British vs. American Comedy

[@connorgillespie9606]

American = main character(s) makes the jokes British = main character(s) is the joke

[@Cheapthrill1979]

It might be the overlying trend but in both countries there are comedies that do what the other country is known for. In the US for example in Community and It's Always Sunny.. the characters are the joke, and the UK makes plenty of US style sitcoms.

[@999TnO]

That's a new-ish trend in American comedy after they realised the British way was funnier.

[@klankungen7794]

kramer makes seinfeld funny. I have to say that the only good comedy from usa that I've seen are people that talks to dolls

[@leonarron1380]

Connor Gillespie no one realises that these are not funny

[@connorgillespie9606]

Sir Douchdick ?

[@memsus2346]

British humour relies on pain, suffering, boredom, mediocrity, panic... Basically all the emotions a brit feels ever.

[@wrylysmiley]

You're right that here Peep Show delves into the emotions of characters (great representation of people's thoughts) as opposed to the observational humour (stand up comedy) shown in Seinfeld. Perhaps you believe that the lives of Americans and the British are perfectly reflected by their shows. How terribly out of touch. "pain, suffering" good job disparaging there kiddo.

[@kadenjay8111]

wrylysmiley 2 years late, but I still gotta r/woosh

[@gigaatom]

True. We do have a depressive humour. But its fucking amazing

[@pornbreaker6404]

You can't insult your dad England gave birth to amerifat

[@georgia8674]

Isn't that the basis for the comedy of friends

[@specifikmc]

Full context for the Peep Show makes it a million times funnier. Easily my favourite British sitcom. Community or Always Sunny for American.

[@rhysblackmore1046]

If you like those, you'll love arrested development

[@shaf621]

Yeah likewise here, feel like Always Sunny is a mix of Peep Show and Inbetweeners

[@dylanwalsh6527]

Community and sunny are amazing. Completely different to peep show and each other but it just shows that brilliant comedy can come in so many different forms.

[@specifikmc]

@@shaf621 Always Sunny isn't anything like Peep or Inbetweeners.. 🤔

[@shaf621]

@@specifikmc I mean in both Peep Show and Inbetweeners you have some morally corrupt people, like Will and Jay from Inbetweeners then in Peep Show you have Jez, Mark, Super Hans and Johnson.

[@mirandaa6551]

As an American, I’ve learned to just ignore the laugh track but it’s still nice to notice the track becoming quieter over the years and then eventually disappearing

[@ben6993]

You can thank the Office for that. The UK version lead to the US version and since then shows that have laughtracks now are considered old fashioned.

[@duffal0]

0:31 20 is more his style

[@crispykneecaps7209]

Yeah, both countries used laugh tracks a lot back in the day. See Mr Bean or Blackadder for British examples and they were both good shows. That said, I wouldn't want laugh tracks to make a comeback.

[@itsme123669]

@@ben6993 What? The Big Bazinga Theory has a laugh track and it started airing 2 years after the office.

[@ben6993]

@@itsme123669 exactly, and the laugh track is annoying

[@benji7662]

I find it generally works like this. American comedy: " So this guy on the subway did something totally humiliating" British comedy: "So i did this thing on the subway that was totally humiliating" British laugh at themselves, the Americans laugh at others.

[@Theyoungthibby]

Lmao whatever dude

[@epicalpaca]

+Benji Ward the only exception being people like louis ck

[@BigyetiTechnologies]

+epicalpaca Until last week I thought Louis CK was a clothing brand.

[@teyxen]

+Steve Henderson Unfortunately, you've forgotten to read the word 'generally'. Hopefully that clears things up for you.

[@benji7662]

Steve Henderson No.

[@rosiejones9241]

American humour = optimistic, reactionary, dramatic, soft lighting, American Dream British humour = self deprecating, realistic, dreary, cynical

[@xiandrii]

that's how we roll. RULE BRITANNIA!

[@uhuraenterprise6372]

@@xiandrii We love your sence of humor here in Sweden. Love and relate to it😄

[@Impossinator]

Realistic? You brits have a weird reality

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

that's completely bullshit though. I can name American sitcoms like Frasier which are self deprecating in nature, and name English ones which aren't. Only Fools and Horses isn't cynical at all.

[@falkorornothing261]

That scene from Seinfeld is realistic and cynical. If you watch more you will definitely see the self deprecation. In fact these are some of the best descriptors of the show. The British clip is definitely realistic. I remember peeing my pants and it leaking onto my gran on my wedding day.

[@Lmclean89]

Coming from an unbiased Aussie. Brit humour is by far and away the most revolutionary and hilarious. Literally all you had to do was either show Monty Python, Charlie Chaplin, Rowan Atkinson or Peter Sellers. That being said, I adore The Three Stooges, Rodney Dangerfield and some other American acts.

[@Scott-uz1cd]

youre biast! the american one is much funnyer and more intelligantly written.

[@PouLS]

"Coming from an unbiased Aussie" this is a joke, right?

[@derekandre31]

@@Scott-uz1cd Learn to spell before deciding what’s considered intelligent.

[@arcader3756]

Dick Emery is amazing too

[@zaphenath6756]

@@derekandre31 Scott was clearly lampooning the 'dumb american' trope. we all know british humor is generally superior, but everyone gets to have their own opinion anyway

[@therunningstef5347]

I think the end scene in the peep show finale really shows what british comedy is all about. After 12 years of crazy stuff happening, nothing has really changed between mark and jez, theres no real character arcs, they are both still single, still sad characters, and still sitting at the same sofa watching tv

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

Yeah, it’s basically a massive middle finger to the common character development, American dream, things will get better tropes that Hollywood, Disney and American media espouse constantly as most people never learn from their mistakes or refuse to change and there isn’t always a happy ending in life.

[@jdunlapmusic]

Hilariously, that was the point of Seinfeld as well. Larry David was resistant to the characters learning anything or changing in any significant way.

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

@@jdunlapmusic most people subconsciously justify their terrible behaviour with deluded thoughts and resist any sort of honest objective self reflection because they’re too uncomfortable with facing reality, the need to change and their own shortcomings, that’s why we sort of empathise with the main characters when we can hear their own internal monologues and see their life through their eyes (and we have to step back and remind ourselves what objectively terrible things they are doing) vs if we saw them carry out their actions from an innocent bystander perspective with no established context where they would just come across as terrible sociopaths/psychopaths. The audience goes through a similar thing with Walter White in Breaking Bad

[@jdunlapmusic]

@@sacrilegiousboi978 I just cringe and laugh when the characters on Seinfeld sabotage themselves. I love it. But watching Breaking Bad twice was an interesting experience. Once as it was being made, once after I was a few seasons into Better Call Saul. The first time I routed for Walter, the second time I saw him as a narcissist who destroyed everything he touched.

