Top 10 UK Comedies You've Probably Never Heard Of

[@abbaszaidi8371]

Matt Berry is on this list more than once. The world needs more Matt Berry

[@lioneljonson4162]

Abbas Zaidi indeed

[@bobby-tu2nh]

I CAN HEAR YOU, CLEM FANDANGO!

[@jasonshort4402]

He is going to be in the TV version of What We Do In The Shadows which is based in New York!

[@rerenaissance7487]

You can't HANDLE more Matt Berry!!

[@chrisbarker542]

My mates used to be in his band. I went backstage with them at wireless Festival before they played an early slot on the main stage. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but he was extremely arrogant in the worst way. He underpaid his band which he hired specifically for a season of gigs, including sell out headline slots, and mistreated them so much that that they all quit. Despite them travelling to London for each practice from the south he refused to pay them for rehearsals. Hes funny and brings something unique to projects but he's not a pleasant man

[@annierose1269]

If you've never seen Inside No 9, you're missing out on some of the best British comedy writing out there.

[@philcooper2408]

Monkey Dust was genius, their satire on corporatism and marketing bullshit was so spot on and relevant , this would never get on TV today. The sketch i'm talking about is the classic re-branding cancer, just sums up the lies that have crept into everything.

[@skinhead-ej8ff]

Darkplace is one of the best shows ever. I think more people know about it than you think.

[@ceznajacob8215]

EVERY EPISODE OF INSIDE NO 9 IS AMAZING AND people now are just starting to discover it after 4 series. Needs much much more attention. It's clever, dark, and funny as hell. Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith are such underrated writer-actors. Best in the bunch!

[@deweygumdrops]

if it's got Matt Berry, i've probably heard of it... that man is the greatest

[@1969gawa]

I think Catterick should have got a mention. As for Inside No.9,the 2nd episode of series 2,The 12 Days of Christine,was one of the best pieces of TV I've seen in years. Hand.

[@philcooper2408]

i agree Christine is my favourite episode. If you are going to watch inside for the 1st time don't start with this episode as you will peek too early, most of them are good, its just this one is a stand out.

[@Maxbev14]

Did you just say 'Hand'? I enjoyed that, do you mind if I use it?

[@DodderingOldMan]

Ah, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, definitely one of the best. It really does have quite a large cult following, though. And is Inside No 9 really that unknown? For my money it's not as good as either League of Gentlemen or Psychoville, but I had the impression it was actually quite successful.

[@MrShannonite]

If Won Ton gets wind of this my arse is grass and he’s got a lawnmower. Ya dig?

[@willhuey4891]

i watched garth marenghis darkplace on adult swim a long time ago back when they had a block of british sitcoms

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Man to Man with Dean Learner is worth a look too........if only for Steve Pissing

[@WalshieYT1]

Inside No. 9 is criminally underrated.

[@1996laurenlee]

Catterick is also brilliant and underrated. Should’ve got an honourable mention.

[@audreyfeist3327]

Darkplace is hands down one of the best comedy shows ever produced.

[@willtheangrydudeist9120]

I see Garth, i click... Dark Place is the greatest

[@GiveMeBass93]

Two words.... Tele Kinsesis

[@robertbrookes2000]

Here's one: The High life, starring Alan Cummings, it's about 3 air hosts and hostess, it's heavily based in and targeted to the Scottish. Only one series, with only about 8 episodes, but still hilarious, with great interactions between characters. If you like the IT crowds trio dynamic in the workplace you may like, The Highlife.

[@samuelrobinson1992]

Robert Brookes Yeah Chewing the Fat was really good too but was only on Scottish BBC

[@Clem_Fandango11]

Robert Brookes Very funny that show.....The Eurovision episode was good.

[@davidjackson2524]

And also Alan Cumming co penned The High Life with his costar. The show came out around 1995. Also in 1995 Alan Cumming was appearing in Goldeneye as a computer programmer working for the villains.

[@ThePsho]

The IT Crowd is perhaps the straight up funniest sitcom I’ve ever seen. No question it’s top 3. Plus, it gatewayed me into Dark Things, Snuff Box, Brass Eye etc, and shows like Taskmaster and Would I Lie To You, though i was already a big fan of Mitchell and Webb. Semi-related, but Are You Being Served and Fawlty Towers both make my top 10 sitcoms of all time, with an honorary mention to Keeping Up Appearances. Also, Flying Circus was basically the Sgt Pepper of comedy, so they deserve an obvious mention, though sketch comedy probably needs its own category.

