Watch this, folks. I’m going to do what no one should ever endeavor to do: Rank the ten funniest American television episodes (of the last 20 years) with this caveat: Only one episode per sitcom. The great thing about this Guide is that I can not only upset people with my selection of shows, but I can piss them off again by selecting the wrong episode from that show. And just to throw grease on the fire, I’ve done the unthinkable: I’ve excluded “Seinfeld,” because while it was consistently amusing, as far as laughs go, I don’t think any of the episodes surpass the ten on this list, even my favorite, “The Bet.”
It is not only impossible to please everyone with this list, but it’s probably impossible to please just one of you. So, after ranking the ten funniest episodes of the last 20 years, I’m going to attempt a feat of self-immolation, if our readers don’t light me on fire first.
Ignite your torches.
10. News Radio — “Copy Machine”
Episode Synopsis: Ted from accounting is killed by the copy machine and Joe feels responsible. Dave has trouble dealing with his grief over the death, and Ted’s former college roommate comes to the office to talk to the staff about their memories of Ted, in preparation for his eulogy.
9. How I Met Your Mother — “The Slap Bet”
Episode Synopsis: Ted and Barney discusses their viewpoints on knowing things about women. Barney thinks that the more you know the more likely you are to find a deal breaker. Ted wants to know the deal breakers right away, as Robin refuses to go to the mall to cover her secret.
8. Friends — “The One with All the Embryos”
Episode Synopsis: Phoebe learns the result of her pregnancy test and the gang let their competitive spirit get the better of them in a battle of the sexes arising from an apparently simple challenge.
7. The Simpsons — “Rosebud”
Episode Synopsis: C. Montgomery Burns is celebrating his birthday, but while his loyal assistant, Waylon Smithers, stages a very special party, complete with international dignitaries and an appearance by the Ramones, Burns is still unhappy. Lately, Burns has been pining for the teddy bear he had as a child, Bobo, and he won’t be happy until he can recover the toy. Smithers is put on the project, but the bear soon turns up in a very unlikely place — in a bag of ice purchased by Homer Simpson.
6. Curb Your Enthusiasm — “Krazee-Eyez Killa”
Episode Synopsis: Larry is accused of betraying the confidences of Wanda’s boyfriend, a rapper he met at a party. Later, Larry alienates Jeff’s wife Susie by passing on her house-tour offer, then runs into problems trying to replace a sports jacket Cheryl threw out.
5. The Office “The Dundies”
Episode Synopsis: After the annual staff Dundies awards is redlined by corporate, Michael is uncertain if he can produce the calibre of evening his staff have come to expect. Pam meanwhile develops second thoughts about her engagement to Roy while watching video footage of old Dundies award nights. Dwight hears a rumor of malicious graffiti in the female toilets and schemes to find out more. The entire office meets at Chili’s for the Dundies awards show, and together experience a night they will never forget.
4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — “Hundred Dollar Baby”
Episode Synopsis: Frank runs into an old adversary at the gym when he begins teaching Dee to box after she was robbed. Hoping to make some extra money on the side, Mac and Dennis make preparations for Charlie to compete in an underground street fighting match.
No Video Available.(It’s the one where Sweet Dee says, “I will eat your babies, bitch.” )
3. “Scrubs — My Half-Acre”
Episode Synopsis: J.D. is introduced to quirky Julie Quinn and love is in the air. Worried that J.D. will once again screw up the budding relationship Elliot doles out effective romance advice. Meanwhile, Carla questions Dr.Cox’s tough exterior and is convinced that the sarcastic doctor is really a softy. Elsewhere, the Janitor puts together an air band to win a contest.
2. 30 Rock — “Rosemary’s Baby”
Episode Synopsis: Liz meets her longtime idol, Rosemary Howard, and invites her to be a guest writer on TGS with Tracy Jordan. However, Rosemary’s ideas turn out to be too much for the show, prompting Jack to pressure Liz into firing her. Meanwhile, Jack takes Tracy to a therapist to explain to him why he must do the opposite of what he is told, and Jenna ruins Kenneth’s page jacket—causing him to compete in a page-off to keep his job.
1. Arrested Development — “Afternoon Delight”
Episode Synopsis: Gob stages mass firings after being inadvertently roasted at the Bluth Company Christmas party. Plus, Michael is forced to rebuild the Banana Stand, and Buster plays hooky from the Army at an arcade game.
The Apology is my favorite Seinfeld episode hands down. Good naked/bad naked. . .Elaine coughing on Peggy's office doorknob, rubbing her keyboard on her butt and ka-chinking the stapler under her armpit. . .Kramer admitting to his guests that he prepared their meal as he showered. . .plus a James Spader guest role. Classic.
Posted by: prairiegirl at June 26, 2009 2:24 PM
And oh, man, Carrie Fisher in that 30 Rock episode has to be one of the best Guest Star roles of all time.
Yeah. The disclaimer was a good idea. This is an impossible task. No one can possibly come up with a list that is truly comprehensive. I agree with your choices in shows, with two exceptions: friends and scrubs.
I will admit, that I did watch friends, and it made me laugh, but I just don't think that episode trumps anything from Season 1 of Flight of the Conchords (NOT the abomination that is season 2), e.g, the racist fruit vendor.
I've never watched more than a few episodes of scrubs, so i can't really judge it either way.
As far as episodes are concerned,
Newsradio: good choice
HIMYM IS absolutely the right choice
simpsons is debatable (I prefer Mr.Sparkle or The PTA is disbanding ("that's a paddling)
CYTE is a good choice.
AD is good choice (probably the most difficult choice)
30 rock (decent choice: i prefer greenzo)
The office; (hard choice: i like halloween ep.)
Sunny in philly: really disagree with this one: The gang solves the N Korea situation, the gang gets invinvible, charlie goes america, are much better episodes.
Posted by: "luker" the barbarian at June 26, 2009 2:28 PM
I never thought "Friends," "Curb Your Enthusisam" or "Arrested Development" were funny so fuck this list. Fuck it right in the ear.
Posted by: Tracer Bullet at June 26, 2009 2:30 PM
I submit "El Viaje de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)" in it's stead. Chili cook-off, people.
Posted by: admin at June 26, 2009 2:21 PM
Totally agree. That is in my top 5 Simpsons episodes as well. Although, I think my top 5 Simpsons episodes contains about 10.....hmm...maybe that's why this is impossible?
Posted by: "luker" the barbarian at June 26, 2009 2:33 PM
Kudos for inclusion of "Slapbet" which is not only the funniest episode of the show, but perhaps the moment that elevated HIMYM from an occasional view to must-see status. The Robin Sparkles video was impeccably bad but spot-on 80s cliche.
Now that I think about it, I believe "The Dundies" had a similar effect on The Office. It is the moment that it took off its British overcoat and let it all dangle in the wind.
Posted by: swingdude at June 26, 2009 2:33 PM
I second admin's suggestion for The Simpsons, but would also accept "You Only Move Twice."
Scorpio! His twisted twin obsessions are his plot to rule the world
And his employees' health!
Posted by: Alice at June 26, 2009 2:37 PM
Of course you would pick a show that barely made it to year three and was a ratings disaster because hey, look at me I’m different. Fucking “That’s My Mama” damn near had a longer run than “Arrested Development” and was much funnier.
