calling Anglos and Anglophiles

[brightlywoven]

(inspired by foreverdirt's latest link)

One thing I have found to stand between me and the feeling that England is home, has been my lack of familiarity with the people of pop and political culture. I have for indtance, rarely any idea who humph is snarking about in ISIHAC. Partly this is because I have no tv. However, rather than get one, then try to trawl through for the good bits, I am asking you, dear friends list to point me the right way.

Week one: comedy

Can you suggest British comedy or comedians that would probably not be known internationally which I might enjoy? (eg a passing comment from shanith led me to mitch benn. Awsome)

Comments

[foreverdirt.livejournal.com]

I second Buzzcocks (it's what I watch -- on YouTube -- when I am desperately homesick), in particular series 19 onwards, with Simon Amstell. Have I Got News For You is another classic, as is Drop The Dead Donkey.

A little earlier, but stunningly good, is Not The Nine O'Clock News -- early eighties, varyingly political, lots of big names. Dinnerladies with Victoria Wood is recent, but probably the best sitcom I've seen (and definitely my favourite) in terms of pure observational comedy. As Time Goes By is very gentle, but has always and will always charm(ed) me out of a bad mood -- plus, Dame Judi Dench!

Radio-wise, seconding Round The Horne (but not its vastly inferior follow-up, Beyond Our Ken). For very old radio comedy, The Navy Lark is great, as is [show whose name I have forgotten but about which have emailed family]. Oh, and Just A Minute.

[foreverdirt.livejournal.com]

[show whose name I have forgotten but about which have emailed family]

Men From The Ministry. Oh, the japes!

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Historical note: Beyond Our Ken came first - it ended when Eric Merriman, its writer, walked out and refused to allow any of the characers he had created be carried over. (He later did the same on television, with BBC 1's Happy Ever After, starring Terry Scott and June Whitfield as the Fletchers, having to be replaced by Terry and June, starring said actors as the Medfords, when Merriman walked out of that.) Round the Horne (with Barry Took and Marty Feldman writing) turned out to be far superior, and lasted until Kenneth Horne's death; its follow up, led by Kenneth Williams, was Stop Messin' About!, but although essentially a continuation of Round the Horne the spark was not there, it is commonly said.

Not the Nine O'Clock News is indeed superb.