[@OldAussieAds]

@@jdunlapmusic Exactly. I'm all for saying how much better British comedy is compared to the US. But Seinfeld is one of the best sitcoms of all time, worldwide.

[@CarlHighfield]

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything but why do American TV shows feel the need to tell us when they've made a joke by putting in a laugh track, it's insanely annoying

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

A lot of Americans agree with you :) Or they're filmed in front of a live audience.

[@reeceanweiler787]

I tend to like british comedy much more, but just to be fare there are plenty of british shows with laugh tracks.

[@theworstkazuma2629]

That's a sitcom thing. It's because the Hominids like ourselves are preprogrammed to survive better in a group/family envoronment. Like if the leader of the group were to stop we would stop without thinking. It's similar in terms of social behaviour. Hearing another person laugh especially a group of people can subconciously trigger ourselves to be more susceptible to the groups wishes, in this case to laugh. Like when at a movie theatre and everyone starts applauding even if you felt it was undeserved wouldn't you feel oblidged to clap to not feel outted from everyone else? Humanity is predictable in this way.

[@quinndougherty7155]

There are British shows that do that. It's lame either way, but the idea is that it would be weird watching the show, knowing which ones are filmed in front of an audience, and hearing silence from them. It still sounds lame, but that's why you hear laugh tracks on multi camera shows like Seinfeld and IT Crowd, and no laugh track on single camera shows like Arrested Development and Peep Show. These shows aren't a very good comparison, and the Seinfeld clip was a particularly weak one that kinda seems cherry picked to poorly represent all American Comedy.

[@Gabfish626]

Generally they are filmed in front of an audience

[@mattthorne8419]

For the American one I was amused for the whole clip but for the British one I was pissing my self with laughter

[@mattthorne8419]

Pun not intended

[@vincehgrutherford6184]

+matt THORNE i feel sorry for the object you were laying on

[@elizalmb2729]

Same here.

[@big_narc]

didnt laugh for either, just kind of grossed by the extreme close up of creepy british looking dudes

[@nameyourchannel1614]

+Narcc this was exactly what I was like, I flinched the first few close up switches...

[@Lusitano9514]

"The coin has spoken" One of the many and most genius lines in Peep Show

[@idkwhathomestuckisijustlik3439]

I was amused by the first clip, but dying of laughter at the second. I love that they didn't put in a laugh track, that makes it even better!

[@muthesquirrel]

There's an inherent difference in the structure of the two. American comedy tends to revolve around good people facing and overcoming problems using quick wit. British comedy tends to focus on questionably moral people facing problems and failing to overcome them with cynical wit. There's not real a winner, it's a question of taste and world perspective.

[@muthesquirrel]

Languorous alien Then you haven't watched Black Adder, or Red Dwarf, or Father Ted, or Fawlty Towers... etc.

[@muthesquirrel]

Languorous alien Why would you think that? It's no different than saying sarcastic wit. Simply being cynical doesn't mean one is devoid of humour.

[@muthesquirrel]

Languorous alien Everything you ever hear requires a first time for you to hear it.

[@muthesquirrel]

***** I said 'tends' for a reason, there are of course different comedy types throughout. You only need look at South Park. That is the trend in the style of comedy though. British comedy is just more cynical on average.

[@muthesquirrel]

***** Friends must have gotten under your skin then.

[@TheBc99]

Just to explain: The main difference is that the protagonists on American comedies are usually underdogs who are confident in every situation and always manage to come out on top with little effort. They never really have any goals, but they always end up winning. Meanwhile, protagonists of British comedies are usually underdogs who lack confidence and never quite get their way no matter how hard they try, often resulting in embarrassment and ridicule for them. They always set out with some kind of goal (often romantic and very selfish), but no matter how many seasons go by it's not going to happen. I personally find the latter more relatable... EDIT: This theory courtesy of Stephen Fry.

[@mankytoes]

+Benjamin Rome Clarke I think this was well shown in the American Office, where Jim, their Tim, had to get a promotion and start a separate, successful company. The everyman can't really be a loser, not in the end.

[@herbert9241]

+Benjamin Rome Clarke I disagree with your synopsis and personal conclusion but I think you've succinctly cracked the myth that is Only Fools and Horses.

[@RunningLemonStudios]

+Benjamin Rome Clarke Oh come on, at least credit your source if you're going to almost directly quote Stephen Fry.

[@TheBc99]

+Sir Regan Sorry, I should do so. I actually didn't remember where I got this. Although to my credit, the video does basically the same thing.

[@TheBc99]

+Herbert You can't disagree with a personal conclusion. You just have a different personal conclusion. But ok.

[@charles_wren_films]

I think what makes a show like Peep Show so utterly brilliant is the fact that the comedy builds and builds, as the story unfolds. There are some great one liners of course, but the real magic is in the gags that play out over several minutes, or even several scenes. The moment in the clip above where Jeremy’s piss begins dripping through the ceiling of the church where Mark is having a nervous breakdown and trying to escape getting married, and Mark starts frantically mopping it up in a panic with his handkerchief, before clumsily declaring himself to the whole church almost in a moment of reluctant surrender; that’s the payoff. It takes several minutes to get to that point, as opposed to relying on a series of short digestible gags and one liners. Imho Peep Show feels more like reading a book, whereas a lot of US comedy shows feel more like reading a bunch of short articles in a magazine.

[@alexibarra4254]

M: How many missed calls have you got? J: 28 M: That’s bullshit, I’ve got 73

[@viperz888]

Americans need canned laughter to tell them when there's a joke

[@aphrog649]

um no, the shows are just preformed in front of a live studio audience so when the audience laughs you can hear it

[@mysteryshrimp]

+Lily R Um, no. Seinfeld was performed in front of a live studio audience in the apartment and the diner sets. All other locations were canned laughter, and I suspect that what live studio audience was there was augmented by the laugh track for most of the show.

[@needicecream100]

Even Fawlty Towers had canned laughter.

[@Skillet98]

+viperz888 The only time I'm okay with the laughter is when it's from an ACTUAL live studio audience. Home Improvement and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air are prime examples of it. I've always hated canned laugh tracks. They're so obviously fake and forced... /joke "HaHaHa!" /joke "HaHaHa!" /joke "HaHaHa!" /joke "HaHaHa!" /joke "HaHaHa!" It gets very tiresome to listen to, and actually makes the show less funny than it could be. Meanwhile, a show with a live audience, I tend to not even notice when they're there. It's more... organic.

