American Reacts to Top 10 British Cult Sitcoms

[@heliotropezzz333]

'Is that supposed to be an American?' Lol. Ruby Wax actually is an American

[@razor1uk610]

@@heliotropezzz333 Ruby Wax is a dual citizen of US & UK, she is famous here because she can freely speak her critiquing mind unlike in American media since early/mid 1980's. I believe she originally was a journalistic TV presenter and budding comedian, although likely I'm partially wrong..

[@lailachopperchops9290]

@@razor1uk610 Thought i spotted ruby wax she was born in the USA

[@kevcroft2815]

I thought exactly the same, very funny!

[@ThePinkBinks]

Sure is.

[@odiumseminopoena]

Red dwarf wasn't a reboot really the same people are in it but 20/30 older I think you would enjoy it especially the first 5 series

[@louiselane806]

It's cold outside, there's no kind of atmosphere, I'm all alone, more or less. Let me fly, far away from here, Fun, fun, fun, In the sun, sun, sun.

[@realplayer9603]

I want to lie shipwrecked and comatose

[@christiner302]

You forgot "goldfish shoals nibbling at my toes". One of the best lines in a show.

[@paulinemillard8156]

@@christiner302 I want to lie, shipwrecked and comatose Drinking fresh mango juice Goldfish shoals nibbling on my toes Fun, fun fun, In the sun, sun, sun

[@leefisher6366]

@@paulinemillard8156 Fun, fun, fun, in the sun, sun, sun. Yeah, we completed the lyrics!!!

[@abigailslade3824]

The boys from the dwarf.

[@cryogenixoldskool5803]

Red Dwarf is the greatest sci-fi comedy in history, and it isn't even close

[@samueljordan3177]

Agreed.

[@milkydude3100]

They didnt even show some of the best clips from it

[@danielyeshe]

​@@milkydude3100 Yeah. The red alert joke is basically mandatory.

[@milkydude3100]

@@danielyeshe haha yeah, also the Mr Flibble scene

[@dawnhauton7543]

Rubbish....... 😊

[@nickgrazier3373]

You will need to look up “Black Adder” and its four series. The first series was trying to get its feet under the table so wasn’t the best series!! Rowan Atkinson was the title role through the British ages from back in the 12/1300s to WWI in 1913, brilliant!!

[@lynnejamieson2063]

I love the first series. Loved it when it was first shown and love it still. The only series I’m a bit ‘meh’ about is the third one.

[@lynnejamieson2063]

Oh and WWI didn’t start until 1914, I think the last episode of series four was set in either 1916 or 1917. But WWI was 1914-1918.

[@ruthmeb]

​@@lynnejamieson20631917, hence the joke just before they go over the top...

[@PreceptorGrant]

I don't think Tyler knows enough british history to get even a quarter of what's going on with Blackadder. Still a great show though.

[@MrAlbieWan]

I generally recommend that people watch from series 2, and then go back... The first series was not representative of what came after, I always worry that it will put new viewers off😅

[@owaindavies9971]

You need to watch entire episodes to truly appreciate some of these shows. Clips just don't do them justice.

[@shawnbelton9229]

I agree here the snippets you see in the video just don't do any of these sitcoms justice. I am however supprised that Blackadder was not metioned which has to be one of the best historical Sitcoms ever apart from Chelmsford 123

[@benwest6633]

Especially the clips selected for a frankly sh1t mojo video!

[@simonupton-millard]

The moden Red Dwarf is not a reboot it's a continuation of the original

[@rayraamsalu6092]

The Americans tried to do their version of red dwarf and scrapped it after one episode. The Lister character looked more like a male model than a space going odd job man. A total disaster in my opinion - even so I it's worth watching to see Jane Leeves ( who played Daphne in Fraser) she took the part of Holly - the disembodied computer.

[@scottneil1187]

​@@rayraamsalu6092Yeah, it's abysmal like most stuff they try to remake.

[@mattwills2011]

​@rayraamsalu6092 yeah, there seems to be an aversion to "loser" type characters in American shows, so they try to make them "better". But it just doesn't translate and destroys it

[@TheRodentMastermind]

​@@rayraamsalu6092 They tried to do an American version twice. If it had taken off the second time we would never have had Daphne or Jadzia Dax (whose actress was going to play the cat)

[@vickymc9695]

​​@@rayraamsalu6092they also only wanted to take the white actors from the British one. The whole thing nearly screwed up our boys wanting to work together again

[@martinsear5470]

"Is that supposed to be an American?". That actress is Ruby Wax, she's American.

[@continental_drift]

Thanks for saving me from having to look up her name.

[@xthebongsquadx1632]

I thought she was Canadian...?

[@AlBarzUK]

@@xthebongsquadx1632 technically a Canadian is American.

[@damianmccoy6128]

@@xthebongsquadx1632She’s from Illinois.

[@mwscuba]

@@AlBarzUK lol im sure my Canadian friends would disagree with you

[@heliotropezzz333]

The Young Ones is about a houseful of students not a band.

[@chrisshelley3027]

It would be band in the US.

[@herbivarsawus4359]

Featured a band in each episode though, including Madness (twice, once in each season).

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@chrisshelley3027 Lol. Pun on band and banned. very good.

[@michaelcrooks]

The Young Ones was premiered on MTV in the United States ("the first non-music-related programme to appear on MTV in the United States in 1985" - Quote from the Wikipedia article on 'The Young Ones.) I also know this fact as I lived in Upstate NY at the time. 'Absolutely Fabulous' also was broadcast in the United States, commercial-free on BBC America and on Logo, though with commercials. I suggest that this content creator does better research first.