Posted by: al pacino's baby at June 26, 2009 2:42 PM
I agree with celery. You really need to qualify your "best of" lists with "American".
Other British comedies: Green Wing, Coupling, Blackadder, Free Agents, Black Books, Spaced (The Young Ones is over 20 years old!)
And hey, we Aussies have created a few decent comedies in our time too: The Game, Frontline, Summer Heights High, The Hollowmen
Note: this comment took ages to write because I got stuck watching Jeff's Spiderman dance at the end of this clip and then Captain Subtext.
Posted by: Brittany at June 26, 2009 2:44 PM
I agree with the bulk of this list, but honestly, no Seinfeld?! I'm with prairiegirl on the "The Apology" episode... also "The Fusilli Jerry", among others. Aaaand I know people shit all over Will and Grace, but it had some seriously funny moments. I laughed my ass off at the episode with Kevin Bacon.
Oh, your failure is now complete Rowles, a fucking Friends episode? LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME
Everyone knows the funniest Simpson's epsode is the one featuring The Stonecutters. No love for It's Always Sunny in Philly either? I guess Pajiba wouldn't live up to it's hipster douchebag agenda if it didn't do the completely expected #1 to the most overrated show on television, a legendary series in the mind of a very, VERY, few. And then your biggest spit in the face of Lady Comedy fans: not even listing Seinfeld's "The Opera" episode with crazy Joe Davola.
Fuck this list.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 26, 2009 2:47 PM
Ooops there is love for Always Sunny.
Still fuck this list anyway for all the other reasons.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 26, 2009 2:49 PM
I would like this list if I could actually see the clips, fuck you Hulu, fuck you TRIPS regime, and by default, I second Slim, fuck this list.
Posted by: Agente Provocatrice at June 26, 2009 2:49 PM
For 30Rock, I humbly counter with "Sandwich Day."
Your instincts on Scrubs, however, are impeccable.
Friends: The One with the Blackout. That was a brilliant night in NBC history; merging the blackout scenario in all the shows. Friends did it the best though: with Phoebe playing songs by The Carpenters, Chandler getting trapped in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre, Ross getting attacked by the cat...hilarity.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis, or Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom. Both episodes are outstanding in their cruel humor and leave me in tears every time.
Posted by: Brie at June 26, 2009 2:55 PM
Look, I know that I am completely dating myself, and that is fine, but the Thanksgiving day episode of WKRP in Cincinnati is one of the all time funniest 30 minutes. If you have not seen it is probably on Hulu.
It is. http://www.hulu.com/search?query=turkeys+away
Posted by: badalamenti at June 26, 2009 2:58 PM
LIST WAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!
It is not only impossible to please everyone with this list, but it’s probably impossible to please just one of you.
You just worry about pleasing yourself, DR, and we'll worry about pleasing ourselves. Frequently. Chafingly so.
Posted by: branded at June 26, 2009 3:01 PM
re Simpsons: "Last Exit to Springfield" is so freaking loaded, it's ridiculous. More hooks than any episode, ever. If it were a song, it would be "Cannonball" by The Breeders.
And I'll be one of the (surely) few to applaud the Friends choice. Transpondster!
Posted by: sansho1 at June 26, 2009 3:03 PM
I don't know what "It" is, but he's got it.
I love that episode!
Posted by: The griz at June 26, 2009 3:11 PM
No "Seinfeld" or, frankly, "Frasier"? C'mon.
I always though the AD pilot was brilliant.
As to the Brits/Aussies, any episode of "Extras" or "Summer Heights High" is better than "Scrubs" on its best day.
Posted by: samantha t at June 26, 2009 3:12 PM
Sorry Rowles, but just because you warn us that there is no Seinfeld does not excuse you. I would agree that "The Bet" is the one to include and it should supplant most of these choices. But you blew the list completely when you omitted any "Californication". Try again.
Posted by: ed newman at June 26, 2009 3:13 PM
Brie says vestibule... I'm goin' with vestibule.
Posted by: Todd at June 26, 2009 3:14 PM
As to Seinfeld, "The Face Painter" is one of my faves.
Posted by: samantha t at June 26, 2009 3:22 PM
No Father Ted?
No Father Ted?
No Father Ted?
No The IT Crowd?
No Green Wing?
No Spaced?
No Coupling?
ETC. ETC. ETC.
Wait. What?
No Father Ted?
No Father Ted?
No Father Ted?
"What's that then, Ted?
Gobshites, Dougal. Gobshites"
Posted by: Donal at June 26, 2009 3:23 PM
BTW,
No Father Ted?
Greatest comedy ever made. Yes, even including Fawlty Towers. Anywhere, anytime. Not just last 20 years and american.
Posted by: Donal at June 26, 2009 3:25 PM
Slow Donnie. Just Shoot Me. Amazing.
Posted by: E at June 26, 2009 3:27 PM
In nearly nine years of marriage and 15 years together, one of the very few teevee comedies Mrs. Bullet and I both enjoy is Coupling. But we both agree that Friends sucks great big donkey balls.
Posted by: Tracer Bullet at June 26, 2009 3:30 PM
Rowles I am with you on the Seinfeld exclusion. Solid list of great comedies. I'm sketch on the Friends inclusion, but everything else is a standout. I was expecting a SouthPark episode though. Jennifer Hopez anyone?
Posted by: Vee at June 26, 2009 3:31 PM
Now all the depressing mj and farrah mourning can be over!
... and it's 330 on a Friday? I believe in Jesus!
Posted by: soto at June 26, 2009 3:32 PM
That is my all time favorite Friends episode. I haven't seen it in years. I always catch the one right after that episode. Because of that episode my web handle was almost Ms. Chnandler Bong.
The best thing about that gerbil movie trailer (G-Force?) is that Cage's gerbil says a guy is wearing a $6,000 suit and Hane's tighty-whities, and later in the preview we discover that guy is GOB.
Oh, that's hilarious! COME ON!
Posted by: vikky at June 26, 2009 3:39 PM
also: VIVA LAS GAYGAS!
Posted by: vikky at June 26, 2009 3:44 PM
"Crackers Don't Matter" from Farscape was hilarious. And nothing from Testees? What the fuck happened to that show, it was the best.
Posted by: sailboat at June 26, 2009 3:47 PM
E, is that the episode with chicken pot - chicken pot - chicken pot pie?!
Oh geez, that doesn't get old to me...
Posted by: slappymcgee at June 26, 2009 3:49 PM
Thank you, Vikky. You rock.
Seinfeld was hilarious, yes, but I agree with Dustin that it's impossible to rank the episodes. I'd go with "The Bet" as well but only if you held a gun to my head and forced me to choose.
I saw almost an entire season of Coupling, and...I liked maybe two episodes. It wasn't that great.
Simpsons: No way "Rosebud" is the funniest episode. One of the sweetest, yes, but far from the funniest. I would submit "Bart vs. Australia" ("Burkina Faso? Disputed Zone? Who called all these weird places?" "Quiet, it might have been you! I can't remember." "No, I'm going to ask Marge." "No, why embarrass us both? Just write a check and I'll release some more endorphins!"), "Itchy and Scratchy Land" ("I wish there was a hole I could just crawl into and die." "Okay, throw her in the hole!"), or "You Only Move Twice" ("Only management-type guys with big salaries like me can afford things like that...(gasps) Guys like me! I'm a guy like me!").