[@viperz888]

Kevin Walter eiurg

[@tara.5986]

I'm a simple person. I see David Mitchell, I click the video.

[@hehenon]

Same

[@sebastianmonk275]

Same

[@MeTheRob]

Same

[@isaacroberts9089]

I wish more people liked these two. The Peep Show is goddamn hilarious!

[@chopin65]

Isaac Roberts I know! I watch it with all my friends. The show is very funny.

[@CaptainRegular]

There's 10 years of comedic development between these two airings; hardly fair. Some of the stuff on Larry David's later "Curb Your Enthusiasm" rivals Peep Show for sure.

[@thefearedESK]

Comedy is completely up to the beholder. In my opinion the second clip is leagues above the first in terms of comedy. It's much more clever. They aren't delivering a joke to an audience the way they are in the first. So it doesn't seem forced, and they also don't accentuate the punchline. They let it roll out and that subtlety makes it even funnier. The punchline about the coin was extremely subtle. I am an American.

[@Zacho789]

The difference is who ends up laughing at the end of it, the studio audience laugh track or the viewers themselves.

[@ApimpNamedslikbak100]

+Zacho789 Seinfeld was filmed live(mostly). Why does everyone say this.

[@crunch9876]

If your philosophical look up zizek kant laughter

[@jeffcolorado]

+SplitNerd The IT Crowd is filmed in front of an audience. There's a 'behind the scene' special (on KZbin) where they talk about it.

[@BigyetiTechnologies]

+Jeff B There are British sitcoms that don't have any studio audience laughter going on and with those you get to see the jokes without being prompted where they are. There's no laughter over The Simpsons or Family Guy.

[@bloodrunsclear]

+Zacho789 Like Blackadder, Bottom, whatever that sketch show was called where "I'm a lady!" was a catchphrase...all of those had laugh tracks.

[@soleycara3388]

just realised how much brits swear.. fuck xD

[@ads2686]

Yeah we do love a fucking good swear

[@BadMotivator66]

+Soley Cara oh bollocks, you're right. also americans can't swear as naturally as we do, it seems like it takes real effort when they swear.

[@soleycara3388]

+Bad Motivator oh bollocks you're right with that actually xD

[@Brother-Crow]

+Soley Cara us brits do not swear. its builtr into our vocabulary, take the word wank for example, can have hundreds of different use meanings

[@soleycara3388]

+bolloksitsmeee lol xD

[@hyrulphicsound]

Loved both clips. Have never really given Seinfield a chance, but I might now after this. That was an entertaining clip. It's hard to define a difference between British and American humor. I think as much as either side may want to be different from the other, it's actually more a matter of the genre of the material you're watching. Like satire versus slapstick or something like that.

[@lukamg7368]

“Let me piss in that prayer bucket” “Prayer bucket? Is there such a thing as… that’s just a BUCKET” That joke alone shits all over seinfield, friends, and whatever other trash American sitcom out there 💀

[@alistairjclark2433]

A lot of UK shows have a real relatable feel to them. Peepshow, the Inbetweeners and the office are good examples of this realness in that the characters are not particularly glamorous just mostly average feeling. The lighting doesn't feel overdone often the weather is very British all this adds to a more gritty real feeling show along with plot lines that whilst exaggerated feel they could happen with the main characters normally suffering and using a lot of self depricating humour. Lastly dialogue is often structured very differently and more natural (In my opinion) with the Inbetweeners being a fantastic example

[@aguyfromnz537]

you know its american tv when 70% of the noise is a laugh track

[@hurkamur1]

a guy from nz same with British, I love a lot of British sitcoms but they do the same shit.

[@raytavarez4285]

Somebody has never seen any Monty Python

[@trinab.787]

or That Mitchell and Webb Look

[@willmeyer2259]

a guy from nz I'd have said Absolutely Fabulous

[@JustWill6969]

a guy from nz honestly Seinfeld didn't even need a laugh track

[@lxjoe96]

I think British 'The Office' vs. US 'The Office' is perhaps the most perfect pairing for this comparison. It's not so much about which is better, more about observing how different comedy can be in 2 very similar cultures. It's really interesting.

[@MinorityRespecter88]

The UK version is much better

[@aries8536]

US office is written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen merchant, two Brits - it has a lot of the British humour trope in it

[@MinorityRespecter88]

@@aries8536 no the US office was not written by Ricky Gervais

[@MarpyPlarpy]

@@MinorityRespecter88 Ricky Gervais and Stephen merchant wrote a few episodes of the US office.

[@MinorityRespecter88]

@@MarpyPlarpy no they didn't

[@bourbon2242]

2:02 as a Brit who enjoys British humour, this joke genuinely made me laugh out loud

[@Jmagee2113]

I love Seinfeld and seen every episode and it still makes me laugh, but the British one had me absolutely dying

[@spinningnumbers]

British comedy tends to more cruel and it's OK to be loser, never win and remain a loser until the end credits.

[@AshaNimo1]

American = Loser British = Winner

[@ThePuffin77]

michael sharp They should have used an arrested development clip

[@boring5718]

Like George in Seinfield

[@taylorknight5702]

ah just like the british

[@Ipipeyourmom]

Ever watched British in Philadelphia. The American example is too old, American and British comedy are different but this video is a bad example of how.

[@user-lw8qy8kj7c]

while I do generally prefer British sitcoms to american sitcoms, you can't really compare a late 80's/ early 90's american sitcoms to a mid-00/ early-10's British sitcoms because the way British sitcoms where generally produced changed a lot. Peep show is probably closer in style to something like Scrubs, but even then they're very different, and Seinfeld is maybe closer to something like Father Ted or The IT Crowd, both of which continued to use the older style of British sitcom, but even then, they're very different.

[@kukalakana]

"Kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse" lol. Father Ted is easily funnier than Seinfeld!

[@joemckeown3741]

How dare you refer to Father Ted as a British sitcom. You take that back right now.

[@jameslong672]

+kukalakana I'm pretty sure father ted is a Irish sitcom

[@wouter0388]

Wait who watched Scrubs to laugh?

[@lxjuani]

+jameslong672 Ireland is one of the British Isles.

[@LimitedHandles]

They are both so funny. Peep show is freaking hysterical though. The voice mail from it kills me lol.

[@stinger4712]

The British really push the edge of self deprecation. The British clip had me clutching my chest with laughter

[@Barrybeastmode]

These two sitcoms were written and aired around 20 years apart.

[@beachboss7320]

there both funny though!

[@internetonsetadd]

A more fair comparison, perhaps, would be "The sea was angry that day my friends..." instead of early Seinfeld.

