The Best British Comedy Shows
by kirsty_logan | created - 16 Aug 2013 | updated - 16 Aug 2013 | PublicA collection of the best British sketch shows, panel shows, stand up comedy and sitcoms.
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1. Russell Howard's Good News (2009–2015)
60 min | Comedy, News
British comedian Russell Howard shares his views on the topical news of the previous week.
Stars: Russell Howard, Colin Hoult, Bryan Lawrence, Steve Hall
Votes: 3,043
2. Celebrity Juice (2008–2022)
45 min | Comedy, Game-Show
A comedy TV show starring the fictional character Keith Lemon.
Stars: Leigh Francis, Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton, Gino D'Acampo
Votes: 2,288
3. Mock the Week (2005–2022)
TV-14 | 29 min | Comedy, Game-Show
A comedic look at current events.
Stars: Dara O Briain, Hugh Dennis, Andy Parsons, Ed Byrne
Votes: 8,565
4. The Royle Family (1998–2012)
45 min | Comedy
A British sitcom about the everyday life of a working-class family in Northwest England: watching telly, smoking, drinking, and bickering.
Stars: Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson
Votes: 9,086
5. Him & Her (2010–2013)
28 min | Comedy
An acutely observed, forensically honest, warts-and-all look at a working-class couple in their mid-20s.
Stars: Russell Tovey, Sarah Solemani, Joe Wilkinson, Kerry Howard
Votes: 4,787
6. 8 Out of 10 Cats (2005– )
TV-PG | 24 min | Comedy, Game-Show
8 Out Of 10 Cats is a cheeky and articulate comedy panel show hosted by English comedian Jimmy Carr that uses statistics and a series of opinion polls as a basis for discussion.
Stars: Jimmy Carr, John Pohlhammer, Sean Lock, Jon Richardson
Votes: 6,151
7. The Vicar of Dibley (1994–2020)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy
A boisterous female minister comes to serve in an eccentricly conservative small town's church.
Stars: Dawn French, James Fleet, Trevor Peacock, Gary Waldhorn
Votes: 15,473
8. Mr. Bean (1990–1995)
Not Rated | 25 min | Comedy, Family
Bumbling, childlike Mr. Bean has trouble completing the simplest of day-to-day tasks, but his perseverance and resourcefulness frequently allow him to find ingenious ways around problems.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Matilda Ziegler, Robin Driscoll, Matthew Ashforde
Votes: 133,290
9. An Idiot Abroad (2010–2012)
TV-14 | 43 min | Documentary, Adventure, Comedy
British comedy duo Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send their simple and closed-minded friend Karl Pilkington on a trip around the world to experience a variety of people and cultures.
Stars: Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Richard Yee
Votes: 34,316
10. Miranda (2009–2015)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Socially inept Miranda always gets into awkward situations; working in her joke shop with best friend Stevie, being hounded by her pushy mother, and around her crush Gary.
Stars: Miranda Hart, Patricia Hodge, Tom Ellis, Sarah Hadland
Votes: 17,138
11. Beaver Falls (2011–2012)
Comedy, Drama
Three British students decided to spend their summer in an American summer camp and make a large impression on fellow camp workers and the campers.
Stars: Samuel Robertson, John Dagleish, Kristen Gutoskie, Arsher Ali
Votes: 2,346
12. Bad Education (2012–2024)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Comedy series about a teacher who is a bigger kid than the kids he teaches.
Stars: Layton Williams, Mathew Horne, Charlie Wernham, Jack Whitehall
Votes: 13,724
13. Misfits (2009–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A group of young offenders doing community service gets struck by lightning during a storm and start to develop superpowers.
Stars: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Joe Gilgun, Iwan Rheon, Lauren Socha
Votes: 107,316
14. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2004 TV Special)
125 min | Comedy, Game-Show
Annual British TV show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz with questions relating to the events of the year just gone by.
Directors: Matthew Cox, Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Simon Pegg, Jonathan Ross
Votes: 759
15. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2005 TV Special)
130 min | Comedy, Game-Show
Annual British TV show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz with questions relating to the events of the year just gone by.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, David Mitchell, Sharon Osbourne
Votes: 789
16. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2006 TV Special)
125 min | Comedy, Game-Show
Annual British TV show with comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz with questions relating to the events of the year just gone by.
Directors: Mick Thomas, Mike Maclaine | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Cat Deeley, Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand
Votes: 1,126
17. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2007 TV Special)
125 min | Comedy, Game-Show
A British comedy panel show, were contestants answer questions about the events in the past year.