[@TheCaffeineKid]

I can't wait for Mike to come back with the cure.

[@TheCaffeineKid]

I don't think Tyler could handle seeing "You're my wife now, Dave" from League of Gentlemen.

[@Jonny0W]

He'd look shocked, laugh nervously and say "We don't have anything like this in America!" like he does sooo many times here

[@kaygibson8942]

😂😂😂

[@kevinshort3943]

"I don't think Tyler could handle seeing "You're my wife now, Dave" from League of Gentlemen." Or looking at the shiny things...............

[@lorree1]

@@kevinshort3943 He's not local.

[@Burglar-King]

After Vyvyan’s head get chopped off, you see him kicking his head up the railways. By the next episode he’s got his head back. The young ones was a very surreal comedy.

[@lailachopperchops9290]

watching the young ones as a young teenager and laughing my tits off my dad on the other hand thought it was bloody rubbish

[@lynnejamieson2063]

@@lailachopperchops9290 I’m the youngest of three, with two older brothers. I think I was about 7 or 8 when The Young Ones started and my Dad allowed me to stay up late and sat and watched every episode with my brothers and I, laughing just as much as we did…it was just the same with Blackadder, though I think my Mum enjoyed Blackadder too but she hated The Young Ones.

[@ThePinkBinks]

I had a friend who was tripping on mushrooms when she came across that scene being filmed outdoors. Bloody hilarious.

[@blue_ranger]

@@lailachopperchops9290 He probably preferred The Good Life...

[@cfawcett9870]

I was born the year it came out so I only ever saw it on repeats when I was about 7 or 8 with my mum. I thought it was hilarious

[@nicolafenner6260]

Ruby wax is an American that came here years ago when she was a young adult and stayed here and is well known in the UK. So yeah she is supposed to be an American because she is one lol

[@StygianArts]

There should be a big shout out for Blackadder, Starring Rowan Atkinson, known mostly for Mr. Bean.

[@TheCaffeineKid]

He'll always be Edmund to me.

[@sabershenanigans]

​@@TheCaffeineKidMe too!

[@juliajoyce4535]

It’s Black Books not Blank Books,

[@TheCaffeineKid]

Co-starring Ball Boiley.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

And it's actually written on the screen too. It makes you wonder how much stuff this guy doesn't recall just because he hasn't been paying attention.

[@ougadougou9]

Tyler was only taking the lead from the narrator - I'm sure he said "Blank Books" at one point. Even weirder, he had Alan Partridge as a presenter for "Radio Noor-wich". Is this an AI-generated voice? I can't believe anyone in England wouldn't know that Norwich is pronounced Na-rich.

[@2rare2die100]

@@ougadougou9 I’ve never heard it pronounced with an ‘a’ sound 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ougadougou9]

@@2rare2die100 Yes, I see what you mean - but I was trying to spell it in a way that an American reading it would come closest to the correct pronounciation (without putting on a "British" accent).

[@nicksykes4575]

Patrick Stewart happened to see an episode of Red Dwarf when he was in the U.K., he initially thought it was a rip-off of Star Trek, and called his lawyer. While they were talking Patrick found himself laughing, and realised it wasn't a rip-off.

[@scottneil1187]

Not fully true, he considered calling his lawyer but didn't, after a few minutes he realised it wasn't plagiarism.

[@neilbiggs1353]

How pretentious is that reaction though? "It's a sci-fi show, it has to be a rip-off of Star Trek..."

[@nicksykes4575]

@@neilbiggs1353 So is Star Trek a rip-off of Dan Dare? that was sci-fi too, and came before Star Trek.

[@neilbiggs1353]

@@nicksykes4575 Exactly, there was even series like Blake's 7 that were around years before TNG

[@PaulRichards-vz4pl]

@@neilbiggs1353Yes and considering Star Trek ripped off Doctor Who’s Cybermen with the Borg!

[@preachercaine]

Shaun of the Dead was spawned from an episode of Spaced

[@CuriosityKitty-j5j]

"Blackadder", Irish comedy "Father Ted", "The IT Crowd", " Miranda", "One Foot In The Grave", "2 Point 4 Children", "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy", "Hyperdrive", " Yes Prime Minister ", that's all I can think of that. Hasn't been mentioned

[@boomshanka4667]

Fawlty Towers, only fools and horses, bottom. few more for your list

[@petejones7878]

Gimme gimmie gimmie

[@SiAnon]

How did Miranda get put in a list of comedy shows ?

[@CuriosityKitty-j5j]

@@SiAnon Because the whole cast is really funny and I like the show.

[@CuriosityKitty-j5j]

@@petejones7878 Oh haven't seen that in years ☺️

[@timithius]

Why isn't "Fawlty Towers" on the list? I'm shocked.

[@heliotropezzz333]

I think it gained more mainstream popularity.

[@johnp8131]

@@heliotropezzz333 Like Tyler, many read the title but don't understand the meaning?

[@timithius]

@@heliotropezzz333 I hope so! 🙂 I saw it from Canada., and it was very obscure here. My favorite part was in the opening credits, when the letters in the Fawlty Towers sign were used to spell out different words and phrases. The most shocking for me was when the letters on the inn's sign, had been rearranged to spell "flowery twats" . This was 50 years ago! I thought it was scandalous!

[@lordhenrywotton95]

@@timithius Fawlty Towers isn’t considered a cult show in Britain.

