Black Books not mentioned yet. maybe not in the pantheon of all time best, but better than some of the ones in Fiish's list so I'm giving it a shout out.
Some of the best comedy writing, casting and acting of all time.
Good shout
I listened to the audio versions of the whole thing about 6 months back. Despite its age the topics covered are still very relevant today. The episodes about Europe could have been written in the last twelve months.
1) Fawlty Towers 2) Porridge 3) The Office 4) Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? 5) Dad's Army
There you are, that's that sorted.
Apart from:
Steptoe and Son Rising Damp The Likely Lads Father Ted (Irish) Outnumbered The Young Ones
and apart from
Dear John Just Good Friends Open All Hours Some Mothers Do Ave Em
What's wrong with The Likely Lads?
No, it was called Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
The original black and white series which a youngster like you Chirps may not have seen was called The Likely Lads.
'Whatever Happened' caught up with them 10 years or so on.
I enjoyed both.
Whoooooooshhhhhh!!!!!!!
Surprised at you Len!
Not enough Pond Life and similar to feed the old grey cells lately evidently!
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Yes thanks, see you soon.
Just to explain, people had been posting their favourite sitcoms and someone had listed The Likely Lads. Then someone else had quoted someones list but struck-out The Likely Lads, so then someone responded with "Whats wrong with The Likely Lads?" I then saw the opportunity to make a witty post (something that you have all missed in my absence) by correcting (in jest!) that surely he meant "Whatever Happened " rather than What's Wrong. I can see how you misread my post Len, but that is what comes with "Posting without reading!" I need no education of the two greatest writers this country has ever produced. I may not have remembered The Likely Lads as I was a babe in arms and most have been wiped by the BBC anyway but Messrs LeFrenais and Clement have entertained me all my life. If Auf Wiedersehen Pet was a sitcom, which it isn't it would head my list. Their wonderful Porridge is my No.2 sitcom however.
1) Fawlty Towers 2) Porridge 3) The Office 4) Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? 5) Dad's Army
There you are, that's that sorted.
1 & 2 the wrong way round, 4 & 5 the wrong way round, IMHO. But easily the best 4. The Offce never clicked with me, would substitute Blackadder 4 or Still Game as my No.5. OFAH was something I never got into, I tried with the Charlton connection but just no.
Good list Fiish. I think I've seen and liked all of those . I'd add:
Rising Damp Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin Black Books Fresh Meat Friday Night Dinners Absolutely Fabulous Hancock's Half Hour The Likely Lads Steptoe and Son
I like Only Fools a lot (especially any episode with but not sure if it would sneak into my top 10.
Although I agree OFAH was the best sitcom ever I would like to give a shout out for Stella, I thought it was fabalus. Alan Partridge, Gavin & Stacey, Car share all among my favourites but I really need to see Phoenix nights having only seen multiple clips from the shows.
we've had some good ones and some rubbish .. the best and the one that has retained it's freshness and contemporary feel ? (i.e. still makes me roll up even on the fifth viewing) .. Fawlty Towers
For me, what makes a sitcom is you end up caring about the characters, which is part of why The Office doesn't make my list but Porridge, OFAH, Red Dwarf, Blackadder, Desmonds, Yes Minister, Black Books do. I think Car Share has been my favourite recent one, along with Detectorists. Small casts but good actors and scripts and both fairly gentle. For all those we remember, there are some truly awful sitcoms long forgotten - weren't there about 3 separate spin offs from Bless This House? The days of everyone in the family watching the same thing on one of the 2 channels you could pick up on your aerial are long gone.
There's probably loads I've forgotten. I don't think sitcoms can work on BBC1/ITV1 anymore because you don't have time to build that relationship that makes you care.
Mind you, I'm probably considered weird on here as I don't hate Miranda, I'm not really bothered.
For me, what makes a sitcom is you end up caring about the characters, which is part of why The Office doesn't make my list but Porridge, OFAH, Red Dwarf, Blackadder, Desmonds, Yes Minister, Black Books do. I think Car Share has been my favourite recent one, along with Detectorists. Small casts but good actors and scripts and both fairly gentle. For all those we remember, there are some truly awful sitcoms long forgotten - weren't there about 3 separate spin offs from Bless This House? The days of everyone in the family watching the same thing on one of the 2 channels you could pick up on your aerial are long gone.
There's probably loads I've forgotten. I don't think sitcoms can work on BBC1/ITV1 anymore because you don't have time to build that relationship that makes you care.
Mind you, I'm probably considered weird on here as I don't hate Miranda, I'm not really bothered.
Like you I don't hate Miranda. Didn't find it very funny either mind. It was very old fashioned, almost Some Mothers Do Have Them silly.
I caught up with Detectorists quite late but loved it. Very understated but as you say charecters you can care about. Third series in production at the moment.
Car share is very very good and at it's best when it just them in a car. brilliant writing to carry that off but Kay is a genius. Pheonix nights is great too.
Comments
Dear John
Just Good Friends
Open All Hours
Some Mothers Do Ave Em
The Office
Peep Show
The Royle Family
Men behaving badly
Alan Partridge
Fawlty Towers
Gavin and Stacey
And embarrassing admission:
Friends.
Mainstream comedy is terrible.
'Whatever Happened' caught up with them 10 years or so on.
I enjoyed both.
Surprised at you Len!
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Just to explain, people had been posting their favourite sitcoms and someone had listed The Likely Lads. Then someone else had quoted someones list but struck-out The Likely Lads, so then someone responded with "Whats wrong with The Likely Lads?" I then saw the opportunity to make a witty post (something that you have all missed in my absence) by correcting (in jest!) that surely he meant "Whatever Happened " rather than What's Wrong. I can see how you misread my post Len, but that is what comes with "Posting without reading!" I need no education of the two greatest writers this country has ever produced. I may not have remembered The Likely Lads as I was a babe in arms and most have been wiped by the BBC anyway but Messrs LeFrenais and Clement have entertained me all my life. If Auf Wiedersehen Pet was a sitcom, which it isn't it would head my list. Their wonderful Porridge is my No.2 sitcom however.
Hoping to see you soon @Riviera :smiley
Everything From It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Are You Being Served, 'Allo 'Allo and Hi - De- Hi.
None of them real barrel laughs but all fantastic 30 minutes of humour and self deprecation that we Brits are so good at.
Rising Damp
Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin
Black Books
Fresh Meat
Friday Night Dinners
Absolutely Fabulous
Hancock's Half Hour
The Likely Lads
Steptoe and Son
I like Only Fools a lot (especially any episode with but not sure if it would sneak into my top 10.
Alan Partridge, Gavin & Stacey, Car share all among my favourites but I really need to see Phoenix nights having only seen multiple clips from the shows.
There's probably loads I've forgotten. I don't think sitcoms can work on BBC1/ITV1 anymore because you don't have time to build that relationship that makes you care.
Mind you, I'm probably considered weird on here as I don't hate Miranda, I'm not really bothered.
I caught up with Detectorists quite late but loved it. Very understated but as you say charecters you can care about. Third series in production at the moment.
Car share is very very good and at it's best when it just them in a car. brilliant writing to carry that off but Kay is a genius. Pheonix nights is great too.