# Let's talk about the funniest British comedy of the last decade **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413 "2013-07-24T20:30:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/101 "2014-12-31T15:14:29Z")
I just discovered this thread – **Martini Enfield** , I’m totally with you on _Black Books_! – and can’t wait to check out _Cabin Pressure_, and thought I’d mention that it looks like [Amazon US will be releasing all four series in April 2015](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1481525565/). ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/102 "2017-05-16T03:59:25Z")
Take note: zombie thread. I remember seeing this thread the first time around, and I think I checked out an episode of _Cabin Pressure_ at some point, but it didn’t really grab me. Well, I occasionally check out the BBC radio website looking for interesting programs (sorry, “programmes”); Sue Perkins’ _Dilemma_ is quite good. But they only post shows for a short time, I assume to coincide with on-air broadcasts. _Cabin Pressure_ showed up recently, witht he opportunity to listen from the beginning. I decided to give it another try and it’s fantastic. Oddly, Cumberbatch is the one voice that doesn’t stand out for me. Finnemore’s unleashed enthusiasm and Allam’s dripping disdain are perfect. Last night I heard “Ipswich” and it’s worth reviving the thread for. For anyone who didn’t have a way to access it before, it’s available [here](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lmcxj/episodes/player). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Poo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Poo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Poo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/103 "2017-05-17T17:20:49Z")
Four lions was brilliant. Watched it again recently, didn’t realise Benedict Cumberbatch was in it until the repeat viewing. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/104 "2017-05-18T09:22:06Z")
I’ve been binging on BBC radio comedy (they play old series on Radio 4 Extra, including pretty much all the Goon Shows) and while there are some absolutely brilliant shows _Cabin Pressure_ and _Old Harry’s Game_ are probably the topmost of the recent offerings, or at least the best that didn’t transition to television. A lot of sketch shows started out on radio first and then moved to TV - _Goodness Gracious Me_, _Little Britain_, _That Mitchell & Webb Sound_, to name a few. Americans unfamiliar with Mitchell & Webb who have access to either their radio or television shows (the TV show title being _That Mitchell & Webb Look_) are strongly encouraged to seek them out, as they are insanely funny. One which may not qualify as “best” but certainly wins awards for “unique” is [Murder in Successville](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07h1mnp). I’m not sure I can explain it in a way that does it justice, but essentially it’s a mashup of semi-scripted improvisation in a setting filled with celebrity impersonators. An actual (usually D-list) celebrity guests each episode and plays the role of a rookie cop under the direction of DI Sleet (played by Tom Davis, the one real constant in the show). The rest of the cast are fictional versions of celebrities who play the suspects in [various bizarre murder mystery scenarios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_in_Successville). Worth a watch, if only to inspire incredulity. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/105 "2017-05-19T14:59:42Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Take note: zombie thread. > > I remember seeing this thread the first time around, and I think I checked out an episode of _Cabin Pressure_ at some point, but it didn’t really grab me. Well, I occasionally check out the BBC radio website looking for interesting programs (sorry, “programmes”); Sue Perkins’ _Dilemma_ is quite good. But they only post shows for a short time, I assume to coincide with on-air broadcasts. _Cabin Pressure_ showed up recently, witht he opportunity to listen from the beginning. I decided to give it another try and it’s fantastic. Oddly, Cumberbatch is the one voice that doesn’t stand out for me. Finnemore’s unleashed enthusiasm and Allam’s dripping disdain are perfect. > > Last night I heard “Ipswich” and it’s worth reviving the thread for. For anyone who didn’t have a way to access it before, it’s available [here](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lmcxj/episodes/player). ipswich is one of my favourites. i think the cast and mr finnemore really started clicking in the second series. the 5 steps thing is fantastic and helpful in many situations. gdansk is hilarious as well. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/106 "2017-05-19T19:14:12Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > ipswich is one of my favourites. i think the cast and mr finnemore really started clicking in the second series. the 5 steps thing is fantastic and helpful in many situations. gdansk is hilarious as well. “Hey, chief. I might be wrong, but… I think we’re flying into a mountain. This makes me feel… scared of the mountain. One thing we could do is… pull up and fly over the mountain. How does that sound to _BOOM_” Brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/107 "2017-05-20T15:19:27Z")
Another vote for _Peep Show_. ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/108 "2017-05-20T15:58:28Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > **Peep Show**. Take _Seinfeld_ and _It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia_… and make it well demented, with a nice side of drugs and hormones. Brilliant! I’ll second this and throw in “That Mitchell and Webb Look.” Sketch comedy by the same actors. “THAT’S NUMBERWANG!” ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/109 "2017-05-20T16:47:19Z")
This is stretching it, since it came out in 2003/04, but my choice would be _ **The Smoking Room** _ As a fan of British Sitcoms I’d love to have more choices, but alas, living here in the USA doesn’t allow me to sample many. PBS only air shows that are decades old (seriously, they’re STILL airing _Are You Being Served?_!!!) and BBC America **SUCKS!** ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/110 "2017-05-20T17:23:06Z")
Huge thanks to whoev…whomever might be just a titch more apropos when discussing British um… things. To whomever bumped this thread. I found _Cabin Pressure_ episodes on [archive.com](http://archive.com), and love it. Will try other ‘reccies’ from this thread, too. I love Olde Time Radio (especially the inadvertently hilarious like _The Green Lama_). But I had NO idea that I love Modern Timey Whimey Radio, too! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413/111 "2017-05-21T06:33:03Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I found _Cabin Pressure_ episodes on [archive.com](http://archive.com), and love it. Will try other ‘reccies’ from this thread, too. Just a couple of points. 1. It’s [archive.org](http://archive.org). and 1. I’m definitely bingeing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-funniest-british-comedy-of-the-last-decade/664413.md?page=5)