[@UnmistakableSoundOf]

Yeah, it's a classic here. Some could argue it's the peak of the "traditional" British sitcom. Not that it's old and stuffy, it just works similarly to farce sitcoms of the time, albeit with humour going in previously unseen directions and gags honed to perfection.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

"Is that supposed to be an American ?". The person who was playing that part was Ruby Wax, who is an American.

[@chriscookesuffolk]

I'm not sure anyone knows who or what Wax was or is. Some weird quirk of evolution probably.

[@vickytaylor9155]

@@chriscookesuffolkRuby Wax born in Illinois in 1956.

[@Doctor_Who_Rocks]

​@@djaskfjkasdHow? Tracey Ullman maybe. But she's British in Holywood.

[@lisah3779]

@@djaskfjkasdshe didn’t help create it she had her own show The Simpsons was 1st shown on it.

[@nickdoughty518]

Not obscure shows at all. Tragic that you didn't see in the USA. Ruby Wax, born in Chicago, was a writer on some of these shows.

[@alphabetaomega265]

How does this not mention Yes Minister, Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Allo Allo or Dads Army?

[@lesliegolding7159]

They’re more mainstream than cult.

[@britblue]

or Early Doors!

[@coggsee12]

or peep show

[@GoodNeutralEvilChaos]

You.... *snobs!*

[@ralphhathaway-coley5460]

@@lesliegolding7159 So were a lot/most of the ones they included.

[@ianharrison3662]

They are referred to as "cult" sit-coms because, with the exception of "Absolutely Fabulous", they were on the "minor" channels of British TV - BBC2, Channel 4 and Channel 5 so they had relatively low viewing figures. Other "cult" British sit-coms which could have been included are: "Phoenix Nights", "Bottom", "Early Doors", "Still Game", "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" and "Peep Show"

[@scottneil1187]

Most of those and all the ones on this list aren't cult. Cult in terms of TV and film means a small but dedicated fan base. Darkplace is cult. Ab Fab most definitely is not.

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

Cult means the fanaticism of the following not that it had a small following. "Only Fools and Horses" had mega viewership numbers, but after seeing people driving their own 3 wheeled yellow vans styled after Dell-Boy's you can't tell me it was not a "cult" show. It is like saying that Star Trek is not a cult show, have you never been to a 'Klingon Boarding Party'?!

[@UnmistakableSoundOf]

I think the term cult is more about how niche your audience is, almost regardless of size. I don't think Only Fools and Horses is cult because the whole family would watch it. But I don't think many people were watching Red Dwarf or even Star Trek with their Nan...

[@mdewsall17]

Is that why all the decent sitcoms have been missed off the list?

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

@UnmistakableSoundOf Both were family watching in our house! As I've said before... My definition of a cult show is having a highly enthusiastic subset of the fans for whom the show has become part of their CULTure e.g. using the Vulcan hand sign as an everyday greeting (guilty)

[@michaelthomas5976]

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, etc.

[@orbytl2799]

Red Dwarf is legendary, it had a cult following in the states too

[@retiree1033]

They did Red Dwarf with their own cast of Amercan actors. It wasn't very good apparently. My sister, who lives over there thought it was rubbish.

[@katashworth41]

@@retiree1033 It’s one of the worst things I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen The Human Centipede.

[@elainefogarty7097]

@@retiree1033 I'm the UK and a huge Red Dwarf fan right from episode one. I have seen the old American pilot, and have to say glad it was never made into a series.... the humour didn't translate at all. Don't think the writers and casting team understood what it was they were trying to recreate. It was nothing like the original and wasn't at all funny. Check out the original guys... you will love it.

[@razor1uk610]

*Black Books* ...not Blank Books [facepalms All the main characters are acted by legitimate standup comedy legends ! It is funny as phucc ! Nothing like The Office thank god, it is soo much funnier, better and less full of corporate BS.

[@lenarobinson]

For me it’s a fight for number one between Red Dwarf and The Young Ones. Both are utter genius writing and acting. You can watch every episode over and over again.

[@tracyb348]

Yes ,all these TV show are widely know in the UK. In the show Absolutely Fabulous the actress speaking with an American accent is Ruby Wax and she is American.

[@MrAlbieWan]

I'd never heard of Nighty Night, but that may just have been in my blind spot 😅

[@chrisbamber2762]

Red dwarf is still going with a new series coming next year. Its not only comedy most media is willing to push the boundaries and take risks as the creaters tend to have more control over there shows than in the us

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

red dwarf used to be funny, but it became totally boring and unfunny after series five.

[@preachercaine]

@@thedisabledwelshman9266 Nope

[@Polsnulspace]

@@thedisabledwelshman9266 I always said good Red Dwarf finished after series 6. It was never the same after that. I think that is when Grant and Naylor went their seperate ways.

[@ben-tendo]

@@thedisabledwelshman9266 Nah the Dave run once they commissioned full series again has been really strong and a new lease of life for the show.

[@paulwatkins2596]

They had pretty much beaten to death every sitcom and sci-fi trope and then some multiple times already. The show had become stale by season 8. Derivatives of the same jokes but only changing the situation. I'd actually find them doing a film of the book with new actors more interesting than another season of the same crew just a bit more older and fatter. It's not like any of them need the money.

[@kobesutherland]

i would say the difference between UK and US comedy is that UK comedy is generally more raw, I always feel like US comedy feels really rehearsed if that makes sense. It may be more accurate to say US comedy feels like its been through various committee's before release.

[@russetmantle1]

I think that's true and is it maybe because US comedies tend to be written by a large team of writers, whereas UK comedies tend to be written by just 1-3 people?

