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The Early Years 1950-70
The Goons: Spike, Peter, and Harry.
The Last Goon Show of all-1972 reunion of the 50's radio team. Members included Spike Milligan (later a solo comedian), Harry Secombe (later a Welsh tenor), and Peter Sellers. 30mins. The Goons were very influential to Monty Python.
Spike Milligan-2 episodes of Q from 1969, 1 from 1979; 30mins. each, plus Last Turkey in the shop 1973 X-mas special, Best of Q, This is your life 1970, and Spiked, a documentary; 60mins each. One of the geniuses of British comedy. The Q show beat Monty Python to the air by a few weeks. It was a very similar show. Milligan died in 2002.
Morecambe and Wise- Best of 1-3; 60mins. each/Live concert from mid 70's; 60mins. /2movies; 2hrs. each/76, 77 X-mas specials; 60mins. each. One of the greatest comedy teams in history. Both have passed on. Their X-mas specials were madatory viewing every year throughout the 70's and always included a ton of famous guests. The special for 1977 set a ratings record.
Benny Hill- 7 Best of compilations from Thames show; 90mins. each, 1 BBC compilation; 60mins., Biography: Benny Hill; 60mins. Probably the second most well known British comedian besides the Monty Python group. Most people who don't know often confuse Benny and Python skits as being from each other. The Thames shows were the ones shown in the US.
Tommy Cooper- 2 episodes; 30mins. each. Famous deceased British comedian. Often did magic tricks and was easily indentifiable from his fez hat.
Army Game- 1 episodes 30mins. Popular sitcom about National service (mandatory British military service). Time has let us forget how huge this show was in the late 50's/early 60's. It is said the whole of England stopped for the Army Game.
Bootsie and Snudge-1 episode; 30mins.. A spinoff of the Army Game featuring two of its most popular characters.
Comedy Classics the 1960's- excellent compilation of clips from vintage 60's shows. 60mins.
Rag Trade- 5 episodes; 30 mins. each; 1 from 60's 4 from 70's. Sitcom about sewing factory. Episodes from 60's feature Reg Varney from On the Buses. In the 70's his place was taken by Chris Beeny from Upstairs Downstairs (Eddie, Daisy's husband).
Sykes- 3 episodes; 30mins. each, Comedy Greats compilation; 60mins. Famous British physical comedian starred in sitcom about a man and his sister who always got into strange predicaments. Also co-wrote Goon show with Spike Milligan.
Dick Emery- 1 episode; 30mins. Popular British sketch comedian.
Whacko- 1 episode; 30mins. Sitcom about a public school.
Peter Cook and Dudley Moore- Best of What's Left of Not only but also; 90mins, Bedazzled movie; 2hrs. The greatest comedy team of all time. Both no longer with us. Unfortunately most of their 60's show is lost, hence the name of the Best of tape.
At last the 1948 show- 1 episode; 30mins. Pre Monty Python sketch show with Graham Chapman, John Cleese, the late, great Marty Feldman, and Tim Brooke-Taylor from the Goodies.
Ronnie Barker: Comedy Greats compilation; 60mins. (clips from all his shows), Seven of One- 2 episodes of anthology show: Open all hours pilot, Prisoner and Escort; Porridge pilot; 30mins. each, Six Dates with Barker anthology show-Odd Job pilot with David Jason (later a movie with David Jason and Graham Chapman); 30mins.. Possibly the finest comedic performer in British history. His versatility in playing a variety of characters, not to mention his original wit and command over the English language are unmatched. Besides his anthology shows, some of which contained episodes that were pilots for later sitcom classics Open all hours and Porridge, he found a comedic partner, Ronnie Corbett and created the Two Ronnies. Also see the Two Ronnies, Open all hours, and Porridge.
Steptoe and Son- complete 58 episodes; 30mins. each, first movie 90mins., documentary 60mins. Long running (1962-75,) much loved sitcom about father and son junkmen. Became Sanford and Son in US.
Les Dawson-60 minute compilation of famous late comedian's show "Say Les". Includes John Cleese.
