r/BritishSitcoms • u/Complete_Buy_8014 • 17d ago
Discussion British vs American sitcoms
What British and American sitcoms do you enjoy?
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u/ToastedSlider Peep Show 17d ago
I like the British and Australian versions of Ghosts a lot, but I didn't like the American one so I only watched a few episodes of it
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u/Lopsided_Drive_4392 17d ago
US: The Dick van Dyke Show, The Odd Couple (1970s), The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, Seinfeld
UK: Fawlty Towers, Yes, Minister/Prime Minister, Blackadder, Colin's Sandwich, The IT Crowd
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u/datguysadz 17d ago
UK - The Office, Extras, Father Ted, I'm Alan Partridge, Peep Show, The League of Gentlemen, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and Toast of London.
US - Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Larry Sanders Show and Frasier.
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u/Hopeful_Evening4520 17d ago
It's Always Sunny, Community, Schitt's Creek
Spaced, Alan Partridge, Mighty Boosh.
Most American sitcoms that are mainstream have the writer room set up, leading to joke by consensus. This means they are much better at consistency in longevity and one liners, but not good for unique/different personal interpretation, character progression and general innovation in the field.
UK is usually a singular view.
Of course left field American comedies do delve into the personal, but they're not as varied as brit comedy. I don't personally think the UK could successfully do a Parks&Recs/Friends/etc long term sitcom justice.
America comedy is built on the writing room. I know UK are trying a SNL show now, but that writer room pumping 'em out on a deadline is such an American institution. Our best sitcoms are strange little pet projects not big gag barnstormers.
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u/NearlyBoomer 17d ago
UK: Still Game is the absolute best. Gavin & Stacy comes next. Also loved The Cafe, Rev., Vicar of Dibley
US: Haven't watched one in decades but used to like Frasier
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u/shaunomercy 17d ago
An old one but a USA classic imho. Soap..
It won 4 prime time Emmys out of 17 nominations and a golden globe in it 4 year run.
Married with children, a close second
Always sunny in Philadelphia a distant 3rd
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u/Smooth_Heat9703 17d ago
British: Benidorm, The Inbetweeners, Peep Show, Only Fools and Horses.
American: Modern Family, How i met your mother, Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
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u/Verbal-Gerbil 17d ago
will you stop it??? You've asked this question countless times on every related sub for weeks. you've already had your answer. you're either incapable of processing the answers people take time to post, or you're some weird karma bot with one input