British Comedy: The Lists

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Years: 1974-1977
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale
Episodes: 20 (+pilot)
Episode Average: 9.333

BEST EPISODES:
Just Desserts (1975), No Way Out (1975)

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Years: 1975-1979
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: John Cleese, Connie Booth
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales
Episodes: 12
Episode Average: 9.333

BEST EPISODES:
Communication Problems (1979), Gourmet Night (1975)

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Years: 2001-2003
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Mockumentary, Sitcom
Written by: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman
Episodes: 14
Episode Average: 9.071

BEST EPISODES:
Christmas Special: Part 2 (2003), Training (2001)

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Years: 2005-2007
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen
Episodes: 13
Episode Average: 9.000

BEST EPISODES:
The Extra Special Series Finale (2007), Kate Winslet (2005)

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Years: 2004
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Spoof, Comedy, Horror
Written by: Richard Ayoade, Matthew Holness
Stars: Richard Ayoade, Matthew Holness
Episodes: 6
Episode Average: 9.000

BEST EPISODE:
The Apes of Wrath (2004)

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(part of the Alan Partridge list)

Years: 1994-1995
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Spoof, Satire
Written by: Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci,
Patrick Marber, Rebecca Front, David Schneider,
Doon Mackichan, John Thomson, The Cast
Stars: Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front
Episodes: 7
Episode Average: 8.857

BEST EPISODES:
Episode 3 (1994), Episode 4 (1994)

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Years: 2008-2010
Broadcaster: E4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Damon Beesley, Iain Morris
Stars: Simon Bird, James Buckley
Episodes: 18
Episode Average: 8.667

BEST EPISODES:
A Night Out in London (2009), Thorpe Park (2008)

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Years: 2000-2003
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Dark Comedy
Written by: Julia Davis, Rob Brydon
Stars: Julia Davis, Rob Brydon
Episodes: 6
Episode Average: 8.667

BEST EPISODE:
An English Squeak (2000)

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(part of the Garth Marenghi's Darkplace list)

Years: 2006
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Spoof, Satire
Written by: Richard Ayoade, Matthew Holness
Stars: Richard Ayoade, Matthew Holness
Episodes: 6
Episode Average: 8.667

BEST EPISODE:
Merriman Weir (2006)

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Years: 2014-
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Dark Comedy
Written by: Steve Pemberton,
Reece Shearsmith, Ed Hime
Stars: Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
Episodes: 24 (+1 online)
Episode Average: 8.625

BEST EPISODE:
The 12 Days of Christine (2015), A Quiet Night In (2014)

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(part of the Alan Partridge list)

Years: 1997-2002
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan,
Armando Iannucci, The Cast
Stars: Steve Coogan, Felicity Montagu
Episodes: 12
Episode Average: 8.500

BEST EPISODES:
The Colour of Alan (2002), To Kill a Mocking Alan (1997)

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Years: 1993-1995
Broadcaster: ITV (Granada)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Written by: Nick Vivian, Piers Ashworth,
Peter Learmouth, Peter Morgan, Paul Unwin,
Stephen Ward
Stars: Rik Mayall
Films: 6
Film Average: 8.500

BEST FILM:
Dancing Queen (1993)

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Years: 2006-2013
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Graham Linehan
Stars: Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade
Episodes: 25
Episode Average: 8.480

BEST EPISODES:
The Final Countdown (2010), The Work Outing (2007)

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Years: 2004-2006
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Mark Bussell, Justin Sbresni
Stars: Ben Miller, Sarah Alexander
Episodes: 17
Episode Average: 8.471

BEST EPISODES:
Christmas Eve (2006), Christmas Day (2006)

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Years: 2013-2017
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Greg Davies, Stephen Morrison,
Sian Harries, Ed Gamble, Mike Wozniak,
Chris Corcoran, Barry Castagnola,
Richard Herring, Carl Rice
Stars: Greg Davies, Roisin Conaty
Episodes: 26
Episode Average: 8.462

BEST EPISODES:
Finding Nesta (2014), Perfect Woman (2014)

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Years: 1983-1999
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Richard Curtis, Ben Elton,
Rowan Atkinson
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson
Episodes: 26
Episode Average: 8.462

BEST EPISODES:
Goodbyeee (1989), Private Plane (1989)

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Years: 1981-2003
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: John Sullivan
Stars: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Episodes: 64
Episode Average: 8.453

BEST EPISODES:
Danger UXD (1989), Heroes and Villains (1996)