[@eddiebissellosullivan3266]

Mc Katana 15 years actually

[@Barrybeastmode]

Eddie Bissell O'Sullivan 5 to 25 years, depending how you measure.

[@zacksmith5963]

If they used same generation . Seinfeld woukd be obliterated

[@csqw]

Can't we all just realize that there are good and bad shows in both of our cultures and that not all of them are stereotypical versions of what you would expect? To say that there aren't American TV shows that have witty, smart, dark humor or that there aren't any British shows that have wacky, simple, "laugh-track" humor is naive. Just take the best from both cultures and stop worrying about picking sides.

[@herbert9241]

+Trent csqw Admirable sentiment. Alternatively, we can try to discuss various nuances of similarity and difference intelligently.

[@eviltwin2322]

True enough. Generally I prefer British shows over American, but on paper at least my favourite show, Not Going Out, fits more into the stereotypical American paradigm than anything as much of the humour is based around wisecracks and one-liners. Not something we do a lot here.

[@csqw]

Herbert We could definitely try to discuss this intelligently, but has that ever worked out in a KZbin comment thread? ;)

[@herbert9241]

+Trent csqw Haha! Admirably humorous sentiment. As you're well aware, many people are prone to leap to take offence with childlike haste. If our misguided sensibilities allowed those people to dictate the symmetry of our intellect, the metaphorical effect would serve no more purpose than the first instalment in an indefinite series of ransom payments. Intellectual bankruptcy. I think it's important to give a good account of oneself and reach out for reciprocal greatness :-)

[@mistylee717]

Seriously! Thank you. Seems like a bunch of junior high kids arguing about who's better. Stupid stupid stupid. As if there is just one kind of "American humor" or one type of "British humor". Me personally, I like The American Office better than the British simply because I can understand it better. But I like AbFab better than both. But I like Arrested Development better than AbFab. I like what I like and they are all so different even from the same country.

[@iloveawfulthings1916]

I have to say, both clips were astoundingly hilarious.

[@user-vm1jn5ng3i]

Both are unique, valid, and hilarious styles of inducing laughter with rich histories respectively.

[@P_Beard_5961]

If you're looking for great British comedy, you can hardly do better than blackadder

[@mattbrown2351]

I agree, but the IT crowd is up there for me

[@Foxtrot369]

Black Books? Technically it's Irish comedy but it still counts.

[@coolboy0851]

Gay the gay musical

[@OllysGaming777]

nah imbetweeners

[@bonehead1344]

its gotta be bottom, rik mayall and ade edmonson are genius in that

[@fifabanter]

Should have used the peep show Christmas scene where Jeremy says he forgot to get the turkey as a joke and then Mark screams at him and then Jeremy admits it was in the fridge leading to the awkward apology from Mark. Don't think I've ever laughed as much from a TV show.

[@MsFlamingoSam]

And then, there's the dog eating scene.

[@The_mrbob]

Ok, I’m watching it immediately. As someone who loves arrested development and always sunny, I hope I’ll enjoy this show too.

[@OldAussieAds]

Going off memory: "It was a joke Mark. A Christmassy joke."

[@user-ix8uy8cn9o]

@@The_mrbob It's so good, best comedy show for me.

[@dogsmith]

@@OldAussieAds ah ... yes ... sorry, Jeremy ...

[@deutgi]

im british and i think we have some great shows and comedians, but i do still like 80s/90s american sitcoms like cheers and seinfeld. i think both types of comedy have their own positive aspects

[@billybilodeau1991]

I love Mitchell's humor on the various panel shows, I tried to watch a few episodes of "Peep Show" and it wasn't for me by and large. however I loved that scene. that was well done.

[@mickeynotmouse]

the second clip had me pissing myself

[@lambertbrother1628]

Robert Webb feels the same way

[@MoSenpai]

I'm ordering you to stop pissing yourself

[@himikomei8333]

+Mo Senpai that I would see u here is a surprise ...u watch mumkey lol

[@MoSenpai]

Himiko Mei I do. I'm an OG fan of his content. PM me, so we can further discuss our interests ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@Ross-yi9ks]

Ah I see what you did there.

[@anarchistmugwump9137]

That's hardly a fair comparison, it'd be fairer to compare Seinfeld with something that came out in Britain at the time like Blackadder or Only Fools and Horses. Or compare it to Scrubs, a show that came out around the same time and also tries to give the viewer an insight into the protagonist's brain.

[@sanataj]

Andrew Krska I loved Scrubs and I love the Peep Show, so I would say they are good for comparison to one another.

[@wingchunmac]

+Andrew Krska Scrubs has nothing on Green Wing. Srubs is tame compared to some US shows.

[@anarchistmugwump9137]

Huh, so they did. I was more referring to a general time period (late eighties early nineties) anyway so I don't think that detracts from my point very much.

[@ijijijiojio4859]

+Blue Whovian American comedy is all the same as the Americans have a very bland sense of humor. To put it into retrospective...... English comedy is like a cooked Christmas Dinner where as American comedy is much like water..... bland a fluent.

[@RaferJeffersonIII]

+Blue Whovian hahaha the us office improved on the original - a completely original comedy utilising awkwardness in a many never done before, vs a wacky, sitcom. Please hurt yourself in some way.

[@Laetu]

Now that I’ve seen this I need to watch more British comedy. The sarcasm and cynicism resonates with me.

[@xuanathan]

Always Sunny feels like an American comedy written by fans of British humour

[@UnnamedVibesTree]

The problem with these examples is that one segment is modular and the other isn't. With the Seinfeld segment, you don't really need to have any background coming in, why are they at the rental place? Who are they? You can come into the show blind at this point and get a feel for it within minutes. All you need to know is that two characters are at a car rental shop, and the jokes come out of that situation. With Peep Show, it doesn't make sense to show just this segment, it's a part of a whole. The humor comes out of knowing who these characters are, why are they a wedding, why is it funny for the other one to piss himself. Without that, it's just two neurotic guys, one of whom is debating leaving someone at the altar. In context, it'd probably be much funnier. This is also a difference between the two comedians. Jerry Seinfeld's trademark was observational humor, isn't it funny when people...or don't you hate it when...aren't those places the worst? It's from being able to relate to the pain caused by everyday contrivances. With Mitchell is more about his neurotic character in bad situations that are mostly his own doing. It's the pity you feel for a pathetic caricature of a man. Trying to compare comedy on a national basis is sort of a fool's errand. There are so many other factors, like the individual comedian's personal experiences, the means of production, the era. A major network comedian from a white middle class background, and an underground stand up from a working class Black background can be from the same country, even the same decade, and yet have very different work.

