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Recommend me some comedy.
EddieDean
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I want some brand new comedy in my life, and as a gift (and a template of how I'd like to see your recommendations appear) I'll share with you some of my favourites.
These're the ones you know because you're all AMERICAN.
Arrested Development
Featuring George Bluth, Oscar Bluth, George Oscar Bluth, Michael Bluth, George Michael Bluth, Lucille 1, Lucille 2, a Loose Seal, Mabey, Annyong (Hel-Loh) and other characters whose names are more normal, this is by far the most intelligent and subtle of all American comedies. The story of a completely dysfunctional wealthy family who lose everything, and the one son who struggles to keep them together. Incredibly witty.
30 Rock
The story of Liz Lemon, head writer of a live comedy show (think SNL) and the excellently eccentric group of writers and actors who she oversees, among others, from whom much of the comedy is spawned. Of note is her boss, Jack Donaghy (played by Alex Baldwin), whose dry delivery is consistently hilarious. This is a sharp comedy with great wordplay and smart gags, and some endearing character interactions.
How I Met Your Mother
Your more traditional American Sitcom, with a group of friends going about their New York city lives. Its simplicity and the affection of the group makes it a very digestible show, and the dialogue's nice and... comfy? That sounds odd to say, but watch a bunch and you'll realise what I mean. The general plot is that it's a story being told in 2030 of how this one guy, Ted, met his future wife (the mother that he's telling his kids this story to), but in reality there's much more to it. The breakaway character is Barney, who is, well, awesome.
And here's the stuff you don't know anything about because it's BRITISH.
Snuff Box
A sort of sketch show with plot, about the hangman for the King of England and his assistant, and their delightfully surreal adventures surrounding the gentleman's cigar club where they spend most of their time. The door next to the men's lavatory leads to the same room but in the 19th Century, where they visit their ancestors for advice, and often, prostitutes. It's very odd, but an absolute treat. Watch it in one sitting. Oh, and the theme song's awesome.
Spaced
Do NOT tell me that you've not watched Spaced.
Look Around You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCWA7uevo_Q
This is a short show, of ten-minute long clips, which is a perfect parody of those old science shows you used to be shown in school. Americans might not get it, but check out the clip. They're all on youtube. It had a second season with a different format, but the first is by far the best. Also search youtube for 'birds of britain' once you're done.
Green Wing
Hospital comedy, but we don't actually see them do any medicine. A bunch of doctors and other administrative types who are all ridiculously odd but very well imagined, having relationships and generally not doing much work. Pretty surreal and with great editing, this is an absolute gem of a show.
IMPORTANT:
Please use this thread to recommend any great shows, using images and video and at least a little description, and feel free to post the same for anything already described. Please, please back up your opinions with description - I want people to be able to come away with actual knowledge of shows, not just people saying 'i like X/i dislike X'.
These're the ones you know because you're all AMERICAN.
Arrested Development
Featuring George Bluth, Oscar Bluth, George Oscar Bluth, Michael Bluth, George Michael Bluth, Lucille 1, Lucille 2, a Loose Seal, Mabey, Annyong (Hel-Loh) and other characters whose names are more normal, this is by far the most intelligent and subtle of all American comedies. The story of a completely dysfunctional wealthy family who lose everything, and the one son who struggles to keep them together. Incredibly witty.
30 Rock
The story of Liz Lemon, head writer of a live comedy show (think SNL) and the excellently eccentric group of writers and actors who she oversees, among others, from whom much of the comedy is spawned. Of note is her boss, Jack Donaghy (played by Alex Baldwin), whose dry delivery is consistently hilarious. This is a sharp comedy with great wordplay and smart gags, and some endearing character interactions.
How I Met Your Mother
Your more traditional American Sitcom, with a group of friends going about their New York city lives. Its simplicity and the affection of the group makes it a very digestible show, and the dialogue's nice and... comfy? That sounds odd to say, but watch a bunch and you'll realise what I mean. The general plot is that it's a story being told in 2030 of how this one guy, Ted, met his future wife (the mother that he's telling his kids this story to), but in reality there's much more to it. The breakaway character is Barney, who is, well, awesome.
And here's the stuff you don't know anything about because it's BRITISH.
Snuff Box
A sort of sketch show with plot, about the hangman for the King of England and his assistant, and their delightfully surreal adventures surrounding the gentleman's cigar club where they spend most of their time. The door next to the men's lavatory leads to the same room but in the 19th Century, where they visit their ancestors for advice, and often, prostitutes. It's very odd, but an absolute treat. Watch it in one sitting. Oh, and the theme song's awesome.
Spaced
Do NOT tell me that you've not watched Spaced.
Look Around You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCWA7uevo_Q
This is a short show, of ten-minute long clips, which is a perfect parody of those old science shows you used to be shown in school. Americans might not get it, but check out the clip. They're all on youtube. It had a second season with a different format, but the first is by far the best. Also search youtube for 'birds of britain' once you're done.
Green Wing
Hospital comedy, but we don't actually see them do any medicine. A bunch of doctors and other administrative types who are all ridiculously odd but very well imagined, having relationships and generally not doing much work. Pretty surreal and with great editing, this is an absolute gem of a show.
