There is something so refreshing and engaging about the following shows from the UK (BBC). Unique, realistic, with an emphasis on character development - the following are some of the greatest television shows I have ever watched in my 22 years of living.
I am a stone-faced Buddha when it comes to emotion. I only barely crack a smile at funny jokes, as it is rare for me to display any extreme emotion when watching the TV. However, the following list has had me laugh my entire jaw out, to which I quickly judge as especially good comedy. I adamantly recommend these shows to any fan of HBO or off-beat quirky humor or those with a healthy level of curiosity.
1. The Office (UK)
Tastes like: Cup of coffee, pint o' beer, sandwich
American counterpart: Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office (US)
Why it is brilliant: The Office (UK) portrays the doldrums of life through a small paper company (Wernham Hogg), where a self-delusional boss and his passive employees bring about insanity and hilarity into the workplace. The Office hits the nerve of the human experience: the realities of failure, jealousy, humiliation, and petty office drama, packaged to an off-beat humor. It is a sad but poetic analysis on everyday life but not without laughter. Ricky Gervais' subtle and brilliant comedy shines through the otherwise rainy and boring Slough, Berkshire.
Why others might miss out on it: It is not your usual sitcom humor. The pacing and mood imitates the office workplace (lots of grays, glazed eyes, and keyboard clacking). The stark difference between this and the US version (for those who enjoy Dunder Mifflin).
Laugh-out-loud meter: Lots of cringing followed by sudden frightening bursts of laughter.
The hook: The insufferable awkward boss David Brent and his philosophies on life ("If your boss is getting you down, look at him through the prongs of a fork and imagine him in a jail" - David Brent Quotes). Oh, and of course the office romance.
Most memorable scene: [SPOILER] All throughout the series David Brent is a complete jackass, which isn't too terrible since that is what makes him the star in almost all of the funniest scenes. However, the most memorable (and saddest) scene is when Brent gets laid off (or made redundant). Here you see this detestable figure crumble; it is hard to watch Brent's pride finally break down when the only stable and worthy aspect of his life is taken away from him.
2. The Thick of It
Tastes like: Hard liquor, espresso, and cigarettes
American counterpart: The West Wing gone horribly sour
Why it is brilliant: The Thick of It gives audiences a glimpse of the ugly side of UK politics (albeit fictitious). The charismatic Peter Capaldi gives an explosive performance as Malcolm Tucker the Director of Communications or in other words the government's spin doctor. As the government's "public image enforcer", Malcolm Tucker frantically runs about to sort out the mess caused by government officials. Focusing on the political environment of a clumsy Department of Social Affairs (and Citizenship), we see all sorts of characters: from the ambitious and morally deficient junior adviser to the passive and dimwitted social worker. The Thick of It is chock full of profanity, back-stabbery, high-stress intensity, colorful characters, and very funny consequences.
Why others might miss out on it: Cussing, cussing, cussing, and swearing.
Laugh-out-loud meter: OMFG-what-just-happened kind of laughter.
The hook: Take a closer look at the man in the middle in the photo above. The man is the embodiment of evil. Ruthless and efficient, Malcolm Tucker runs a tight ship. There is much hilarity that ensues when things do not go his way. It is entertaining to watch the venomous Malcolm Tucker flay his political cohorts with verbal abuse ("Come the fuck in or fuck the fuck off" - Malcolm Tucker responding to a knock on his door). Stringing up f-bombs in a sentence becomes an art form in The Thick of It.
Most memorable scene: Tucker screaming at Hugh Abbott the hapless minister of social affairs to stop revealing certain information to the media. Further words cannot describe what happens here.
3. The IT Crowd
Tastes like: Coffee,
American counterpart: Big Bang Theory, Scrubs
Why it is brilliant: The IT Crowd follows the lives of three members of an under-appreciated IT department of a major global corporation. Two geeks, Roy and Moss, and one "normal" girl, Jen, face the challenges of social ineptitude, the advances of a skeevy boss, and general insanity. The IT Crowd's characters steal the show; the writing for each episode is top-notch, but the delivery of those lines, especially by Katherine Parkinson (Jen) and Matt Berry (The boss of Reynholm Industries), carries the show to its fullest comedic peak. Witty, smart, and an homage to the geek culture, the IT Crowd and its colorful cast are well developed and lovable in their own way- reminiscent to Bill Lawerence's ensemble in Scrubs. Each character of the IT Crowd has his or her own eccentric twitch but not without depth or growth. The believability of these characters far extends typical stereotypes and 2-dimensionality found in similar genres, making the IT Crowd incredibly worthwhile.