The Office: "The Dundies" is definitely up there (especially for the scene where Michael gets embarrassed after finding out Stanley's wife is white and stands there awkwardly, then Dwight out of nowhere hits the "Oooooh yeah!" sound effect on the keyboard- one of the funniest moments in the series), but I would go with "The Injury," "Office Olympics," or "Health Care" ("Count Choculitis?" "Wow, sounds tough." "Why did you write that down, Jim? Is it because you know I love Count Chocula?")
It's Always Sunny: That's a good one, but I'm partial to "Mac is a Serial Killer," "Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare," and "The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis" ("Wild card!")
Scrubs: Too many to choose from. "My Half Acre" is a solid choice.
Arrested Development: It's hard to keep the episodes separate and distinct, since every episode is funny and they all weave together fairly seamlessly. Anything with Ann just kills me, though, so "Amigos!" might be my favorite:
"Her?"
"Oh, man, Ann-hog's coming?!"
"Check out who's on that hog in the rearview mirror."
"George Michael, no!"
"What, is she funny or something?"
Posted by: Abe Froman at June 26, 2009 3:55 PM
Oh, and one of my favorite Simpsons episodes is where they go to Duff Land.
Someone oughta teach you a lesson for not picking AD's "Pier Pressure" eppy.
Posted by: oskar667 at June 26, 2009 3:58 PM
I'm not reading the comments yet, but "The One with All the Embyros," "Slap Bet," "Hundred Dollar Baby," and "Afternoon Delight" are four of my favorite episodes of television in the history of ever.
"What was Monica's nickname as a field hockey goalie?"
"Big Fat Goalie!!"
And of course, crazy roided Charlie: "First I'm gonna take my shirt off, and THEN YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!!"
FUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK YOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!
This is all complete shit! Eat the shit you made Dustin!
That list is not fucking good for me!!!
Posted by: Kballs at June 26, 2009 4:06 PM
"El Viaje de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)"
I'd actually have to disagree on that one. I don't hate it, but I never found that episode that funny. I like "Rosebud" a lot, but I were to choose I'd have to go with either "Cape Feare" or "Homer the Clown."
And add me in on the Seinfeld love. There are moments in that show that after 7 bajillion viewing still make me cackle. Independent George, "It's SUZY!", Kenny Roger's Roasters, the backwards episode set in India...classic.
I assume the Seinfeld episode you're referring to is "The Contest". "The Bet" is actually the name of an un-aired Seinfeld episode that was deemed to inappropriate for TV.
Posted by: tc at June 26, 2009 4:11 PM
Wonderful list. Very funny shows and episodes.
But a few questions.
Were you not allowed to watch television until 1997? Don't come with this "20" year bullshit when these shows (with perhaps the exception of Friends) all aired in teh last 10 years.
No Roseanne, no Larry Sander, and no Seinfeld.
What? No episodes to Two Guys, a Girl, and Ryan Reynolds' abs?
Posted by: L.O.V.E. at June 26, 2009 4:11 PM
Making this list just seems a lesson in futility but one show that was always funny and at times hilarious was The Larry Sanders Show.
Posted by: Continental Almonds at June 26, 2009 4:14 PM
I highly disagree with your choice fore It's Always Sunny... "The Nightman Cometh" is not only the greates episode of that entire series, but THE FUNNIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. Just the thought of Danny Devito's depiction of the Troll makes me spontaneously laugh out loud like a mental patient.
I always liked Friends, though I think it's inclusion on this list of "the funniest" is questionable (I would have included Will & Grace, which was always the funniest sitcom of that era). But if you are going to include an episode, it should have been "The One Where No One's Ready". Look at me, I'm Chandler! Could I be wearing anymore clothes?"
Kudos for the Curb love, but this list is simply not complete without Seinfeld (though I completely agree with your choice should you have included it).
And YES YES YES on "Afternoon Delight".
Posted by: Cruise at June 26, 2009 4:17 PM
I wasn't going to bother to defend Seinfeld, but after reading specific episode mentions above, it really does deserve to be on the list. At its best, that show was brilliant and made me laugh out loud. Its very rare that anything - especially a sitcom - makes me laugh out loud.
Scrubs, by the way, is fairly bland in my opinion. I've never understood the appeal.
I found Friends generally awful after the first few seasons, but I agree that was a funny episode.
As for the funniest Simpsons episode (probably not the same thing as the "best")...hell, I have no idea. Far too difficult a task.
Posted by: DarthCorleone at June 26, 2009 4:22 PM
And yeah - no South Park love here?
Posted by: DarthCorleone at June 26, 2009 4:24 PM
No love for Coupling? "Inferno" has me rolling on the floor every single time I watch it. And I can't forget this gem: "I've been handed the keys to paradise... but I have too many legs!!"
Posted by: schmiki at June 26, 2009 4:25 PM
Millennium: Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense
a dark horse, but who can beat Charles Nelson Reilly as a reporter investigating an undisguised parody of Scientology (Self-osophy) based on the US Postal Service?
Posted by: Keith at June 26, 2009 4:25 PM
It's, that is. Bloody hell.
Posted by: DarthCorleone at June 26, 2009 4:25 PM
Millennium (cot'd)
Not to mention moody Lance Henriksen as cocky, cock-punching scientologist private-eye Rocket LaGrange?
Posted by: Keith at June 26, 2009 4:29 PM
Seinfeld was hilarious, yes, but I agree with Dustin that it's impossible to rank the episodes.
Nawww, it's a cop-out at best, same with the "Best Seasons".
Exclusion of any South Park makes your list extremely suspect (your biases are showing through).
Posted by: Recondite at June 26, 2009 4:44 PM
Also, for being a non-MSM outlet, why do the writers stick to the "Top 10" or "Top 100" formula?
Does "Top 34" or "Top 118" screw too much w/your orderly worldview?
The numbers should do justice to the existing episodes, not vice versa.
Or are these numbers too hallowed to be pushed aside?
Posted by: Recondite at June 26, 2009 4:47 PM
Agree with the Father Ted love above, amazing show! Found it when I lived in Ireland and wish upon wish I could get a version of the show that plays in this region.
For the Simpsons, I would have to say for me, its between the Hank Scorpio episode or the Bart is gay episode. Both classics.
Also contributing to the "what about?" chorus- Are You Being Served? Any episode from the first run of the series thank you.
Posted by: Blackcapricorn at June 26, 2009 4:48 PM
Very nicely-done list. You picked my absolute favorite Friends ep, so kudos there! The episode highlights much of what Friends did the best: exploring these characters' backstories, establishing how well they all knew each other, and giving Lisa Kudrow the best scenes. (How brilliant was she talking first to the embryos in this episode, then talking to the newly-born triplets? Great stuff.)
A couple "alternate" suggestions: Arrested Development: "Motherboy XXX"
So much goodness packed into this episode, although really, outside of the pilot, you could've picked any episode and it would've been a worthy capper to this list. I do love the song during the father/son triathlon training montage that implores the listen to "keep those balls in the air" that turns out to be about juggling (don't know what episode that's from). Brilliant.
30 Rock: "Apollo, Apollo"
If only for Liz-as-muppet cutting to real-Liz-walking-exactly-like-a-muppet alone.
The Office: "Cafe Disco"
We still have this saved on our TiVo. There's so much of what makes The Office great packed into this episode.
