The Best of the BBC Britcoms
Written: Apr 26 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Often more intelligent than U.S. sitcoms
Cons: Sometimes blatantly sexual (is that a con?)
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| TheAdvocate's Full Review: BBC America |
Three cheers for BBC America... before the U.S. had this network, British comedies were only available on PBS, which is still a great place to see them. But the BBC offers a wider variety -- if you haven't spent a Saturday afternoon sipping Earl Grey and laughing at those silly Brits, here's a guide to get you familiar with some of the better Britcoms.
Are You Being Served
This one's from the 70s, with more of a 60s feel. The double entendre reigns, as does slapstick and the almighty British pun. The show takes place in a London Department store, Grace Brothers, and pokes fun at the British caste system; junior/senior, posh/common -- the floor staff usually gets a laugh at the expense of management. This one can be silly and crass, but it has its moments - try to catch the one where the staff of Grace Brothers practices their rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Mrs. "Er Er" Slocombe!
Black Adder
If you've ever seen Mr. Bean, you'll be amazed at Rowan Atkinson's range when you watch the Black Adder. One of the most intellectually satisfying comedies on television, it's a historical romp through the life of the rogue Edmund Blackadder and his similarly-named, similarly-motivated descendants. Each series consists of six episodes; the first takes place in the Dark Ages starting in 1485. From there, the series moves through the Elizabethan era, the Regency years of the early 19th century, and finally, Captain Blackadder serves his country in World War I. Edmund, by the way, is master of the insult, if you like that sort of thing. ;)
Waiting for God
This show highlights another misanthrope, the "elderly" Diana Trent, living in the Bay View retirement home in Bournemouth. Her next-door neighbor is the eccentric but much happier Tom Ballard, who takes astrally-projected trips to the Swiss Alps and to Hollywood for a date with Jane Russell while his aging body sits slack-jawed on his apartment patio. Diana, like many other British characters, champions a cause: in her case, "age-ism." Fun to watch when she gets riled up, especially when she tries to repeatedly kill the Idiot Baines , the postman, or Bay View's immigrant gardener.
The Vicar of Dibley
One-half of the French & Saunders fabulously iconoclastic team, Dawn French departs from her traditional roles to portray a liberal, lovable female vicar in the small English village of Dibley. This show is perhaps a better showcase for French's talents; she's never raunchy or the foil of token "fat" jokes. Instead, she's a devout Christian amused by her own massive bosom and the flaws and weaknesses of her congregation. In short, she accepts the foibles of humanity - tackling the sticky church issue of judgment vs. unconditional love.
Red Dwarf
Britain's answer to Star Trek, the Red Dwarf is a spaceship housing the recently awakened Dave Lister, three million years after he's been put in stasis sleep. Needless to say, nobody's much left onboard except the evolutionary descendant of his cat, the talking computer, and a hologram named Arnold Rimmer. Eventually they find the android Kryten, who's hilarious when he can point out the one or two flaws in his crewmates' otherwise brilliant ideas. If you like curry, you'll love this show.
Chef!
Gareth Blackstock is a Machiavellian chef - he'll spare a few lives in order to keep his food up to his own perfectionist standards. His standards, though, are imposed from without - he's been both blessed and cursed by receiving a two-star rating in the pre-eminent Michelin Guide to fine restaurants. His poor kitchen staff, however, has never actually witnessed more than a superficial fondue-induced injury; Chef has yet to actually maim or kill his food suppliers. ;)
Fawlty Towers
More proof that the legs of John Cleese are far too long. Cleese's character, the insane Basil Fawlty, co-owns a British Inn with his sane but somewhat abusive wife, Sybil (whom he describes in one episode as a "rancorous, coiffeured old sow"). The Brits are all quite talented at the art of being what John Cleese once called "beautifully rude." And if Basil Fawlty achieves something Edmund Blackadder and Diana Trent do not, it's the ability to cheerfully hand the vicitm of his bile a bill, at the end of it all, for services rendered.
Keeping Up Appearances
To understand Hyacinth Bucket, you need only know that she pronounces her last name, "Bouquet." In a word, pretentious. In nine words, a financial and psychological burden on her husband, Richard. The bane of Hyacinth's existence, however, are her lower-class relatives: sisters Rose, Daisy, and brother-in-law Onslow, who always show up at the wrong time in their unreliable, back-firing blue/grey sedan. If you like to see snobby middle-aged women verbally justify their social standing based on the pattern of their wallpaper and the design of their slim-line phone, you'll like this Britcom.
Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous is the most offensive, decadent and spot-on encapsulation of the Baby Boomer me-mentality ever produced. Patsy and Edina are aging, alcoholic, fashion-obsessed drug addicts who are either complaining, collapsing, or fondly recalling the glory days of their acid-dropping 60s bohemian youth. Edina's sensible teenage daughter, Saffron, gets a fairly typical "You piece of filth!" response from Patsy for daring to criticize her mother's "better living through massage" philosophy. This one's definitely the Mae West of Britcoms: when it's bad, it's better.
As Time Goes By
The sweet story of Lionel and Jean is one of falling in love again after their first affair, 38 years before. As teenagers, these two were torn apart by World War II; both married other people and both found themselves single again at mid-life. The show stars Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer and their humor is subtle, mature and extremely gentle. Once you've gorged yourself on all the insults and innuendos the British have to offer, watch this one to smile and unwind.
And yes, I left out The League of Gentlemen, All Rise for Julian Clary, and The High Life. But this was, after all, a "best of" guide. ;)
Recommended:
Yes
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