Arkwright 1, Apu 0

Combining their unique ability to create “best-of” lists for just about anything with their definite love for the small screen, the British have done it again. This time, it’s Britain’s favorite television shopkeeper. According to a recent poll conducted by consumer watchdog, Which, and reported on in WalesOnline, Ronnie Barker’s portrayal of Arkwright in Open […]

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Rock & Chips rocks on

Following up on a recent Tellyspotting report and review of the one-off “prequel” of Only Fools and Horses called Rock & Chips, you may recall that the program was set in 1960 on Orchard Street and starred Nicholas Lyndhurst as Freddie Robdal, the man long thought to be Rodney’s Dad. James Buckley will again star as […]

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A British comedy Mother's Day salute

One constant throughout the years in British comedy is the strong connection between a son and/or daughter and their mother. Unfortunately, the connection may have not always been a good thing, but it’s still a connection nevertheless. Here’s a quick look at a few that would make my top-5 mothers of all-time. Anyone else have […]

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Grantleigh Manor gets a 300K pound facelift

The historic gardens featured in the classic British comedy, To the Manor Born, was recently the beneficiary of a 300,000 pound restoration. The Cricket House country mansion in Cricket St Thomas, the instantly recognizable setting from the British comedy that starred Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles and, only recently, turned into a hotel, now has […]

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US v. UK – a view from the 'other side of the pond'

Debra Craine with the TimesOnline opens the debate as to “Who Owns the Small Screen Now?” by asserting that, quite possibly, the Americans are winning the battle. One quick note, she’s talking solely about British vs. American drama here, not comedy. While I can agree with some of what she says when citing the likes […]

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Can't complain if you don't vote

London. 6 May. Election Day in the UK. Who’ll it be? Labour, Lib Dem or Tory party? However it may end up, elections have played an important role in British comedy over the years. Here are a few examples as compiled by the British Comedy Guide. First up – classic clip from Blackadder III. Baldrick […]

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British comedy pipeline – Going Postal

May not be immediately top of mind, but many long-time British comedy fans have e-mailed asking about Richard Coyle (Jeff,Coupling). Having left the successful Steven Moffat series after the third season, Coyle starred in the one and only season of Strange, where he played an ex-priest who dedicated his life to hunting down demons. Coyle […]

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Remembering the BBC Three blobs

Even the station ID’s in the UK are brilliant. If you’ve never had the chance to see, here’s a compilation from the creative minds over at BBC Three, the network that brought you Little Britain, Gavin and Stacey and Torchwood. The blobs had been a part of BBC Three station ID’s from the beginning in […]

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Looks like Summer's over in 2010

It’s being reported by the British Comedy Guide that after 37 years, 31 seasons and 295 episodes, Last of the Summer Wine is calling it a day. According to the Guide, it’s being reported by the program’s leading fansite, The Summer Wine Chronicle, that the world’s longest running sitcom will not return after the current […]

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The UK really is funny territory, pt 2

A quick update to an October 2009 post from Tellyspotting as you make plans to travel to the UK this summer. This just in from the other side of the pond – think about Peckham if you’re a fan of Only Fools and Horses. As reported in The Guardian, the British are way ahead of […]

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