[@herbert9241]

+SadakoMoose Very incisive comment - every point a good'un.

[@Cheeseanonioncrisps]

They should have done 'That Mitchell and Webb Look' that's more observational.

[@headrockbeats]

+SadakoMoose Amusingly, by choosing different clips, you could flip the whole thing around. George Costanza is the pathetic caricature, whereas That Mitchell and Webb Look is all about disjointed skits.

[@trublgrl]

+Headrock Oddly enough, George Costanza and Mark Corrigan are similar characters, in that they are downtrodden and put upon by society, but neither are blameless in themselves. You can sympathize sometimes, but other times, you realize they are both incredibly selfish and thoughtless. I'll bet there are some George clips that more closely parallel with this clip from Peep Show. I mean, Where Mark ultimately humiliated his fiance, George murdered his.

[@GeluTavi]

+SadakoMoose I disagree. I never watched the Peep Show but this segment got me absolutely pissing myself! ;)

[@foroparapente]

Overacting vs. Acting Obvious vs. Subtle "No need to think" vs." I really have to concentrate on what they are saying" Relaxing and light vs. Stressful and shifting in your seat

[@iBlagg8]

+foroparapente this is about comedy not intelligence

[@foroparapente]

iBlagg8 Where did I say intelligence? I can be very intelligent and not use my brain when watching comedy, it doesn't make me stupid.

[@iBlagg8]

foroparapente indirectly your saying.... ah forget it you're too stupid anyway.

[@foroparapente]

iBlagg8 *you're

[@iBlagg8]

guess that means you're (did it that time) totally correct about everything and I'm completely wrong. So here we go "No need to think" vs." I really have to concentrate on what they are saying" Brit's don't have to 'really concentrate' on what they're saying because we're intelligent enough to just watch and get it. You're (2 in a row!) probably the lowest common denominator other people in the comments section are talking about.

[@jasonderby7635]

Lmaooo that British show escalated so out of control. I was dying. I'm at work

[@yourmanjimbo1302]

It’s called peep show and it’s great

[@MrExplosion449]

Well I think there is a clear winner there

[@GreggBlenks]

I laughed within 5 seconds of the Peep show but not at any of the US sitcom

[@Lightscribe225]

+Old Guy Doing Yoga That's sad.

[@Lightscribe225]

Jogi Bear Or maybe because you wouldn't know good comedy if it bit you in the aft end.

[@samosajoe5649]

Lightscribe225 .... ? was that american pile of shit shown meant to be funny? they need fake laughter in order to make it seem funny. any sitcoms that need fake laughter are mostly shit

[@Lightscribe225]

Jogi Bear No, that show was shit. Peep show is shit. The fact you find any of the two remotely funny shows you got a problem.

[@artstsym]

+Old Guy Doing Yoga Considering that they hadn't actually finished the first joke by that point, we can safely discount your opinion. Also, Seinfeld was a mediocre show at the time, and is a poor one now, but it doesn't deserve comparison with a show that started 5 years after it ended.

[@TheCoconutTree]

Stephen Fry described the difference between American and British sitcoms the best. In most American comedies, you have the main character who's The Straight Normal man, who observes his crazy surroundings. That's who the typical American viewer wants to see and identify with. British comedies are more prone to making fun of themselves, therefore not often having a Straight Normal Man in their sitcoms. Everyone is simply batshit, including the main character that they're supposed to identify with. Seinfeld = Seinfeld is the normal guy who is surrounded by craziness. Peep Show = Both the main characters are pretty stupid.

[@aymuhspunj]

So Always Sunny in Philadelphia is British Comedy but held in America?

[@user-bp1gx3qt3o]

@@aymuhspunj yeah always sunny leans towards a more british style of humour imo, you’re laughing at the characters rather than with them

[@LusciousTwinkle]

Seinfeld is a boring creep. I can't believe you think he's "normal".

[@missnoneofyourbusiness]

Mr. Bean came to mind

[@julianffan]

that’s funny because I feel like that’s how Seinfeld would describe himself, but it’s not actually remotely accurate. I see the character of Seinfeld and all his friends as absolutely irredeemable assholes with no redeeming qualities, to the point that I don’t find it remotely funny to see them abusing each other and everyone around them. The guy from peep show is way more sympathetic. He has a moral compass, doesn’t want to hurt his fiancée or inconvenience the people who came to his wedding, actually feels bad for having to leave. This is common in British shows. The characters are trying to be better, trying to make better decisions, but the world keeps fucking them over.

[@logos513]

Both had me lmao!

[@daisy3770]

both are great

[@sophiabruuns1438]

I just did the not find the American comedy funny, I definitely prefer British comedy.

[@Harvester236]

+Hazel Stratton The Simpsons and South Park are genius though. But I agree, Big Bang Theory, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Two & A Half Men are all shit.

[@herbert9241]

+Mean Mr Mustard South Park is Canadian. It could never have been conceived in America, only copied. I'll give them The Simpsons and King of the Hill. I've never seen How I Met Your Mother but the other shows you cite are indeed shit - Friends, double-shit-trociously so. They shouldn't have called that show Friends, they should have called it Cunts.

[@Harvester236]

Herbert South Park was created by two guys from Colorado, USA. And yes, 'Cunts' is definitely what it should've been called.

[@herbert9241]

+Mean Mr Mustard OK, I'll let the South Park thing go - as long as we can get a petition passed through congress to have all Friends merchandise recalled and appropriately repackaged.

[@herbert9241]

+Matt Schwartz "Shows how much you know." Pull the other one, it's got bells on. Next you'll be telling me South Park was created by two guys from Colorado, USA. If you're having that quiet a day at the office might I suggest you sweep up the yard or something. Utterly pointless comment.

[@graemeross4842]

Surprised by a few Brits saying they haven't heard of Peep Show. It ran for ages, were you in a coma?

[@TheSuperlime]

Still running now

[@24magiccarrot]

+Graeme Ross It probably wasn't that popular due to the time slot and channel it was on. It was usually on late on a Friday Night on channel 4, most people we're either in bed, at the pub or watching Graham Norton on BBC 1

[@85Aheadstix]

I'm sorry but we don't get all your shit comedy shows. just 98% of them.

[@Banned4Life]

+Graeme Ross Peep Show is airing a new season right now. Come back in a month and make the comment again.

[@rerrezedd5860]

where and when please

[@General.Apeshit]

When I was in Jr. High and early High School I would watch reruns of Red Dwarf. I absolutely loved that style of comedy.