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Also, the humour comes from natural behaviour and language rather than forced circumstances. E.g. Hi Di Hi!

[@alexritchie4586]

That's exactly what happened when America tried to make a version of 'The Vicar of Dibley'. It got committee'd to death and fell completely flat.

[@suehayward656]

I don't think our sitcoms don't or wouldn't work in America because 1) they don't get our humor. 2) they seem more prudish about things

[@1967AJB]

Er, the theme tune to MASH was Suicide is painless!

[@scottneil1187]

Covered brilliantly by the Manic Street Preachers ages ago.

[@andyp5899]

The song comes from the film

[@1967AJB]

@@andyp5899 Yes, and was used in the original series until a marked up turn in suicides was see, then it was replaced with an instrumental version.

[@mw56101]

​@@scottneil1187very true...

[@Cheepchipsable]

@@1967AJB Some citations please? Sounds like BS to me.

[@grenniespexify]

Yes, Spaced was the show that launched both Simon Pegg and the director Edgar Wright and it was really popular, with a dedicated cult following in its day - which is what got them the funding to make Shaun of the Dead and the movies that followed. Red Dwarf was also cult genius - watch the first episode so you get the set up and then the order doesn't really matter - they're all brilliant!

[@dav7444]

Alan Partrige is legendary, as is Ab Fab. OMG League of Gentlemen is so dark and funny - very, very British - it's brilliant. Red Dwarf was hugely popular over many, many years

[@jenniedarling3710]

"League of Gentlemen" absolutely terrified me.

[@bbeve29296]

Boys from the dwarf!!

[@razor1uk610]

Dwarfers !! Shakes downward hands side to side from the wrists

[@katbairwell]

I saw the thumbnail, I clicked!!

[@anthonyfisher-7090]

Blue alart!

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@anthonyfisher-7090 May I remind you of Space Corp Directive: 34124?

[@alunchurcher7060]

don't forget the female in the cast played by Chloë Annett and of course Clare Grogan as Kristine Kochanski.

[@mattacaster2935]

The Young Ones was mandatory viewing for 1980's/90's kids. My friend at school recited the entire script of that episode (Bambi) to me one afternoon!

[@theriddick2735]

Well excuuuuuse me! (Vyvian).

[@cerithomas2032]

Red Dwarf and The Young Ones can't be beaten , I'm surprised Bottom wasn't on that list.

[@paulan6063]

I loved Bottom! I saw them on tour twice. I always remember the gas explosion episode with Brian Glover. Ridiculously funny! 🤣

[@cerithomas2032]

​@@paulan6063GAS MAN !!!😂

[@cerithomas2032]

​@@paulan6063 p.s i saw them too, so glad i did , a memory to treasure.

[@spectralsymphony]

Bottom is top !

[@suehayward656]

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" no 1 foot in the grave?

[@voodooacidman]

america makes superhero stuff, the uk makes antihero stuff. there is room in the world for both :D big love to all people :)

[@scottneil1187]

Yep, American comics... Superman etc, British comics... Judge Dredd.

[@SteveBagnall-gh1fu]

The fictional Royston Vasey is actually Hadfield in Derbyshire where I live, I had a few parts just walking down the street or waiting for a bus, got paid £100 for each scene, not bad for just going to the local shop. Royston Vasey is the realname of the casts favourite comedian generally known as Roy "Chubby" Brown. Renowned Blue comedian.

[@qwadratix]

I take it you've never left?

[@jlpedley6256]

​@@qwadratix you'll never leave

[@timothyoconnell8591]

why would you want to?

[@erikadavis2264]

My sister, a local nurse, was teaching a new lady in the area. 'it's like Roysten Vasey' she said, coming out of a house in Hadfield. Oh how they laughed!

[@DavidBrookes007]

I visited it once and bought 'Special Sausages' in the butchers. Brilliant.

[@elinahamalainen5867]

Finland has a lot of similar dark humour/irony and offensive language used in comedies also, especially older ones. This might be a more of Europe vs. US thing?

[@neilbiggs1353]

Possibly - have you ever seen Le Diner de Cons, the French farce, vs Dinner For Schmucks, the US Remake? The lead character in the French version is much nastier and they don't even try to redeem, the disaster that spreads around him feels like a morality play. The US version doesn't work for me because it tries to make the lead character a bit more sympathetic

[@keithorbell8946]

I’m surprised that Detectorists doesn’t make an appearance on this list, maybe it’s too recent.

[@juliahoffman4954]

I watched quite a few of these growing up in the United States. The Young Ones, Red Dwarf, and Ab Fab were popular in the States on the PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) channel. This is how we Americans find out about and watch British classic TV such as Doctor Who, Monty Python, Faulty Towers, Are You Being Served, Black Adder, etc. Locate your local public service broadcasting TV station there in the USA

[@markmosley3547]

The existence of musical acts in The Young Ones is interesting because it classified the show as light entertainment instead of comedy and at the time that gave them more money and an extra days recording per episode. Essentially they found the cheat code for the BBC.

[@NiallWardrop]

It was standard practice, same reason for the musical breaks in the Goon Show.

[@Cheepchipsable]

I heard there was no budget left for comedies, so they threw in a musical act which allowed it to be redefined differently, and thus get funding.

[@austinwiththehat]

When you asked if that was American during absolutely fabulous, I’m pretty sure that was Ruby Wax. She is American

[@auldfouter8661]

from Chicago originally I think?

