Binge Recommendations - Day 3 - Funny Ha Ha

Let me start off by saying that there are, of course, tons and tons of UK comedy shows that I love - I think all my previous witterings under the banner of “Comedy Archeology” have more than sufficiently proved that. However, the UK model of TV production can often make for swift bingeing; let’s face it, you can get through Fawlty Towers in two evenings and that’s making it last. With that in kind, there will be more of a US bent to this one (with one exception) as you definitely get your money’s worth in terms of binge quantity.

The Good Place
Why’s It Good? Because it’s primetime American sitcom that deals with morality and ethics while being funny and also managing to throw the “sit” out of the window a few times. If you haven’t seen it, don’t read up on it as it’s best gone into cold so that you’re not spoiled. I’ll give you a quick overview of the basic setup - Eleanor Shelstrop dies and finds herself in The Good Place, the place where everyone goes when they’ve lived a worthy life. The only problem is that she’s a complete dirtbag and really shouldn't be there… The cast have got great chemistry, it’s not the show that you think it’s going to be and Ted Danson is particularly great in it. It also has an absolutely sublime final episode. In fact, stop reading this and go watch it now.
How Much Of It? 53 episodes over 4 seasons

Peep Show
Why’s It Good? It follows on in that old school tradition of British sitcoms in which two people are kind of trapped together in their relationship, hating it to an extent but unable to cope without each other. In this case, it’s David Mitchell’s Mark and Robert Webb’s Jeremy with the whole show being told from their point of view and revealing their inner monologues as they go along. It dark and twisted and very, very funny plus, with a supporting cast that features Olivia Colman and Patterson Joseph, you can't go far wrong.
How Much Of It? 54 episodes over 9 series

Parks And Recreation
Why’s It Good? Because it’s ultimately joyful and optimistic (which you’ll probably need to counterpoint the cynicism of Peep Show). Originally envisaged as a spin off from the American Office before being slightly retooled, it follows the adventures of dedicated public servant Lesley Knope (Amy Poehler) and her friends/colleagues as she attempts to serve the people of the city of Pawnee. The first season (of 6 episodes) takes a little time to find its feet but, from the second season onwards, it’s a belter. One of my all time favourites.
How Much Of It? 125 episodes over 7 seasons

To be honest, this post could well go on forever. There are plenty of other long-running comedies that I could recommend - The US Office, Scrubs, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Arrested Development (first 3 seasons), 30 Rock, Silicon Valley, Frasier. And that's not even mentioning the tons of UK stuff that you could blitz through.  Just stick on some comedy basically. Who doesn’t like to laugh?