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Best British Comedians, My All Time Favorites!

Updated on April 30, 2012

The Joy of British Comedy

From Monty Python to Red Dwarf, The Office to QI british comedy has something for everyone. The humor employed uses everything from satirical looks at politics and current events to the downright silly, the ministry of silly walks anyone?

I love that British dry whit. I have enjoyed the carry on movies from before I was born. I have come to understand the crazy political system here through comedians. One such politician is Boris Johnson, mayor of London and a favorite presenter of the comedy show mock the week. Oh Boris give up the politics and host that show forever!

I would love to share some of my favorite comedians from jolly ol england with you, so here it goes, my list of comedians. Enjoy!

Bill Bailey: Live at the Apollo - Part Troll [Region 2]
Bill Bailey: Live at the Apollo - Part Troll [Region 2]
Part Troll will make you laugh till you cry. The comedy and music will have you hooked and re-watching it over and over.
 

Bill Bailey

Its not an easy decision but the first comedian and my favorite has to be Bill Bailey. He has been a panelist on the show Have I Got News for You and QI as well as staring in the show Black Books.

His stand up comedy is unbeatable. Mixing his musical talent with his comedy makes for an amazing show! The stand up show, Bill Bailey Part Troll started my love of this mans comedy. He is so self deprecating that his hair is really a small animal named Lionel whom he has trained to sit very still.

I would recommend this "wizard in a call centre" or "Klingon motivational speaker" as a must in your british comedy education.

A little Bill Bailey

Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection [DVD]
Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection [DVD]
Don't miss this classic british comedy! A must have for any DVD collection
 

British Comedian John Cleese

Can there be a time when people talk british comedy and not mention John Cleese? Aside from the obvious brilliance in Monty Python John Cleese has proven himself a comedic genius with such shows as Fawlty Towers.

If you have never seen Fawlty Towers you are missing out! This series created a sensation and is thought to be one of the finest examples of British Comedy. Cleeses' Basil Fawlty would have run that hotel just find if it wasn't for the guests. Sadly this show consists of just 12 episodes to maintain the quality of the series.

Many comedy fans will be aware of his movie career from James Bond films to the Harry Potter films and even the Shrek films. These roles were given life through John Cleeses' performances and in my opinion are not his best works. The best comedy of John Cleese in my opinion has to be his monty python sketches and his Fawlty Towers show.

Ever Felt Like This?

The Vicar of Dibley - The Immaculate Collection
The Vicar of Dibley - The Immaculate Collection
Grab your copy of this complete collection of Vicar of Dibley!
 

Dawn French

My Dawn French show has to be The Vicar of Dibley. You may recognize Dawn French from the show French and Saunders and while this show has some very funny moments its apeal is not as strong as that of the  show The Vicar of Dibley.

In the Vicar of Dibley Dawn French is a lady Vicar sent to the parish of a small town. It takes the town some time to warm to this lady vicar. If you have ever made fun of small town life this show is a must watch, even if you do love small town life as I do. The comedy is beautifully drawn from both the star (Dawn) and the whole cast. 

Check out the video below and I am sure you will be left wanting more!

Love those end Jokes!

Ian Hislop

Ian Hislop is the only person to have appeared in every episode of Have I Got News for You. In spite of suffering from appendicitis in an episode in the seventh series he discharged himself from the hospital just before the show. For a show that has been running for 19 years that is pretty amazing!

His broad knowledge of politics and satirical views contributes greatly to the success of the show. Much of the rest of his work is not particularly comedic, he has worked as a broadcaster, writer and editor of the magazine Private Eye.

The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You' [Region 2]
The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You' [Region 2]
Only the very best of Have I Got News For You. You know you want it!
 

Russell Howard

Russell Howard has some of the strangest humor I have ever seen. He is well known for his stand up comedy as well as regular appearances on the the show Mock the Week. Other shows include 8 out of 10 cats where he can bring laughter both as a panelist and using his stand up skills.

Fodder for his comedy come from everyday life observational comedy to political satire. Oh to live one day in this mans head.....

Decent Advice!

Bottom: Not Another Half-Arsed DVD Set (DVD)
Bottom: Not Another Half-Arsed DVD Set (DVD)
I just love this show, you have to see it!
 

Rick Mayall

One of the best british comedy shows has to be Bottom. Rick Mayall stars as Richard Richard or Richie alongside Adrian Edmondsons Eddi Elizabeth Hitler. This show was a slapstick gem with Mayall and Edmondson ending up in the hospital at various points.

Rick Mayall and Ad Edmondson also starred in the show The Young Ones. A show based around anarchic 80's punk student life. Rick and Ad in my opinion provided all the humor in this show. When they teamed up for Bottom and it was just the 2 of them starring the show was a laugh riot. Don't get me wrong, I love The Young Ones but the other characters jokes can fall flat. Bottom held all the slapstick humor of the young ones but provided a better comic vehicle for showing off the talents of Rick and Adrain.

The Young Ones On University Challenge

Jo Brand

This psychiatric nurse turned comedian is one of the funniest female comedians ever! Jos' stand up comedy is often delivered in a bored monotone and draws heavily from pop culture and the media.

Shows she regularly appears in include QI and Have I Got News For You. She has also preformed at Comic Relief and is a must watch.


Jo Brand On Marriage

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