Dave Allen-60 minute compilation of Dave Allen At Large from 70's, 1 episode from 90's standup show; 30mins. This is the famous Irish comedian who sits in a chair and smokes while telling stories.
Till Death do us part- 6 episodes; 30mins. each. Controversial sitcom about opinionated father and his hippie son in law. Became All in the Family in US.
Likely Lads- 3 episodes; 30 mins each ;Whatever happend to the Likely lads 3 episodes; 30mins. each. Popular sitcom about two bachelors. Came back as "Whatever happend to" in the 70's.
All Gas and gaiters- 1 episode; 30mins. Popular sitcom about priests. Sort of an early version of Father Ted.
Dustbinmen-6 episodes; 30mins each. Popular sitcom about an eccentric bunch of garbagemen and their funny escapades. The first of a group of gritty 60's sitcoms. Features Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas from Are you Being served).
Father Dear Father- 7 episodes; 30mins. each. Popular sitcom about a divorced father and his two sexy daughters who live with him.
Up Pompeii- 3 episodes; 30mins. each. Saucy sitcom featuring campy Frankie Howard, about Roman times.
Please Sir- 3 episodes; 30mins. each. Sitcom about a school teacher and the relationship with his students. Starring John Alderton of Upstairs Downstairs (Thomas, Sarah's husband).
Dad's Army-20+ episodes; 30mins. each. One of the most popular Britcoms of them all. About a home guard made up of mostly old men in World War II.
On the Buses-50+ episodes; 30mins. each. Hilarious sitcom about two bus drivers. Featuring Reg Varney.
Marty Feldman- 60 min compilation of "It's Marty" sketch show. Features Tim from the Goodies. Also look for Michael Palin and Terry Jones, they were also writers.
The Golden Age 1970-80
Ronnie Barker: The King of Comedy
Monty Python- complete 45 episodes 30mins. each + German Episodes (episodes made for German television 1972, one in German with subtitles and the other in English; 45 episodes each, How not to irritate people; early John Cleese special with Graham Chapman, Michael Palin and Tim Brooke-Taylor, contains early versions of Python sketches; 60mins., And now for something completely different, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Life of Brian, The Meaning of life, Hollywood Bowl movies; 90mins. each, Parrot Sketch Not included; 60 mins Best of compilation., Life of Python; documentary 60 mins., Biography: Monty Python; 2hrs. (Amazing retrospective of the group.), Aspen Comedy Festival Python reunion; 60mins., Secret Policeman's Balls (amnesty international benefit shows with a ton of British comdians) two compilations; 60 mins each., Odd Job movie (David Jason/Graham Chapman); 90mins, Yellowbeard; Graham Chapman movie 2 hrs., John Cleese on Norway; tourist film 30mins.
Doctor in the House- 6 episodes; 30mins. each, plus Doctor at Large; 6 episodes, Doctor in Charge; 5 episodes starring Richard O'Sullivan of Man about the house, Doctor on the Go; 4 episodes, Doctor at Sea; 4 episodes. About a group of doctors from school to practice.
Cucumber Castle- Bee Gees special 1970; without Robin, with Spike Milligan, Frankie Howerd 60 mins.
Goodies- complete 60+ episodes; 30mins. each, and Where are they now special. The other side of the Big Bang comedy explosion along with Monty Python. Slightly different show because it was a sitcom, but they incorporated just as much silliness and bizarre stuff without sketches. The Goodies were a group of three men who operated an organization that answered calls of help no matter how large and strange the task. As influential and important as Python. Starring Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, and Bill Oddie who went to school with Python group. Ran from 1970-84.
The Lovers- 3 episodes; 30mins. each. Sitcom starring the late great Richard Beckinsale of Porridge and Rising Damp and Paula Wilcox of Man about the house.
And Mother makes three- 2 episodes; 30 mins. each. Popular sitcom about a wacky divorced mother and her two teenage children. Starring Wendy Craig of Butterflies.
Best of Two Ronnies-60 mins. compilation. A very popular long running show 1971-88. Ronnie Barker was head writer, some of the Pythons wrote under him. As mentioned before Ronnie Barker's wit and command of the English language in sketches has never been equalled.
