I love British comedy. As far as I’m concerned, the sitcoms and sketch shows borne from this country represent the pinnacle of comedy. Yes, the Americans have their fancy, schmaltzy shows that ooze gloss; written, no doubt, by a galaxy of over-achieving writers, glassy-eyed and gunning for that next paycheck. But a majority of the comedy shows written and produced here are, to my mind, world leaders.
The heinous, arduous, marathon TV session that was ’100 greatest sitcoms’ put my personal favourite, Porridge, at number 7, and Only fools and horses at number one. Well, with The Vicar of Dibley in the top three, and Father Ted not even cracking the top ten, you can imagine what kind of quality that particular list represents.
1. Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) — 316,657 votes
2. Blackadder (1983-1989) — 282,106 votes
3. The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2007) — 212,927 votes
4. Dad’s Army (1968-1977) — 174,138 votes
5. Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) — 172,066 votes
6. Yes Minister / Yes, Prime Minister (1980-1984, 1986-1988) — 123,502 votes
7. Porridge / Going Straight (1974-1977, 1978) — 93,902 votes
8. Open All Hours (1973, 1976-1985) — 67,237 votes
9. The Good Life (1975-1978) — 40,803 votes
10.One Foot in the Grave (1990-2000)— 31,410 votes
Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale brought Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais’ scripts to life, setting their cell alight with fizz and testy harmony: it’s a joyous, collective achievement.
The final scene of Final Stretch (originally transmitted 25 Mar 1977), finds prison officer Mackay asking Fletcher to look after his new, incoming cellmate; just as he had for the recently released Lenny Godper.
And it is here, not amongst those dusty, aged pages of manuscripts so frequently misconstrued for religion that you’ll find the simplest, most coherent philosophy for life.
(’89 Intro)
De La Soul – Transmitting Live From Mars
Biz Markie – Just A Friend
EPMD – It Wasn’t Me, It Was The Fame
Boogie Down Productions – Hip Hop Rules
The DOC – It’s Funky Enough
Bizzie Boys – Droppin’ It
Special Ed – Think About It
Kool G Rap & Polo – Truly Yours
(Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long)
Big Daddy Kane – Smooth Operator (All Night Gone)
De La Soul – Plug Tunin’
De La Soul – Potholes In My Lawn
Digital Underground – Underwater Rimes
(Edwin Starr – Easin’ In)
Tone Loc – Loc’ed After Dark
Ice T – High Rollers
London Posse – Live Like The Other Half Do
Demon Boyz – Lyrical Culture
Soul II Soul – Ambition Rap
Eric B & Rakim – In The Ghetto
MC Lyte – Poor Georgie
MC Lyte – Stop, Look, Listen
Special Ed – I Got It Made
Young MC – I Come Off (Southern Comfort Remix)
Def Jef – God Made Me Funky
NWA – Express Yourself (Remix)
Queen Latifah – Evil That Men Do
Heavy D & The Boyz – You Ain’t Heard Nuttin’ Yet
K Solo – Your Mom’s In My Business
Chill Rob G – Court Is Now In Session
(De La Soul – Buddy (Remix))
Nice & Smooth – Early To Rise
3rd Bass ft KMD – The Gas Face
EPMD – So Wat C ha Sayin’
EPMD – The Big Payback
Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
Slick Rick – Children’s Story
Slick Rick – Mona Lisa
Slick Rick – Teacher Teacher
De La Soul – Ghetto Thang
De La Soul – Say No Go (Say No Dope Mix)
Beastie Boys – Shake Your Rump
Kool G Rap & Polo – Poison
Ultramagnetic MCs – Chorus Line
Redhead Kingpin & The FBI – Do The Right Thing
Chill Rob G – The Power
Kid Frost – La Raza
Big Daddy Kane – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
LL Cool J – Jinglin’ Baby (Still Jinglin’ Remix)
LL Cool J – I’m That Type Of Guy
She Rockers – On Stage (Broad Beans Mix)
Young MC – Know How
(Big John Hamilton – Big Bad John)
Big Daddy Kane – Warm It Up, Kane
Masta Ace – Letter To The Better
Jungle Brothers – What U Waitin’ 4?
Digital Underground – Doowutchyalike
De La Soul – Jenifa Taught Me
De La Soul – Me, Myself & I
Silver Bullet – 20 Seconds To Comply
Hijack – Badman Is Robin
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – The Groove (Jazzie’s Groove)
(’89 Interlude)
Public Enemy – Fight The Power
(Bill Nunn & Spike Lee – Love Vs Hate)