The Simpsons: "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious"
The finest musical episode of the series, and a brilliant parody of Mary Poppins, to boot.
Hugh Abbott: [all watch Tucker bollocking another minister] Poor Keith!Malcolm must fucking love this place, four ministers in one building, it's his dream, one non-stop bollock-shop.
Glenn Cullen: Trouble is we're gonna be getting some of that in about an hour.
Hugh Abbott: Yeah. I don't know which is worse - watch him slowly rumble towards you like a prostate cancer or him appearing suddenly out of nowhere like a severe stroke.
[Terri, whose father just died of a stroke gives him "the look"]
Hugh Abbott: Oh... How's your sister coping?
2. Fawlty Towers - The Germans
Goes without saying.
3. The Office - Training
Free Love on the Free love Freeway.
Brilliant.
4. The Thick of It - The Rise of the Nutters
Jamie: It was much worse than that. I mean, how many people see you at Covent Garden? A few thousands? Your meltdown was witnessed by 1.2 million people! That's more people than saw Al Jolson in his fucking career! And that's Al fucking Jolson!
Malcolm Tucker: He loves Al Jolson.
Jamie: The Guvnor!
Oliver Reeder: Maaameee!
Jamie: You take the piss out of Al Jolson again and I will remove your iPod from its tiny nano-sheath and push it up your cock! Then I'll put some speakers up your arse and put it on shuffle with my fucking fist. And every time I hear something that I don't like, which will be every time that something comes on, I will skip to the next track by crushing your balls!
Posted by: alon at June 26, 2009 5:14 PM
What about "Third Rock From the Sun" with the Dick and Harry fall in the hole episode? That was an underrated classic. And there are episodes of Family Guy that are better than anything on Friends.
Posted by: Bd at June 26, 2009 5:29 PM
Though I am surprised you didn't put Ryan Reynolds' show on here....
Posted by: Bd at June 26, 2009 5:31 PM
That episode of Newsradio is incredible. Inspired choice.
There are far better 30 Rocks and Curb your enthusiasms though. I wouldn't put that episode in the top half of 30 Rocks.
Posted by: solomonslines at June 26, 2009 5:48 PM
Sorry, no Futurama = unacceptable to me. How about War is the H Word? Godfellas? Parastites Lost? Amazon Women in the Mood?
Roswell that Ends Well?? (NASTY IN THE PASTY! A lesson on not changing history from Mr I'm-my-own-grandpa!) Nothing? Really?
Posted by: dsbs at June 26, 2009 5:56 PM
Well, I haven't seen many of these shows, so I won't complain. I will say, though, that, while that "Rosemary's Baby" is not my favorite episode (of the most recent season, whatBENwatches' suggestion of "Apollo, Apollo" or "Retreat to Move Forward" just for that scene where Tracy and Ken are scared shitless by Jenna's witch costume, come to mind), that clip of Alec Baldwin cracks me up every single time I watch it.
Posted by: Katie (KP) at June 26, 2009 6:00 PM
Oh my god figgy, that Simpsons episode contains the best and most hilarious voice acting I have ever heard in my life - between Lisa's aforementioned lizard queen and Homer's "Duff Gardens....Hurraaaaaaaaaaaaaa-*thud*"
I'm pretty much dead just thinking about it.
And yes. Where's South Park? Biggest Douche in the Universe? Woodland Critter Christmas? Fantastic Easter Special? Also, The One With Chandler in a Box was clearly the funniest Friends episode.
Oh crap, now I'm giggling like a loon in the middle of the cafeteria. Well, I might not agree with your list (and seriously - no British TV? Really? How many times can I even really? you in a post before it begins to lose all meaning?), but it got me thinking of a lot of other hilarious things, so I'll forgive it.
Also, for the record, my favourite HIMYM episode has to be the one with all the charts. I have never, in recent memory, laughed as hard as I did at Marshall's Cecilia chart. Oh. My. God.
Posted by: dsbs at June 26, 2009 6:09 PM
"Skyrockets in Flight...Afternoon Delight"
God damn do I miss Arrested Development. I missed most of it when it was on, but that episode I thankfully managed to catch on the tube.
Remember those paintings where you had to stare at the noise patterns in just a certain way before you could see the sailboat or whatever? I was always mad that I couldn't see them. I hated the stupid paintings and I hated the people who could see the sailboat. But really: I just hated myself for not getting it.
Like people who hate Arrested Development.
Posted by: TL at June 26, 2009 6:29 PM
Like people who hate Arrested Development.
Posted by: TL at June 26, 2009 6:29 PM
----------------------------------------------
For some, it's not a question of hating on account of not getting it. I get it and don't care for it, I can't even get myself to care enough to hate it.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 26, 2009 6:42 PM
BSlim and Figgy's suggestions are also some of my favorites.
"Can't talk, coming down."
Posted by: admin at June 26, 2009 6:53 PM
Yeah...I have to admit that I never thought AD was all that. Sure, it was funny and clever, but for some reason it was never one of those 'must watch' shows for me. And while I liked it, I don't think it's one of the best shows of all time.
How I Met Your Mother is also beyond me. I've tried watching it a few times, and while I love NPH in anything, I just don't find it funny.
Enough with the unending, saturated media-ness re Micheal &
Farrah. My head is going to just freakin explodinate!
I'll have to tune in to the clips here and/or hit the You Tube this
weekend, as I don't (or have not) watched one single episode of
ANY of the these shows. And that would especially include any
Friends or Seinfeld.
And to anticipate any comments, yes, I'm fine with turning in my
Pajibian card. It's probably lost in the mail anyways. ;-)
Posted by: Ms MoMo at June 26, 2009 7:01 PM
Donal I love you. We quote Father Ted constantly in this house, have all three seasons on DVD and have nearly worn them out.
Friends? Really? Friends? Are you kidding me? I watched it in the day, it had a few chuckles. That's about it. Mostly I found myself semi-annoyed except for the Phoebe character and even that grew thin after a number of years.
Seinfeld was funny when it was on, but I've found it doesn't age well.
Thanks for including some Office and 30 Rock love.
Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at June 26, 2009 7:07 PM
Barney: Oh my god, are you gonna cry?
Marshall (holding his face): no...you're...gonna cry.
I wish it could have been a twofer, because that episode, while perfect in it's own, is exponentialized by "Slapsgiving."
And there is so much funny in "My Half-Acre." I never thought I'd love a show that centered around a character I seriously dislike, but there you go.
Posted by: Ian at June 26, 2009 7:08 PM
Eh, I thought the episode of News Radio where Bill has to have the disgusting sandwiches out of the vending machine or the one where he sells Rocket Fuel are funnier, but whatever. To each his/her own. Also, the one where Katherine finds out his real first name.
Scrubs: And I think the Turk and Carla's wedding episode is funnier.
Friends: The one on the list is a pretty solid choice, but the one where Phoebe tries to seduce Chandler to prove he and Monica are dating or the one where Ross wears leather pants are hilarious.
Simpsons: I think most Halloween episodes are funnier than the one listed here, particularly the one where we find out Maggie's father is an alien (Kang or Kodos, can't remember which). The episode where one of them is elected president is also pretty damn funny.
