Little Britain, The Office and similar shows

Since we've been back in the US, my English hubby and I have a field day watching Little Britain, the Catherine Tate Show, and The Office. Why are these shows so funny - is it because the characters are so disgusting?

My DH doesn't think he could watch those shows if we were in the UK, though. He thinks it would be a little 'too close for comfort', mostly because many of the characters in these shows remind him of people he knows.

Out of interest, anyone from the UK (living in the UK) like/not like those types of shows? American views appreciated, too!

 

I haven't seen "The Catherine Tate Show," but I was an avid fan of "The Office," and find "Little Britain" mildly amusing...

I've never seen The Office.  I've watched Catherine Tate a few times and I'm mixed, some skits are hilarious and others aren't IMO.  It's hit or miss with me.  However I LOVE Little Britain.  I think DH and I have watched it too much because our 2 year old yells "Cake!" like Marjorie from Fat Fighters.

I've only seen a couple of episodes of The Office, and while I thought it was okay, I didn't feel compelled to watch more.  I've never seen Catherine Tate, but I don't like Little Britain.  It just seems to be the same skits over and over and over again.     My husband and I thought the first episode we saw was funny, but any episodes we saw after that were just like watching the first one again, but with the characters saying and doing the exact same things in a different setting. 

That's a very accurate assessment of "Little Britain," girl. Shira, have you and your husband been watching the U.S. version of "The Office," or the U.K. one? The U.K. one was much funnier.

I don't like the Catherine Tate show, simply because I don't find her funny. But my husband and I both enjoy Little Britian and The Office when it was on. I don't quite understand it 'being too close for comfort'. That is what generally makes things funny. A familiarity with something so absurd but true. They were both massive hits in the UK so I don't think very many people felt uncomfortable with them.

our 2 year old yells "Cake!" like Marjorie from Fat Fighters.

OMG. That is hilarious.

That's a very accurate assessment of "Little Britain," girl. Shira, have you and your husband been watching the U.S. version of "The Office," or the U.K. one? The U.K. one was much funnier.

The US version of the Office is awful! I can't honestly believe that whoever was responsible for making it even got the UK version.

I recently saw Ricky Gervais being interviewed (by an American, for a US audience) and he went on about how great the US version was. How could he lie through his teeth like that? It was shocking.

Well, I guess he was speaking to an American audience, so what else could he say? "Your version sucks!" He's looking to be popular in the States, so he'll say what Americans would like to hear.

I don't quite understand it 'being too close for comfort'. That is what generally makes things funny. A familiarity with something so absurd but true.

Well, I think his feelings stem from the fact that we're still unsure about whether we want to move back to the UK or not. The familiarity of these characters, who are portrayed in such a negative way, makes him think he'd rather not go back!

I think it's hard for him sometimes to separate his own emotions from the humor.

Again, I would say stay put, regardless of what any other members have said.

The familiarity of these characters, who are portrayed in such a negative way, makes him think he'd rather not go back!

LOL!! I think that perhaps a comedy sketch show isn't the best way to decide where to move! It's kind of funny, though! I mean, would you want to move to the US after watching most American television?!!? 

I'm sure you'll take into account all the important things and make the right decision for yourselves. Best of luck!

I love Little Britain and Catherine Tate.  I just like that kind of humor.

I love Little Britain and Catherine Tate.  I just like that kind of humor.

Me too.

I love Little Britain and Catherine Tate. The first Christmas I came here we watched the Christmas special for The Office. It was the first episode I had seen and it made me feel so uncomfortable ... which, of course, it's supposed to do! My fiance got the DVD for Christmas and made me watch a few episodes and I hated it. Now, nearly four years later, I love it. I still cringe, but at least I can appreciate that I'm supposed to cringe! Ricky Gervais is one of my all-time favourite comedians - I think he is brilliant.

Oh, and about Little Britain - the estate that Vicky Pollard lives on is right by my old Uni! It's a perfect location - she would fit right in on those streets!! Hahaha