[@Stannington]

I'm more of a Steptoe and Son, Porridge and Rising Damp sort of person, but I am an old fart

[@janiegreen3394]

All good too.

[@vickymc9695]

Porridge is really good. 🙂 Don't think we'd get as sympathetic a look at prisoner life anymore.

[@TheRocketbabydoll]

Surely a “ dihrty old man”….. gotta love Steptoe

[@paulsalyer6866]

I have seen many British shows on PBS here in the U.S.A. in the past, like Chef, Red Dwarf, Last of the Summer Wine and much more. My sister loved the Young Ones. Much joy.😮 Keeping Up Appearances and Are you Being Served are tops in my little opinion.

[@riculfriculfson7243]

14:23. Funnily enough, the 'American' in question was actually played by the Illinois-born Ruby Wax. She was a mainstay in the '80's for providing 'brash American'. 15:13 you basically nailed it there 😁

[@tminfidel]

I think you'd get far more out of this if you reacted to clip compilations of the actual shows rather than a terrible WatchMojo list where someone talks over the top and boils everything down to the barest description.

[@margaretnicol3423]

Yes. Only useful for a list to watch but we could have done that. Then again, can you imagine Tyler being quiet enough to listen to what's going on???

[@Codex7777]

Clip compilations are even worse. Short clips, taken entirely out of context, are fine for people who've already seen the shows but are a terrible way to introduce people to these shows.

[@nedludd7622]

Mojo is about the crappiest clickbait site on YT. They must use some crummy algorithm to create absolutely arbitrary lists of misinformation.

[@simonsmith7755]

Agreed. Fairly dumb and inaccurate as well.

[@davidcollins9057]

The young ones and Red dwarf are the two most worth getting into. Absolute classics.

[@helenwood8482]

The Young Ones was never funny.

[@hypsyzygy506]

AbFab has two gloriously horrible lead characters living a chaotic and entirely unearned privileged lifestyle. The show brought in older actors and gave them a new lease of life - Joanna Lumley was a totally brilliant revelation in a comedy show, and bringing June Whitfield in as Eddy's mother was totally unexpected.

[@saikoujikan]

Truly, there is nothing more American than speaking with absolutely confidence and certainty the finer details about something they only just found out about a few seconds ago.

[@kevcroft2815]

Never seen Nighty night, but you’ve convinced me to look it up. If you can binge Red Dwarf, science fiction comedy at it’s best, Black books is well worth a look too. Great video as usual, Tyler.

[@MultiMatt75]

Nighty Night is my favourite on this list. It's just so 'wrong'. The main character Jill, played by Julia Davis is brilliantly hideous. I'm off to watch some clips

[@JohnSmith-bh4zx]

What about Black Adder?

[@johnp8131]

Hardly a "Cult Classic", although brilliant, it was too popular and mainstream, at least from the second series onwards?

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

​@@johnp8131 Being a "cult" show is nothing to do with size of audience, it is about the fanaticism of some of the audience like Star Trek fans wearing plastic Vulcan ears. "Cult" is because it has an impact on culture or creates a sub-culture of its own. Mention "dead parrot", "lumberjack", "its just a flesh wound", "all right bruce" and people are like to quote Monty Python quotes from decades ago, that is definitely a cult show yet had massive original viewership.

[@arthurockwell3024]

It was on the list until Baldrick had "a cunning plan"

[@theriddick2735]

It's cultish comedies, not your favourite snakes!😊

[@nolaj114]

Stephen Fry guest starred on the Young Ones. ("Bambi" episode)

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Also, A.L.E. X.E.I. S.A.Y.L.E.

[@boomshanka4667]

Guest starred? i think it was more giving him his first break.

[@alexritchie4586]

Here in the UK we have two forms of humour; Self depreciation, and surrealism. Also, I want to add 'This is Jinsy' to the list 😁

[@andromidius]

Spaced is a great show. A real window into Britain of the early 2000's. And its really surreal and yet relatable.

[@andromidius]

And Red Dwarf. Well. Its sort of a spoof of all science fiction. The premise is that a deep space mining vessel (Red Dwarf) has a radiation leak that kills all bar one member of the crew - who is the most junior vending machine technician and biggest slob, worst behaved and completely disinterested member of the crew. His only companions are the ship's computer (Holly, who's gone rather mad due to isolation), a holographic recreation of his old supervisor (the second most junior vending machine technician) and the far distant ancestor of a cat smuggled on board who evolved into a near-human form over the millions of years the ship was drifting in space while Lister (the last human on board) was in stasis. They later find Kryton, a robot manservant/janitor on a wrecked ship and he joins the crew, and even later they accidentally open a portal to an alternate history where Lister's ex girlfriend was the only survivor and she gets stranded in their universe and grudgingly joins the crew as well. Its hilarious, somehow improved by the extremely low budget the show was forced to work with.

[@Cheepchipsable]

Spaced is a parody of movies of the time about a comic book nerd. Would resonate with people of a certain age.

[@russetmantle1]

Fun fact: the house the characters in Spaced live in is a house in the Kentish Town area of North London. There was a period when I used to drop off my son at nursery and walk past it on the way to the tube station to get to work. I always gave it a little glance and smiled as I passed. 🙂 In terms of comedy series that are missing, I'd make an argument for Blackadder. Another 1980s comedy. Each series is set in a different era of the past but the main character is always a scion of the Blackadder family played by Rowan Atkinson. Superb scripting, very funny.

