TV Comedy
Television comedy had a presence from the earliest days of broadcasting. The situation comedy, or sitcom, has been the most common, successful and culturally significant type of television comedy. As the name suggests, these programs feature recurring characters placed in humourous situations. Since the early 1950s with "I Love Lucy" in the US and "Hancock's Half Hour" in Britain, sitcoms have always had a special place in the hearts of viewers and gathered highly devoted followers, as the familar characters often become beloved. Below you may scroll though time to your fondly remembered telly programs. For Alice's motherlode of Television, stay with "Television Shows".
Pictured: Ricky Gervais as The Brentster in the BBC's brilliant 'The Office'.
The Fast Show: Series 1 (1994)
8.2/10
Director: John Birkin, Arch Dyson
Starring: Paul Whitehouse, Simon Day, Charlie Higson, Caroline Hook, John Thomson, Arabell...
A compilation of all the best bits from the first series of 'The Fast Show', including Ted and Ralph, Channel Nine News, Unlucky Alf, coughing Bob Fle... Read more
The Fast Show: Series 2 (1994)
8.2/10
Director: Mark Mylod, Sid Roberson
Starring: Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Caroline Aherne, Simon Day, Arabella Weir, John...
All the old favourites are back, and a few new faces too in the brilliant second series of Paul Whitehouse's 'The Fast Show'. All seven episodes are... Read more
The Fast Show: Series 3 (1997)
8.2/10
Director: Mark Mylod
Starring: Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, Arabella Weir, Caroli...
Paul Whitehouse and friends are back with some new hilarious characters including Swiss Toni, Dave Angel - EcoWarrior, Squeamish Zookeeper, Checkout G... Read more
The Flying Nun: Season 1 (1967)
6.5/10
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Sally Field, John Astin, Gino Conforti, Jamie Farr, Harold Gould
Sally Field stars as Sister Bertrille in this much loved classic series from the '60s. All 31 episodes from the debut season - including the two-par... Read more
The Four Complete Historic Ed Sullivan Shows: Featuring The Beatles (1965)
Director: Tim Kiley
Starring: The Beatles, Myron Cohen, Mitzi Gaynor, Tessie O'Shea, Ed Sullivan, Cab Calloway...
Here they are! Four of the most beloved shows in television history! It all begins on February 9, 1964. The Beatles step onto Ed Sullivan's New York s... Read more
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990)
7.9/10
Starring: Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery, Karyn Parsons, Janet Hubert-Whitten, J...
Before the series that jump-started Will Smith's acting career, the Fresh Prince was Smith's rapper alter-ego who performed novelty songs with friend,... Read more
The Funny Ladies of British Comedy (1996)
7.1/10
Director: Judi Dench
Starring: Dawn French, Mollie Sugden, Prunella Scales, Patricia Routledge
Join Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances), Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley), Prunella Scales (Fawlty Towers), Mollie Sugden (Are You Being Ser... Read more
The Galton and Simpson Playhouse (1977)
Director: Duncan Wood
Starring: Anton Diffring, Arthur Lowe, Charles Gray, Freddie Jones, Leonard Rossiter, Mona...
British comedy writing maestros Ray Galton and Alan Simpson ('Hancock's Half Hour', 'Steptoe and Son') created the 'Playhouse' series in the late Seve... Read more
The Games: Series 1 (1999)
5.7/10
Director: Bruce Permezel
Starring: John Clarke, Bryan Dawe, Gina Riley, Ross Stevenson
Featuring the formidable comedic talents of John Clarke, Gina Riley, Bryan Dawe and Ross Stevenson, this hit ABC comedy series is a deadpan, surreal a... Read more
The Golden Age of Comedy Collection (1950)
Starring: Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, Buster Keaton, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Lou Costello, D...
Laugh out loud with some of the best and funniest live comedy moments from the 1950s and '60s, a time when a wildly creative group of comedic talents... Read more