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British humour carries a strong element of aimed at the absurdity of . Common themes include , , , , , subjects, , , , and the British class system. These are often accompanied by a delivery which is present throughout the British sense of humour. British humour 'dictated by genetics' By Andy Bloxham, Daily Telegraph, 10 Mar 2008. Accessed August 2011 It may be used to bury emotions in a way that seems unkind in the eyes of other cultures. What are you laughing at? Simon Pegg The Guardian, 10 February 2007. Accessed August 2011 Jokes are told about everything and almost no subject is off-limits, though a lack of subtlety when discussing controversial issues is sometimes considered insensitive. The Funny Side of the United Kingdom: Analysing British Humour with Special Regard to John Cleese and His Work Page 5 Theo Tebbe, Publisher GRIN Verlag, 2008 . Accessed August 2011 Many have become successful internationally, serving as a representation of British culture to overseas audiences.

Themes
Some themes (with examples) that underpinned late-20th-century British humour were: Black Humour in British Advertisement By Claudia Felsch, Publisher GRIN Verlag, 2007 . Accessed August 2011

Innuendo
Innuendo in British humour is evident in the literature as far back as and , and it is a prevalent theme in many British . often used innuendo in his comedies, but it is also often found in his other plays. One example in 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, 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.

In the early 1930s, cartoon-style saucy postcards (such as those drawn by ) became widespread; at their peak, 16 million saucy postcards were sold per year. They were often bawdy, with innuendo and , and featured 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 and in the comedy music of . Many comedians from music hall and wartime gang shows worked in radio after World War 2, and characters such as Julian and Sandy on Round the Horne used innuendo extensively. Innuendo also features heavily in many British films and TV 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 , and the sketch by 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 , while Bottom and Viz continued the smuttier trend. In contemporary British comedy, is an example of a prolific user of innuendo. Innuendo has become a celebrated part of The Great British Bake Off TV cookery show.

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).
  • , satirical magazine (1961–).
  • Not the Nine O'Clock News, satirical sketch show, notable for launching the careers of , Griff Rhys Jones, Pamela Stephenson and on BBC2 (1979–1982).
  • , political sitcom on BBC2 (1980–1988).
  • , TV puppet comedy lampooning the famous and powerful on ITV (1984–1996). Revived on , (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).
  • , 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).
  • , Noughties TV satire (2006).
  • The Last Leg, Channel 4 (2012–)
  • , satirical podcast, initially with and (2007-)

Absurd
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 of a French children's cartoon that gained a cult following (1964–1971).
  • 's Q, sketch show and direct inspiration for Monty Python on BBC2 (1969–1982).
  • , 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–).
  • , cartoon show on ITV (1988–1993).
  • , science fiction sitcom on BBC 2 and Dave (1988–1999, 2009, 2012–)
  • , 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 (1993–1995).
  • Shooting Stars, panel game show with seemingly no rules on BBC2 (1993–2011).
  • , 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.
  • , 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).
  • , experimental sitcom using surrealism, sped-up/slowed-down camera work and ethereal, dream-like sequences on Channel 4 (2004–2007).

Macabre
, in which topics and events that are usually treated seriously are treated in a humorous or satirical manner, typified by:

  • , a TV series about a beauty therapist who fakes her husband's death in order to steal her disabled neighbour's husband
  • Jam, an unsettling TV with an soundtrack
  • Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, a horror comedy revolving around the , and is set in a hospital in the 1980s
  • Murder Most Horrid, a TV series in which Dawn French plays murderesses and victims.
  • , a sketch show about a hangman () and his assistant (), 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 in numerous roles.
  • , 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 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 .
  • 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 .

Humour inherent in everyday life
The humour, not necessarily apparent to the participants, inherent in everyday life, as seen in:

  • Gavin & Stacey
  • Benidorm
  • 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
  • Peep Show
  • The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
  • One Foot in the Grave
  • The IT Crowd
  • The Vicar of Dibley
  • The cartoons
  • Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42, TV programme featuring an Indian family, starring and
  • Come Dine with Me, reality cookery programme where eccentric cooks and their guests are often mocked by narrator
  • , a sitcom about a British Asian family in Birmingham.
  • Uncle, starring comedian and actor
  • Friday Night Dinner, sitcom about a Jewish family celebrating .

Adults and children
The 'war' between parents/teachers and their children, typified by:
  • and , comics of publisher D C Thomson
  • , books by
  • 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
  • , British TV series
  • Outnumbered, British TV series
  • The Fast Show, notably Competitive Dad
  • Uncle (TV series), starring comedian and actor

British class system
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
  • , comedy TV series
  • , 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
  • , comedy TV series
  • The New Statesman, political comedy TV series
  • , political comedy TV series
  • , 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
  • , 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 cartoon strip created by
  • The Likely Lads, TV series
  • Steptoe and Son, sitcom TV series
  • , sitcom TV series
  • Open All Hours, sitcom TV series
  • Only Fools and Horses, comedy TV series (1981–2003) starring as Del Trotter
  • The Flashman Papers, books
  • Alan B'stard in The New Statesman, TV series
  • Porridge, sitcom TV series
  • , comedy TV series
  • , science fiction comedy TV series and novels
  • , sitcom TV series on Channel 4
  • The Fast Show, notably Chris the Crafty Cockney sketch
  • , comedian and actor

Embarrassment of social ineptitude
The embarrassment of social ineptitude, typified by:
  • Mr. Bean, comedy TV series starring
  • The Office, comedy TV series starring
  • Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, comedy series starring
  • , comedy TV series starring
  • Da Ali G Show, satirical sketch comedy TV series created by and starring Sacha Baron Cohen as .
  • 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
  • , Channel 4 comedy series detailing the last years of sixth form for a group of average teenage boys
  • , a sitcom about a British Asian family in Birmingham
  • Derek
  • Uncle, starring comedian and actor

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 , 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 , 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 and 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 , but it is now usually considered to have been counter-productive. Still much admired, however, featured the mistreatment of the 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 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 leaving to escape , 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 and , 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
  • , Edmund Blackadder toward his sidekick, Baldrick
  • The Young Ones, comedy TV series
  • , Basil Fawlty toward 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
  • , 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
Making fun of British , typified by:

Tolerance of, and affection for, the eccentric
Tolerance of, and affection for, the eccentric, especially when allied to inventiveness, typified by:
  • cartoons
  • Professor Branestawm books
  • Wallace and Gromit animations
  • The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, situation comedy starring
  • Morecambe and Wise, comedy show starring and
  • 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 and noted for its eccentric and inventive use of language
  • The Vicar of Dibley, a sitcom in which plays a female vicar whose parishioners are archetypically eccentric and mad
  • QI or Quite Interesting, a 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:
  • Beadle's About
  • Game for a Laugh
  • Trigger Happy TV
  • Balls of Steel

See also

  • Sutton, David. A chorus of raspberries: British film comedy 1929–1939. Exeter: University of Exeter Press, (2000)
  • Alexander, Richard. Aspects of verbal humour in English Volume 13 of Language in performance, Publisher Gunter Narr Verlag, 1997 Google books Accessed August 2011

External links

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