[@VirtualCockpitChronicles]

The thick of it was so popular here they did a short one off before the London 2012 Olympics based in the organising committee.. it’s just as good. You should definitely watch it

[@Cheepchipsable]

We had an Australian show called "The Games" about the preparations for the Olympics, which was a great show.

[@bblair2627]

Brits recognise all of these and Alan Partridge is MASSIVE

[@TheCaffeineKid]

I had not heard of Nighty Night, but yes all of the others are pretty well known I think.

[@briarelyse5136]

Yup and most are known in New Zealand too.

[@AngelsPieceOfPeace]

Good Evening 🙂 New subscriber (GenXer from Wales UK), and I'm going through some of your older vids, hence V.late reactions lol. #10 I've heard of it, never seen it, but do appreciate Noel Fieldings comedy on panel shows. #9 Never heard of it! (kinda glad, I think) #8 Again, quite sure I've not heard of it. However, Bill Bailey (long haired bloke) is funny af tbh #7 Think I've seen clips, but no recollection of the prog. Reminds me of The Office too #6 Definitely a classic! #5 Brilliant memories refreshed #4 Absolutely AMAZING! (the first clip is a terrible example tbf) #3 Great sketches, would be better suited as TikToks than YT format if it was nowadays #2 I don't recall it, although I feel I should have recollections somehow #1 A must watch on replay! PLEASE tell me you have since started watching it!?! I wonder where "Only Fools and Horses" or "Steptoe and Son" was in this list??? Tragedy they wasn't included!!

[@ThePinkBinks]

The Mighty Boosh was from their friend mispronouncing “a mighty bush” (of hair).

[@buckyball2003]

As a Brit, I’ve heard of about half of these, seen a bit of Spaced and a lot of Red Dwarf. I adore Red Dwarf and it makes me so happy that it won.

[@herbivarsawus4359]

I'm British and 43 and I know all of these. Plus the woman you thought didn't sound convincingly American is from the US and her name is Ruby Wax. Oh and Ade Edmonson (the punk in The Young Ones) was even in a Star Wars movie a couple of years ago.

[@simondalzell5635]

I'm British and 60. Boy I wish I was 43.

[@StitchesLovesRats]

The name The Mighty Boosh, was from an anecdote from one of the cast. A (I think) Scottish guy saw his or his friend's big hair and exclaimed "THAT'S A MIGHTY BOOSH", as in "bush". Dude's hair looked like a huge bush. The intro starts "Come with us on a journey through tiiiiime and spaaaace." Our humour can be rather abstarct. The show is utterly hilarious. Red Dwarf, Boosh, Black Books, and Spaced are my favorites on this list.

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

USA HAS PUSHED THE SITCOM LIMITS IN THE PAST One of the most famous, and for many years the most watched ever sitcoms was set in a mobile hospital during the Vietnam war - "M.A.S.H."

[@laurabailey1054]

Mash was set during the Korean War not Vietnam

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

@@laurabailey1054 You are of course correct. I remember now that some plot suggestions were declined because they would have involved artifacts or events from the later Vietnam war. But, thanks to the success of the books and film, this hugely popular comedy series with a theme tune about suicide and often dealing with very dark or even taboo topics did get made despite USA TV industry's then prudish conservative nature.

[@fringelilyfringelily391]

MASH was ruined by mawkish sentimentality ... the British and Australian sense of humour is very different to the American, We can appreciate American humour on a certain level, but the harder edge of British and Australian stuff is more to our liking.

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

@@fringelilyfringelily391 Actually I loved MASH (says a Brit). But I can't stand the re-runs. Nothing to do with it having aged, it's that they re-run the USA release version. The release I grew up with (in Britain) allowed me to decide when it was funny for me. The re-runs are the home market release and the heavy canned-laughter in that release just kills the humour completely for me. Those in the USA TV and film industry have often admitted that they used to(?) dumb content down for USA consumption.

[@benlee8436]

Red Dwarf has had another two seasons and a TV movie since this video and the next season is out next year! So it's still going! 1988 to ? It's still great too!

[@Shoomer88]

Vivians' head grew back. It was that kind of show.

[@abcdefjeje]

Love The Mighty Boosh, particularly their hit song Eels (un inside ya). So random and creepy AND so funny!

[@tristman8413]

"Have most British people heard of alan partridge" 😂

[@simondalzell5635]

A HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

[@Queinty]

I know right, I felt compelled to comment but after a few of this guy's videos I realise I find his credulity at various personal discoveries... unsettling.

[@XopheAdethri]

They ran Red Dwarf Marathons on PBS all the time when I was a little child. It was my true introduction to Brit comedy. and my sense of humour is all the better for it. The Red Dwarf reboot was just the next seasons taking place after (real off-air time) of years later in the show. They were great, the first season back was a huge tribute to Blade Runner too.

[@vixWal]

the clip from Ab Fab is Ruby Wax and she is an American. She has been famous in the UK since the 80's. Her TV show where she interviewed famous people in the 90's Ruby Wax Meets.. was very funny.

[@WOTArtyNoobs]

It was interesting that Tyler mentioned Red Dwarf as a spoof of Star Trek because when Sir Patrick Stewart (Picard) from The Next Generation saw his first episode of Red Dwarf, he reached for the phone to call the lawyers and report a copyright infringement. Only as he continued watching did he realize that Red Dwarf was nothing like Star Trek and was absolutely hilarious. The show went into hiatus for a few years as one of the actors Craig Charles was falsely accused of rape but after that, they started recording again (with a bigger budget) but lost most of their original charm (scenery that was made of cardboard) and mistakes by actors. The blooper reel to this show was even funnier than the real one and Sir Patrick actually appeared on one of them. Real American Ruby Wax also appeared in one of the first few episodes of Red Dwarf. She's a comedian and celebrity interviewer. Some of her earliest interviews are hilarious too.

