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One of Isaac
Asimov's short stories proposed that jokes were
part of an elaborate alien plot to study human psychology,
and that if we ever worked this out, nothing would
be funny any more. Let's hope that day is long off! |
Red
Dwarf
The best BBC comedy for some light years, but try
the alternative
site.
Jimmy
Clitheroe
My favourite Sunday lunchtime listening.
Navy
Lark
Along with Jimmy C, filled my Sundays.
Morecambe and Wise
Christmas was never the same after Eric Morecambe
died, and never will be again.
Laurel
and Hardy
No introduction needed from me. Best moment? Too many
to choose, but getting that piano up (and down) those
long stairs ranks high! Must visit the L&H
Museum in Ulverston when I'm next up that way.
Dilbert
Daily Dilbert cartoons online. Also Dilbert goodies.
My favourite is Dogbert's "Out! Out! You demons
of stupidity" desktop.
Andy
Capp
The anarchic working-class anti-hero seems to have
been around as long as I have! His creator, Reg
Smythe, died in 1998 aged 80.
Yes
Minister
Uniquely believable comedy about politics. Also see
Yes
Prime Minister - give it time to load the theme
music!
The
Good Life
Ludicrous plot, but works thanks to the great comic
acting of Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope
Keith and the late, great Paul
Eddington.
Peter Kay
Although billed as 'stand-up,' Peter follows the great
tradition of Northern observational comedy. The above
links to his fan club as the official
site is not particularly revealing and is more
intent on selling tickets and merchandise - get a
grip lad! Find more at www.chortle.co.uk
and the BBC article on his 2002
Comedy Award.
Eric
Sykes
Oldham born comedy legend. The tv series is a classic,
with Hattie
Jacques as his sister and Derek
Guyler as Corky.
Fawlty
Towers
Inspired by the Monty
Python team's stay at the Gleneagles Hotel in
Torquay. Basil was based on its proprietor, Donald
Sinclair. Only 12 episodes made, each one a classic.
Also see the unofficial
site.
Monty Python's Flying Circus
The show that took comedy to a new, surreal plane
- and I remember watching the first episode! It's
forerunner was the 'children's programme, Do
Not Adjust Your Set. See the photos.
Also see Steve Rapport's Python
pages.
Porridge
What started as a 'short' became another vehicle for
the talents of the wonderful Ronnie
Barker.
The
Young Ones
Can't believe it is more than 20 years since Rik
Mayall et al brought this anarchic masterpiece
to the screen. Steve
Rapport has thoughtfully brought the full
scripts to the web.
Q
- Spike Milligan
Q for quirky! Wonderfully anarchic humour.
Dr
Fun
Far Side-esque cartoons by David Farley with an archive
going back to 1993 when they were first published
on the web.
Stop
Messing About
The complete and utter fantabulosa website about Kenneth
Williams. |
For
the Young at Heart and Weak in the Head
"Half man, half beast and half cut." Absolutely
the funniest man to have walked this planet - Kenneth
Horne!
Frank
Randle
A unique comic talent, devoid of morality! What more
can be said. Other than being a resident of Blackpool.
George
Formby
Frank Randle's great nemesis - the northerner who
sold out by taming his comedy to suit tender southern
sensibilities.
Tony
Hancock
"Does Magna Carta mean
nothing to you? Did she die in vain?" One of
the great lines from East Cheam. Hear clips at Whirligig
and also try the Tony
Hancock Appreciation Society.
Will
Hay
Another B&W product of the British pre and during
WWII film machine. Ably assisted by Moore
Marriott and Graham
Moffatt.
Funny
Old Game
Part of the BBC's excellent sports site. In particular,
look out for Robbo's
Rant. Click on the audio button to listen to the
'Tees Mouth'.
I'm
Sorry I Haven't a Clue
The BBC's long running antidote to panel games. You
can listen to each week's programme when the series
is on air.
Mike
Harding
The Rochdale Cowboy. Comedian and musician, now better
known for his work for rambling (as in walking, not
ga-ga!) I spent a evening with him at the old Wilson's
Brewery, drinking beer and sharing the 'craic.' Sharing
is probably the wrong word as no one else could get
a word in! A genuinely funny man, on and off stage.
Dad's
Army
The exploits of the defenders of Walmington-on-Sea
remain as fresh and as funny as they ever were. The
BBC unearthed two episodes previously thought lost
- The
Battle of Godfrey's Cottage and Operation
Kilt. Also see DA's
Appreciation Society.
Blackadder
A clever idea that literally stands the test of time.
Also see the unofficial
and reference
sites.
Tommy
Cooper
Master of slapstick. Also see his pencil
portrait and read his gags
and jokes.
Bob
Hope
The British born comedian who went on to make America
and the world laugh, passing
away in July 2003 at the age of 100. Loved the
'Road'
films.
Only
Fools and Horses
Long lasting comedy starring David
Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, responsible for
some memorable quotes.
Rolf
Harris
"Can you tell what it
is yet?" An icon from my past who has become
a cult figure of today. And his is the definitive
version of Stairway
to Heaven!
Things
My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About
Mil Millington's cult website has become a Guardian
column and a book because it is very, very, VERY funny!
One
Foot In The Grave
Victor Meldrew is a timeless comic creation. Watch
the opening
titles.
Brian
Johnston
Cricket commentator, bon viveur and general good egg!
This site gives a glimpse into his life and audio
clips, including the the infamous 'leg
over' discussion with Aggers. There is also the
official
site. |