[@mishtaromaniello8295]

I woke my dad up from laughing too loud when I saw the second clip.

[@HoffmansYouTube]

Better comparison would've been between the US and UK office

[@TheOneLichemperor]

But then neither of them demonstrate typical humor. Many would argue that they are completely devoid of humor.

[@vincentwood2280]

inbertweeners iz way more funny

[@AWizardsKiss]

Oh, god. Please don't use that shit as an example of our humour.

[@philgrinspoon]

jesus christ. just no

[@vincentwood2280]

***** it is the new generation comedy u old person

[@Dumass88]

laugh tracks are there to highlight jokes... if jokes need highlighting, they suck and should not be put in the final product. i'm glad most contemporary comedy shows have foregone that awful tradition.

[@chaseanthonybrewer8462]

Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure Seinfeld's aren't laugh tracks, but a studio audience.

[@Dumass88]

+Chase Anthony Brewer you may be right. but it's still kind of a turn off. everything feels forced you know?..

[@krummyraider5421]

There was nothing funny about the British show though. I agree, I don't like laugh tracks but the opposite was stupid.

[@saint3211]

that show is pretty dry though, for British comedy you should watch Blackadder or Black books

[@user-km1yl6gc1w]

there was some good stuff in there but i agree much of it wasnt funny. i didnt start laughing until the prayer bucket gag and it rolled on a little from there. seinfeld is really funny but i think it just adhered to the traditional sitcom format, laugh track and all.

[@SamuelParish]

British wins easily. The dialogue in British comedy feels more natural, the American dialogue feels so forced...

[@Eisenwulf666]

"Tell' em i am doing a Stephen Fry" hahaha that was hilarious XD

[@hedgehogzilla]

gotta love the peep show

[@MargotDemi]

So good haha

[@Wazzok1]

+slime_pixie There's no "the" in Peep Show.

[@hedgehogzilla]

dude, who cares

[@inspectorspinda]

+Wazzok1 "the" as is "the show". that's just good english

[@MrLambertinho]

+Kitty Starr I quite like "Hello this is the David." It has a certain ring to it

[@WhiteSleevedStu]

Plot twist: You're allowed to like 1) both shows 2) neither shows 3) just one of the shows.

[@NestorVass]

I feel like those aren't comparable. One is from the early 90s, and the other one is from the mid-2000s. Community, arrested development, or it's always sunny in Philadelphia are more comparable to peep show because they were made in the same-ish period.

[@trenthammer4127]

or even Psyched.

[@kylewilson1298]

As an American I can say that Peep Show is my favorite show.

[@tonybates7870]

It just depends what you select - Peep Show had much better bits than that, and British stuff is edgier (shit word, can't think of a better one right now) unless the American show is on cable. The fact that the Larry Sanders Show never caught on much in Britain shames us all.

[@salaciouscandy4006]

Never heard of it, I'll check it out.

[@mrnoname3909]

+Antony Bates I agree, the LS show is BRILLIANT.

[@SpaceCattttt]

+Antony Bates Larry Sanders specialized in "cringe humor", and as such, he had a huge influence on Ricky Gervais and The Office. And quite possibly Sacha Baron Cohen, too. So if Larry is less known in Britain, at least his style of comedy fits right at home over there.

[@SadButter]

+Antony Bates On a somewhat related note anyone even slightly interested in the matter should look up the british version of Coupling. That is hands down the best sitcom ever made.

[@salaciouscandy4006]

+Butter of Sorrow You guys nicked coupling as well?!

[@borschify]

I actually studied and wrote an essay on this topic (Difference between US & British comedy in sitcom). There's a long list of differences but some of the main ones are... American sitcom characters have to be likeable. Even the antagonists or bad guys have to be likable. Definitely not the case with British comedy where protagonists and antagonists are often unlikable. Seinfeld was the first American sitcom that broke this rule and it set the trend that allowed for more unlikable charters. Before this it was unheard of in American sitcom. Whether you love or hate Seinfeld it was incredibly original for the that time and one of the most influential US sitcoms ever. Seinfeld changed the way how sitcoms are written in America and it's strongly influenced all American sitcom today, but that's another matter. American sitcom would often conclude positively or at least result in a positive message. This is far from the case with British sitcom. This is also in line with making characters likable because the audience wants to see a positive end to likeable characters. Again, Seinfeld broke this rule and they had to because characters were unlikable. It's the reason the final episode of Seinfeld ended up with them in prison as opposed the say getting married and having families. This positivity is also one reason why those more inclined to British comedy often find American sitcom cheesey at times. I say some because what's surprising is that friends (likable) found a bigger audience than Seinfeld (unlikable) in the UK, which was the exception internationally where Seinfeld had more viewers. Always found this strange, anyhoo... Another difference is the use of sarcasm. As an Australian who lives in the US, it's quite apparent that sarcasm is used differently and less frequently. For the most part, Americans seem to not want to be misinterpreted so when using sarcasm they will often jump in afterwards to make clear they're joking in some way. This might provide a good explanation as the how the "joke" came about of saying "Not" at the end of sarcastic comment. Sarcasm has got me into trouble in a couple instances, when it never would have happened in Australia or when I lived in London. British comedy will often explore black comedy to appeal to a majority of its audience. This is risky in American comedy as it appeals to the minority. At least traditionally speaking. Also this aversion to black comedy is inline with the need to be positive. America has increasingly explored black comedy over the past 2 decades, especially in animation where you can get away with a lot, but British sitcom has always loved black comedy. Again, Seinfeld dabbled in black comedy to a degree but it's not common practice as in British shows. Blackadder is a good example of this. There are many more difference but these are the main ones that come that mind. This video is a poor example of highlighting the 2 as they are from different decades and Seinfeld is not a typical American sitcom. Seinfeld revolutionized American sitcom in many ways. I find Seinfeld and Peep Show equally hilarious

[@D4n1t0o]

Good comment. Deserves more likes.

[@TheRedKing247]

Definitely spot on on how these were not good comparisons. I think a more modern American comedy like Community or Always Sunny would be a better contrast against Peep Show here, or at least have Seinfeld contrasted against a 90s British sitcom like Red Dwarf or Father Ted - though I think it's more relevant to speak about more modern shows.

[@reevs2153]

I came to Seinfeld late but it completely outclasses Friends comedically

[@brianw.costigan8146]

A wonderful, in-depth investigation of the comedic differences between the USA and Britain. Consisting of one clip from an American sitcom and one clip from a British one. And fuck-all discussion.

[@filipelopes99]

Literally anything is better than a laugh track show

[@Nanocon1]

I'm so glad my comedic sense allows me to laugh hysterically at both.