Last of Summer wine- complete second series, movie of first season, 3 from 90's; 30mins. each. The longest running sitcom of all time. (1972-) About three old men who after retirement move back to the Yorkshire village where they grew up. Episodes from the 90's star Frank Thornton from Are you being served.
Are you being served- 60+ episodes; 30mins. each., plus, Funny turns: Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Wendy Richard; 30mins each. Best of Are you being served; 60mins. Are you Being served the movie; 90mins. One of the greatest Britcoms of them all. About a group of people who work in a department store. Set new heights in how far you could go in sexual banter for a sitcom.
My wife next door- 1 episode; 30mins. Stars Hannah Gordon (Lady Bellamy from the final season of Upstairs Downstairs) and John Alderton (Thomas from Upstairs Downstairs). About a divorced couple who move into seperate houses that end up being right next to each other.
Love thy Neighbour- 2 episodes; 30 mins. Controversial sitcom about a racist and his wife living next door to a black couple.
Liver Birds- 12 episodes; 30mins. each. Popular sitcom about two bachelor girls that share an apartment.
Some Mother's do 'ave 'em- 8 episodes; 30 mins each. Starring Michael Crawford. An early version of Mr. Bean type physical comedy but in a sitcom.
No Honestly- complete; 30 mins. each. Starring real life couple, Pauline Collins and John Alderton from Upstairs Downstairs (Thomas and Sarah) as a young married couple looking back on their first days together.
Man about the house- 20+ episodes; 30 mins. each. This is the show that was turned into Three's Company in the US.
George and Midred- 15+ episodes; 30 mins. each. This is the show that was turned into the Ropers in the US.
Billy Connolly- South Bank show; 60mins, Live 2002; 2hrs. One of the greatest comedians of all time. Equal and contemporary to Pryor and Carlin.
Open all hours- 20+ episodes; 30 mins each. About a Northern shopkeeper and his nephew. Ronnie Baker and David Jason star. One of the best.
Porridge- complete; 30mins. each. One of the top three sitcoms in history, arguably the greatest ever. This is where Ronnie Barker shows off his comedic acting talents to their fullest potential in creating one of the greatest, memorable, and most likable characters of all time, that of the cockney crook Norman Stanley Fletcher. Also stars the wonderful Richard Beckinsale who was also in Rising Damp.
Rising Damp- first three series complete, 21 episodes ; 30 mins each. Stars the late, great Leonard Rossiter also of Reginald Perrin, the late, great Richard Beckinsale, and the fabulous Frances de Latour. About a wacky landlord and his three boarders.
Fawlty Towers- complete 12 episodes; 30 mins. Stars John Cleese as the insane owner of a hotel where all sorts of crazy things happen.
Wodehouse Playhouse- complete first series 6 episodes; 30 mins. each. Adaptations of P.G. Wodehouses short stories. Stars John Alderton and Pauline Collins of Upstairs Downstairs.
Good Life/Good Neighbours- 20+ episodes; 30 mins each. Stars Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal as a couple who decide to build a farm on their property in the suburbs and live off the land. Their snobby next door neighbours are the late Paul Eddington (Yes Minister), and Penelope Keith (To the Manor Born).
Selwyn Frogitt- 6 episodes; 30mins. each. Sitcom about a big wacky man who is a general nuisance in the small Yorkshire town he lives in.
It Ain't Half hot mum- 3 episodes; 30 mins each. Sitcom about a troop of entertainers in WW2, stationed in India. Written by Lloyd and Croft of Are You Being Served.
Bless me Father- 10 episodes; 30 mins. each. Starring Arthur Lowe of Dad's Army. About a priest and the young man studying under him.
The Fall and Rise Reginald Perrin- first two series complete, 14 episodes; 30mins each. About a man who is bored of his everyday routine, fakes his own death, and then re-emerges to run an insane thrift store that turns into a multimillion dollar organization. Stars the incomparable Leonard Rossiter.