Roseanne: the one where their electricity gets cut off; actually, there are a number of hilarious Roseanne episodes
The Will and Grace episode with Matt Damon in it is pretty funny
Third Rock from the Sun: the one where Sally goes on a date for the first time; that show kicked ass
Always Sunny: the one where Mac and Charlie find out Dennis's and Dee's grandpa was a Nazi; the scene that makes me lose my shit is when Charlie answers the door wearing the Nazi hat and only his underwear, eating a banana. Just thinking about it is making me laugh.
I always thought Seinfeld was overrated. The master of your domain episode is funny, the one with Elaine's nipple on her Christmas card, a few others. The rest, meh. It doesn't suck, just sayin', not one of my faves.
Posted by: Slash at June 26, 2009 7:39 PM
"we find out Maggie's father is an alien (Kang or Kodos, can't remember which)..."
Obviously it's KANG!
Kodos is his sister.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 26, 2009 7:44 PM
Excluding Seinfeld is unacceptable. Fucking insane, in fact. And while Friends was cute, I can't consider any episode top comedy. As a matter of fact, I can't get down with about half of this list. And no Frasier either?
The Frasier episode where Niles carries around a sack of flour to see whether he could handle a baby made me laugh so hard I was crying.
For Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Christ Nail is one of my favorites, and Seinfeld, The Chicken Roaster and The Merv Griffin Show are both fantastic. Not having The Contest on any best list is a travesty.
Posted by: Cindy at June 26, 2009 7:54 PM
makes me feel proud to be British with all the protestations asking for British shows but I feel I need to speak up for Alan Partridge... the Christmas episode is amazing. Brass eye is exceptionally funny ludicrously so from getting phil collins to support a charity called N.O.N.C.E.S.E.N.S.E and then having a naval officer list reasons why gays should not be on ships. These include:
They attract sharks
They show up on enemy radar
They cant swim
They pester the men
and then finishing up by saying straight faced imagine going to bed at night thinking will I wake up in the morning with everyone dead?
It then cut immediately to a naval doctor claiming that ninety percent of war wounds are penis wounds.
Whoever shouted out for Family Guy should be ashamed although funny its own right it doesnt even come into the same league as any of these, it never shoots for the stars, is often to obvious, is never polished or innovative and always could have been written a hundred times better. Unless Im very drunk the show just makes me feel angry and empty yet occasionally gets a hollow snicker out of me.
Posted by: jim of the lower case at June 26, 2009 8:02 PM
If it weren't for that single episode, Friends would not be on this list. But that episode is hi-frigging-larious.
Good work on the AD and HIMYM episodes, exactly right.
But no Frasier? That's a big problem. The episode where Niles is getting ready for a valentine's date, takes off his pants to iron them and ends up passed out as the fire alarm goes off is fantastic. Those are the 5 funniest minutes in the history of television.
Also, what about Futurama?
Posted by: Lizzle at June 26, 2009 8:13 PM
Jim - I second the Alan Partridge love and would have to say the funniest episodes for me were the ones with Simon Pegg playing the Milky Bar Kid.
"The Milky Bars are on me..."
Posted by: Penelope at June 26, 2009 8:34 PM
30 Rock - toss up between the high school reunion one:
Jack: they have popcorn on the plane...
Liz: I want to go to there!
And the one where Jack finds out his father was not biological father:
Liz: Do you need a hug?
Jack: What is this, Italian parliment? No.
Will and Grace - for some reason the episode I piss myself laughing at is the one after Stan's funeral where they all meet Dr Morty, who turns out to be a beautiful woman and Jack walks over and keeps saying "You must be DYING!". HAHA
and my favourite eposide of Sienfeld is the one where they are on their way home from the Mets game and get stuck in traffic coz of the parade. Everything about that episode is awesome but the best is Elaine's need for her 60 Minutes Weekend Wind Down because it is sooooo true.
Posted by: Kate at June 26, 2009 8:36 PM
2. Fawlty Towers - The Germans
I'd add The Gourmet, when Basil starts hitting his car with the branch.
I can remember the 1st time I saw the episode I was 13 and my dad and I stayed up to watch FT each Friday night. We laughed so long and loud that we woke my mother up.
Of course these are probably more like 30 years old.
Gonna have to go with the consensus about your Simpsons pick. I don't think I could pick out *the* funniest episode (saying "Last Exit to Springfield" is kind of a cliche at this point), and while I do like "Rosebud" (and still have to fight the urge to add "Go to hell, you old bastard" after singing "Happy Birthday" to people), I don't think it'd come even close to the top of the list.
I never really got Scrubs. I can tell that I'm SUPPOSED to laugh, but I dunno, I feel like they're trying to hard. It's all right.
"Afternoon Delight" deserves the #1 spot if only for one of the dirtiest jokes I've ever heard on TV. "Maybe I'll put it in her brownie." "HEY!"
Seconding the love for shows from across the pond -- Father Ted! Black Books! Spaced! Is anyone else a fan of Peep Show? It's even more cringe-worthy than The Office and I *howl* with laughter at least once during every episode. David Mitchell/Mark Corrigan is my horrifically awkward, history-obsessed, slightly weird-looking British boyfriend.
Posted by: cake or death at June 26, 2009 8:43 PM
And for my quick opinion before I go hit on Spock: Yes to Slap Bet, No to Krazee-Eyez Killa, never saw The Dundies, No to Scrubs (they waste too much time every episode being sweet and shit), probably different It's Always Sunny, and different 30 Rock.
And I'm gonna show some love for Mr. Show, although I can't think of a specific episode since I haven't watched in years.
Blackadder 4 just scrapes the 20 year limit (1989) which is a pity because the best years were 2 and 3. Push comes to shove I'd nominate the finale, though it's more poignant than funny
Kicking Bishop Brennan up the Arse, Father Ted
Alan Partridge, the chat show season finale
Science, Mr Hell*
Every episode, The Office
Others I can't nominate an episode but:
Ab Fab
Vicar Of Dibley
The Mighty Boosh
Red Dwarf
Men Bahving Badly
*Mr Hell was a Brit/Canadian animation, well worth a mention. It only ran for a season and featured the late Bob Monkhouse is the title character. Mr Hell was a sardonic 'devils advocate' who routinely looked at the dark side of the things lefty liberals like to revel in. Here's a sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWKsjdMFUqk
Posted by: RandyPanTheGoatboy at June 26, 2009 8:49 PM
Excluding Seinfeld is unacceptable. Fucking insane, in fact.
Posted by: Cindy at June 26, 2009 7:54 PM
---
"The sea was angry that day, my friends."
And so is Cindy.
Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy) at June 26, 2009 8:50 PM
Come on, who can take this seriously?
Posted by: Cindy at June 26, 2009 9:10 PM
Peep Show quotes:
Brown for the main mean white for the treat... jokes on them I actually quite like brown toast.
The added ingredient is crime.
I dont seen why in this day and age a person cant just have a nice relaxing smoke of crack.
This crack is really moreish.
Why toast when you could roast?
Im bowling with fruit.
First pressing for me Im not gonna have anyone elses pressings of the olives.
Posted by: jim of the lower case at June 26, 2009 9:22 PM
its vulcanised rubber
Posted by: jim of the lower case at June 26, 2009 9:26 PM
I'm with you, Cindy. Even medium-level Seinfeld episodes have about a dozen quotes that can still make me crack up, despite having seen each episode multiple times.
