10 British TV Comedy Series That Have Stood The Test of Time

TV & Film

Jul 2

Victor Meldrew — Image Source: UKTV Play

The British are renowned for their comedy, with shows like The Office and Shameless syndicated around the world. The United Kingdom has been working on the sitcom template since the 1960s but as society has moved on, the humor in some popular shows hasn’t always kept up. Which British TV comedy series are still funny, years later?

10. 'Spaced' (1999)

Written and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, Spaced is about two people who pretend they are a couple to rent a flat. Daisy and Tim are both obsessed with pop culture and there are references abound in this. Marvel, Star Wars, and Fantasy fans will find this funny no matter how old it gets.

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9. 'The Thin Blue Line' (1995 – 1996)

An underrated series, written by renowned author, comedian, and playwright Ben Elton, and starring Rowan Atkinson. The Thin Blue Line parodies community policing. It has an extremely diverse cast and includes a constable of Trinidad origin and a positive portrayal of a female officer of South Asian descent. But don’t expect this to be highbrow, Rowan Atkinson thrives on sight gags, even if that means he has to walk around with a helmet full of vomit.

8. 'Dinner Ladies' (1998)

Set in a cafeteria, this show was written by the famous comedian and writer, Victoria Wood. It starred some of the biggest British talents including Julie Walters (The Harry Potter Franchise), Maxine Peake (Shameless), Celia Imrie (Calendar Girls, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) Anne Reid (Hot Fuzz, Last Tango in Halifax), and Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, Doctor Who).

7. 'Red Dwarf' (1988 – 2020)

A comedy science fiction series about the remnants of the crew of the Red Dwarf. After a radiation leak, only a single human is left alive. But a creature that evolved from the ship’s cat, an uptight hologram, and a mechanoid are along for the ride too. It was written by Rob Grant and Dough Naylor and starred Craig Charles (Coronation Street, Robot Wars) and Chris Barrie (The Brittas Empire, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider). There have been twelve seasons, the last of which landed in 2020, which explains why it’s always managed to keep up with the times.

6. 'Keeping Up Appearances' (1990)

Keeping Up Appearnces — Image Source: PBS Wisconsin

Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) quotes frequently go viral on TikTok thanks to Roy Clarke’s amazing script and Patricia Routledge’s unforgettable performances in this series. Hyacinth grew up poor but now lives in the suburbs, but that’s not what she tells everyone. She shouts about wealth and class as loudly as possible and has a heart attack every time her family comes to visit. Everyone has someone like Hyacinth in their neighbourhood, which is why it’s so funny.

5. 'Blackadder II' (1986)

Written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, the second instalment in the popular Blackadder series, set in Elizabethan England, and starring Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, and Stephen Fry. The humor is often based on historical events, and that’s what made the entire series timeless. Although Blackadder Goes Fourth is also spectacular, Blackadder II is undisputedly the best due to Miranda Richardson’s hilarious performance as Queenie.

4. 'One Foot In the Grave' (1990 – 1996)

The series follows the exploits of moaning retiree Victor Meldrew and his long-suffering wife. Victor is the subject of bad luck and his own hubris. Despite some of the more surreal moments (like the cat in the freezer), the suburban situations, such as being stuck in a traffic jam for an entire episode are wholly timeless and very relatable. Written by David Renwick (Jonathan Creek) and Richard Wilson aka Gaius from BBC’s Merlin plays the insufferable Victor.

3. 'Desmond’s' (1989 – 1994)

Desmond’s was one of Channel 4’s longest-running shows. Centred around a barber shop in Peckham, the cast was predominantly black British Guyanese. Desmond’s was a snapshot of family life in London and was very different from anything else airing at the time. But Desmond’s was new and refreshing. It aired in a prime-time slot because it reached audiences from all backgrounds. It’s still funny today because of that universal appeal.

2. 'Yes, Prime Minister' (1980 – 1984)

The inspiration for The Thick of it and House of Cards. Written by Antony Jay and Johnathon Lynn, it follows the career of fictional British politician, Jim Hacker as he rises to become Prime Minister. Yes, Prime Minister is wonderfully sartorial and cutting, which the Brits have mastered. This is a classic for a reason.

1. 'The Vicar Of Dibley' (1994 – 2000)

Written by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, and starring Dawn French and Emma Chambers. Geraldine is the first female vicar in the small eccentric village of Dibley. Dawn French’s chocolate-loving, joke-telling, slightly horny Vicar is heartwarming and still very watchable thirty years later. The Christmas episode where she eats four dinners is a British staple.