[@multitudeofidols]

Should have mentioned that _Darkplace_ had a pseudo spin-off _Man to Man with Dean Learner_ which is also hilarious.

[@DokkaChapman]

Surprised no one has mentioned 'Big Train' and 'I am not an Animal'.

[@jopdian]

I am not an animal was great, but you needed to really pay attention to catch the jokes. I love it! Not something that you can just have on in the background though

[@thomasbrace5666]

They probably hadn't heard of it

[@jamescrowley8598]

Wow I only heard of Inside number 9 and Dark place,both of which I only watched recently

[@barnabuscollins5038]

Darkplace was one I hated overlooking but glad I discovered it later on. It's one of my all time favorite spoofs now.

[@poliapolis99]

Inside no 9 is BRILLIANT

[@neothethorpeparkfan5512]

The league of gentlemen is amazing as well as inside number 9

[@DokkaChapman]

LOOK OUT, HE'S GOT A STICK! Also look out for the Darkplace spin-off 'Man to Man with Dean Learner'.

[@KNIGH7]

Now Man to Man is a hilarious show.

[@Bellpipe41]

Good to hear people mention man to man. Really funny show. I was starting to think I dreamed it, as nobody I’ve ever mentioned it to has heard of it.

[@KNIGH7]

It was a brilliant show. Shame that it isn’t on All4, but I just bought the DVD of it anyway. Worth every penny.

[@Gordon.Pinkerton]

You need to make sure you've seen "Darkplace Illuminatum" and "Horrificata Illuminatum" too. That's an hour's worth of Marenghi, Todd Rivers and Dean Lerner doing the talking heads bits.

[@CS-mo7xp]

darkplace is amazing but I hated man to man...didn't work at all imo

[@CaptainSnackbar]

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is the ultimate

[@therojowo]

Yonderland should be on this list.

[@mrdth1987]

A BBC 3 show called Nightly Night was really good.

[@jbhoy80]

Loved nighty night.

[@Vesnicie]

Darren Turner you stole my complaint post!

[@FinallyImIn1]

For an honourable mention: Filthy Rich and Catflap

[@sweetlilhifi]

i'm an american but was "House of Fools" well known? I loved that show.

[@Maxbev14]

Not really

[@DrPacman]

nah that was not very good

[@peterwebb3327]

inside No 9 is amazing and its kind of like black mirror

[@elliot2331]

Garth MArenghi's Dark Place is incredible, all episodes are on youtube (there are only 6 episodes).

[@toratio8547]

Jam is such a trip, and I can’t ever quite figure out if it’s funny or terrifying. It often manages to be both at once.

[@JennFaeAge]

Look Around You was brilliant, I wish they'd bring it back, who doesn't want educational shows which teach you precisely nothing? lol

[@WatchMojoUK]

Edmund Graham Thanks Edmund... Thedmund.

[@DokkaChapman]

I'll admit, series 2 was better than series 1.

[@kakapopopipi1]

hands down darkplace is the best on this list by far. Easy one of the best shows of all time if you was to ask me.

[@WatchMojoUK]

Mustard Tiger Dagless would agree!

[@izzyhinchliffe326]

inside n9 is fucking incredible and well worth the watch

[@kieranwhite6647]

15 Storeys High and Early Doors

[@christschinwon]

Good call, and The Smoking Room

[@Bellpipe41]

Yeah... both brilliant.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

I went to the same school as the guy who wrote that.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

Sean Lock was unlucky with the timing of 15 Storeys High. It was shown on BBC 3, when most people didn't have access to the channel. Also, he was already in his early 40s when it was made, so he must have been annoyed about waiting so long to get a show on, and then most people missing it. Is it ever repeated?

[@Clem_Fandango11]

Asylum was brilliant. David Devant and His Spirit Wife use to be the guest band. Quick mention for Nightingales and Chelmsford 123

[@2old4gamez]

Thumbs up for Chelmsford 123

[@herbert9241]

I saw Dave Devant and His Spirit Wife live back in the day, had a great time. Nightingales was class.

[@thecustardprophet8434]

basically my dvd collection...but look around you takes the crown

[@Citizen_J]

Matt Berry is the best. Toast of London is a must watch

[@GiveMeBass93]

Matthew Holness and Garth series needed more...it was simply amazing.

[@stone1andonly]

I remember seeing Darkplace on Adult Swim, so it did manage to get a little play across the pond. Garth Marenghi was like Stephen King x Tom Cruise, somehow existing on a steady diet of coffee and blotter acid.