IMPORTANT:
Please use this thread to recommend any great shows, using images and video and at least a little description, and feel free to post the same for anything already described. Please, please back up your opinions with description - I want people to be able to come away with actual knowledge of shows, not just people saying 'i like X/i dislike X'.
EddieDean on
0
Posts
Hmm...a surreal comedy set in a hospital, with odd characters and great editing...
Sorry, can't think of a comparable show.
In the meantime, below is a random YouTube clip that I hope you find amusing.
Scrubs - Top 5 Daydream Sequences
Funny, but short lived. The episodes are kind of uneven, but the funny ones are very funny. The setting is a children's show in a world where puppets are "real people". Foul mouth, substance abusing puppets and Seth Green. Sarah Silverman is pretty annoying, but she doesn't screw it up too bad. Some 'out takes'.
Also, no "The Office"? It comes in British (I'm sure you knew this), American, and Dutch flavors, maybe others.
Let me help you out here by providing some footage
[off topic] Gundam, your avatar and quote are awesome
He's a ventrilloquist, with a number of puppets, each with a distinct voice & personality.
I won't include any Achmed links because they're easy to find... Peanut (the purple ape-thing) is probably one of my favorites, but every single one of his characters is awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47DT41m86N4
You're all dead to me
Srsly.
If I weren't at work I would post some Youtube or Hulu action. Someone feel free to do so in my stead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEUjKZmqRvM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIScMJnxBAY
Youtube is kind of sparse, mostly mashups to Night Man/Day Man and promo clips. Here's the Hulu page.
This show really needs more love. It's like Seinfeld gone off it's meds. Pure gold.
Night Man. Considered yourself warned.
Day Man. For much needed balance.
Promo Music Video, because I'm a whore.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
https://twitter.com/Hooraydiation
I'll third this so hard. SO HARD.
I'm a pretty big fan of it's always sunny, on the British side of things, I'm a fan of The Mighty Boosh and the IT Crowd if there's a healthy bit of geek in you. Pretty much anytime you get Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, and/or Noel Fielding you're bound for comic gold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKwQ_zeRwEs
I also went back and watched Black Adder recently. Great stuff if you can track it down, Rowan Atkinson is an awesome anti-hero, and you get to see Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie as you move into later seasons. Both of Hugh Laurie's character's are absolutely hilarious.
Subtitles are lame, but you'll get the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfrOo3qxVmM
twitch.tv/tehsloth
Sitcom set in a small book shop run by Bernard Black [Dylan Moran], a smoking, drinking misanthropist, and well-meaning but spaced out Manny Bianco [Bill Bailey]. It's eccentric, surreal and very, very funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wBLUBa8YI
Red Dwarf
First part of the pilot
Set on a mining ship sent three million years into deep space as a result of a radiation leak that wiped out almost everyone on board. The only survivor of the crew was David Lister [Chris Barrie], in suspended animation at the time of the leak as punishment for bringing a pregnant cat on board. The cat was sealed in the cargo hold, and over the years her descendants evolved into Felis Sapiens, who left in search of the Promised Land apart from one [Danny John-Jules]. Lister's bunk-mate, Arnold Rimmer [Chris Barrie], was brought back by the ship's computer [Norman Lovett] in an attempt to keep Lister from going insane with loneliness.
Over the eight series the show's premise expanded to include Kryten [Robert Llewellyn], a service droid, as part of the main crew, and a host of other antagonists such as Agonoids and genetically engineered life forms. I'm more of a fan of the earlier stuff, though, where it's all about how the characters deal with being three million years into Deep Space.
Porridge
Pilot snippet
Starring Ronnie Barker as career criminal Norman Stanley Fletcher and Richard Beckinsale as first-time offender Lennie Godber, serving their time in Slade Prison. A true classic.
Also, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace really needs a mention here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjmJWVc1RGY
All the episodes are up on Youtube and are easy to find.
Seconded on the series recommendation. And SK is a great place...to be from
I never finish anyth
It's STELLA.
Damn you Comedy Central.
I haven't watched it yet but heard good things.
Watch it and then get back to me on whether it's worth watching or not.
On the plus side, at least they're giving the Michaels a new show, and they're the only ones anybody ever really cared about. I'm almost certain it won't be as good, and probably won't be as ridiculous as Stella was, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't crack me up.
twitch.tv/tehsloth
Okay yeah the michaels are better though
I also liked Dog Bites Man and that was cancelled so fast.
All the while they kept renewing Mind of Mencia for another 20 seasons.
*shudder*
twitch.tv/tehsloth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6HYbHYxUgM
Wain also directed Wet Hot American Summer and Role Models (which surprisingly had its moments).
Those are two fantastic facts!
IOS Game Center ID: Isotope-X
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2491LucLa1g
Our first game is now available for free on Google Play: Frontier: Isle of the Seven Gods
Yeah. Unfortunately, he let the drugs get him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFdmG-TRxzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAOLOGGftTY&feature=related
Psych:
Its a light hearted mystery show but the greatness comes from the chemistry of the two main leads. It starts off a bit iffy, but quickly finds its legs.
Here's the latest episode.
Shout+Thriller
Ebony and Ivory
QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+