Here's one: Black Books, the episode where Manny strips a chicken. (Was that the same one with "then use recipe books with pictures of plates on the front"? Damn, I'm getting rusty.)
Posted by: dsbs at June 26, 2009 9:35 PM
THANK YOU. I never thought Seinfeld was as funny as others did. your choices, however, are hilarious. The Crazy-Eyez Killa ep of Curb Your Enthusiasm is brilliant.
Posted by: jzhz at June 26, 2009 9:44 PM
Ooh I do love that one episode of Will & Grace with Matt Damon guest starring. He was perfect.
Major love for Donal for throwing "Father Ted" into the mix - "There's a child stuck in the tunnel of goats, can we please have a nurse to the tunnel of goats... there is now a child and a nurse lodged in the Tunnel of Goats, can we please have another nurse to the Tunnel of Goats." Not sure which episode I'd pick though; maybe "Night of the Nearly Dead"? "Stay away from me - I don't want to catch the menopause!" Or possibly "The Mainland" just for Graham Norton's scenes:
Noel: "God, we might have to eat each other, it'd be like that film Alive. Look, here's me eating Tony...num num num! And Tony'd be like 'Oh no, get off me, I'm not dead yet!' and I'd be like 'But I'm hungry, Tony!' And here's Tony's parents when they hear that I've eaten Tony: 'Oh why did you eat Tony, Tony was our only son!' Then at the funeral I'd be like 'Oh I better not show my-'"
Tony: "SHUT UP, SHUT UP, WILL YOU? WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP???"
Noel: "...well. Well I've never. I'm putting you on my list on enemies. You're in for it now, Tony. Ha, no, look what I've really written:
I REALLY like Tony!!"
Some very solid choices on this list. For the shows on it I know anything about, I can't fault your choices - "TOW The Embryoes" is blindingly brilliant ("His legs flail about as if independent of his body!") and Robin's pop song from "The Slap Bet" is a work of art. I think the humour in Scrubs is too random to pick a true "best episode", so "My Half Acre" pips it for the air band subplot, and "Rosebud", while not my personal favourite Simpsons episode (that's "Marge Vs Monorail), is still a decent pick. My problems are much like everyone else's - this isn't the best TV of the the past 20 years, this is some of the best American TV of the past 8ish years. Which, you know, is an entertaining little list to compile, but whatever about the nature of "The Best" lists as versus "Favourite" lists, setting this up as something more all-encompassing than it is is just setting the list up for a fall.
Posted by: Shay at June 26, 2009 9:58 PM
I was happy to see The Office on here, but for my money "The Injury" wins it. I mean, really, he burned his foot in a George Foreman grill. Dwight has a concussion and is nice. Jim gets to spray him with water in the face. It's awesome.
Oh, and if we're including non-American shows that deserve recognition, there's plenty of brilliant in some "Monkey Dust" episodes. "Clive, that's actually the plot of Hotel California by the Eagles..." Not to mention virtually any episode of "BrassEye". "What if a mad man broke in here with a machine gun and shot you to pieces? Anyone here yawning would get your blood in their mouths. You shouldn’t have come in. You’ve got bad Aids. You shouldn’t have come in."
Posted by: Shay at June 26, 2009 10:06 PM
Oh Sabrina, I envy you your balls. Not in love (or lust, whatever works), just in general. I'm only bold after spending some quality time with Captain Morgan, usually. Whom, incidentally, I have had a lovely visit with this evening.
I like quite of few of these, although I never got into Friends. The characters bug me too much.
Ones that haven't been mentioned:
"The Barbarian Sublimation" from The Big Bang Theory where Penny gets addicted to online games. Probably one of the funnier depictions of depression I've ever seen.
"Douchebag in the City" from My Boys where they hold a douchebag intervention for Brendon (and this was before HIMYM's intervention episode which BTW was also hilarious.)
Yayness for having HIMYM's "Slap Bet" on there, but I agree with Ian that the ep is ten times better when watched in conjunction with "Slapsgiving."
As for my British picks, I'd go with anything from IT Crowd, Coupling, and Spaced.
Posted by: nutmeag at June 26, 2009 10:57 PM
You have an episode of "Friends" on this list, but Seinfeld is merely "amusing?" Rowles, I will eat your babies, bitch!
Posted by: Armando at June 26, 2009 11:08 PM
I have to submit the South Park episode with Wheel of Fortune and "Naggers."
Posted by: Lindsay at June 26, 2009 11:31 PM
Shit, who isn't out bucdaddy?
Posted by: Cindy at June 26, 2009 10:36 PM
---
Heh. You're my kinda people, Cin.
Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy) at June 26, 2009 11:44 PM
Thank you so much for including my favorite hands down episode of Friends. I could quote that one from beginning to end. My roommates watched the dvds non-stop when we didn't have cable back in college. People who don't like Friends take themselves too seriously.
Posted by: Austin asking for trouble at June 26, 2009 11:45 PM
Word list since the "20 Years, 20 Seasons" debacle awhile back.The omissions within the last decade are bad enough; the omission of the entire previous decade is worse.
Posted by: gootch at June 27, 2009 12:45 AM
I wanted to add an episode from "Yes (Prime) Minister",but apparantly it ended in ´88. Now I feel old.
Posted by: Mr. Rotinaj at June 27, 2009 12:48 AM
Impossible to please Simpsons fanatics (like myself), but "Rosebud" is a great call.
That said: To include "How I Met Your Mother," "Scrubs" and "Sunny in Philadelphia" but leave out "Seinfeld" is just flat-out perverse. Per. Verse.
My list, if anyone gives a shit. And it's 20 minutes into my fucking birthday, so you should! And you should all also come join the parties tomorrow! Anyway, I digress:
10. Roseanne. "Homeward Bound." The episode where DJ learns to masturbate. Freakin' hysterical.
9. Designing Women. "Miss Trial." Julia does jury duty and threatens the life of Charlene's baby.
8. Friends. "The One Where Ross Got High." Custard good. Jam good. Beef GOOD.
7. How I Met Your Mother. "Slap Bet." Come on Jessica. Come on Tory. Let's go to the mall. You won't be sorry.
6. Scrubs. "Her Story II." The one where Carla turns into a flying banshee. Made me laugh til I peed.
4. 30 Rock. "Reunion." It's hard to choose a funniest episode of this, but I easily pick this one as my favorite of all the seasons.
3. Will and Grace "Lows in the Mid-Eighties." This is the flashback episode that even made my Mom love this show. It's become a Thanksgiving tradition to watch it.
2. Popular "Caged." Please, take 40 minutes out of your life and watch this episode for free on Youtube, if only for the line "shut your dirty whore mouth, player player!!"
1. Frasier. "Dr. Nora." The perfect pairing: Christine Baranski and Kelsey Grammar. This clip is the funniest few minutes of television ever made.
Posted by: The Pink Hulk at June 27, 2009 2:11 AM
Man, I'd put Arcade, Massage Chair, the Cane and Complaint Box above Copy Machine for Newsradio's best show.
I like the Friends choice, too. That episode and The One Where Everybody Finds Out are my favourites.
Slap Bet was totally the game changing episode of How I Met Your Mother. I love the part where Ted is quizzing Robin about her mall wedding. "We paid extra for the sax cause I just love that smooth alto sound." Barney and Marshall are effing hilarious the whole way through. "Your hands are monstrous!" "Well what would you expect? You've seen my penis!"