[@nolaj114]

American shows are always looking to the dollar, not wanting to lose sponsors by pushing the envelope.

[@Jill-mh2wn]

And I don`t think American actors are prepared to lose credibility, doing ridiculous and humiliating things

[@sidsuspicious]

@@Jill-mh2wn Interesting how you frame this assertion about American actors, credibility & THINGS... Aye, things. How incredibly nebulous of you. It's almost as if you've never given this subject any thought whatsoever & pulled that nugget straight out yer ass. Just a thought.

[@julianbarber4708]

They don't even have an envelope!

[@nolaj114]

@@Jill-mh2wn yes.. the women actresses especially, not just in comedy, seem afraid to look old or plain or show realistic expressions.. they don't "ugly cry", just fan their faces! I think Australian comedy is the same as the Brits there - we understand dark humour and absurdity.

[@richardgiles5608]

This is a really good list for a change all of these are great.

[@krystalryan9174]

They were popular in Britain and just as popular in Australia. Can't believe they missed "Yes, Minister" though (Renamed "Yes, Prime Minister" when he got promoted)

[@Resgerr]

Because this about cult sitcoms not mainstream

[@scottneil1187]

​@@ResgerrThen why were none of them cult?.

[@Resgerr]

@@scottneil1187 because mainstream means the whole family could enjoy them- it appeals to the mass and not just a section.

[@bryansmith1920]

Number 8 7:10 Bill Bailey is a well known Brit comedian that is a Musician of note, that uses music, for his routines, check him out, I can pretty well guarantee, a laugh

[@luismorgan2422]

Red Dwarf hasn’t been rebooted, more like the next series after the last one.

[@SF64]

Although the US did make a failed attempt to remake it, missed the point and tried to go more Hollywood types.

[@luismorgan2422]

@@SF64 yeah I’ve seen clips…. Awful!

[@jasminebean5762]

Many of us Brits love black humour and excentric characters, apart from the easily offended. Our comedians and comedy writers are not afraid to push the boundaries and fortunately the general attitude to those who are offended or upset is "then don't watch it" Most of the shows shown in this video though popular never had the audiences of the Fawlty Towers, Black Adder or Only Fools and Horses. Probably the two that had the most audiences are Absolutely Fabulous and Red Dwarf getting upto 8 million viewers. Hence the "cult" title, for me Red Dwarf is the best of them.

[@angharaddenby3389]

Other cult British sitcoms you might like to check out are Fawlty Towers, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Some Mothers Do Have 'Em, Are You Being Served and the Good Life.

[@Cheepchipsable]

None of those are cult.

[@theriddick2735]

​@CheepchipsableNot back then but they are today.

[@dougdixonhull]

Great selection of British tv shows. I think a few are missing from this list. Faulty Towers, Gavin and Stacy and Father Ted are worth looking up. Us Brits love dark humour and sarcastic jokes. We love to get behind the underdog. I think that is why sometimes British shows don't translate in the U.S. Although after the success of The Office, maybe more will follow. Great channel.

[@murraytown4]

No such list is complete without On the Buses. We watched it in Canada in the ‘70s.

[@markjones127]

That was a great show, I grew up watching On The Buses but it wasn't a cult comedy, it was a huge primetime mainstream hit, everyone watched it, it's viewing figures were massive.

[@dib000]

​@@markjones127so cringe if shown now though.

[@DavidBrookes007]

On The Buses was absolutely awful. Cringe to the max. Anyone who actually likes it should be put in a padded cell.

[@markjones127]

@@DavidBrookes007 Snowflake or hipster? So hard to tell these days! 🤣

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Psychoville is good too Only Fools and horses is a cult hit Watch the chandelier scene from only fools and horses And the pub scene And the capes crusader scene

[@johnkelly4359]

Yeah, I would expect a lot of 40 to 60yr olds know all of these. Would love to see what you think of Black books. League of Gentleman is super odd, really dark and well worth a watch. But you are absolutely right about the fact that they should not have rebooted Red Dwarf. Watch season 2 to season 8 if you like it.

[@abigailslade3824]

Season 1 is fantastic too.

[@MoeJason-f1p]

"I'm just a typical, average... American." is delivered in the most American way possible.

[@barriehull7076]

Simon John Pegg, born 14 February 1970) is an English actor, comedian and screenwriter. He came to prominence in the UK as the co-creator of the Channel 4 sitcom Spaced (1999-2001), directed by Edgar Wright. He was also in Black Books.

[@DandelionandBardock]

The Young Ones, was one of my favourites growing up. I can quote that sitcom to death lmao.

[@isaacjones751]

Can really recommend "The Thick of It" if you liked Veep, then you'll like this, because it was based on "The Thick of It" Also, if you really want to learn how to swear properly, Malcolm Tucker is your go to for that 😆

[@kevinfairclough4619]

Having 10 in a list is only scratching the surface! A time before Netflix and Amazon. When you switched on the telly to watch and have a laugh and talked about it with family or quoted favourite lines with friends the next day. I could list 50 or more from the 80’s or 90’s.

[@michaelnolan6951]

As a kid in New Zealand, we LOVED The Young Ones in the playground. Even though NZ is literally on the other side of the planet from Britain , I have seen nearly all of these during their first broadcast run. Since I moved to the UK, and streaming services came along I have seen all of them. This puts me on the "Normal" end of the British TV watching spectrum.