Directors: Mick Thomas, Will Dixon | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Lily Allen, Russell Brand, Rob Brydon
Votes: 1,124
18. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2008 TV Special)
130 min | Comedy, Game-Show
British television show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, James Corden, Sean Lock, Davina McCall
Votes: 1,010
19. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2010 TV Special)
100 min | Comedy, Game-Show
British television show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz, hosted by Jimmy Carr.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Russell Brand, Charlie Brooker, Rob Brydon
Votes: 1,682
20. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (I) (2011 TV Special)
97 min | Comedy, Game-Show
British television show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Richard Ayoade, Alan Carr, Noel Fielding
Votes: 1,044
21. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2012 TV Special)
Comedy, Game-Show
Jimmy Carr puts another panel of celebrities to the test as they battle it out to see who remembers most about 2012.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Richard Ayoade, James Corden, Russell Howard
Votes: 858
22. The Big Fat Quiz of the 00s (2012 TV Special)
Comedy, Game-Show
British television show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Richard Ayoade, Kevin Bridges, Alan Carr
Votes: 862
23. The Big Fat Quiz of the 90s (2012 TV Special)
Comedy, Game-Show
British television show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Alan Davies, Phill Jupitus, Dara O Briain
Votes: 771
24. The Big Fat Quiz of the 80s (2012 TV Special)
Comedy, Game-Show
British television show with a comedy panel in the style of a pub quiz.
Director: Mick Thomas | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Adam Buxton, Micky Flanagan, Jason Manford
Votes: 655
25. The IT Crowd (2006–2013)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
The comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss and their grifting supervisor Jen, a rag-tag team of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.
Stars: Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, Matt Berry
Votes: 164,372
26. The Inbetweeners (2008–2010)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Follows four friends and their antics during their final years of school.
Stars: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas
Votes: 94,355
27. I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A failed television presenter, now presenting a programme on local desperately tries to revive his broadcasting career.
Stars: Steve Coogan, Simon Greenall, Felicity Montagu, Phil Cornwell
Votes: 21,969
28. Have I Got News for You (1990– )
29 min | Comedy, Game-Show, News
Long-running satirical news quiz featuring regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Originally chaired by Angus Deayton, the series has adopted "guest hosts" since 2002.
Stars: Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, Angus Deayton, Alexander Armstrong
Votes: 5,478
29. Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996–2023)
30 min | Comedy, Game-Show, Music
Music-based comedy quiz show.
Stars: Phill Jupitus, Mark Lamarr, Noel Fielding, Bill Bailey
Votes: 6,058
30. Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2002– )
30 min | Comedy, Game-Show, Music
US version of the original British show of the same name.
Stars: Marc Maron, Alex Borstein, David Cross, Sebastian Bach
Votes: 922
31. Come Fly with Me (2010–2011)
TV-MA | 29 min | Comedy
This is a parody of shows about the inner workings of an airport.
Stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Lindsay Duncan, Sally Rogers
Votes: 9,854
32. Would I Lie to You? (2007– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Game-Show
Two teams, lead by their team leader (either Lee Mack or David Mitchell), have to try and make the other team believe their crazy stories.
Stars: David Mitchell, Lee Mack, Rob Brydon, Paul Ridley
Votes: 9,682
33. How Not to Live Your Life (2007–2011)
28 min | Comedy
This series revolves around a neurotic twenty-nine year old man named Don. As he tries to make his way through life, his overactive mind and inappropriate behavior is always getting him into trouble.
Stars: Dan Clark, David Armand, Leila Hoffman, Laura Haddock
Votes: 6,113
34. The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2009)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Sketches by Catherine Tate and her comedy troupe.
Stars: Catherine Tate, Mathew Horne, Niky Wardley, Derren Litten
Votes: 4,297
35. Friday Night Dinner (2011–2020)
TV-14 | 24 min | Comedy
Two siblings share their Friday-night dinners at their parents' home and, somehow, something always goes wrong.
Stars: Tamsin Greig, Simon Bird, Paul Ritter, Tom Rosenthal
Votes: 22,185
36. Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy
The wild misadventures of Edina "Eddy" Monsoon and her best friend Patsy Stone, who live in a nearly constant haze of drugged, drunken selfishness.
Stars: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield
Votes: 21,523
37. A Bucket o' French & Saunders (2007– )
Comedy
A selection of new and vintage sketches from the popular double act.
Stars: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Simon Brint, Rowland Rivron
Votes: 174
38. Gavin & Stacey (2007–2024)
TV-14 | 29 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Gavin and Stacey have been continuing their romance on-line and by telephone for the last six months. Now they want to be together but will their friends and family let them?
Stars: Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Alison Steadman, Ruth Jones
Votes: 22,695
39. QI (2003– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Game-Show
A comedy panel game in which being Quite Interesting is more important than being right. Sandi Toksvig is joined each week by four comedians to share anecdotes and trivia, and maybe answer some questions as well.
