Poll: American or British Comedy?

[Ham_authority95]

I enjoy both, but a British accent always makes a joke funnier for me.

In the end though, it really depends on the comedian.

 

[Pegghead]

While I enjoy them both I think Britain has always been a bit better with comedy than americans and coincidentally I love British sitcoms (Like there's any surprise there).

 

[Drejer43]

UK got so much funny stuff, and nothing can beat Monty python.
Saturday night live is just plain boring, and the channel it airs on (where i live) says its the only real satire in the U.S, must be some pretty boring satire they have over there then.

EDIT: all right thinking about U.S they have some pretty funny series Scrubs, friends (yes I still watch that),Seinfeld. but my vote still goes to UK.

 

[Sir Bob]

With British comedy they don't tend to explain the joke afterwards, like most american's do.

Edit: Point proven by poster below.

 

[neoontime]

I sadly say American since I don't quite understand British comedy at all especially since it seems to really on more simple puns then jokes.
Also to above poster touché.

 

[Kellerb]

British, obviously


Blackadder, monty python, frankie boyle, lee evans...

 

[skitzo van]

Got to love Monty Python

 

[SultanP]

Depends on what kind of humour it is. If it's, I don't know... "Intelligent" humour, I prefer British, I think. But if it's cheap humour I prefer American because cheap British humour tends to rely on farts or vomit and such, which I hate with a passion. But people like Eddie Izzard and Ross Noble are very funny, but so are a lot of American comedians, such as Jim Gaffigan and others.

I don't really think you can pit all comedy from one country against all comedy from another, since comedy is very, very varied.

Note that I don't like using the term "Intelligent" humour, I just used it because I couldn't find a better word.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

British, by far.

 

[Legend of J]

British since its always the orginal stuff lol and alot of usa jokes i don't get cause im not living in the usa.

However i still don't think shameless would work in the usa.

 

[Drejer43]

David Mitchell tirades against accusations that he's an upper-class twit.

I cant get enough of the quote " Run you little bastard or I'll shoot you"

 

[Denamic]

These American vs. British ANYTHING always end up in favor of the British, Escapist is more based in GB than the USA.

Also, this is a vs. thread.

Alexa says it's 47.3% from United States and 11.8% from United Kingdom.
Facts strikes again!

I'm also going with British humour.

 

[PiCroft]

It pisses me off that the Americans get the BBC but we don't get half the awesome shit they get.

I would love the Today Show, the Colbert Report, Arrested Development and the American version of the Office on TV and not just have to buy DVDs of the last two.

DVDs rock, but I occasionally like to switch the telly on and see whats what.

If the US gives us TDS and TCR, I would hang a US flag out my window.

 

[Brightzide]

In terms of stand-up , British kicks America's ass . Also, I dont think American comedians have a sense of improvisation, Britain has Eddie Izzard , Ross Noble and the like, but I cant think of any american imrpov comedians, or ones who really use improv. ( if you know any, feel free to etch some in or make suggestions ) .

As for films , Hard to call...America gave us Scary movie( not the last 2 )...but they also gave us Date movie and Epic(fail) movie and so on. British comedy films are few and far between without our own version of hollywood, and they have an equal chance of being un-funny too. But Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are sure things for success.

As for T.V ...hmmm...I do like meself some Big Bang Theory and the like, But late night comedy central with Black Books and some british classics, is just awesome and worth waiting for.

I'd say British wins really. And I may live in England, but Im rather unbiased because im canadian...I guess

 

[fretless94]

All I have to say is "Ricky Gervais."

 

[Levitas1234]

Canadian comedy!
basically same thing as british comedy but more canadian.

No... No it's not.

And I much prefer English comedy because it tends to be more unique whereas I find american humour rather samey, and also simplistic. I enjoy certain shows such as House, Friends, and Scrubs however.

Not what I have noticed, british and canadian comedy both tend to be in favour of the black forte.

 

[flaming_squirrel]

I've never seen an American sitcom capable of making me laugh, they're always just so....shit...

Some entertaining US comedians out there however, such as the Texan (whose name I've forgotten) that regularly appears on British shows such as 'Have I got news for you' and QI.


Britain is still many leagues ahead in terms of comedy though, it's one of the few things we do better then any other country.

All I have to say is "Ricky Gervais."

A low point. As soon as everyone forgets about him the better, least funny man in the entire country.

 

[Orbert]

Both have their good ones.

I find the best parts of American comedy is the Adult Swim shows, but they have some fine comics too. Mitch Hedberg! Too bad he's dead, I never would have gotten tired of his bizarre and awkward delivery.