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Years: 2003-2015
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain,
Andrew O'Connor, David Mitchell, Robert Webb,
Simon Blackwell, John Finnemore, Tom Basden
Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb
Episodes: 54
Episode Average: 8.444

BEST EPISODES:
Nether Zone (2010), Handyman (2007)

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Years: 2004-2007
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Robert Harley, James Henry,
Stuart Kenworthy, Oriane Messina, Victoria Pile,
Richard Preddy, Fay Rusling, Gary Howe
Stars: Tamsin Greig, Stephen Mangan
Episodes: 18
Episode Average: 8.444

BEST EPISODES:
Series 1, Episode 9 (2004), Series 1, Episode 8 (2004)

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Years: 1975-1978
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: John Esmonde, Bob Larbey
Stars: Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal
Episodes: 30
Episode Average: 8.433

BEST EPISODES:
Backs to the Wall (1975), The Wind-Break War (1976)

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Years: 1990-2000
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: David Renwick
Stars: Richard Wilson, Annette Crosbie
Episodes: 42
Episode Average: 8.429

BEST EPISODES:
The Trial (1993), Things Aren't Simple Any More (2000)

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Years: 1982-1984
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Ben Elton, Rik Mayall, Lise Mayer
Alexei Sayle (Additional)
Stars: Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall
Episodes: 12
Episode Average: 8.417

BEST EPISODES:
Bambi (1984), Bomb (1982)

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Years: 1992-1998
Broadcaster: ITV (Thames) / BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Simon Nye
Stars: Martin Clunes, Neil Morrissey
Episodes: 42
Episode Average: 8.415

BEST EPISODES:
Bed (1994), Pornography (1995)

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Years: 2000-2003
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Mockumentary, Sitcom
Written by: Hugo Blick, Rob Brydon
Stars: Rob Brydon
Episodes: 17
Episode Average: 8.412

BEST EPISODES:
The Boys (2003), The Second Hottest Day (2000)

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Years: 1983-2004
Broadcaster: ITV (Carlton) / BBC
Genre: Comedy Drama
Written by: Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement,
Stan Hey, Bernie Cooper, Francis Megahy
Stars: Timothy Spall, Jimmy Nail
Episodes: 40
Episode Average: 8.400

BEST EPISODES:
Last Rites (1984), The Return of the Seven: Part 2 (1986)

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Years: 1998-2000
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Victoria Wood
Stars: Victoria Wood, Thelma Barlow
Episodes: 16
Episode Average: 8.375

BEST EPISODES:
Toast (2000), Gamble (1999)

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Years: 2004-2005
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Brian Dooley
Stars: Robert Webb, Jeremy Swift
Episodes: 17
Episode Average: 8.353

BEST EPISODES:
Last Night a Graphic Designer Saved My Life (2005), Quitters (2005)

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Years: 1991-1993
Broadcaster: ITV (Yorkshire)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Written by: H.E. Bates, Richard Harris,
Bob Larbey, Paul Wheeler, Robert Banks Stewart,
Barry Devlin, Stephen Bill
Stars: David Jason, Pam Ferris
Episodes: 20
Episode Average: 8.350

BEST EPISODES:
The Darling Buds of May: Part 2 (1991), Oh! To Be in England: Part 1 (1992)

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Years: 2016
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Stars: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford
Episodes: 6
Episode Average: 8.333

BEST EPISODE:
Episode 5 (2016)

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(part of the Alan Partridge list)

Years: 1994
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Satire, Spoof
Written by:Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan
Rebecca Front, Armando Iannucci,
Doon Mackichan, Patrick Marber,
Christopher Morris, David Schneider,
Andrew Glover, David Quantick, Steven Wells,
Arthur Mathews, Graham Linehan
Stars: Chris Morris, Steve Coogan
Episodes: 6
Episode Average: 8.333

BEST EPISODE:
Magnifivent (1994)

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Years: 2000-2004
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Stephen Moffat
Stars: Jack Davenport, Sarah Alexander
Episodes: 28
Episode Average: 8.321

BEST EPISODES:
The Girl with Two Breasts (2000), The Man with Two Legs (2001)

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Years: 1980-1984
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Antony Jay, Jonathan Lynn
Stars: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne
Episodes: 22
Episode Average: 8.318

BEST EPISODES:
A Question of Loyalty (1981), A Skeleton in the Cupboard (1982)

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Years: 1977-1980
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: John Sullivan
Stars: Robert Lindsay, Mike Grady
Episodes: 30
Episode Average: 8.310

