Jam and Jerusalem
Written by Jennifer Saunders and with a superb cast of Sue Johnston, Dawn French, Pauline McLynn, Saunders herself and even Joanna Lumley in the first season Jam and Jerusalem is a recent discovery of mine. The tale of a Woman’s Guild in a small town of Clatterford St. Mary is very giggle inducing and well worth the watch. There were 2 proper seasons and the third season had 3 one hour long episodes. Think English countryside in Midsomer Murders. But obviously without the body count of 5 dead people per episode.
The Royle Family
To my shame I have never heard of the Royle Family until I saw the Christmas special last year. I didn’t even realize it had a cult following. It is a modern comedy of manners which basically means the actors just sit there, watch the telly and chat to each other, doesn’t sound like much does it? But it is definitely worth checking out and well if you have to start somewhere and see whether or not it is worth the watch I would suggest to start with the Christmas special – it had me in stitches. Who would have thought that watching people just sitting around could be so entertaining? On the side note – I dare you NOT to laugh at their tropical punch!
2point4 Children
2point4 Children is an old favorite of mine that I have completely and utterly forgot about when I was making my Best of British shows list. It is a story about the average and ordinary family that encounter rather odd (and that is putting it mildly) circumstances and events in each and every episode. Bill (played by Belinda Lang) the matriarch of the family is exceptionally hilarious. Truly a must see. Loved.It!
After You’ve Gone
I had a soft spot for Nicholas Lyndhurst ever since I watched him in Only Fools and Horses (I did grow up watching that stuff). I caught this one on telly last year and while it definitely is not of the same caliber it does remind me a bit of 2 point 4 children. Lyndhurst plays a Jack of all trades that is left to take care of his teenage children while his ex-wife goes off to Africa to be an aid worker. He is helped by his (very!) nosy mother in law played by Celia Imrie.
Birds of a Feather
Another old favorite that has not graced out screens since 1998 Birds of a Feather stars Paulina Quirke (as Sharon Theodopolopodos) and Linda Robson (as Tracey Stubbs) who play two sisters whose husbands end up in prison for armed robbery. So Sharon (who lives on an rough estate) moves in with Tracey who lives in a posh house in a posh neighborhood in Essex. The series ran for 9 seasons and had 102 episodes altogether which should tell you it was quite good otherwise it wouldn’t be commissioned for so long.
So tell me dear readers apart from the obvious favorite like One Foot in the Grave, Fawlty Towers and Blackadder do you have any more obscure comedy favorites? Do leave them in the comments section below.