Why others might miss out on it: A very slow and admittedly unfunny first season. The canned laughter soundtrack.
Laugh out loud meter: Laugh-out-loud times one million. The IT Crowd is beyond your ordinary sitcom. It is a masterpiece.
The hook: The fun chemistry between characters: the interaction between the IT geeks Roy and Moss, and Jen, the oblivious IT manager. And the interaction between the utterly weird but charismatic boss Denholm and Jen.
Most memorable scene(s): [SPOILERS] Enduring hours of Jen showing off for winning Employee-of-the-Month, the boys decide to play a prank on Jen to teach her a lesson. They convince the totally technologically-impaired-and-ignorant Jen that a small black box is the Internet. Unexpected chaos ensues.
Another hilarious scene showcasing Jen's Internet knowledge.
When Jen opens the forbidden door to the forbidden room in the IT Department only to find that a Goth lives there. Totally unexpected but equally funny.
4. Sherlock
Tastes like: Tea, biscuits, and perhaps red wine
American counterpart: House
Why it is brilliant: Sherlock portrays a very believable Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century. Moffat's Sherlock features amazing and inventive ways of editing and storytelling that keep audiences engaged with Sherlock's lightning fast thought process. Die-hard Sherlock Holmes fans may be delighted with Sherlock, as it is littered with faithful details, while newcomers revel at Sherlock's proficiency with smart phones and laptops. Placing London's favorite 19th century hero into modern times is so natural; one wonders why this has not been done before. Thankfully under the hands of the creative Moffat, audiences get to enjoy a superb retelling of Holmes. Both leads (Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Freeman as Watson) are a joy to watch as they carry an edgier interpretation to their characters. Sherlock as the danger-junkie and Freeman as the awestruck but level-headed companion, both these characters are presented with flaws and eccentricities.
Why others might miss out on it: Unevenness; a spectacular first episode followed by a rather mediocre second might put some people off. Luckily the third episode brings about a climactic end to the first series.
Laugh out loud meter: A sociopathic genius at work. Very funny. Lots of laughs.
The hook: Watching an epic mystery unravel under Holmes' ingenious deductive skills is fun but seeing Holmes struggle with a simple social interaction is even more entertaining.
Most memorable scene: [SPOILER] Without any further introductions, Sherlock deduces that Watson must be a war veteran from Afghanistan, with an alcoholic brother who, after an unhappy marriage, is divorced- all in a flash. Afterward, Sherlock proceeds to explain his deductions to an amazed Watson. Sherlock then badgers Watson if he had been 100% correct, concluding that his deductions usually contain some small error. Watson admits that he does have an alcoholic sibling with a failed marriage but she, is in fact, a lesbian. Watch the trailer.
5. The Apprentice (UK)
Tastes like: Sausage (Series 6), croissant, champagne
American counterpart: The Apprentice (US)
Why it is brilliant: Smart, surprising, and intelligent. You have a handful of young business prospects and one job. Faced with thoughtful tasks, contestants need to survive this harsh job interview process for a successful career with Lord Sugar. There's an even more detailed ode of the brilliance that is The Apprentice, which you should take a look here.
Why others might miss out on it: Not a high-drama reality show in a sense that it lacks alcohol-sex-filled debauchery. Repetition with some of the tasks within each series.
Laugh out loud meter: Minimum; although watching Sugar's aides (a la "eyes and ears") become increasingly exasperated with some of the contestants and their foolhardy ways can cause a chuckle or two.
The hook: The few unbelievably self-delusional or outstanding contestants, innovative challenges, and a fun way to learn about business.
Most memorable scene: All the series had its highs especially with some outrageous contestants, however series 5 stands out due to James McQuillan, the funniest contender for the winning apprentice position. McQuillan made it all the way to the semi-finals (top five), but was fired during before the grand finale with two others. The most memorable scene was when James, tasked with selling birth water pools to pregnant women, describes to a potential buyer that the next model of the pool comes with a telly (TV) and ashtray.
Diva Talkin',
SJ
