10 of the Best British TV Comedies Since 2000

Thanks to my mom, I’ve always had a soft spot for British humour. Whether it be in a movie, sketch show, or sitcom. The first British comedy I can remember watching with any sort of regularity was Are You Being Served?

I just wanted to play that theme song, because I forgot to show it love during the best Theme Songs run I did. The point is my appreciation of that show from the 70s influenced my taste in the following shows. So if you don’t see a show you’d like to see on this list, you can blame that on what I took away from Are You Being Served? at a young age.

TV Show/Rank:
#10- Toast of London (2012)

Why Though:
There is no two ways about it, Matt Berry knows funny! Plus this show came highly recommended by Ryan so of course I had to watch it. What I appreciate is that the show isn’t always about how he can’t get the date. For some reason that really stands out to me. There’s also a very surreal element to how events unfold on any given episode so watch out for that too!

TV Show/Rank:
#9- Friday Night Dinner (2011)

Why Though:
This show actually was another recommendation. Shawn actually put me on to this show and I appreciate the simplicity of the concept. Two sons visit their parents for Friday night dinner every single episode and hijinks ensue. There are wacky neighbours and sibling rivalry to get the laughs going plus I like the cast from other things that we will get into later.

TV Show/Rank:
#8- The Catherine Tate Show (2004)

Why Though:
As you may know, I’m a sucker for a sketch show. Put someone like Catherine Tate at the head of everything and I’m in! The inclusion of her show on Netflix was the actual deciding factor in me keeping the service way back when. I still say things like “How very dare you” and think of the character who constantly tries to make people guess things they couldn’t possibly guess. But, yeah, “I Ain’t Bovvered” is the ONE!

TV Show/Rank:
#7- Peep Show (2003)

Why Though:
When I was traveling in South East Asia with fellow Sick,Wicked&Nasty member, Brian I got into watching Peep Show during overnight bus rides and flights. The show focuses on two men whose very modest ambitions seem to be constantly thwarted. Most of the time they get in their own way. Also the show is filmed like you’re peeping in on their lives. I truly respect how this show is put together, however, it does get pretty sad sometimes. I get that maybe I’m just too sensitive but I can’t be the only one who finds it a bit mean spirited and sad at times right?

TV Show/Rank:
#6- Little Britain (2003)

Why Though:
Another great sketch show that even got an American reskin with the same two leads. I truly enjoyed the guy who constantly wanted Biddy but Matt Lucas characters were 2 Legit 2 Quit. With this show and Bridesmaids I really thought Matt was going to take off! Anyway, Think of this like British Key & Peele!

TV Show/Rank:
#5- Fleabag (2016)

Why Though:
If there’s one thing that this year has made clear for me, it’s that I like Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s writing. She got Sandra Oh an Emmy nomination and she made Fleabag! A slow burn of a show that has you laughing till you realize how sad things have gotten. I’m all about laughing then feeling sad. All that and she was in the TOTALLY NEEDED Han Solo film!

TV Show/Rank:
#4- Chewing Gum (2015)

Why Though:
Tracey is one of the best leads on TV, let alone female lead. I have never been so quickly drawn into rooting for a character. Maybe Broad City, but the way Michaela Coel writes the whole show is great. You don’t just have Tracey and her quest to find love to cheer for, you’ve got a great character in Tracey’s sister and the second season even found some fun territory to discover with Tracey’s best friend.

TV Show/Rank:
#3- Extras (2005)

Why Though:
When I first met Paul and Jake they kept asking me if I’d seen the Extras. I thought they were talking about DVD extras for like 4 months. When I finally got to watching this show I had to thank them properly. The cameos are great, but I was really in it for Andy and Maggie. I really liked their relationship as they tried to better their lives while being extras in film and television. Add to that some Steve Merchant as Darren and you’ve got yourself a top three British Comedy!

TV Show/Rank:
#2- The Inbetweeners (2008)

Why Though:
Another show that’s near and dear to me based on my Travel’s with the drummer from Sick,Wicked&Nasty. You know how some people go to a country for a bit and come back with a fake accent? I went to Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Laos and came back with a fake British accent due to watching this and Peep Show and hanging out with a bunch of Londoners who told me about this show. Anyway, it’s like it’s about teens in high school. They’re not popular but they’re not nobodies. They’re inbetweeners. And it’s hilarious. Watch it and see if you don’t come away quoting “fwends” or something else. Oh yeah, this is how I know the lead from Friday Night Dinner.

TV Show/Rank:
#1- The Office (2001)

Why Though:
This was the first British comedy I didn’t get handed down to me by my mother. I found this on my own with a bunch of friends in High School. As you know, I hold even the American Office in high regard, but the visceral level with which some of the lows and highs of this show hit me are yet to be matched. Think about when David begs for his job. Or when Dawn comes back to the Christmas Party! Great moments on both ends of the spectrum. this is a top notch show. Ricky Gervais and Stephen can coast till the die off the strength of this show and Extras.

-YG