This week’s post is five from the top Brit sit com's. A sit-com is
defined as a comedy with reoccurring characters in a common environment.
My love
for sit-com's spawns back to several times; starting when I used to spend with
my Grandfather watching “Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em” and “On The Buses” on a
Sunday afternoon. Then spending Thursday evenings with my father watching “Only
Fools And Horses”, and watching “Two Pints Of Lager and a Packet Of Crisps” to
ensure I had something to talk to everyone in school the following day about.
Brit-Sit-Com’s
are usually aimed at the working class, allowing the mass majority of the UK to
choose to tune into week after week. Whereas the American-Sit-Com is generally
aimed at the middle to upper class, predominantly those with College education.
Both, as always, have exceptions to the rules.
I feel
Brit-Sit-Com’s offer a distinct light heartedness and, at the same time, a real
true grit. There is something about them that every single person can find
within the programme. Be it a character, a story line, the setting, the
situation or even the background characters. There is something that allows a
familiarity and creates a connection making you want to tune in week after
week.
I, as I
am sure many others, have grown up anxiously awaiting the next episode of one
series while watching the ones my parents grew up with all in one go. Thanks to
TV repeats, we are now allowed to tune into random episodes and series from
past generations to ensure future generations can also grow up loving our past
great comedies.
Like always
I have restrictions, but this time there is only one restriction which is “They
must have 2 series or more” only because I am narrowing it down from Sit-Com to
Brit-Sit-Com as a category.
#5 - Some
Mothers Do 'Av 'Em: http://youtu.be/lFLpwRMS00g
As in my
previous blog I have already said this is a personal list and how better to
start than the best Sunday afternoon comedy ever created.
Michael
Crawford plays Frank Spencer a disaster-prone klutz who goes from job to job. No
matter what he does, he always seems to do something wrong to get himself
fired. The only thing he has going for him is his long-suffering wife Betty
(played by Michele Dotrice).
The
fascinating thing about this programme is that Crawford does all his own
stunts. And none are more spectacular as the roller skating sketch, especially
when you realise this guy is actually an unbelievably talented and balanced
dancer, so to do what he did is even more enjoyable to watch.
I
wouldn’t think there are many actors out there now willing to do what he did –
not that the production company would allow their star asset to do something as
risky as this – I just don’t think there are any comedy actors left that can
carry the role Crawford perfected. His voice and demeanor suits his character,
just as Sylvester Stallone suited Rocky.
If you
enjoy slap stick comedy, I highly suggest watching Frank Spencer’s highlight
moments.
#4 -
Fawlty Towers: http://youtu.be/tcliR8kAbzc
If you
have every worked in a job where customers demand satisfaction you can relate
to this sit-com 100%. A high-strung man overwhelmed by every customer’s sheer
stupidity. His rants are what we would love to be able to say if there were not
repercussions.
Basil
Fawlty, played by the brilliant and legendary John Cleese, is a man on the
breaking point living on the verge of a complete meltdown. His short fuse and
bluntness is a mirror of most people in the working class who deal with the
middle and upper class of society.
As well
as the educated rants that Basil let’s off, there is a slapstick relationship
between Basil and Manuel (played by the fabulous Andrew Sachs) which gives a
different comedy release. Instead of just the Basil way of comedy, it gives the
basic Neanderthal comedy that everyone can relate to. In addition, Sybil (played
by the charismatic Prunella Scales) allows all women to have an attachment to
the programme.
Prior to
this there are not many, if at all any, comedy’s or drama’s in the UK where
women are in charge. Even though Basil goes around claiming he is the owner it
is obvious from the get-go of episode one that Sybil is defiantly the one in
control of the facility.
Every
reoccurring character that interacts with Basil adds to the story and fuel’s
the comedy. When people say “they don’t make them like they used to” there was
never a better sit-com this could apply to. A privately owned B&B/hotel
just scraping by, with a man at the helm but a woman in control. With the
slapstick comedy and insulting humour Cleese and Co. give to the screen it feels
more like a family than a work place. There really will never be nothing like
this ever again. It really is a shame they only did two series, however is
there nothing better than going out on the top of your game?
#3 - The
Royle Family: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1iYKzXdPfs&feature=share&list=RD028KdtgoSCXpU
“A working
class family sat around in a living room watching TV” – probably the most
boring concept for a TV show let alone a Sit-Com. However, somehow this does
work.
Ricky
Tomlinson and Sue Johnston undoubtedly have the best on screen chemistry in BBC
history. The whole family has one of the best-created casts that Brit-Sit-Com
has ever seen. Jim Royle, is portrayed by Tomlinson as a lazy, rude and
obnoxious husband who is married to the slave driven and unappreciated Barbara.
They have two children; the push over Anthony “Lerch” played by Ralf Little and
the Queen of the house, the laziest, dirtiest and most uneducated woman the TV
world has ever seen Denise played by co-creator Caroline Aherne. And the final
main character is Denise’s long suffering simple minded oaf Dave Best played by
Co-Creator Craig Cash.