Yes Minister- 7 episodes; 30mins. each. About a government minister and his advisors. Very political sitcom. Stars Paul Eddington (Good Neighbours) and the late Nigel Hawthorne.
Citizen smith- complete; 25+ episodes, 30 mins each. Sitcom featuring Robert Lindsay as a small-time revolutionary that starts a group of terrorists. Written by John Sullivan of Only Fools and Horses.
Butterflies- 3 episodes; 30 mins each. Sitcom about a depressed housewife who is having an affair. Starring Wendy Craig (And Mother makes three), Nicholas Lyndhurst (Only fools and horses), and Geoffrey Palmer (As Time Goes by).
Worzel Gummidge- 12 episodes; 30 mins each. Children's sitcom starring Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor Who), who plays a scarecrow who comes to life and can only be seen by children.
Shelley- 2 eps; 30 mins. each. Sitcom starring Hywel Bennett, about a man who lives with his girlfriend and tries everything to get out of doing work.
Not the Nine o'clock news- 8 episodes; 30 mins. each. The true successors to Monty Python. A new age dawned in sketch comedy with this show. Starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean, Blackadder), Mel Smith, Griff-Rhys Jones, and Pamela Stevenson (Billy Connolly's wife and former Saturday Night Live castmember).
Kenny Everett show- 60 mins. compilation of sketches from the late, mad disc-jockey. Includes his famous Bee Gees sketch.
To the Manor Born- 15+ episodes, 30 minutes each. Starring Penelope Keith (Good Neighbours) and Peter Bowles. Keith plays a snobby lady of a manor whose husband dies. She is forced to sell the house to Bowles who she schemes to seduce. The final 1981 wedding episode broke the ratings record set by the 1977 Morecambe and Wise X-mas special.
The Modern Era 1980-
Only Fools and Horses: Buster Merryfield, David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy Greats of 1980's- Great 60 minute compilation of clips from the best shows of the 80's.
Only When I Laugh- 1 episode; 30mins. Sitcom starring Peter Bowles (To the Manor Born). About layabouts in a military hospital.
Never the Twain- complete first series, 7 episodes; 30 mins. each. Sitcom about two rival antiques dealers. Features Honor Blackman of the Avengers.
Only Fools and Horses- 70+ episodes; varying lengths. The single greatest program in television history. Long running sitcom (1981-) and still going. The story of Del-Boy Trotter and his brother Rodney. Del-boy is a cockney conman who avoids working by always running various illegal schemes. (The title refers to the line, "Only fools and horses work!"). Written by John Sullivan who is a modern day Shakespeare, the show reached new bounds of originality in its use of British humor, plotting, and the English language, managing to literally create a new dialect of its own. Literally every line is funny. Stars the stupendous, energetic David Jason and the wonderful deadpan Nicholas Lyndhurst.
A Fine Romance- 9 episodes; 30 mins each. Stars Judi Dench and her real life husband, the late Michael Williams as two people who meet late in life and try to have a romantic relationship.
Young Ones- 10 episodes; 30 mins. each. The eighties arrived with a big bang with this sitcom. Probably the wildest half-hours in British comedy history. Stars two future big names, Adrian Edmontson (married to Jennifer Saunders) and Rik Mayall.
Filthy Rich and Catflap- 2 episodes; 30 mins each. Another Young Ones type of show from Rik and Adrian.
That's my boy- 2 episodes; 30mins. each. Stars Mollie Sugden of Are you Being Served as a domnating Northern mother of a son and his wife.
Solo- 1 episode; 30mins. Starring Felicity Kendal of Good Neighbors, as a recently divorced moody woman. More drama than comedy.
Black Adder- complete first three series, 18 episodes; 30mins each, plus Cavalier years (Comic Relief special); 15 mins., Black Adder's Christmas Carol; 60 mins., and Back and Forth; Time travelling incarnation, Comic Relief special, 30mins. This series starring Rowan Atkinson set new ground in witty verbal humour. About the incarnations of Edmund Blackadder throughout history.
A Bit of Fry and Laurie- 60 min. compilation of sketches. Contemporary of the Young Ones-Not the Nine o-clock news-French and Saunders Alternative Comedy mob.
