Some themes (with examples) that underpinned late-20th-century British humour were:
Innuendo Innuendo in British humour is evident in the literature as far back as
Beowulf and
Geoffrey Chaucer, and it is a prevalent theme in many British
folk songs.
William Shakespeare often used innuendo in his comedies, but it is also often found in his other plays. One example in
Hamlet act 4 scene v reads: ''Young men will do't if they come to't
/ By Cock, they are to blame.''
Restoration comedy is notorious both for its innuendo and for its
sexual explicitness, a quality encouraged by
Charles II (1660–1685) personally and by the
rakish aristocratic ethos of his
court. In the
Victorian era,
Burlesque theatre combined sexuality and humour in its acts. In the late 19th century, magazines such as
Punch began to be widely sold, and innuendo featured in its cartoons and articles. seaside postcard of an ice-cream vendor interrupting a couple on the beach In the early 1930s, cartoon-style saucy postcards (such as those drawn by
Donald McGill) became widespread; at their peak, 16 million saucy postcards were sold per year. They were often bawdy, with innuendo and
double entendres, and featured
stereotypical characters such as vicars, large ladies and put-upon husbands, in the same vein as the
Carry On films. This style of comedy was common in
music halls and in the comedy music of
George Formby. Many comedians from music hall and wartime gang shows worked in radio after the Second World War, and characters such as
Julian and Sandy on
Round the Horne used innuendo extensively. Innuendo also features heavily in many British films and television series of the late 20th century. The
Carry On series was based largely on smut and innuendo, and many of the sketches of
The Two Ronnies are in a similar vein. Innuendo with little subtlety was epitomised by
Benny Hill, and the
Nudge Nudge sketch by
Monty Python openly mocks the absurdity of such innuendo. By the end of the 20th century, more subtlety in sexual humour became fashionable, as in ''
Not the Nine O'Clock News and Blackadder, while Bottom and Viz continued the smuttier trend. In contemporary British comedy, Julian Clary is an example of a prolific user of innuendo. Innuendo has become a celebrated part of The Great British Bake Off'' TV cookery programme.
Satire Disrespect to members of the establishment and authority, typified by: •
Beyond the Fringe, stage revue (1960–1966). •
That Was the Week That Was (TW3), late night TV satire on
BBC2 (1962–1966). •
Private Eye, satirical magazine (1961–). • ''
Not the Nine O'Clock News'', satirical sketch show, notable for launching the careers of
Rowan Atkinson,
Griff Rhys Jones,
Pamela Stephenson and
Mel Smith on BBC2 (1979–1982). •
Yes Minister, political sitcom on
BBC2 (1980–1988). •
Spitting Image, TV puppet comedy lampooning the famous and powerful on
ITV (1984–1996). Revived on
Britbox, (2020-2021). •
Drop the Dead Donkey,
Channel 4 sitcom recorded close to transmission that satirised the weekly events (1990–1998). •
Have I Got News for You, a satirical panel game originally on
BBC2, now on
BBC1 (1990–). •
The Day Today, Nineties TV satire (1994). •
Brass Eye, a controversial alternative prime-time show on
Channel 4 (1997–2001). •
The Armando Iannucci Shows, satirical TV show on
Channel 4 (2001). •
The Thick of It, satirical political sitcom (2005–2012). •
Mock the Week, a satirical current affairs panel game on
BBC2. (2005–2022). •
Time Trumpet, Noughties TV satire (2006). •
The Last Leg,
Channel 4 (2012–). •
The Bugle, satirical podcast, initially with
Andy Zaltzman and
John Oliver (2007–).