The cast
play’s their roles well and the secondary characters integrated seamlessly into
the story of each episode. What does the Royle Family really offer other than
neighbours popping round unannounced and people watching TV? Well, simply, it
is the reality factor. The Royle Family was really the first of the reality
programmes. I am sure if you stuck a camera in most 2.4 children households you
would see an episode of the Royle family. Probably not as rude, but quite
likely very similar. I think this adds to the comedy, with that “Cringe” factor
that it seems all too familiar to the viewer.
What I
really love about this Sit-com is that it is not afraid of itself, most
comedies shy away from seriousness and even fear that it is becoming stale. But
Royle Family has never and will never fear this. The Christmas Episode “The
Queen Of Sheba” is the pinnacle of this (I cry every time). Even though this is
a Christmas special, it did this in the regular 3 series, when Denise got
married and when she gave birth are the two that really stick out. Royle family
is a true grit comedy without boundaries of normality.
#2 -
Spaced: http://youtu.be/7sqSQ5Vu8vM
2 single
20 something’s pretend to be a couple to live in a flat. Enter strange flat
mates, clingy landlady’s and awkward relationships.
A sheer
geek-fest from the then unknown; Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright. This TV
series spawned “Shaun of the Dead”, “Hot Fuzz” and the soon to be released “The
World’s End”
A TV
series filled with film references, “Star Wars” theories, unique camera work
and quality stories can only lead to an enjoyable watch. The youngest of my top
five is something I grew into not up with. I can see how so many people vote
other Sit-coms higher than my number 2, but I feel it has a lot to give. If
they ever came back to do a 3rd series it think it would be welcomed
back with open arms and; it would be welcomed by a new audience consisting of
people that were too young for it when it first came out and people who turned
away from it the first time round. But mostly it would be welcomed by the fans
that have long awaited a third series since 2001.
Even
though this is a series that is deep in film and comic book references, there
is no need to have seen them all or indeed get them all to find this a charming
programme entertaining and funny. It is a great comedy to watch with friends,
because there are a lot of one-liners you can use in your group. And if you
watch on your own you will be highly entertained.
#1 - Only
Fools And Horses: http://youtu.be/rgO3CLVrn1U
and 10 minutes of pure genius http://youtu.be/Tdwho_2yDaY
Consistently
voted the best British Sit-com of all time, it is undoubtedly a timeless
classic that still appeals to all ages and generations.
Only Fools
and Horses at the core is a story about working class men in the UK during the
1980’s. But around the core you will find that it really is about family. I
guess this is why it has attached itself to millions of views in 30+ years.
Del Boy
(David Jason) looks after his naïve younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst)
after the passing of their mother. Also, living with them is their Granddad (Lennard
Pearce) who is slower than the average person. But after his sad passing in
real life it was always going to be hard to find someone to replace the great
man. Yet they found someone who is as equally backward and probably more
catastrophic in Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield).
Over the
original 7 series running from 1981 to 1991 Del Boy and Rodney suffer
through highs and lows of their jobs as well as their life with gaining and
loosing relationships. Every sub character within their world helps add to not
only the comedy the programme is built on, but the drama the programme offers
through the trials and tribulations each character travels.
When the
series ended in 1991 the BBC said that they would not go back for another
series, but would allow Only Fools to have Christmas and one off specials. So Only
Fool’s created a unique way to run a series by doing solely through Christmas
specials over consecutive years, only The Royle Family has done this since.
!991,
1992 and 1993 had Christmas day specials that were viewed by increasing figures
from 14.5 million viewers to 20.1 million viewers. Then, for me, the highlight occurred.
In 1996 a 3 episode special was released in which a high of 24.3 million
viewers in which finally the Trotters had their big win. This climax was
welcomed by the viewers, the episode met with critical acclaim and has since
been gelled to the hearts of fans of the sitcom for life.
Since the
turn of the millennium the boys came back for three episode in 2001, 2002 and
2003, sadly with declining figures. But Only Fools and Horses will be loved by
millions and will still impress the growing generations for years to come.
For me the best part about the sit-com is no matter what episode you view, whether you know the characters or not you can enjoy each episode and find the comedy funny. This is what makes Only Fools and Horses so special. It is a comedy, a drama and a form of escape for every viewer and it is watchable time after time and never gets old.
So, you
have read my five from the top, what are your top five? Please feel free to leave
a comment below here are a few more that you may like:
Open All Hours,
Are You Being Served, Green Wing, Porridge, ‘Allo ‘allo, Blackadder, Vicar of Dibley,
The Office, The Young Ones, Bottom, The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin,
Phoenix
Nights, Birds of A Feather, The League of Gentlemen, 2.4 children, The Brittas
Empire, Gimme Gimme Gimme, The Inbetweeners, The I.T Crowd.
This Blog
was sponsored by “Super Arcade Theatre” and “Me + You = Geek” Both of which I
have made guest appearances, so please feel free to watch, listen and subscribe
to the best gaming show on youtube.com network and geeking podcast of all time.
I will
return with my five from the top Football managers in ode to the Great Sir Alex
Ferguson’s announcement to retire.
KT
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