The differences between American and British humor are quite stark, with the former generally being considered to be way more accessible and relatable... for obvious reasons. However, this perception is somewhat warped, especially given the fact that a large portion of American sitcoms are inspired by their British counterparts (The Office is perhaps the most notable example of this).
The dry humor and wittiness present in British sitcoms might be somewhat hard to digest in the first go — especially given the rapid pace at which jokes are delivered and the seemingly complicated nature of some gags — but people who have stuck through the large majority of British sitcoms can attest to the fact that these shows are devilishly hilarious and unexpectedly clever, featuring some absolutely stellar writing to keep the entertainment factor constant throughout. If you wish to get into a British sitcom to witness this brilliance firsthand, then here are ten such shining gems that are definitely worth a watch.
Coupling
A show written by none other than the legendary Steven Moffat, Coupling was UK's answer to the rampant success of US sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld. The result was undoubtedly one of the most hilarious and iconic UK sitcoms of all time.
Coupling opened to mild ratings but quickly gained popularity over time, before the departure of Richard Coyle — who played Jeff Murdock — pretty much put the nail in the coffin for Coupling, which ended after its fourth season.
The Office (UK)
Most people associate The Office with Steve Carell's incredibly entertaining show, but it's the UK show and Ricky Gervais who should rightfully be credited for creating the premise that we all know and love to this very day.
While UK's The Office ran for a very short time — especially when compared to its American counterpart — it's still considered by many to be one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
Father Ted
One of the most critically-acclaimed British-Irish sitcoms of all time, Father Ted is a hilarious look into the life of the titular character, along with two other priests, who are exiled to Craggy Island and engage in rib-tickling misadventures over the 25-episode run. The show is an absolute must-watch for anyone who wishes to experience the genius of UK sitcom writing.
The IT Crowd
Out of all the shows discussed on this list till now, The IT Crowd is arguably one of the most popular sitcoms of the lot. Featuring the misadventures of Maurice Moss, Roy Trenneman, and Jen Barber as try and handle an IT department that is equal parts bumbling and brilliant, the show has become a cult classic for its quintessential yet accessible British humor.
An American adaptation of this show was planned as well, but the pilot wasn't received well by the majority of executives who viewed it. While NBC has greenlit another adaptation, no news has come around it as of yet.
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools And Horses is one of the most legendary sitcoms of all time and a must-watch if you wish to break into the UK sitcom scene. It's a show that is considered by many to be one of the most important pieces of British entertainment ever, and for good reason.
Unlike most UK sitcoms, this show actually managed to run for a whopping 64 episodes and contributed to British culture in numerous ways. The fact that there's a relatively active The Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society to this very day speaks volumes when it comes to the relevance of this series.
Blackadder
Before adopting the iconic Mr. Bean moniker that we all know and love to this very day, Rowan Atkinson was wowing fans in Blackadder, a legendary sitcom series that saw the life of Edmund Blackadder across the course of four-time periods.
The unique nature of the show, coupled with a final season that had a surprisingly strong message, helped cement the series' legacy as one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time. While the first season might be a bit of a slog to get through, the subsequent seasons keep on increasing in quality.
Fawlty Towers
The brainchild of John Cleese — of Monty Python fame — and Connie Booth, Fawlty Towers is easily one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time, owing no small part to the legacy it has left behind.
Centered around the running of a hotel, the idea of the least hospitable man somehow running a hotel is a surprisingly simple yet effective premise that yields hilarious results.
Mind Your Language
Most British sitcoms take a person with seemingly "normal" characteristics and place him in an environment full of caricatures. Mind Your Language is no exception to this, starring Barry Evans as an English teacher by the name of Jeremy Brown who has to teach English to a bunch of inept foreign students, leading to him dealing with endless frustration but still managing to form a bond with them.
While the show might seem somewhat tasteless if looked at from a modern perspective, there's no denying that Mind Your Language is a wildly entertaining romp from start to end.
The Inbetweeners
A list detailing out excellent British sitcoms would be empty without The Inbetweeners, a tale of four teenagers on the cusp of adulthood who deal with the usual adolescence problems, albeit with a funny twist.
Watching the bumbling group of Will MacKenzie, Simon Cooper, Neil Sutherland, and Jay Cartwright go through their teenage years and deal with numerous misadventures makes for a wildly entertaining and funny ride.
Mr. Bean
It would be impossible to talk about brilliant British sitcoms and not mention the absolute classic that is Mr. Bean. Rowan Atkinson had a pretty established pedigree as a comedy actor, but it's Mr. Bean that truly showed just how brilliant Atkinson was when it came to the realm of physical comedy.
Why the show might've only run for 15 episodes, each episode tackles incredibly hilarious moments that will stay in the minds of fans long after they finish watching the series. The character of Mr. Bean was so successful that Atkinson reprised the role in two feature films, both of which grossed upwards of $200 million at the box office.