BEST EPISODES:
The Party's Over (1979), Don't Look Down (1979)

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Years: 1969-1970
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Talbot Rothwell, Sid Colin
Stars: Frankie Howerd, Elizabeth Larner
Episodes: 16
Episode Average: 8.250

BEST EPISODES:
The Ides of March (1970), Love Potion (1970)

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Years: 2001-2002
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Neil Fitzmaurice, Peter Kay,
Dave Spikey, Paddy McGuinness
Stars: Peter Kay, Dave Spikey
Episodes: 12
Episode Average: 8.250

BEST EPISODES:
Series 2, Episode 6 (2002), Sries 2, Episode 1 (2002)

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Years: 1991-1995
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall
Stars: Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall
Episodes: 18
Episode Average: 8.222

BEST EPISODES:
Culture (1992), Holy (1992)

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Years: 2009-2011
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Dark Comedy, Sitcom
Written by: Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton
Stars: Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton
Episodes: 14
Episode Average: 8.214

BEST EPISODES:
David and Maureen (2009), Ravenhill (2009)

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Years: 1995-1998
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Graham Linehan, Arthur Mathews
Stars: Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlan
Episodes: 25
Episode Average: 8.200

BEST EPISODES:
Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep (1998), Speed 3 (1998)

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Years: 1962-1974
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Ray Galton, Alan Simpson
Stars: Harry H. Corbett, Wilfrid Brambell
Episodes: 57
Episode Average: 8.193

BEST EPISODES:
Oh What a Beautiful Mourning (1972), Full House (1963)

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(part of the Yes Minister list)

Years: 1986-1988
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Antony Jay, Jonathan Lynn
Stars: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne
Episodes: 16
Episode Average: 8.188

BEST EPISODES:
The Key (1986), A Tangled Web (1988)

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Years: 1973-1978
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Raymond Allen, Michael Crawford
Stars: Michael Crawford, Michele Dotrice
Episodes: 22
Episode Average: 8.182

BEST EPISODES:
The Job Interview (1973), George's House (1973)

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Year: 2005
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Written by: Simon Ashdown, Jeremy Dyson
Stars: Daniel Mays, Ian Puleston-Davies
Episodes: 11
Episode Average: 8.182

BEST EPISODES:
One Day 4 Hours and 30 Minutes Earlier (2005), One Hour Earlier (2005)

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Years: 1988
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Bob Ferris*
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Josephine Tewson
Episodes: 6
Episode Average: 8.167

BEST EPISODE:
Episode 4 (1988)

*pseudonym of Ronnie Barker

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Years: 2009-2015
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Miranda Hart, James Cary,
Richard Hurst
Stars: Miranda Hart, Patricia Hodge
Episodes: 20
Episode Average: 8.150

BEST EPISODES:
Just Act Normal (2010), The Final Curtain (2015)

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Years: 2007-2010
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: James Corden, Ruth Jones
Stars: Mathew Horne, Joanna Page
Episodes: 20
Episode Average: 8.150

BEST EPISODES:
Series 3, Episode 6 (2010), Series 2, Episode 7 (2008)

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Years: 1999-2001
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg
Stars: Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg
Episodes: 14
Episode Average: 8.142

BEST EPISODES:
Mettle (1999), Leaving (2001)

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Years: 1994-2007
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Richard Curtis. Paul Mayhew-Archer,
Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Stars: Dawn French, Gary Waldhorn
Episodes: 20
Episode Average: 8.100

BEST EPISODES:
Merry Christmas (2004), The Christmas Lunch Incident (1996)

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Years: 2003-2004
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Craig Cash, Phil Mealey
Stars: John Henshaw, Craig Cash
Episodes: 12
Episode Average: 8.083

BEST EPISODES:
Episode 6 (Series 2) (2004), Episode 2 (Series 2) (2004)

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Years: 2015
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Paul Coleman, Sian Gibson
Peter Kay, Tim Reid
Stars: Peter Kay, Sian Gibson
Episodes: 12
Episode Average: 8.083

BEST EPISODE:
Series 2, Episode 3 (2017), Series 2, Episode 1 (2017)

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Years: 1956-1961
Broadcaster: BBC
Genre: Sitcom
Written by: Ray Galton, Alan Simpson,
Johnny Speight
Stars: Tony Hancock, Sid James
Episodes: 63† (26 lost)
Episode Average: 8.081*

BEST EPISODES:
Ericson the Viking (1958), Twelve Angry Men (1959)

†including the 6-part series, Hancock (1961) - *based on surviving episodes