Absurd and
John Cleese of
Monty Python performing the
Dead Parrot sketch in 2014 The absurd and the surreal, typified by: •
The Goon Show, surreal radio show on the
BBC Home Service (1951–1960). • ''
Bus Driver's Prayer'' •
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, musical group playing songs inspired by the music of the 1920s and comic rock songs (1962–). •
The Magic Roundabout, a
dub parody of a French children's cartoon that gained a cult following (1964–1971). •
Spike Milligan's
Q, sketch show and direct inspiration for
Monty Python on
BBC2 (1969–1982). •
Monty Python, comedy troupe, originally noted for performing sketches without conclusions (1969–1983). • ''
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'', radio panel game with bizarre games, notably
Mornington Crescent and
One Song to the Tune of Another on
BBC Radio 4 (1974–). • ''
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'', in radio, book, TV series and film form (1978–). •
Count Duckula, cartoon show on
ITV (1988–1993). •
Red Dwarf, science fiction sitcom on
BBC 2 and
Dave (1988–1999, 2009, 2012–) •
Brittas Empire, Chris Barrie sitcom set in a leisure centre about an annoying manager on
BBC1 (1991–1997). •
The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, variety show of sketches and songs in the surrealist genre of comedy on the
BBC (1993–1995). •
Shooting Stars, panel game show with seemingly no rules on
BBC2 (1993–2011). •
Big Train, sketch show with absurd situations performed in a realistic, deadpan style on
BBC2 (1998–2002). •
The Mighty Boosh, comic fantasy containing
non-sequiturs and pop-culture references (1998–2009, 2013). •
The League of Gentlemen, sitcom about the eccentric inhabitants of a fictional northern village Royston Vasey, shown on
BBC2 (1999–2002, 2017). Also macabre. •
Black Books, sitcom about a bookshop owner, with surreal and nonsensical elements, on
Channel 4 (2000–2004). •
The Armando Iannucci Shows, comedy sketch show utilising surrealism (2001). •
Green Wing, experimental sitcom using surrealism, sped-up/slowed-down camera work and ethereal, dream-like sequences on
Channel 4 (2004–2007).
Macabre Black humour, in which topics and events that are usually treated seriously are treated in a humorous or satirical manner, typified by: •
Nighty Night, a TV series about a
sociopathic beauty therapist who fakes her husband's death in order to steal her disabled neighbour's husband •
Jam, an unsettling TV
sketch comedy with an
ambient music soundtrack • ''
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace'', a horror comedy revolving around the
supernatural, and is set in a hospital in the 1980s •
Murder Most Horrid, a TV series in which Dawn French plays murderesses and victims. •
Snuff Box, a sketch show about a hangman (
Matt Berry) and his assistant (
Rich Fulcher), who make jokes or light-hearted conversation while hanging men. •
Death at a Funeral, a 2007 black comedy film. •
Kind Hearts and Coronets, a film about a man murdering his way to a hereditary position, starring
Alec Guinness in numerous roles. •
Four Lions, a 2010 film satirising Jihadi
terrorists within British Society. •
Inside No. 9, a black comedy, drama anthology series. (2014–2024)
Surreal and chaotic •
Vic Reeves Big Night Out (1990 and 1991) a parody of the
variety shows which dominated the early years of television, but which were, by the early 1990s, falling from grace. •
Bottom (1991–1995) noted for its chaotic humour and highly violent
slapstick. •
The Young Ones (1982–1984), a British sitcom about four students living together. It combined traditional sitcom style with violent slapstick, non sequitur plot-turns and
surrealism.