[@_Cato_]

Means you're a good, positive person. I can enjoy both - why not? They both have things to love.

[@TechnologicallyTechnical]

I didn't laugh at either. Actually, I rarely laugh at shows that I think are genuinely funny. Is something wrong with me?

[@bencilbusher5070]

Matt Ward no one knows your mind better than you, but personally i think you're completely bonkers.

[@YahyaFalcon]

Mustache Cashstash who are you talking to?

[@gladiatortoast4599]

Matt Ward no I’m the same way i love shows and will barely laugh at them

[@doraholloway5184]

As an overview, not just using these two examples, British comedy is generally funnier than American comedy.

[@Lightscribe225]

+Dora Holloway I have to disagree, both seem to produce equal amounts of good as they do bad.

[@ScottBrady06]

It's really subjective, some people will prefer American shows, while other will prefer British ones. Some may even prefer both, like me. 😁😛

[@Bigbandjazz]

Sixx Am!

[@doraholloway5184]

The Emo Fandom Lives xD Hellz yeah!

[@SenorJoseCastillo]

as an overview, you have a pretty shit opinion

[@calthepal312]

"You're overruling the coin?!" Holy shit I lost it.

[@christiangleason122]

I think both are great it really just depends on your sense of humor or what you're feeling that day.

[@madeleine6866]

Now to be absolutely fair, these two shows are very different in the way they are set out. I think you could compare other shows to get a more telling result. May I suggest the British "the IT Crowd" vs the American "Big Bang Theory" or perhaps The Office, from both America and Britain. That way, it would, at least, be a fair comparison. :)

[@UnsaltedSinner]

+Madeleine PH I'd say that British comedy tends to be darker and wilder, taking the crazy further. Just look at the two versions of "The Office", or compare "Scrubs" to "Green Wing" or "Friends" to "Coupling". The American comedies tend to be "nicer", with characters that are easy to like and rarely do truly unacceptable things. That said, both countries produce great comedy.

[@madeleine6866]

I'd definitely agree! This video is unfair, as personally I don't think Seinfeld is up to much. Friends is absolutely hilarious though, and I'd say JD and Turk are infinitely more 'likable' than anyone in our comedies lol. American comedy does seem a lot lighter, but it's probably just because us Brits are underhandedly bitchy instead lol

[@joeconkle8826]

+Madeleine PH You guys are also naming all the mainstream light American comedies. There are plenty of great sarcastic american comedies. It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia, Arrested Devolpment, South Park, Workaholics, Rick and Morty, Parks and Rec, New Girl, and 30 Rock just to name a few of my personal favorites. There is no laugh track or bright nice humor in any of those shows (aside from New Girl sometimes)

[@dovestone_]

I bloody love The IT Crowd

[@8ytan]

+Madeleine PH Do not compare the IT Crowd to the Big Bang Theory...

[@bluespiralgoddess]

"prayer bucket" was my favorite part lol

[@someguy2744]

4:30 - "I'm about to bust." - King of the Hill

[@Sohailali1]

The pissing scene was just brilliant! Peep show was so awkward yet funny

[@bobloblaw9639]

I love peep show. this clip is funny, but the series has many other parts that are better.

[@bvbxiong5791]

not really...if it hadn't told me it was a comedy, i wouldn't have known it was suppose to be funny...cause it wasn't.

[@maroneill]

It's so dependent on the whole story. It's a weird choice of a peep show clip

[@maisied.7101]

I thought the exact same with Seinfeld

[@ze_rubenator]

You seem to be confused by the absence of a laugh track.

[@benrussell5070]

it's not a series that benefits from random bits being chopped and shown with no context. Peep shows humour comes from your familiarity with the characters, whereas alot of American sitcoms can be shows in such a way, and remain funny, as the jokes are more quick-fire and reactionary.

[@IIMoonWalkerII]

Let's be honest. Monty Python should have been our representative.

[@mouhssinelachgar8842]

Or Blackadder

[@IIMoonWalkerII]

I rest my case.

[@samdiego1965]

MoonWalker I agree

[@silentjd6836]

+MoonWalker but which is better?

[@redpugie6235]

But Peep Show is great.

[@einarik1710]

The second clip feels like a fever dream

[@debbieln6569]

How I miss show but I only finished watching it a year ago.

[@jamesdicker6147]

Is the man in the first one from the bee movie?

[@jasonfernandes7965]

james dicker damn that's actually a good shout , I should look that up , he really sounds like him

[@cr1pps]

ya like jazz?

[@barryb.benson3496]

Yes mate

[@Golemoid]

lmao when you're a lead in the most popular US sitcom of the time, but the future generations know you as the "bee movie guy".

[@DimensionsofChange]

james dicker Jerry Seinfeld is one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived.

[@lavenderia]

Maybe the Peep Show clip doesn't work out of context because I cried with laughter the first time I saw that ep. Mark's not just a nervous groom with cold feet on the wedding day, he's spent the whole season desperately trying to escape the wedding (including throwing himself in front of a car and proposing to a random waitress). This scene is the culmination of that and while everyone's different I don't understand why a Peep Show fan would call it a bad scene. I like Seinfeld and thought the first clip was nowhere near the best scenes from that show. The UK and US Office would have been a good comparison, because the fundamental difference is really the pessimism and self depreciation of the English vs the optimism of American humour (if we're going in for broad generalisations).

[@ethanmulvihill7177]

Wow. Never seen Peep Show but that clip made me want to watch it so bad.

[@guywainer4028]

The biggest difference aside from funny whether you prefer one or the other, is one is well structured and uses tools to make that comedy and the other just makes it up as it goes along. I'll let you decide which one that is.

[@ScottsShots]

I'm American but I found the British clip funnier....

[@PointlessWorldMJK]

Although I agree they did use an old sitcom for you Americans

[@kukalakana]

I don't think the age of the clip should matter. The Dead Parrot sketch is a good 20-30 years older than Seinfeld and still easily 1000 times funnier.

[@dimensional_consciousness1133]

I'm British

[@PointlessWorldMJK]

dimensional consciousness Congratulations

[@TheRbetoV]

+Mowkus "they did use an old sitcom" yes also considered one of the best ever

[@Adamantiis]

It's funny how most of these comments are stating how much more superior British comedy is to American comedy; perfectly illustrating the pompous twat nature of most keyboard warrior Brits. "We laugh at ourselves!" - while insinuating how much better they are than others. /facepalm

[@redycoATyahoo]

+Adamantiis I live in The UK. Do brits have comedy? that's news for me. They talk about piss, imagine watching this with your family. What is funny in this? And to be hones you know when a country became shit when the only neighbor you can talk to or trust is the gay guy living in your building.... he dresses like a clown but otherwise can be part of a decent conversation. My neighbors upstairs though weigh a metric ton each, smoke on hallways fart so loudly that literally wake me. We call them Sir and Lady Fartalot. She just had the parking spaces cut in 2 cause she got a handicap parking space made explicitly for her. She has this disease where fish and chips are soooo good.