[@Wayne814]

Some of these will be well known in the US as well, I know Absolutely Fabulous and Red Dwarf defitintely are, and they even tried to do a US version of Red Dwarf but don't think it made it past a pilot episode though

[@ben-tendo]

Alan Partridge is world in itself and has been a character across many decades in different shows. Broadcasters even discuss him as a real person in press releases when "signing" him onto new shows. He's been a sports reporter, radio DJ, magazine show presenter, chat show host... Amazon even has an exclusive podcast of his that's onto its third series. Hugely successful character, has his own movie even. And as for Red Dwarf (Would have been known in the US on PBS), it's just legendary and thankfully still ongoing with a new series coming next year (it's not rebooted, it's ongoing, same cast has always been in it ever since the show's beginning). The best selling DVD series of all time in fact.

[@RobFarley74]

Early Simon pegg would be big train... And Garth Merhengis dark placd, Snuff Box and Jam should be on the list... I recommend searching for "Jam Doctor", "big train office" and "SnuffBox boyfriend" which are some quality sketches.

[@Queinty]

Spaced was way before Big Train.

[@ThePinkBinks]

Bottom should definitely have been on this list.

[@theriddick2735]

My arse! Hahaha.

[@malcomflibbleghast8140]

seeing you do reaction vids to the mighty boosh, would be net gold.....

[@Codex7777]

"Is Alan Partridge well known"? lol. Alan Partridge is part of the fabric of British Culture! :) Alan Partridge is a genius creation. We've followed this character through virtually every iteration of his career and of his life, in real-time, over decades! It's not just one show either. Part of the genius is how the various formats deliberately reflect the highs and lows of his career. He's popular enough that he could have stayed on prime-time tv. Instead, during the characters career lows, he was only accessible via non mainstream, non prime-time tv, radio etc. At his lowest point, he was only available via podcast. All done quite deliberately by the actor/writer Steve Coogan. The various 'shows' have won so many awards, he probably needs his own warehouse to house them in. :)

[@nickhickson8738]

Never liked him, never got him just like Mr Bean. Ghsatly.

[@andreah1104]

Remember when Coogan had a thing with Courtney Love? 😂🤢

[@B0K1T0]

Nice overview. Some of it was broadcasted on Dutch television as well (League of Gentlemen ❤). I've always loved English comedy. There is some quality Dutch stuff (a bit more raw / absurd and nihilistic leaning) such as Jiskefet, and Belgium has a very good, sometimes pitch black, comedy and film culture, but there's nothing like the British :)

[@CatsAreRubbish]

Veep is the US version of "The Thick of It". Written by the same guy (Armando Iannucci).

[@MrAlbieWan]

And if anyone enjoys Armando Iannucci's style, give Avenue 5 a go. That show is crazy 😂 Starring Hugh Laurie.

[@tezza3733]

Another one that never got into that list was a show called "the goodies" used to have some GREAT music on there, got introduced to "the moody blues" and "Iron Butterfly" (2 relatively little known bands that were incredible musicians) through that show.

[@markjones127]

Just to put Nighty Night into context, the opening scene of episode 1 is her husband getting a cancer diagnosis, 2:15 into the same episode his wife registers with a dating agency, this show is beyond dark, it makes you feel bad about yourself for finding it so hilariously funny, which it is! 🤣 A few of the cast members of this show also starred in another series called 'JAM' which is generally regarded as the blackest of all dark comedies, I mean 'JAM' is the black hole of British comedy series, it's deeply depraved and absolutely amazing!!! 😁🤣

[@simonsmith7755]

Jam makes The League of Gentlemen look like the Vicar of Dibley. Well, kinda. Closest thing to watching a nightmare I can think of. Both amazing shows.

[@scottneil1187]

Jam was incredible.

[@FellowHuman137]

Monkey dust is bleak as fuck too

[@Halfdanr_H]

I was a 90’s/2000’s kid, and I know all these comedies. A lot of them were on our main TV channels and even the old ones would be repeated. The 90’s and 2000’s was a wonderful time for British TV comedy, we had some hilarious comedy sketch shows on at the time too, like The Armstrong and Miller Show, The Catherine Tate Show, Little Britain, The Fast Show, Goodness Gracious Me, That Mitchell and Webb Situation, etcetera…

[@elbee1845]

Knowing me, knowing you, ah ahh!

[@peachmylk]

Stop. Getting. Bond. WRONG!

[@rogerlundstrom6926]

You kind of made me want to see you do reaction videos to some of these shows.. when it comes to Red Dwarf, I'd especially like to see how you react to the "reboots".. (and I wouldn't say "tried" to reboot.. I am fairly sure they did exactly the shows they thought they had materials for, no more no less.. AND.. They are about to start a new series again)

[@Jill-mh2wn]

The additional episodes of Red Dwarf in 2017 are with the same cast as the 1988/90s ones . We fans totally accepted them, plus a few wrinkles

[@emmahowells8334]

Out of all these only 2 were actually good, Young Ones and Red Dwarf. But they missed two great ones which are Only fools and horses and Dads Army.

[@Shoomer88]

Only fools and horses and Dads Army are not cult classics.

[@emmahowells8334]

@@Shoomer88To you they might not be, but to many they definitely are.

[@Shoomer88]

@@emmahowells8334 A cult classic is not the same thing as a classic.

[@rogerbillings5081]

We're a weird people! Lol! The Young Ones was named after a wholesome 1960's Cliff Richard film! Alan Partridge is a legend!