In a recent interview, funny British comedian Ricky Gervais compared British television to American television and concluded that American TV is funnier right now. He put it this way:
We've got some poor copies of Curb Your Enthusiasm, some poor copies of Entourage and some poor copies of Seinfeld. With a few exceptions the Americans seem to be ahead of the game.
It seems like a pretty strong swipe at British comedy from the man who created The Office, and it got me thinking about the differences between British and American humor. I tend to associate a dry, witty, and somewhat cerebral brand of comedy to our friends across the Atlantic. On the other hand, I think of American humor as broader and often more physical.
Given Gervais's statements — and since we're approaching a certain holiday that marks a split between the US and the UK — I figured there was no better time to ask: Do you prefer one country's humor over the other? Or can you even tell a difference?
Killah
My-Wardrobe.com
Vero Moda
I think British humor can sometimes be too dry. I'm very dry myself, but sometimes you just need a good ole completely ridiculous statement made by Alec Baldwin.
1I'm a British humor girl . (:
2british, the best american humour pales in comparison to the best british
3Either for me
4i'm actually partial to british humor actually, and the sad thing is that there are SO MANY shows that i love from the UK but when they are remade here in the US - something just falls flat
5Doens't matter who, what, where, when or how. If it makes me laugh, that's all I need.
6I'm American but I prefer British humor hands down. Although British humor does tend to involve even more inpropriety (sex jokes, etc.) tha America humor, it is still more witty and smart rather than just being, you know, fart jokes and people falling down...
7British humour, in my opinion, is almost always better. It usually relies on intellect rather than shock value or gross-out value. It's also much more timeless, and usually less juvenile. There's nothing better than a good british black comedy!
8British humor is so full of wit and wisdom which is why I prefer it to American humor by far.
9Well, I'm British, and I've got to say I love both.
10I don't how to describe American humour, but you've got Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Jon Stewart and Judd Apatow whom I adore.
But we've got Alan Carr, Ricky, Russell Brand, Russell Howard, Jonathan Ross etc and they've hilarious. Dry, smart and witty
*they're
11american
12Usually I prefer British humour, but there are some real duds in the mix. AbFab, anyone? Ugh.
Some semblance of British TV is why I spring for the upgraded cable and get BBCAmerica. It's not BBC1 or even BBC3, but it's all I got.
13I love both.
14I love AbFab!! I can do without Benny Hill though
Withnail & I, the ultimate british comedy!
15I love both!
16Really?
British Humor used to be very dry and witty, but over the last 5 years or so, it's descended into juvenile sex jokes and poor inch-deep observations overall.
American Humor, on the other hand, has moved leaps and bounds forward. Look at stuff like Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and our version of the Office. It's lightyears more clever and thoughtful than anything to come out of the UK recently.
17I like both and I'm a Brit Chick
18I was actually surprised at how much I like the American version of the office which I've been watching a lot of lately.
Brits will ALWAYS be tops in bringing the funny.
19Blackadder is still one of my fave series, and it's been over for years. Rowan Atkinson and a pre-House Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Steven Fry....just too funny.
If you love Hugh Laurie and want to see him in a great comedic role, rent Blackadder the Third. He is hysterical!
20I like both, but I think I prefer American just b/c I understand our slang and "inside jokes" better. British chick lit is usuallly funnier though!
21I'm not sure about this...I mean, I love both: sometimes I prefer the American series (like Frasier) and sometimes I prefer the British ones(like Absolutely Fabulous).
However, Monty Python -- my-all time favorite series and movies -- is British so...perhaps I like British comedies better.
I swear whenever I watch the stoning scene in Monty Python's Life Of Brian I laugh so hard I almost pee my pants.
22Jazzytummy, I
The Black Adder too!!!
23I mostly get my entertainment over seas then home grown.
24BRITISH!!! I love American humour but it's not as well thought out and sharp as British humour.
25Well i'm British myself so i have to say that British humour is better. That was what i was bought up with and what i am used to but American Humour still makes me laugh!
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