[@zjackshot]

+redycoATyahoo so you live in a shithole and therefor generalise a country

[@redycoATyahoo]

zjackshot that "shithole" is a country. damn sure is this one. not france or germany.

[@zjackshot]

+redycoATyahoo I live in a place where my next door neighbour bakes is treats every weekend and there are kids playing on the street where the parents need not worry for them. sounds good for a shithole no?

[@freddy9173]

Speaking of pompous twats, what about every social media site on July 4th? "America is the only great country" "Everybody wants to be American" "Every country except America is shit"

[@JDS07]

I will forever stand by my thinking - if it needs a laughing track, it isn't funny

[@SevenPr1me]

"Prayer bucket? Is there such a thi-uu that's just a bucket "

[@ShallowDepression]

It's more the difference with, as opposed to 'vs.'

[@OddSpungeZ]

Vs is to show a clash of styles, which this is.

[@ShallowDepression]

Peter Dunne Why is it a clash again?

[@OddSpungeZ]

It's commonly used in music but is being applied for comedy, clash not being the literal meaning of violent confrontation.I wouldn't expect the average American to understand, so im probably wasting my words

[@ShallowDepression]

Peter Dunne Perhaps go and ask an American, see what they say.

[@KyleHarmieson]

+Peter Dunne Vs actually means they're competing. It's used incorrectly in music, unless it's used to denote a rap battle.

[@BlazblueFan]

Both types of comedy are different and both are funny.

[@scunts]

That's a bit ambiguous but both could be either funny or not at all funny.

[@iwanthomas7145]

Peep show-funny Seinfeld (Laughing soundtrack)-not funny

[@AnnRiba]

+Iwan Thomas Seinfeld very funny and the newer episodes Don't feature a laugh track. at least Seinfeld didn't have to make a piss joke or go really close to the people's face to have it be funny

[@AndrooUK]

Seinfeld did have to threaten violence and basically insult the staff members, so, I'm not sure that trumps a piss joke or not (and it wasn't just a piss joke, it also explored power relationships and self-esteem). Peep Show is also more contemporary than Seinfeld, and from different cultures. It's quite hard to make a valid comparison between the two programmes. === In response to: Ann Riba1 hour ago +Iwan Thomas Seinfeld very funny and the newer episodes Don't feature a laugh track. at least Seinfeld didn't have to make a piss joke or go really close to the people's face to have it be funny

[@AnnRiba]

***** I'd love to know when he threatened violence. He sad he was going to beat the car up. Does not really count as violence in my opinion. And he didn't insult the employee he was insulting the business's ethics. I don't know the second show but in my opinion I do not see an "explored power relationships and self-esteem" theme from the little clip. I think you are just looking too deeply into it bud. I could say the Seinfeld bit was a careful analyzation of the relationship between man and capitalist companies in america, who only care about making money and not the consumer. But that would be bullshit

[@SuperKinahead]

One of my favorite scenes was in monty python, where they were using coconuts as sound effects for trotting, because they didnt have horses. And king arthur kept asking the guard hes looking for knights, but the guard just veers off topic, tryna figure out where he go the coconuts from. and the whole conversation shifts to coconuts lmao

[@Fishy-bh4xi]

The second clip was terrifying. I was expecting American comedy to be darker and British humor to be a little more clever but not necessarily dark. I thought the comparison may be unfair since American sitcoms are very mainstream and they don’t even curse in them while I assume British sitcoms are more on the line of American meme culture where cursing, offensive jokes, and self aware/ “my life sucks” jokes are more present.

[@stegotyranno4206]

same here

[@chubbydevil360]

That’s most of our shows but there are usually set ups to the gags that last the entire episode which make them more funny. Also Brits like to laugh at each other a lot more as it makes us feel better when bad things happens to us it like looking on the bright side of life.

[@LithiumDinosaur]

American comedy: :/ English comedy: :)

[@quinndougherty7155]

Hip answer, no real opinion. You'll fit right in!

[@isaiahmars7433]

Your name is the literal definition of a jewish name.

[@lazyboy1060]

American comedy: Other people are laughing every 5 seconds (the laugh track shit), why aren't you laughing, is there something wrong with you? British comedy: laugh at what you actually find funny with no influences.

[@ZebraPants23]

Definitely not a fair comparison.

[@oscarkhw3593]

Yup sure is and I hope your saying that Britain is the better one

[@ZebraPants23]

CRAZYORANGE2803 Of course the more vulgar and more recent one is going to be funnier, give me a break.

[@SarahConnerArms]

I don't think it's about the vulgarity as much as American humour makes fun of 'others' whereas british humour makes fun of 'ourselves'...more accurately, USA = the situation that the stupidity of others puts us in, UK=the situation our own stupidity puts us in

[@3dpenna658]

Give us a good american show to compare with then; what TBBT??

[@TheDarklord0211]

How so?

[@maxthorpe-downey1680]

Definitely should’ve had the “I thought you bought the turkey” clip from peep show. Definitely one of the best.

[@BWM896_]

In the seinfeld section i just keep imagining a bee is saying the lines and it makes it so much better

[@tedd7545]

They're both good, british comedy is darker and americans like a good to semi good ending for the character.

[@brainphelps1994]

+Ted D But it never ends well in Seinfeld.

[@herbert9241]

+Ted D The final scene in the final Laurel and Hardy film concluded with them running away from a policeman who was firing a rifle at them then it faded to black. How prophetic they turned out to be ...

[@brainphelps1994]

+Herbert But Laurel was from England and Hardy was from the US....??

[@herbert9241]

+Brain Phelps Yep, South London - about as Millwall as they come. The films were still conceived, written and produced entirely in the USA.

[@Sooperhans3636]

Not really a fair comparison. Different eras. Should have compared it to Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

[@sunsetvlogs5500]

Edmund Fournier to be honest I love it’s always sunny and peep show it’s just different humour. American humours much more obvious but British humour should is much more suttle

[@apullcan]

It's Always Sunny isn't really like ANY comedy show; American OR British.

[@scifilull]

i'm Canadian, clicked for David Mitchell and the second clip had me laughing out loud

[@SubjectiveFunny]

Peep Show is literally brilliant. I watch it fully every few years.