NMTB, Mock the Week, QI, Would I Lie to You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats.

[M]

Hilarious panel/quiz shows from the U.K.

Any fans here?

[unityofeffect]

uoelovesfrankieandsimonandrussellandstephen

As you well know Meg, I love these shows. Any of you anglophiles out there who have not see them should check them out on YouTube or BBC America or anywhere you can find them. The things they say are so amazing and hilarious and brilliant. It's quite surprising that they're "just" quiz shows.

[M]

Good on you!

You will probablymostlikely love it.

[M]

Another reason I love the shows is that, compared to American shows who follow a similar path, they can seriously say what they want (well, within reason). In America, they'd get a bad reputation and be bashed for mocking someone's death or saying straight up that they believed God didn't exist. I mean, it's for comedic purposes, and everyone has the right to an opinion. Americans usually can't understand this. (Not all Americans of course, but the population that controls much of the media and television stations would faint if something like Mock the Week was aired on a channel other than comedy central at a time before 1 o'clock.)

[unityofeffect]

I totally agree. That's one of the things I love about them as well. That's one of the reasons I love Frankie & Simon especially. They can get away with saying outrageous and mean things but they're so genuinely funny about it.

I also love that the shows, while making fun of the silliness of quiz shows, appreciate and encourage people to be clever. I've actually learned so many amazing things from "QI."

[M]

Same here.

American humor just isn't like that. It's usually rather mindless and...well...'durrr' humor, which is fun, but gets old after a while--while cleverness never really gets old. QI has taught me tons of things as well.

And I agree...Simon and Frankie would NOT be greeted kindly by American television (or they would, but have to be heavily censored), because they say what they want and are very blunt about it...and you know, America just can't be havin' none of that. God forbid you be frank for the sake of comedy and wit, even though you aren't hurting anyone or trying to make people share your beliefs.

Ick. I'm getting frustrated. -_-'

[unityofeffect]

Don't get frustrated. Enjoy the fact that these shows exist at all!

[M]

True. I just wish America would stop being so stupid and let us have good shows too, damnit!

[unityofeffect]

That's true, Dweezil did try to do an American version. I feel bad that it didn't take off but I'm not surprised.
It seems like the looseness and sharpness of these shows would have a hard time finding a large audience in the US AND be allowed to remain edgy. I wish it was otherwise and maybe it will be someday.

[M]

I can't think of one U.S. comedy program that incorporates cleverness. Sure, some of the stuff is funny, but it's RARELY ever SMART and funny. Which seriously sucks.

And c'mon...musical geniuses like Bill Bailey (WHO SHOULD GET HIS ASS BACK ON BUZZCOCKS...heh heh heh...that sounds pervy) have high amounts of awesome, but probably wouldn't be well accepted in the U.S.

And recently, Russell Brand (who I have rather mixed feelings about) was completely bashed by Americans because he went on some shite award show as host and called Bush a 'retarded cowboy'. As if half of the U.S. didn't already think that. Blah. Get over it, U.S.! It's a damn joke!

Maybe they were offended because of all the truth it held? Heh.

[Ben J Kitz]

Who's Line is probably the closest equivalent you guys have to our shows, but even Who's Line was British originally. Having said the cast was nearly always half North American - Ryan and Colin were on it even back then!

[Hitchmarlin]

british game shows the weakest link YESYESYESYESYES

[M]

Haha. Well, we were mainly gearing towards the comedy programs. This was a subtle way to start a discussion on the differences between American and British comedy.