Humour inherent in everyday life The humour, not necessarily apparent to the participants, inherent in everyday life, as seen in: •
Gavin & Stacey •
The Cockfields •
Benidorm •
Father Ted •
Only Fools and Horses • ''
Hancock's Half Hour'' •
Till Death Us Do Part •
Steptoe and Son •
Porridge •
Human Remains • ''
I'm Alan Partridge'' •
The Office •
The Royle Family •
Spaced •
Peep Show •
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin •
One Foot in the Grave •
Monkey Dust •
The IT Crowd •
The Inbetweeners •
The Vicar of Dibley • The
Giles cartoons •
Goodness Gracious Me and
The Kumars at No 42, TV programme featuring an Indian family, starring
Sanjeev Bhaskar and
Meera Syal •
Come Dine with Me, reality cookery programme where eccentric cooks and their guests are often mocked by narrator
Dave Lamb •
Citizen Khan, a sitcom about a British Asian family in Birmingham •
Uncle, starring the comedian and actor
Nick Helm •
Friday Night Dinner, sitcom about a Jewish family celebrating
Shabbat •
Michael McIntyre Adults and children The 'war' between parents/teachers and their children, typified by: •
The Beano and
The Dandy, comics of publisher
D C Thomson •
Just William, books by
Richmal Crompton •
Molesworth books by Geoffrey Willans and illustrated by Ronald Searle • ''
St Trinian's'' books and films also originated by Ronald Searle •
Kevin and Perry in
Harry Enfield and Chums •
My Family, British TV series •
Outnumbered, British TV series •
The Fast Show, notably Competitive Dad •
Uncle (TV series), starring comedian and actor
Nick Helm British class system and
Jeeves in
Jeeves in the Springtime The British class system, especially class tensions between characters; and pompous or dim-witted members of the upper/middle classes or embarrassingly blatant social climbers, typified by: • The
Jeeves books by
P. G. Wodehouse • ''
Dad's Army'', comedy TV series •
Rising Damp, comedy TV series •
Fawlty Towers, comedy TV series •
Keeping Up Appearances, comedy TV series • ''
You Rang, M'Lord?'', comedy TV series •
Absolutely Fabulous, comedy TV series •
To the Manor Born, comedy TV series •
Blackadder, comedy TV series •
The New Statesman, political comedy TV series •
Yes Minister, political comedy TV series •
Red Dwarf, science fiction comedy TV series and novels •
The Fast Show, notably
Ted & Ralph and The 13th Duke of Wymbourne sketches •
Are You Being Served, department store comedy TV series • ''Monty Python's
Upper Class Twit of the Year'' sketch Also, some comedy series focus on working-class families or groups, such as: •
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, sitcom •
The Royle Family, sitcom •
Early Doors, sitcom • ''Monty Python's
Four Yorkshiremen and Working-class playwright'' sketches
Lovable rogue The lovable rogue, often from the impoverished working class, trying to 'beat the system' and better himself, typified by: • Arthur Daley in
Minder • The
Andy Capp cartoon strip created by
Reginald Smythe •
The Likely Lads, TV series •
Steptoe and Son, sitcom TV series •
Rising Damp, sitcom TV series •
Open All Hours, sitcom TV series •
Only Fools and Horses, comedy TV series (1981–2003) starring
David Jason as Del Trotter •
The Flashman Papers, books • Alan B'stard in
The New Statesman, TV series •
Norman Wisdom •
Porridge, sitcom TV series •
Blackadder, comedy TV series •
Red Dwarf, science fiction comedy TV series and novels •
Black Books, sitcom TV series on
Channel 4 •
The Fast Show, notably Chris the Crafty Cockney sketch •
Spaced •
Billy Connolly, comedian and actor
Embarrassment of social ineptitude The embarrassment of social ineptitude, typified by: •
Mr. Bean, comedy TV series starring
Rowan Atkinson •
The Office, comedy TV series starring
Ricky Gervais • ''
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', comedy series starring
Michael Crawford •
Alan Partridge, comedy TV series starring
Steve Coogan •
Da Ali G Show, satirical sketch comedy TV series created by and starring
Sacha Baron Cohen as
Ali G. •
Count Arthur Strong, radio show •
Extras •
One Foot in the Grave, comedy TV series, 1990 to 2000 •
Peep Show, TV series •
Miranda, BBC TV comedy series from 2009, starring
Miranda Hart •
The Inbetweeners, Channel 4 comedy series detailing the last years of sixth form for a group of average teenage boys •
Citizen Khan, a sitcom about a British Asian family in Birmingham •
Derek •
Uncle, starring comedian and actor
Nick Helm Race and regional stereotypes The
An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman joke format is one common to many cultures, and is often used in
English, including having the nationalities switched around to take advantage of other stereotypes. These stereotypes are somewhat fond, and these jokes would not be taken as xenophobic (by the Englishman telling them). This sort of affectionate stereotype is also exemplified by ''
