, ramshackle and nonsensical.
Stars: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Fred Aylward, Charlie Higson
Votes: 883
39. The Mrs. Merton Show (1995–1998)
30 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Mock talk show starring Caroline Aherne as the elderly host Mrs Dorothy Merton who interviews celebrities.
Stars: Caroline Aherne, Hooky and the Boys, The Patrick Trio, Jo Brand
Votes: 199
40. Steptoe and Son (1962–1974)
TV-PG | 45 min | Comedy
British sitcom about a father-and-son rag-and-bone business in London. The intergenerational divide between the miserly Steptoe and his ambitious son results in comedy, drama, and tragedy.
Stars: Wilfrid Brambell, Harry H. Corbett, Frank Thornton, Tim Buckland
Votes: 3,421
41. The Kenny Everett Television Show (1981–1988)
30 min | Comedy, Music
Zany antics and sketches by the anarchic camp comic.
Stars: Kenny Everett, Cleo Rocos, Sheila Steafel, Andrie Reid
Votes: 1,037
42. The Lenny Henry Show (1984–1988)
30 min | Comedy
A sketch show featuring many different characters and spoofs.
Stars: Lenny Henry, Robert Bathurst, Carla Mendonça, Lyndam Gregory
Votes: 130
43. Spitting Image (1984–1996)
25 min | Comedy
A satire show using puppets that are caricatures of major public figures.
Stars: Steve Nallon, Kate Robbins, Chris Barrie, Jon Glover
Votes: 2,480
44. The Comic Strip Presents (1982– )
Comedy