The "Friends" of the UK? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Central Perk · 10-05-2002, 09:51 AM

I was just wondering what shows are really big in the UK..like what is the show that tons of people watch. And I was just wondering how big is Absolutely Fabulous in the UK? If someone could please help me out with these questions that'd be great. Thanks.

JethroSimpson · 10-05-2002, 12:23 PM

Funnily enough I don't think Absaloutly Fabulous is as populer over here as it is in America, you can buy the videos and it's on TV quite frequently but I wouldn't say it is one of the best loved shows over here compared to some other ones. I don't know anyone who watches it.

The 2 most populer British sicoms at of all time according to a British audience I think would be Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses which still runs after 20 years, I don't if that is a hit in US or not.

Personally I don't think there has been a really good British sitcom for a while, but the most populer ones at the moment are kind of surreal and observational comedies. The League of Gentleman, The Office, The Royle Family. There are not many tradditional sitcoms except ones like My Hero and Coupling.

Hope that helps!

rob17 · 10-06-2002, 05:46 AM

I'm not so sure. Last year when new episodes of Ab Fab were made, they got pretty good viewing figures, I think they were close to 10 million, which for a country of 60 million people isn't bad!

I agree though, I think Only Fools And Horses is the most popular. I seem to remember one Christmas it got around 20 million viewers or something?

Although in terms of longevity, I think Last Of The Summer Wine has been running longest... about 30 years I think? Personally I can't see why...

Rob

rob17 · 10-06-2002, 05:53 AM

I think the problem with Ab Fab is that it relies too much on things like dream scenes and flashbacks. I tend to get a bit confused when they're on (LOL) and I don't enjoy the programme as much.

I think my favourite episodes of Ab Fab always involve June Whitfield playing a major part

Try as you will, I don't think there's a better qualified actress out there to play the part of Edina's mum.

Rob

Central Perk · 10-06-2002, 05:27 PM

Thank you both for the information. Over here in the US Only Fools And Horses isn't that popular I don't think, as well with Last Of The Summer Wine. I've heard of them but never have seen them on tv. I'm not exactly sure what Britcoms are popular over in the US but I think a lot of people like Fawlty Towers and Are You Being Served?.

My local PBS channel shows Are you Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearences, Waiting For God, As Time Goes By, Good Neighbors, and Vicar Of Dibley. I personally like Good Neighbors, Vicar Of Dibley, Fawtly Towers, and Absolutely Fabulous the best out of all the Britcoms I've seen.

JethroSimpson · 10-06-2002, 06:16 PM

I didn't relaise the last series of Ab Fab got such high ratings in the UK.
This years christmas Only Fools and Hoarses was very dissapointing I thought, they tried to copy precious episodes with some of the gags and they should have just left it as it was.

I agree with you about Last Of The Summer Wine to, I've never understood how anyone could find it funny.

10-05-2002, 09:51 AM	#1
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	The "Friends" of the UK? I was just wondering what shows are really big in the UK..like what is the show that tons of people watch. And I was just wondering how big is Absolutely Fabulous in the UK? If someone could please help me out with these questions that'd be great. Thanks.

10-05-2002, 12:23 PM	#2
JethroSimpson Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 01, 2001 Location: England,UK Posts: 1,080	Funnily enough I don't think Absaloutly Fabulous is as populer over here as it is in America, you can buy the videos and it's on TV quite frequently but I wouldn't say it is one of the best loved shows over here compared to some other ones. I don't know anyone who watches it. The 2 most populer British sicoms at of all time according to a British audience I think would be Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses which still runs after 20 years, I don't if that is a hit in US or not. Personally I don't think there has been a really good British sitcom for a while, but the most populer ones at the moment are kind of surreal and observational comedies. The League of Gentleman, The Office, The Royle Family. There are not many tradditional sitcoms except ones like My Hero and Coupling. Hope that helps!
	__________________ My Brand New Diff'rent Strokes site is now at- http://chrisdoyle0.tripod.com/ ________________ _______________ Chris D.

10-06-2002, 05:46 AM	#3
rob17 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 08, 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 59	I'm not so sure. Last year when new episodes of Ab Fab were made, they got pretty good viewing figures, I think they were close to 10 million, which for a country of 60 million people isn't bad! I agree though, I think Only Fools And Horses is the most popular. I seem to remember one Christmas it got around 20 million viewers or something? Although in terms of longevity, I think Last Of The Summer Wine has been running longest... about 30 years I think? Personally I can't see why... Rob
	__________________ "You do the talking. I'll stand behind you and burn holes through her with my 'Do you call this a hollandaise sauce?' glare." - Gil Chesterton, Frasier "Love is sweet as summer showers, love is a wondrous work of art, but your love oh your love, your love... is like a giant pigeon... crapping on my heart..." - Phoebe Buffay, Friends Blanche: Rose is a bimbo. Counsellor: Rose, how do you feel about Blanche calling you that? Rose: I think she's a garkögernøckin. Counsellor: What does that mean? Rose: Well, it used to be the term for the precise second that dog doo turns white, but now it mainly stands for rude.

10-06-2002, 05:53 AM	#4
rob17 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 08, 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 59	I think the problem with Ab Fab is that it relies too much on things like dream scenes and flashbacks. I tend to get a bit confused when they're on (LOL) and I don't enjoy the programme as much. I think my favourite episodes of Ab Fab always involve June Whitfield playing a major part Try as you will, I don't think there's a better qualified actress out there to play the part of Edina's mum. Rob

10-06-2002, 05:27 PM	#5
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Thank you both for the information. Over here in the US Only Fools And Horses isn't that popular I don't think, as well with Last Of The Summer Wine. I've heard of them but never have seen them on tv. I'm not exactly sure what Britcoms are popular over in the US but I think a lot of people like Fawlty Towers and Are You Being Served?. My local PBS channel shows Are you Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearences, Waiting For God, As Time Goes By, Good Neighbors, and Vicar Of Dibley. I personally like Good Neighbors, Vicar Of Dibley, Fawtly Towers, and Absolutely Fabulous the best out of all the Britcoms I've seen.

10-06-2002, 06:16 PM	#6
JethroSimpson Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 01, 2001 Location: England,UK Posts: 1,080	I didn't relaise the last series of Ab Fab got such high ratings in the UK. This years christmas Only Fools and Hoarses was very dissapointing I thought, they tried to copy precious episodes with some of the gags and they should have just left it as it was. I agree with you about Last Of The Summer Wine to, I've never understood how anyone could find it funny.