So, What Are Brit-Coms?
Brit-coms = British situation comedies. Some of us feel that they're much funnier than American sit-coms, but that is, of course, entirely dependent on your sense of humor and which shows are being compared.
Here's a sampling of my favorite Brit-coms.

Bouquet Residence, The Lady Of The House Speaking
Keeping Up Appearances
The ultimate classic Brit-Com. Who could ever forget Hyacinth Bucket (It's pronounced Bouquet), and her rag tag sisters Rose and Daisy, as well as her rich sister Violet (the one with the Mercedes and room for a pony)?Long suffering husband Richard, and ever patient neighbor Elizabeth round out the cast. Keeping Up Appearances
As the series proceeds, Patricia Routledge seems to be enjoying herself more. Bits of personality slip out in spots such as when she's dancing with Onslo on the QE2. Genuine smiles and sparkling eyes make the show even more enjoyable than the earlier episodes.
Keeping Up Appearances on Amazon
Keeping Up Appearances - The Full Bouquet Set (Vols. 1-8)
Amazon Price: $76.49 (as of 09/07/2008)
Keeping Up Appearances Outtakes
Keeping Up Appearances - Outtakes Season 1 and 2 (part 1/2)
Keeping Up Appearances - Outtakes Season 1 and 2 (part 1/2)

Last of the Summer Wine
Last Of The Summer Wine
It took me a few episodes before I could understand Last of the Summer Wine, let alone enjoy it. It's really not your typical sit-com.Last of the Summer Wine
It is funny once you grasp the setting. The story line is always about 3 or 4 older gentlemen, who never really outgrew their adolescence. Howard, who spends all his planning on getting to be alone with Marina, doesn't know what to do with her when he succeeds (which is never). Truly Of The Yard, formerly of the vice squad, is full of stories of what they used to do on the vice squad, and then talks someone else into doing something stupid. And poor Norman Clegg, who used to be a "lino salesman", gets dragged into it all. Mostly unwillingly, but when the time comes- he's the one who adds the most zing to the stories they tell.
The cast has often changed, as the show spans over a decade, and the cast is almost entirely elderly.
The BBC has a great write up of it here.
Last Of The Summer Wine on Amazon
Last of the Summer Wine
Amazon Price: $24.49 (as of 09/07/2008)
Watch A Slide Show Tribute to Last of the Summer Wine
Last Of The Summer Wine
My slideshow based on the long running UK comedy series Last Of The Summer Wine. The music used here was written by the late Ronnie Hazlehurst and performed by the Norrie Paramor Orchestra.
Runtime: 4:15
13998 views
10 Comments:
A Fine Romance
I can't say as much about this show, since I only saw about one season's worth. But what I saw, I loved.A young Dame Judy Dench (I believe she was not yet a Dame) played an unlucky in love woman opposite an equally unlucky in love man (played by real life husband Michael Williams).
It's a little difficult to describe, but as much as I loved her in As Time Goes By

A Fine Romance
A Fine Romance on Amazon
A Fine Romance - The Complete Collection
Amazon Price: $71.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Are You Being Served?
There are many people that would argue that this show shouldn't be listed. However, it's the first Brit-Com that I ever saw, and a classic in my mind.With Mrs. Slocombe's crazy hair (I so want that when I'm her age), Miss Brahm's common ways, and Mr. Humphries' being "neither one way or the other", I watched faithfully every chance I got.
Even though there was never any proper story line, there was never any proper ending. And that was part of the charm Are You Being Served?
For a proper rundown of the show, click here.
Are You Being Served? on Amazon
Are You Being Served? The Complete Collection (Series 1-14 Volumes)
Amazon Price: $117.49 (as of 09/07/2008)
Black Books
The basic concept centers around three characters, all of whom are quite fond of wine, but that's where the similarities end.
Bernard Black, who owns Black Books, doesn't particularly like people, even customers. Especially not customers.
Manny, formerly a high powered executive, quits his stress inducing job and names himself Bernard's assistance.
And Fran, Bernard's shop's neighbor, who sells "a lot of wank".
The video below is a perfect encapsulation of the series as a whole.
An Introduction To Black Books
Black Books
Black Books. We're now on MYSPACE at www.MySpace.com/BlackBooks2 - add us to your friends list!
Runtime: 4:21
140988 views
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Black Books on Amazon
The Complete Black Books
Amazon Price: $28.49 (as of 09/07/2008)
Thin Blue Line
Rowan Atkinson plays a police chief The Thin Blue LineThe Thin Blue Line on Amazon
The Thin Blue Line - The Complete Line-Up
Amazon Price: $24.49 (as of 09/07/2008)
Coupling
Like Friends, only funny. CouplingRarely is the storyline straight forward. One episode in particular, devoted 10 minutes to 3 sections (one to Jane, one to Susan, and another to Sally). The first ten minutes was funny, the second 10 was funnier because it had its own story line and added more information to the first (think Lion King 1 1/2), and the third the funniest because of its own story line and adding more information to the first and second stories.
Coupling on Amazon
Coupling - The Complete Seasons 1-4
Amazon Price: $59.49 (as of 09/07/2008)
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