The 90s gave us some of the best British comedy TV ever, with a surprising amount of legitimately hilarious comedy TV shows that are way funnier than anything on tv today.
From satirical dark comedies to irreverent character-driven sitcoms, there was something for everyone in the 90s British comedy TV scene.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh out loud as we relive the funniest shows in British Sitcom history. Here, and in no particular order, are the
10 Best British Sitcoms From The 1990s
Bottom
Bottom is a classic British TV comedy that aired in the early 1990s and which has developed a cult following in the years since.
Starring and created by the inimitable pair of Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson, Bottom follows the misadventures of a pair of crude, foul-mouthed, sexually frustrated, and immature flatmates living in the Hammersmith district of West London.
Richie and Eddie, who are both immature and highly insecure, spend most of their time concocting ill-fated schemes to sleep with women, and this repeatedly lands them in some pretty ridiculous situations.
Bottom is full of slapstick comedy and gross-out gags, which was a notable departure from the more sophisticated shows of the era, but its over-the-top antics and outright outrageous characters won over audiences and helped the show become a bona fide fixture of the 90s British comedy scene.
Men Behaving Badly
Men Behaving Badly first aired in 1992, and almost instantly became one of the most popular and talked-about British TV comedy shows of the decade.
The show’s central characters are Gary Strang, portrayed by the talented Martin Clunes, and his roommate Tony Smart, brought to life by the charismatic Neil Morrissey. Comedian, writer, and director Harry Enfield also played an important role, but only for the first season.
Gary and Tony are irresponsible and spend their days drinking beer, watching TV, and chasing skirts. However, Men Behaving Badly was able to capture the often-times tumultuous essence of young adulthood and translate it into a highly relatable comedic experience.
Despite their rash, careless, and often misguided behavior, the show’s characters are endearing and often remind the audience of their youthful follies. The show aptly struck a balance between poking fun at its characters’ tomfoolery and celebrating the spirit of young, single, and carefree adults.
With its quick-witted banter and constant laugh-out-loud moments, Men Behaving Badly quickly became a cultural phenomenon and a defining comedy of the 90s British TV scene. And, if you want to relive one of the greatest comedies of the time, Men Behaving Badly is a must-watch example of the enduring appeal of British comedic sensibilities.
The High Life
The next show on the list of best British comedy TV shows from the 90s is The High Life, a high-flying Sitcom with a penchant for sarcasm and surrealism.
The series, written by and starring Alan Cuming, followed the antics of a flight crew for the fictional Scottish airline Air Scotia. This ragtag group consisted of alcoholic, narcissistic, vindictive, up-tight, eccentric, and sex-obsessed individuals, resulting in a comedy that was sometimes campy and oftentimes childish, but always laugh-out-loud funny.
With its razor-sharp writing and larger-than-life characters, The High Life quickly became a hit with critics and audiences alike. The show’s one-off season, unfortunately, was canceled due to Alan Cumming’s increasing success in Hollywood, but while it lasted it showcased an accessible blend of witty humor, absurd premises, and clever dialogue that has endured intact through the years.
And these qualities have earned it a rightful place in the pantheon as one of the best comedies in the golden age for British sitcoms.
The Thin Blue Line
Rowan Atkinson needs little to no introduction, and those who know a thing or two about British comedy know that he is one of the most talented comedians in the scene. So when I tell you that The Thin Blue Line is one of Mr. Atkinson’s best works, you should pay attention.
The Thin Blue Line is a classic British Sitcom that showcases the bumbling antics of the fictional Gasforth Police Department.
The show struck a chord with audiences by giving them a witty parody of the typically serious police procedural genre and featured superb writing, masterful comedic timing, and clever satire, effortlessly blending humor and incisive social commentary on modern British society.
The cast was full of vibrant and idiosyncratic characters, and the show’s long-lasting appeal lies in its ability to use the characters’ many quirks to poke fun at the town’s police force without ever having to resort to demeaning or cynical humor. In fact, there was an underlying sense of affection and respect for those who serve and protect, and audiences could not help but love that.
The Royle Family
The next show on the list is The Royle Family, another one of the best British sitcoms that revolutionized British comedy TV when it premiered in 1998 with its unconventional production style and refreshingly authentic approach.
The show, which follows the lives of a working-class Manchester family, is set almost entirely within their cozy living room in which they typically gather to watch the telly and have mundane yet hilarious conversations.
The Royle Family had brilliant writing and a superbly talented cast, which helped to portray the oftentimes complex tapestry of emotions, dynamics, and experiences that shape our familial relationships. As a result, the show quickly gained a massive following and earned a respectable number of awards such as the highly significant British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.
With a diverse cast of idiosyncratic characters, clever dialogue, and subtle yet powerful comedic sensibilities, The Royle Family is a constant source of legitimate laughter and a surprisingly genuine and heartwarming take on British comedy.