'Allo 'Allo!, a programme that, although set in France in the Second World War, and deliberately performed in over-the-top accents, mocked British stereotypes as well as foreigners. This also applies to a lot of the regional stereotypes in the UK. Regional accent and dialect are used in such programmes as Hancock's Half Hour, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Red Dwarf'', as these accents provide quick characterisation and social cues. Although racism was a part of British humour, it is now frowned upon, and acts such as
Bernard Manning and
Jim Davidson are pilloried. Although some observers once argued certain comedy series of the 1970s were targeting racism rather than being in sympathy with it, such series as
Love Thy Neighbour and ''
It Ain't Half Hot Mum are no longer considered acceptable for repeat screenings. Along with the first of these two series, Till Death Us Do Part was an attempt to deal humorously with the influx of immigrants to the United Kingdom, but it is now usually considered to have been counter-productive. Still much admired, however, Fawlty Towers featured the mistreatment of the Spanish waiter, Manuel, but the target was the bigotry of the lead character, Basil Fawlty. The Young Ones featured a police officer (in sunglasses) engaged in racial profiling, only to discover the man was white and wearing dark gloves. Later, The Fast Show has mocked people of other races, such as the Chanel 9 sketches, and Banzai has mimicked Japanese game shows, which have an exaggerated sense of violence, sex and public absurdity. Goodness Gracious Me'' turned stereotypes on their heads in sketches such as 'Going for an English' and when bargaining over the price of a newspaper. An episode from
The Goodies depicted all of the black population of South Africa leaving to escape
apartheid, leaving the Afrikaners with nobody to oppress – instead, they begin a system of discrimination based on height, targeting short people, labelled "apart-height".
Bullying and harsh sarcasm Harsh
sarcasm and
bullying, though with the bully usually coming off worse than the victim – typified by: •
On the Buses, Arthur toward his wife, Olive, and Jack and Stan towards their boss Blakey •
Blackadder, Edmund Blackadder towards his sidekick, Baldrick •
The Young Ones, comedy TV series •
Fawlty Towers, Basil Fawlty towards his waiter, Manuel •
The New Statesman, satirising a domineering
Conservative member of Parliament •
The Thick of It, satirising the spin culture prevalent in Tony Blair's heyday •
Never Mind the Buzzcocks, satirical music-based panel show •
Mock The Week, satirical news-based panel show •
Black Books, where Bernard Black attacks his assistant, Manny •
Bottom, in which Richie attacks Eddie with little or no provocation, usually resulting in Eddie violently (often near-fatally) retaliating. •
The Ricky Gervais Show, Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais mocking Karl Pilkington's unique outlook on life.
Parodies of stereotypes sketch performed by Terry Jones and Eric Idle at
Monty Python Live (Mostly) in 2014 Making fun of British
stereotypes, typified by: •
Beyond the Fringe •
That Was the Week That Was (TW3), late-night TV satire •
Little Britain •
The Fast Show •
The Young Ones •
Harry Enfield's Television Programme •
French and Saunders •
The Day Today •
Brass Eye •
Citizen Smith parodied the disaffected left-wing anarchist •
Mind Your Language, late 1970s sitcom •
Goodness Gracious Me •
Monkey Dust •
Blackadder •
PhoneShop •
Monty Python •
Hale and Pace •
Ali G •
Citizen Khan, a sitcom about a British Asian family in Birmingham.
Tolerance of, and affection for, the eccentric Tolerance of, and affection for, the eccentric, especially when allied to inventiveness, typified by: •
Heath Robinson cartoons •
Professor Branestawm books •
Wallace and Gromit animations •
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, situation comedy starring
Leonard Rossiter •
Morecambe and Wise, comedy show starring
Eric Morecambe and
Ernie Wise •
Last of the Summer Wine, the longest-running TV comedy series in the world (1973–2010) •
A Bit of Fry and Laurie, sketch show written by and starring
Stephen Fry and
Hugh Laurie noted for its eccentric and inventive use of language •
The Vicar of Dibley, a sitcom in which
Dawn French plays a female vicar whose parishioners are archetypically eccentric and mad •
QI or
Quite Interesting, a
panel game where points are given for being quite interesting and points are taken away for common misconceptions •
The Fast Show, notably Rowley Birkin QC sketch
Pranks and practical jokes Usually, for television, the performance of a practical joke on an unsuspecting person whilst being covertly filmed, epitomised by: •
Candid Camera • ''
Beadle's About'' •
Game for a Laugh •
Trigger Happy TV •
Balls of Steel •
Prank Patrol ==See also==