And of course:
Lily: Trick question! Marshall's never been to the Pacific Northwest, because he's afraid of Sasquatch.
Marshall: I'm not afraid, I just think we should all be on alert.
Posted by: Hotcha at June 27, 2009 2:25 AM
Clearly there needs to be a separate list for British/Commonwealth shows.
Essential on any such list:
Spaced -- "Art"
Blackadder Goes Forth: While the last episode ("Goodbyeee") may be one of the best episodes of television EVER, the funniest is probably the first, "Captain Cook".
Posted by: Becca at June 27, 2009 2:35 AM
Ha - I was just about to write Spaced - 'Art' and Blackadder - 'Private Plane' and then glanced up to the last post - Good taste Becca!
'Just because I can give multiple orgasms to the furniture just by sitting on it, doesn't mean that I'm not sick of this damn war: the blood, the noise, the endless poetry.' (Oh Rik Mayall - I love you)
Posted by: orangina at June 27, 2009 4:43 AM
not a single mention of Strangers With Candy anywhere here? For shame.
Posted by: meg at June 27, 2009 4:56 AM
meg, great point.
i knew that something big was missing. every episode of "strangers with candy" is funnier than any episode of "friends".
Posted by: celery at June 27, 2009 4:59 AM
We clearly have enough British material to create a whole separate list.
I second the nomination of pretty much any episode of Peep Show, but special mention should be made of Series 5, ep 1. It's the one where Mark drags a girl back to the flat and finds someone trying to rob the place, so they lock him on the balcony. Hilarious, beginning to end.
Posted by: Daniel Hall at June 27, 2009 7:14 AM
Yes, PLEASE create a separate British list, PLEASE.
Seconding Black Books (!!!!), AbFab, Father Ted, Spaced, Green Wing, and of course, The Office.
P.S Manny stripped a chicken in the episode "Hello Sun", if I recall correctly.
They use recipe books with pictures of the plates in front in the episode where Fran meets her relatives, "Blood". Both are from the second season. I'd nominate "Manny's First Day" because even after fifteenth viewing, that still kills me.
Posted by: AbFab at June 27, 2009 7:33 AM
dude, dustin, if you are going to put only one episode of 30 rock on this list, it has to be hands down, balls out, non other than Greenzo. It's so amazing, i want to watch it right now. Good list, but you guys fucked up that one.
Posted by: jackk at June 27, 2009 8:58 AM
The ultimate 30 Rock episode is actually the first season's "Source Awards". Kenneth gets in a feud with L.L. Cool J. "Yo momma's so dumb she thinks Grape Nuts is an STD." "Well your mother must not have raised you right".
Tracy first learns of the Black Crusaders, dresses up as Oprah and we see his work as a child actor. "Yo man! You stepped on my sneakers, Dr. J wears these!" "Sorry, I'm pretty drunk."
Jack has some of his best lines.
"What color do you want your private jet?"
"Clear, like Wonder Woman's."
Then there's the scene of him listing off rapper names and that just kills me.
Posted by: Optimus J. Rhyme at June 27, 2009 9:58 AM
Nothing on TV before or since has ever come close to matching the beautiful nuance and grace that Chris Elliot mastered in his comedy. It should be a requirement that all TV executives watch it and learn from the master.
Posted by: Diablo at June 27, 2009 11:18 AM
"Mr. Jordan said this place was about to get raw like sushi so haters to the left."
Posted by: Optimus J. Rhyme at June 27, 2009 1:26 PM
I have every line of every episode and season of AbFab memorized and have thought on length about the quality of each, especially in comparison with one another (my mom is much like Eddie, except even more tragic and not funny) and I nominate "Poor."
Jennifer Saunders was at the zenith of her comedy mojo when she wrote that episode and AbFab hit its stride in that season. The entire episode is quotable. Not every season of AbFab is good--the first three are the best and when she was convinced to come back to it later, it felt a bit forced, like it had lost something, but I would still watch Jennifer Saunders sit on a pickle barrel and fart.
Also, I don't know that it hits in the time range because it's getting old (sob) but The Young Ones is so amazing I can't even put it into words. I really think it was ahead of its time and has aged nicely.
Bottom was great, as well. Only Fools and Horses? Wait, that last one is pretty damn old. Oh well. I've always been sad that there aren't more episodes of Fawlty Towers. It's weird to watch it and think that the woman playing Cleese's wife is the real-life mom of the guy who played Leonard Bast in Howard's End!
Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at June 27, 2009 2:03 PM
"Nothing's impossible, except for dinosaurs."
Posted by: jM at June 27, 2009 3:01 PM
"Don't make me tell Tupac".
Posted by: Optimus J. Rhyme at June 27, 2009 4:44 PM
i LOVE the "rosebud" episode of the simpsons, but the "monorail" episode is far, far, far more quotable and hilarious.
and where the fuck is "freaks and geeks"????? pretty much EVERY episode is not just hilarious, but heartbreaking as well, thus making the comedic moments brilliant.
Posted by: bree at June 27, 2009 5:01 PM
Funniest Simpsons eps are "Homer Goes to College," "Itchy and Scratchy Land" and the Poochie episode. "Cram it with walnuts, ugly!" UK Office xmas episode was awesome, too.
I have to give you the credit to put here that funny episode of Friends and not think you're too smart to enjoy it.
Posted by: mario at June 27, 2009 6:50 PM
Robot chickens Starwars specials are probably the funniest episodes I ever saw (on the internet, nor really sure if they aired but they must have)
Posted by: foaly at June 27, 2009 7:38 PM
Also, I don't know that it hits in the time range because it's getting old (sob) but The Young Ones is so amazing I can't even put it into words. I really think it was ahead of its time and has aged nicely.
Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at June 27, 2009 2:03 PM
Depressingly it misses the cutoff by 5-6 years. YO and Blackladder used to be my comedy staples, I try not to think about their age.
Like Fawlty Towers, the great British comedies seemed to know when to quit instead of driving the concept into the ground. Young Ones and BA had barely enough episodes in total (12 and 24 respectively) to fill a single season, maybe that's why they still hold up so well now?
Posted by: RandyPanTheGoatboy at June 27, 2009 8:24 PM
I don't love British humor. I think Monty Python is overrated and almost completely unfunny. Most of the time, I feel like people say they like British humor just because it makes them feel smart, much the same as people who claim they LOVE Wes Anderson movies.
There, I said it. I feel better.
That being said, Ab Fab is pretty good. :)
Posted by: The Pink Hulk at June 28, 2009 1:40 AM
^ Seconded. I watched all of Fawlty towers and simply could not find the funny. Exasperated, put-upon straight man + unfunny angry ranting + lame puns = I might as well watch according to jim reruns. The newer british comedies are better (like peepshow, it crowd), but their jokes and storylines still seem like they're stuck in the 90s. Not half as funny as they think they are, and nowhere near as funny and fast-paced as arrested development or it's always sunny. btw, coming from an aussie, so not at all biased :P
Posted by: Michelle at June 28, 2009 6:14 AM
"Been shopping?"
"No, been shopping!"
That cracks my ass up every time I hear it, but it's been my personal experience that there's a gender divide regarding Monty Python. It's not an absolute or anything, but most women I know just don't find them funny. Which can lead to condescending and unsolicited treatises about timing and absurdism. Which this is most assuredly not. At all.