Mr. Bean
Mr. Bean is a timeless British TV comedy; as timeless as these things get.
Those in the know, know that Mr. Bean, with its distinct brand of physical humor and minimal dialogue, has left an indelible mark on the world of comedy and the lives of its millions of fans.
The show was created by Rowan Atkinson and co-written by the one and only Ben Elton. But it is Mr. Atkinson’s unique charm that brings the character of Mr. Bean to life.
Mr. Bean is a show about an eccentric man-child with a knack for getting into some awkward and highly funny situations. Each episode is filled to the brim with precise comedic timing and some of the smartest use of slapstick the world has ever seen.
I can’t say enough good things about Mr. Bean. It is a delightful British comedy TV show that transcends cultural barriers and because it does not rely on language to land its best jokes, has endured universal appeal since its inception in 1990.
Mr. Bean has undoubtedly earned its place among the top comedy TV shows of all time, leaving a legitimate legacy of laughter and good-natured joy.
Spaced
The next show on the list comes by way of some big names; some of the biggest in British comedy.
Spaced was created by the great Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, and directed by none other than iconic British movie auteur Edgar Wright. As a result, the show is filled to the brim with innovative storytelling and pop culture references.
Spaced follows the misadventures of two Londoners who end up living together in a London flat. But what sets Spaced apart and earns it a spot on this list is its masterful blend of sharp wit, clever scripts, a penchant for nerdy humor, and a smart pop-culture sensibility.
There are a ton of references to movies, comics, and video games, which creates a rich stylistic tapestry that appeals instantly to a wide fanbase.
With a honed cast composed of relatable characters, nerdy offbeat humor, and an unapologetic celebration of pop culture, Spaced distills the essence of an entire generation into one of the best British comedy TV shows from the 90s.
Father Ted
Father Ted is a 90s comedy gem and rightfully deserves a place among the top British TV shows, comedic or not.
Set on the shores of a fictional Irish island, Father Ted tells the hilariously subversive story of three exiled priests: Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire, and Father Jack Hackett. The show relies heavily on satire and features irreverent humor, sharp wit, and a touch of absurdist comedy.
However, the show’s true strength lies in its ability to infuse deeper meaning into the cast’s misadventures, portraying nuanced themes such as the contradictions within organized religion, self-identity and self-discovery, friendship and camaraderie, and existentialism among others.
Father Ted’s use of humor as a vehicle to explore these complex topics provides a multi-dimensional viewing experience that elevates it to heights rarely seen in TV comedy.
To say Father Ted is a masterpiece would not be an exaggeration. Each episode of the show perfectly balances slapstick comedy and clockwork punchlines with a charming and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances ran for a total of 44 episodes between its premiere in 1990 and its cancelation in 1995. And in that short time earned a spot on this list and in British TV history.
This aptly named and beloved Sitcom effortlessly captures the essence of social pretension and the hilarious lengths some people go to maintain an image for society’s sake.
The show features a snobbish and eccentric “social climber” by the name of Hyacinth Bucket, a middle-class woman with grand aspirations to belong to the upper levels of British society.
Despite the somewhat cringey premise, Hyacinth, played by the talented Patricia Routledge, infuses each episode with a delightfully charming combination of self-delusion and unwavering, single-minded determination. The result is a laugh-out-loud TV show filled with very awkward yet very funny moments.
As is the case with every other show on this list, Keeping Up Appearances is for fans of sharp writing, highly memorable characters, and brilliant comedic timing. So, don’t miss out on this excellent exploration of the human obsession with status and keeping up with appearances.
Murder Most Horrid
The final show on the list is a brilliant black comedy parody of thriller and murder mysteries.
The classic series anthology format kept the dark and twisted British TV comedy show fresh for its 2-run duration which lasted close to an entire decade.
Starring the one and only Dawn French in multiple roles, Murder Most Horrid would present viewers with a different murder case in each episode. Aided by French’s impeccable comedic timing and versatility, the show consistently delivered clever combinations of tried-and-true suspense tropes and laugh-out-loud humor.
The comedic genius of Murder Most Horrid is that it had the uncanny ability to both entertain and horrify in a brilliant subversion of expectations, as it skillfully delivered unexpected and surprising narrative twists, almost always resulting in hilarious outcomes.
Its unapologetic unwillingness to shy away from the dark side of the human condition made the inevitable comedic twists that much more effective. And that is why Murder Most Horrid has secured a place in the hearts of British TV audiences.
There you have them, the best comedy TV shows of British television in the 90s. These hilarious gems brought us tons of laughter, plenty of wit, and unforgettable characters that still hold a special place in our hearts.
Each iconic show on this list showcased the incredible talent of British comedians and writers and set the stage for a golden era of British TV comedy.
