iPlayer? What's an iPlayer? ILX's top 50 TV shows of the 90s!

kind of missing the point, here

Oh man Paul Whitehouse walking past different backgrounds in a bobble hat being charmingly naive and enthusiastic just never starts being funny

it became one of the most funniest, subtle and layered programmes on tv simply through repetition of laugh free sketches. i don't quite know how to explain that.

I like this one a lot, though it's particularly Brit-specific (Britcific?):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYUd4mNaBM

And yeah, I kind of know what you're getting at, Darragh.

There is something in what you say, darragh, and I will be the first to admit I watched every single ep, but dear god I wouldn't watch it now.

tbh it's more like a drama series in that if you don't watch it through from the beginning you're going to be lost and wondering what the fuss is about...like lost, really.

I occasionally catch a repeat on Dave or whatever, and still find a fair bit to laugh at.

If I was being even-handed I could probably draw up a list where I liked about half of the characters and their sketches. Probly a bit under half.

But it's sat here above Vic and Bob and King of the Hill and bollocks to being even-handed tbh

John Thomson shouting "YOU WANT A WHORE" almost redeems the entire show tho

already said enough about the Fast Show. nothing so repetition/catchphrase-based can hold up over 10 years later.

and oh man the live dvd

damn near the pinnacle of human cultural achievement imo

it was v impressive

I think the Fast Show bears a lot of responsibility for ruining British sketch comedy. We're still being fed appalling lazy and hugely popular sketch shows that don't really extend beyond a collection of catchphrases week in week out, Little Britain being the most recent example.

I am wondering if The Kingdom/Riget is gonna make the list. Heart says yes, head says maybe not.

Fast Show didn't create that, if anything it tried to corner the market and kill it. Subsequent sketch shows have not been as inventive or varied. xp

Simon Day >>> most of the others.

Nah, the bloke in a shed was okay, but hated his music hall compare and Dave Angel: Eco Warrior. They were the weakest - the only weak? - characters in the whole thing.

Brilliant show. Haha "Brilliant!" Geddit?

should i wait for this whole countdown to be posted before i post that gif of snoop dogg shaking his head or just get it over with now?

I mean I agree in that TFS was the death of repetetive sketch, and you can't blame them for taking that format and getting the most out of it that anyone could.

Oh wait, Day's Competitive Dad was really well observed tbh.

but hated his music hall compare

He always introduced Arthur Atkinson though, who was brilliant. Agreed on Dave Angel.

I guess what I really meant was that Simon Day's characters tended to be more fleshed out, so perhaps they seem more long-lasting. But I still have a fondness for plenty of the slighter characters, e.g. running luggage-carrying "come on!" family.

I never liked Suits You Sir, despite it being one of the flagship sketches.

Fast Show didn't create that, if anything it tried to corner the market and kill it. Subsequent sketch shows have not been as inventive or varied. xp

^^^^ truth

also simon day rules esp dave angel

I still think it's funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bb_Pfgu-wg

correction: man in shed was Mark Williams.

I meant to say I JUST think it's funny.

"The CARDINAL"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Show_characters#Major_characters

Star Trek: The Next Generation (Paramount, 1987-94)
- 2460 points, 16 votes, 1 first place

http://threetreesstudios.com/andscifi/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/01_star_trek_the_next_generation_500_375_paromount_pictures.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jd1Ih8EUmw

hated it then, like it now

ugh

Sorry, should read 13 - Star Trek: The Next Generation

Simon Day I can live without, tbh, but his compere monologue on the live DVD is maybe the best thing anyone has ever done in comedy.

Starfleet - the only crypto-fascist militaristic organisation I would sign up to in a heartbeat.

you mean as Billy Bleach? xp

Liked a few episodes of TNG (those involving Q generally), mostly thought it was a bit lame, especially compared to the mindblowing SF novels and comics I was starting to get into at the time.

naaah not billy bleach, where he relates the tale about preparing a meal in the jungle

I like TOS better but I've always enjoyed Next Gen when I've seen it without ever having the desire to get deep into it.

Starfleet - the only crypto-fascist militaristic organisation I would sign up to in a heartbeat.

http://vulpeslibris.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/starfleet1.jpg

^this one? Might agree with you. Not ST:TNG tho.

i can only imagine the amount of SB action I'm landing myself in when the US contingent read about this epic sketch show, stream episode one and come back with vengeance on their minds. guess everyone's a stan for something in this cold world.

Somebody shd probly just c&p everything ethan ever said about TNG on ILX cos that pretty much covers it.

Do you know what, I like the US/UK divide and diversity and rampant bad taste on this poll - at least it's kinda unpredictable.

TNG is the best star trek, and it's ok if somewhat silly for anyone above 14 to be watching

eat that

Can you give us a precis?

xpost re:Ethan

ST:TNG, like so many other shows on this list, makes for really great casual viewing. Like, just chilling with some junk food and blankets and the TV. Like comfort food for your eyes. But quality comfort food.

It's so slow and earnest and boring though. And all the rubbish people/aliens.