Girls on Top- 2 episodes; 30mins. each. Stars Tracey Ullman and French and Saunders as girls who live together. Sort of like a female Young Ones.
Home to Roost- 5 episodes; 30mins each. Sitcom with John Thaw (Inspector Morse) trying to relate to his live-in son.
Alexei Sayle's stuff- 5 episodes; 30 mins each, one 90 minute compilation. Hilarious sketch show from the landlord of the Young Ones.
Hale and Pace- 3 episodes; 30mins each, one 60 minute compilation. Funny comedy team
French and Saunders- 8 episodes; 30mins. each, one 60 minute compilation. The female comedy team of the past twenty years. After a slow start went on to create Absolutely Fabulous.
Red Dwarf- complete; 40+ episodes, plus American pilot; 30mins each, Smegups, Smegouts; 60 mins each (bloopers). About a wacky group of outcasts, the survivors of a shipwreck in space.
Mr. Bean- 5 episodes; 30mins each. Rowan Atkinson set new ground for visual comedy in this series. The exploits of a pathetic, clumsy man. There is no dialogue, Mr. Bean doesn't speak so it harks back to the silent film days.
Lenny Henry: Live and loud- the comedian at his best; 60 mins. Also starred in Chef! Sort of the British equivalent of Eddie Murphy.
Goodnight Sweetheart- 6 episodes; 30 mins. each. Starring Nicholas Lyndhurst from Only fools and horses as a man who is able to slip back to the 40's and become a famous songwriter by claiming to write Beatles songs.
Dark Ages- 1 episode. Sitcom by the makers of Red Dwarf about the Middle Ages.
Maid Marian and her merry men- 5 episodes; 30mins. each. Starring Danny John-Jules of Red Dwarf and Tony Robinson of Blackadder
Bit of a do-3 episodes; 60 mins each. Starring David Jason about a man who is always going to social affairs.
Birds of a Feather- complete series one, 7 episodes; 30mins. each. About two sisters whose husbands go to jail.
One foot in the Grave- 2 episodes; 30mins each. About a retired man who is fed up with everything.
Absolutely Fabulous- 20+ episodes; 30mins. each, plus movies, Gay (Ab Fab in New York), and The last Shout 90mins. each . Also "How to be AbFab", special and other minor specials. About two fashion designers and their wacky exploits. With Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley.
Bottom- 10 episodes; 30mins. Insane sitcom with Rik and Adrian from the Young Ones. Two men who live together and constantly torture each other.
New Statesman- 1 episodes; 30mins. Uncharacteristic role Rik Mayall who plays a government minister, always involved in scandal.
Vicar of Dibley- 10 episodes; 30mins. Sitcom with Dawn French as a priest in a small town.
Keeping Up Appearances-1 episode; 30 mins. The crazy exploits of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Boo-kay), who is always trying to seem better than her low class family.
As time goes by- 2 episodes; 30mins each. Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer star in this sitcom about a couple who restarts their wartime relationship after 50 years apart.
Coupling- 6 episodes; 30 mins. The British equivalent of Friends. Much more intelligently written.
The Boss- 1 episode; 30mins. Sitcom with Jim Broadbent (now Hollywood actor) about a boss who acts very strangely.
2 point 4 children- 1 episode; 30mins. A family with a wacky mother.
Father Ted- first two series complete; 17 episodes. The wildest show in history. As crazy as the Young Ones. About three priests who share a house on the Irish coast. Sets new bounds in surrealism.
My Hero- 3 episodes; 30mins each. Strange sitcom with Ardal O'Hanlon (Fr Dougal from Father Ted) as a superhero.
Dad- 1 episode; 30 mins. About a man with an irritating, neat-freak father.
High Stakes- 1 episode; 30mins. Sitcom about a bank. Stars the lead from One foot in the grave.
Kiss me Kate- 1 episode; 30mins. One of the newest Britcoms, like an American sitcom.
South Bank Show: British Comedy Special- 60-minute look at all aspects of British comedy.
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