Posted by: sansho1 at June 28, 2009 6:15 AM
Most of the time, I feel like people say they like British humor just because it makes them feel smart, much the same as people who claim they LOVE Wes Anderson movies
this is, without a doubt, the most asinine and arrogant comment that i have read on this site in over two years.
Posted by: celery at June 28, 2009 6:45 AM
I, on the other hand, find very few American comedies funny. I love British humour and have always loved Monty Python. And yes I am female and from Scandinavia (..ish), so it's as un-biased as you can get.
Ah, matters of taste... let's have a fight!
My brother actually called me just to tell me Billy Mays was dead. He heard it on Todd Schmidt's talk show this afternoon - apparently Schmidt was friends with Mays. Sadness. Billy Mays was always good for a laugh.
These were done long before Billy Mays died, but I think this is really the best way to remember him - Jabo0ody Dubs.
No, I genuinely enjoy British comedies. Many of them. I don't care enough what people think of me to say something just to impress. I also like Vicar of Dibley, Little Britain, League of Gentlemen, even that insipid Keeping Up Appearances, but only for Daisy, Rose and Onslow. The old French & Saunders show. Look Around You, the very short-lived mockumentary of open university type television. My husband is a huge fan of British mysteries, but I don't get into that genre much as a whole.
Whoops, was I trying to impress people again? Oh well.
Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at June 28, 2009 4:05 PM
Billy motherfuckin' Mays, this ain't right.
Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 28, 2009 5:46 PM
After a week of surprising deaths its great to see the Brazillians restore the natural order of things...
Maybe with more adverts the USA could have won?
Oh and the England u-21s actually made a major championship final first time we have won a penalty shoot out in years...
Posted by: jim of the lower case at June 28, 2009 6:52 PM
Brazil should have won 4-2 as opposed to 3-2, for a minute there when Brazil’s goal wasn’t awarded to them I thought the fix was in.
With Brazil’s win balance has been restored to the force.
Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 28, 2009 7:13 PM
British comedy is a big hit-or-miss for me. I usually watch Absolutely Fabulous, but sometimes I don't really know why it's funny, and I absolutely loathe Father Ted. Britcoms let me down too damn often, because I'll know someone who goes on and on about how "_________ is the funniest show ever and it is SO MUCH BETTER than American comedies!" because I watch it and I realize that I would be just as entertained with Seinfeld or Frasier. If I was to nominate a British show, it would have to be Extras, especially the episode with Daniel Radcliffe, if only for the scene with him and Diana Rigg.
"Yes, I'm a black man. And yes, I'm dressed as an astronaut. That disturbs you, doesn't it?"
Posted by: meg at June 28, 2009 7:19 PM
I’ve yet to see or hear anything funny come from the British, British motherfuckers are some of the most un-funniest people on the face of the earth, the only people less funny than British people are the jews, not the American jews but the Israel jews.
Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 28, 2009 7:32 PM
I refuse to comment on the death of the bearded one. I'd never say anything good about someone that irritated me that much. If I didn't get a DVR, his commercials would have definitely driven me to shoot my TV.
The bag of ice containing Bobo was purchased by Bart.
Posted by: JQ at June 28, 2009 9:05 PM
Shutting up... shutting up... I'm all shut up.
Posted by: George at June 28, 2009 8:18 PM
------------------------------------------------
You better, bubba. Unless you want us to Oxyclean your ass. Mays was a fucking INSTITUTION, biggest infomercial personality since the Ginsu knives guy, whatshisface.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 28, 2009 9:08 PM
I got a stain not even Billy Mays can clean.
Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 28, 2009 9:19 PM
meg ah, the classic oversell. I used to do that. Now I've learned to just keep my trap shut and say "you might want to watch ___________ if you find it on DVD" and just leave it at that so as not to create huge expectations.
Oh and I LOVE Strangers with Candy! I have no idea why more people haven't watched it. "Hey Candy, nice camel toe." I love Amy Sederis, would have her babies if I could.
Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at June 28, 2009 10:20 PM
I hated the very sight of Billy Mays. I'm sorry he's dead, I guess, but if this means I see less of those godawful commercials, well, let's just call that the silver lining.
RE how some people feel about British comedy: I feel the same way about Seinfeld. I just don't think it's the funniest comedy. I've never thought it was that funny.
Posted by: Slash at June 28, 2009 11:52 PM
I mean no disrespect to the dead, having no cause to believe that Mays wasn't a great fella, but I'm with Che and George...may he rest in peace, but I'm not going to miss his loud Oxyclean shouting one bit.
Oh, and add another vote to the "British comedies are effing awesome" pile. Father Ted, Black Books, The Office, Fawlty Towers, Monty freakin' Python (Like sansho1, I have noticed that most of the people I know who don't like the Python are women. I am not one of those women. Er...take that as you will.)
No, actually, the day before he was on a plane that blew out its front tires landing at the Tampa airport. A reporter interviewed him and Billy said stuff was flying around the cabin and something hit him in the head.
"That's OK," he said, smiling, "I got a hard head."
Now I know "B follows A, therefore A caused B" is a logical fallacy, but still I'm thinking:
Maybe not as hard as you thought, Billy.
Posted by: , (the commenter formerly known as bucdaddy) at June 29, 2009 12:32 AM
The Thick of It really is brilliant.
"Did you send an e-mail this morning, about me, calling me a cunt?"
"No! No, I never use that word, let alone about you, no, absolutely, I won't use it until, you know, it's been fully normalised and has no further association with the female twat. "
All that is needed now is a peaceful and intelligent debate "The Office UK vs the Office US".
Posted by: AbFab at June 29, 2009 4:50 AM
Simpsons - Monorail
('I call the big one Bitey'
South Park - WoW episode.
Good Canadian show - Corner Gas.
British - definitely Extras.
Posted by: Odnon at June 29, 2009 11:57 AM
Badalamenti- I dated myself once. It didn't work out. I wound up not talking to myself for weeks. Got laid though......
Posted by: Odnon at June 29, 2009 12:16 PM
Another Canadian entry would be Trailer Park Boys.
In particular, the episode where Ricky kidnaps Alex Lifeson from Rush.
Posted by: Odnon at June 29, 2009 12:19 PM
I think the HIMYM entry should be a two-parter, because Slapsgiving was the perfect continuation of the Slap Bet, if only because of Marshall's song at the end.
Posted by: MG at June 29, 2009 1:07 PM
No South Park, no Seinfeld, no deal.
Also I thought the Cape Fear Simpsons episode was better.
Posted by: Eep at June 29, 2009 2:56 PM
Am I the only one here who likes Cheers?
Posted by: kayla at June 30, 2009 6:44 PM
Well, assuming it's an American list, so that leaves out this, that and the other Brit-com, but I'll lob out the Thanksgiving episode of "Frasier," A Lilith Thanksgiving, Original Air Date: 26 November 1996 (Season 4, Episode 7).
What the hell ... it was undeniably funny!
Posted by: Andy Geisel at June 30, 2009 10:19 PM
And kayla no, you're not the only one who likes "Cheers." I do, too!
Re: "Copy Machine"
Superb selection. The ending of that episode is absolutely brilliant.
Re: "Rosemary's Baby"
"Never go with a hippie to a second location". Great performance by Carrie Fisher.