Stars: Alan Davies, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Bill Bailey
Votes: 33,616
40. Derek (2012–2014)
TV-MA | 23 min | Comedy, Drama
Derek is a loyal nursing home care assistant who sees only the good in his quirky co-workers as they struggle against prejudice and shrinking budgets to care for their elderly residents.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Kerry Godliman, David Earl, Tim Barlow
Votes: 35,590
41. My Family (2000–2011)
TV-14 | 50 min | Comedy
Ben Harper, a misanthropic dentist, has little time for most people, including his wife Susan, and their children Nick, Janey, and Michael.
Stars: Robert Lindsay, Zoë Wanamaker, Gabriel Thomson, Daniela Denby-Ashe
Votes: 10,540
42. Fresh Meat (2011–2016)
TV-MA | 50 min | Comedy, Drama
A comedy that follows a group of six students about to embark on the most exciting period of their lives so far, university.
Stars: Zawe Ashton, Greg McHugh, Kimberley Nixon, Charlotte Ritchie
Votes: 19,504
43. Benidorm (2007–2018)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
British comedy series following holidaymakers at the Solana Resort in Benidorm. Hilarity ensues as guests try to get value for their Euros.
Stars: Jake Canuso, Janine Duvitski, Tony Maudsley, Elsie Kelly
Votes: 7,099
44. Little Britain (2003–2006)
TV-MA | 29 min | Comedy
Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the creators of this character-comedy sketch show, delight in all that is mad, bad, quirky and generally bonkers about the people and places of Britain.
Stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Tom Baker, Paul Putner
Votes: 26,123
45. TV Burp (2001–2012)
23 min | Comedy
Harry Hill stars in this surreal comedy show, revolving around the previous week's shows on British television.
Stars: Harry Hill, Steve Benham, Ronne Coyles, Dave Thompson
Votes: 2,236
46. Wilfred (2011–2014)
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
The story of a depressed man who inexplicably is the only one who can see his neighbor's dog as a full-grown man in a dog suit.
Stars: Elijah Wood, Jason Gann, Fiona Gubelmann, Dorian Brown Pham
Votes: 44,382
47. Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Votes: 100,141
48. Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003)
TV-PG | 95 min | Comedy
Comedy that follows two brothers from London's rough Peckham estate as they wheel and deal through a number of dodgy deals and search for the big score that'll make them millionaires.
Stars: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd Pack, Buster Merryfield
Votes: 56,702
49. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,139
50. Peep Show (2003–2015)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy
Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.
Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Matt King, Olivia Colman
Votes: 66,582
51. Phoenix Nights (2001–2002)
25 min | Comedy
The misadventures of club owner Brian Potter who is determined to make The Phoenix Club the best working men's club in Greater Manchester.
Stars: Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, Justin Moorhouse, Paddy McGuinness
Votes: 7,605
52. Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1998–2007)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Game-Show
Improvisational comedy competition show in which four members of the regular cast as comedians and often with guest appearances with other comedians and celebrities and members of the audience perform various comic games and sketches.
Stars: Drew Carey, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles, Laura Hall
Votes: 46,386
53. Not Going Out (2006– )
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
The mishaps of slacker Lee and the love of his life, Lucy along with their friends & family.
Stars: Lee Mack, Sally Bretton, Katy Wix, Hugh Dennis
Votes: 7,904
54. Moone Boy (2012–2015)
TV-14 | 23 min | Comedy
Martin Moone is a young boy who relies on the help of his imaginary friend Sean to deal with the quandaries of life in a wacky small-town Irish family circa 1990.
Stars: Chris O'Dowd, David Rawle, Deirdre O'Kane, Peter McDonald
Votes: 6,634
55. That Mitchell and Webb Look (2006–2010)
720 min | Comedy, Fantasy
A comedy sketch show featuring David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, James Bachman, Mark Evans
Votes: 9,530
56. The Mitchell and Webb Situation (2001)
30 min | Comedy
The comedy duo's first sketch show, which launched both of their careers.
Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Gus Brown
Votes: 1,920
57. Impractical Jokers (2011– )
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Reality-TV
Q, Sal, Joe and Murr are real-life best friends who love challenging each other to the most outrageous dares and stunts ever caught on hidden camera.
Stars: James Murray, Brian Quinn, Sal Vulcano, Joe Gatto
Votes: 45,780
58. Some Girls (2012–2014)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Girls struggle with relationships, friendships and teachers at school.
Stars: Adelayo Adedayo, Natasha Jonas, Alice Felgate, Mandeep Dhillon
Votes: 1,924
59. Plebs (2013–2019)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy, History
"Plebs" follows three desperate young men from the suburbs as they try to get laid, hold down jobs, and climb the social ladder in the big city--that happens to be Ancient Rome.
Stars: Tom Rosenthal, Ryan Sampson, Tom Basden, Karl Theobald
Votes: 9,057
60. Live at the Electric (2012– )
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Tom Palmer, Russell Kane, Totally Tom, Two Episodes of MASH
Votes: 65
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