[@darkangelholz]

OnAsylum a lot of the actors were mentioned but how did you miss Norman Lovett’s name?!?!?!

[@samuelrobinson1992]

Can't believe they left out Seán Lock's brilliant 15 Stories High!!!

[@alexsabatino4010]

Dark Place is terrific, flawless even. Love Snuff Box. The Mighty Boosh and IT Crowd are some of the greatest tv comedies of all time. I just wish we could get more content from Mathew Holness - been a long time since Dark Place.

[@GJ22]

Man to Man with dean learner was slightly better than darkplace in my opinion but both are still good, also Nathan Barley should have been on the list

[@56postoffice]

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Brilliant stuff. Saw it when it was first aired on Channel 4. That must be over 10 years ago now!! Great spoof of 80s UK sci fi. And very, very funny!

[@mindrolling24]

I’m in Australia so haven’t seen half of these and I’m pissed off about that. British comedy: when it’s good it’s brilliant. The Boosh, Man Down, Friday Night Dinner, IT Crowd, Raised By Wolves, Black Books- no one else comes close to producing such original and superb comedy.

[@TaurusTorus]

This is only really missing Nighty Night, Hunderby, Man to Man With Dean Learner, Time Trumpet and Dr Terrible's House of Horrible! ;) Excellent list!

[@gipgap4]

Darkplace is my favourite comedy but shame the list didn’t include Mongrels. That was funny too.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

What was Mongrels?

[@Codex7777]

Ideal, featuring Johnny Vegas. A hidden comedy gem! :)

[@satellitetvaxarquia5727]

Why doesn't this appear on any list anywhere??

[@SimmyBassline]

I'm on probation!

[@Palmieres]

The 1st clip you chose from Darkplace _almost_ sums up the genius of the entire show.

[@StephyM.C.]

Oh my god that scene when Mark Heap pops out of the cabinet in his undies, is my favorite scene of all time!

[@MrEerieEyes]

No objection to Darkplace being first, it's genius! A Channel 4 show called Focus North (1999) also deserves a mention.

[@markatsvensson]

I’ve grown to love the bike chase scene.

[@Monkofmagnesia]

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace - I heard about it in 2005 and been a fan ever since.

[@henrikibsen6258]

Darkplace has gotten a hell of a lot more popular in recent years.

[@nicktoogood6790]

Can't believe The Estate Agents or Hyperdrive aren't mentioned here. Two brilliant shows that made me howl... 😂

[@sailawaymatey5889]

Anyone ever watch Toast w/ Matt Berry? House of Fools was pretty good too.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

Toast was brilliant, but the other thing was shit. It's over for Reeves and Mortimer.

[@andyfield1188]

I thought dark place was much earlier but remember it making me laugh till I cried, hospital one was genius

[@SimmyBassline]

Man to Man with Dean Learner Nighty Night Spoons Blunder The Smoking Room Ideal TV Go Home All great under-rated UK comedies that are must watch

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

Ideal was terrible. I never understood how it stayed on for so long.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

What was Spoons?

[@SimmyBassline]

Completely disagree, Ideal was criminally under-rated. Spoons: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoons_(TV_series)

[@danielishere734]

I'm not sure if it's too popular for this list but I loved Nighty Night.

[@leytonjay]

I like your taste, I have most of these on DVD. Excellent.

[@nicorepetto5781]

I feel like everyone knows Richard Ayoade and Matt Berry

[@thepayne7862]

Seen every single one of them love anything with Rich Fulcher or Matt Berry in it.

[@XxLuChan81xX]

I was obsessed with look around you!

[@ArcanePath360]

Very pleased that Dark Place is No 1. Otherwise I would have to have written a strongly worded comment in all caps 😜 I can't believe I've never heard of The Asylum!

[@drdassler]

I've been listening to Garth Marenghi on my earphones on a loop every day for the past few weeks. It's fucking genius. Nathan Barley?

[@sweiland75]

I only clicked on the link because I recognized the thumbnail from GMDP. As a Canadian, I approve of #1. I don't understand why it didn't last longer. Also nice to see early works of Richard Ayoade.

[@iamdb1990]

probably never heard of I've heard of all of these... liked half of them too... especially Darkplace

[@iamdb1990]

that's... weird, but ok 👍😅

[@detectivesquirrel2621]

W1A started out as a one-off series following the team behind the organising of the 2012 London Olympics

[@rdale2k5]

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is FUCKING AMAZING!!!!

[@davidthompson6767]

I remember a show called 'Little armadillos' that I thought should have been included.

