Fun Thread.

Cigale : I too think that David Suchet was the best Hercules Poirot. I have a keen interest in the Art Deco period and I think that they recreate it really well in the series through all the social classes of the era.

I also used to enjoy "The Good Neighbors" (Felicity Kendall and Penelope Keith are terrific actresses) but on reviewing an episode of TNG recently, I am amazed how sexist it was.

Two of my current favourites comedies are "Fortysomething" with Hugh Lawrie and Anna Chancellor (love her in so many things, such as "Duckface" in Four Weddings and a Funeral), and one of the funniest and cleverly written shows, "Coupling" - british version. Laughs galore.

I've been puzzling over the Good Neighbours reference, and realise now you mean "The Good Life". Perhaps they retitled it for the American market.

Do you lot get The Royle Family? Hilarious stuff.

I also love Coupling and the Office, but I miss weird Jeff. I don't think I like to story going toward them being 3 "couples" with the new guy added. I definitely think Jeff was funnier. What happened to the Jeff character. Why did he leave the show? The Office is so funny in a different way. It deserved all those awards and more.

Kate, the The Royal Family was great. I am sorry its gone. My 2 favourites were the Christmas special...sitting round wathing TV as usual and when the daughter had the baby. She is a genius as a comedy writer. I am laughing thinking about it! Ricky Tomlinson frightens me as I think he is not too far from the character at home :-). He was funny on Jonathan Ross a few weeks ago, interesting person in reallife.

The genius of The Royle Family is that it's SO scarily close to real life (my ex in-laws must have been their neighbours) - same goes for the Office. My friend was interviewed for a new job by David Brent's double and couldn't keep a straight face. She also didn't consider taking the job!

ggnga - apparently Richard Coyle refused to appear even for 1 episode for series 4, so they couldn't write him out properly. The first of the new series was aired in the UK this week and the only reference to Jeff was when Steve was on the phone to him. It's not as good without him!

I love this stuff.

Yes, "The Good Life" was titled "Good Neighbors" in the US, with its own new beginning titles and all.

I am also a Branagh fan, and the saddest thing about his breakup with E Thompson (for ME of course) is that they don't appear together anymore in films. Henry V and especially "Much Ado". The latter inspired me so much with its great acting, sunshine and countryside that it made me paint my bedroom a deep warm yellow--that's what I was thinking of when I chose the color.

I agree that Dame Judi's talents were not challenged in ATGB, but I'll bet it was easy and fun to do. I've been enjoying Geoffrey Palmer since the 70s when in the States I saw him in
the sitcom "Butterflies" which is one of my all time favorites. Is Wendy Craig still around?

I actually only ever saw that show in the U.S. on PBS. Wasn't her son Del Boy's Brother in Only fools and Horses. I have never seen a re-run of the show yet and I get BBC in Ireland.

Did you see the last episode of Fools and Horses. I am not a huge fan but it was a perfect ending when the watch sold for millions at Sothebys after a lifetimes of scamming.

Siobhan you're behind the time my dear, there've been several episodes since that one.

SiobhanP, that wasn't the last episode, at least not if you count the christmas specials we've been getting ever since. Yes indeed Rodney Trotter was in butterflies as a wee lad.

Butterflies, now THERE was a great sitcom, quite dark really, a sort of modern (or 1970s) comedic take on Brief Encounter. Wendy Craig is still alive but I presume she's retired, haven't seen her for years.

Fun thread!

But you can't talk about Britcoms and not mention the greatest one of all time: Fawlty Towers. Besides being crazy and brilliant, it does relate to travel as well. I never get tired of watching this gem; too bad there are only 12 episodes.

Yes, this is all in my very humble opinion, of course, but I believe that Fawlty Towers (a.k.a. Flay Otters, Farty Towels, etc., etc...remember those opening signs?) did make it to #1 on at least one "best of the best" list relating to British tv.

Of course, I also love the Bucket woman, the Grace Brothers gang and another British gem that you never see anymore - Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister starring the late Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington. Reputed to be a favorite of Maggie Thatcher, at least I can get these via Netflix.

One theory I have about British comedies being so funny is that the dear Brits have taken snobbery and social climbing to something of an art form. You've got to love a people that can so easily laugh at their own often antiquated stereotypes and social conventions. Maybe this is yet another one reason I continue to be an unabashed anglophile who keeps coming back to a country that is always a little old-fashioned and quite endearingly stuffy. Hmmm...maybe a little bit like myself? Yikes!

Hear Hear Rebecka - Fawlty Towers is a pure tonic!

I love the episode with Basil the Rat -When Manuel says - "You put Basil in the ratatouille" (excuse spelling please)

How about the episode in which Manuel throws up his hands in disbelief and tells Sybil, "Mr. Fawlty, he see girl. He go craaaazy!"

Sybil then gives baffled Basil a good smack!

And yes, some of the old shows (not so much Fawlty) now seem uncomfortably sexist. How did they, even then, get away with the double entendres on "Are You Being Served"?

Sorry, I've never seen "Fools and Horses". Rodney Trotter from that show also played someone in Butterflies? Was it the cuter teenage son?

Can't say I ever saw either of them as cute, but Rodney Trotter was the one who DIDN'T have hair that looked like pubes (am I allowed to say that on Fodors?)

It's funny how we see one another. To an outsider, class is even more important in the US than in the UK, but like the elephant in the living room, it's never mentioned.
I think that upward social mobility is actually easier in Britain.
As for stuffy, I can't imagine Britons having an attack of the vapours at the glimpse of a nipple at a football game. Our kiddiwinks see worse than that on the Tube escalator.
The best American show was MASH and in the UK it wasn't broadcast with canned laughter. Much better IMHO

There was a sitcom about a 40 year old guy that lived with his Mother... I can't for the life of me remember the name - all I remember is the mum yelling "Language, Timothy!!!"

"To the Manor Born" was another favorite as well as testy Diana in that series in the nursing home. Can't remember the title.

Indie : Some Mothers do Have Them, maybe ? (starring pre-Phantom Michael Crawford). Though I'm not sure.

Cigal : Waiting for God

Indie: you're thinking of Sorry! starring Ronnie Corbett.

Did The Two Ronnies ever make it across the pond? Long running and vastly popular 70s/80s sketch show staring Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker. Ronnie Barker was always deemed the real talent of the pair, and starred in such sitcom gems as Porridge and Open All Hours.

But best of the lot - did you ever see Rising Damp?