[@leeball4585]

Marion and Geoff

[@detectivesquirrel2621]

Jam started on BBC Radio 1 as Blue Jam

[@SeeDaRipper...]

I keep trying to get my mates onto Darkplace...How little they know.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

"Mongels" deserves a mention. It's what would happen if you crossed the Muppets with "Family Guy," and threw in a hefty dose of "Blackadder."

[@DeaconTaylor]

you were right. i havent heard of most of these. i only know of darkplace because its been mentioned on other lists here. i'd heard of asylum when they talked about it in the making of spaced. all of the others i didnt know

[@WatchMojoUK]

DeaconTaylor You should check them out then :) let us know how you get on!

[@ClarkyGuitar]

No mention of Absolutely? What in Swansea are going on here?

[@abbaszaidi8371]

ClarkyGuitar “Stooonnneyyyybriiidge!!!!”

[@maddog8621]

“.....but the poo had the weight advantage”

[@davidparsons452]

It is, it's true !

[@lambrexofficial1937]

Unless you're British?

[@grimTales1]

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace was great :D

[@tvsturm]

I have to check out W1A. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I loved Twenty Twelve, best mockumentry ever.

[@gabeinreallife]

Not sure how popular it was, but Uncle was fantastic when it was on. Seems overlooked to me should be here

[@banjopink4409]

Nothing later than 2014. That's telling.

[@charlottesaiet987]

Where is the smoking room I absolutely love that TV show and even though it was awarded stuff I don't think anybody remembers it even though it helped boost a lot of peoples acting careers

[@SimmyBassline]

I have series one on DVD I loved it when it was first aired on BBC 3, shame the smoking ban in UK killed series 3

[@charlottesaiet987]

I got introduced to the smoking room by The DVD as well I love it

[@awakeningcry]

Serious question here; does ANYONE remember a short-lived British sketch show, early 00s, which periodically had a small kid interrupt the sketch (for example, to defuse a bomb), with the punchline, "he won a competition"??

[@noodleboyn6367]

Good list.Couple others are The Wrong Door And three Scottish series..Still Game,Burnistoun And Limmy’s Show.

[@writerpatrick]

I don't know how many managed to air overseas. The ones that ran in the US on PBS tend to be the best known.

[@ladyi7609]

I've definitely heard of AND seen episodes of "W1A" -- it gets aired on PBS here in the U.S., and I think it's hilarious.

[@klasing]

Scrolled through the comments disgusted that no one mentioned Dare to Believe. On around 3am on itv in early 2000's

[@davidjackson2524]

Is that Simon Pegg in Asylum? Made back in 1996. He's come along way since then with Spaced, Star Trek films and Mission Impossible films.

[@JohnDRobinsonelectronicdrums]

I never dunnit! lol great series

[@crashcompalgodoo5668]

Chewin the fat is like a different still game

[@andrewbowman4611]

For another League of Gentlemen off-shoot, Jeremy Dyson's Funland is a darkly comic wonder.

[@ITIS2000MAN]

Was expecting to see 15 Storeys High on this list

[@brydongoodchild2833]

On 2 August 2007, Langham was found guilty of 15 charges of downloading and possessing level 5 child pornography. Langham was jailed for ten months, reduced to six on appeal. He was made to sign the sex offenders register and banned from working with children for 10 years.

[@TheStephrules]

Me and my brother watch Inside No 9

[@ricardosp7975]

08:32 Except we wouldn't because Children's shows from the 70s and 80s are not allowed to be shown anymore.

[@allyattwood6450]

When the whistle blows should have been number 1.

[@ChrisHughes89]

I first watched Darkplace in 2008 before I started Uni and when I had my first audio lecture my teacher asked us all about shows we liked or had recently watched that we could think of off the top of our heads and about their sound design. He was absolutely shocked when I said Darkplace as he didn't think any of us had ever watched anything so obscure. Ever since I've re-watched all 6 episodes at least twice a year since it's just that brilliant.

[@dobbear]

I was hoping Matt Berry would of been the next Dr Who, he's a fcukin legend.

[@samster883]

Chewing the Fat, Early Doors!

[@aptspire]

I think I'm ok with that list, because I only took a tiny sip of it.

[@TimelordPrime]

Damn, you actually had stuff on this list I never heard of, which means I have new comedies to watch, thank you. P.S. 6:52 Holy Shit that was Holly.

[@ellenigma2099]

I'm surprised Operation Good Guys isn't on here.

[@LinaMalysh]

Young julian barat so cute And Ayoade (how to write it right?) And Noel... so many actors from Mighty Boosh....