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Depressing comedies

135 replies

Floogal · 05/12/2021 10:31

As the title suggests, can anyone think of any programs that were supposed to be funny, but we're actually sombre?

I remember in the 90s, there was the Brittas Empire. Couldn't enjoy it as there was an abusive gay relationship, woman who kept her kids locked up in cupboards and scruffy Colin. Also Gordon meant well but most people seemed to dislike him.

Also loved men behaving badly and game on. But depressing to think of Mathew's acrophobia, Mandy's husband dying and poor Martin having his heart broken. Also Dorothy was pretty abusive to Gary

OP posts:
FKATondelayo · 05/12/2021 18:05

I do think that there are lots of sitcoms that are dark but not sad or depressing. Porridge for example. Bleak setting and some serious storylines but never not funny.

threebillboards · 05/12/2021 18:10

I found the Royale family depressing watching so gave up.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 05/12/2021 18:10

Bottom was dark.

Those two only had each other.

JammyDozen · 05/12/2021 18:36

I agree with the comment about Only Fools and Horses having pathos but not being depressing. The original Office is genuinely depressing, but still very funny. It’s the quality of observation that makes work well on both those levels. The US version doesn’t really come close.

Found Black Books pretty depressing too, but also not very amusing.

Slightly different, but for me it has has to be Family Guy. I know it’s not supposed to give you warm fuzzies, but it just comes from a bleak, bleak place. I have to turn it off.

mistletoemolly · 05/12/2021 18:41

Agree with The Office UK. It was laugh out loud funny at times but also super depressing in the dreariness of their everyday lives. And Brent was so tragic.

TheLeadbetterLife · 05/12/2021 18:52

@devildeepbluesea

I'm not sure I can think of any comedy that doesn't have a sad or black streak a mile wide. It's what makes them 'real'.

Anyone remember Roger and Val Have Just Got In, with Dawn French and Alfred Molina? The most beautifully written comedy about the first half hour after a couple gets in from work. Over the course of the episodes you find out they lost their baby and have never really dealt with it.

I’m so glad you mentioned this. Roger and Val was sublime, and I feel like I’m the only person who ever saw it. I bang on about it at every opportunity.
TheLeadbetterLife · 05/12/2021 18:57

I think Seinfeld is an interesting comedy from this point of view. It has absolutely no depth or tragedy (deliberately), and yet it has the blackest heart because it’s deeply, deeply cynical. Breathtakingly, hilariously cynical.

You could easily put all the characters in another sitcom and they’d be so tragic (especially George).

AdoptedBumpkin · 05/12/2021 18:58

@Jacaranda75

The Office U.K. Absolutely cannot stand it. So depressing. I worked in offices for years and it’s so close to home. However, I love The Office US. It has a completely different vibe.
I much prefer the U.S. version, and I usually favour British sitcoms.
Comedycook · 05/12/2021 18:59

Good point about the Brittas empire...wasn't his wife always on the verge of a nervous breakdown?

I find one foot in the grave really dark

AdoptedBumpkin · 05/12/2021 19:00

The Simpsons is a bit depressing when you think about it more deeply. So many minor characters with quite depressing lives - Comic store guy or Smithers for example.

Hoolihan · 05/12/2021 19:02

I don't find The Office depressing. Most people live small lives but find happiness and humour and love in between the mundane and the ordinary. Brent is a monster, obviously, but totally oblivious and therefore also not depressing. I love it so SO much. Probably my favourite show ever.

Comedycook · 05/12/2021 19:03

Oh and Keeping up appearances. I find Hyacinth a really tragic character. I think Emmet and his sister are horrible to her. Her family are an absolute embarrassment. Her son uses her. Her father clearly has dementia. I find it all really sad

TopTabby · 05/12/2021 19:29

I remember finding a Victoria Wood sketch about a schoolgirl swimming the channel hilarious in the 80s.
I found it again on YouTube a couple of years ago & it was really tragic.
Victoria was a comic genius so she had obviously written it that way. It had moments of comedy but the overall theme of neglect was so obvious, I just couldn't see it as a teenager at a time when comedy was very different.

Comedycook · 05/12/2021 19:30

@TopTabby

I remember finding a Victoria Wood sketch about a schoolgirl swimming the channel hilarious in the 80s. I found it again on YouTube a couple of years ago & it was really tragic. Victoria was a comic genius so she had obviously written it that way. It had moments of comedy but the overall theme of neglect was so obvious, I just couldn't see it as a teenager at a time when comedy was very different.
I remember that one!
ChrissyPlummer · 05/12/2021 19:40

@TopTabby

I remember finding a Victoria Wood sketch about a schoolgirl swimming the channel hilarious in the 80s. I found it again on YouTube a couple of years ago & it was really tragic. Victoria was a comic genius so she had obviously written it that way. It had moments of comedy but the overall theme of neglect was so obvious, I just couldn't see it as a teenager at a time when comedy was very different.
Yes, I think she was called ‘Chrissy’ in that sketch. Mum played by Mavis from ‘Open All Hours’ (Maggie Ollerenshaw) and dad was ‘Baz’, chairman of the tenants association in ‘OFaH’.

OFAH is absolutely perfectly written, IMO. One of my favourite scenes is at Rodney’s wedding reception in the pub. He’s leaving, stood at the doorway, Del is on the other side of the room, ‘Holding Back the Years’ is playing. The brothers exchange a look and Del gives Rodney a smile and a nod saying ‘It’s OK, go to your new life.’ Apparently John Sullivan was watching the recording and asked one of the crew why the audience weren’t laughing. The crew member looked at him and said, Its because they’re crying.” Never, ever depressing though. Apart from the last three episodes which we’ll agree not to mention!

woodhill · 05/12/2021 19:43

@mumofEandE

Another vote for The Royle Family I used to feel sorry for Barbara as she was such a victim
I used to feel sorry for Anthony too and didn't like Denise, she was lazy
woodhill · 05/12/2021 19:44

@ZittiEBuoni

Yes to Steptoe and Son. Just so grim.

I remember a not-very-successful comedy from the 80s about people with lonely, failed lives living in skanky bedsits - Sink or Swim.

Also Lame Ducks, about a man who was injured at work and ended up living in a derelict building with other homeless people. What could be more hilarious!

Yes Peter Davison and Phillip Glennister?
the80sweregreat · 05/12/2021 19:48

I loved the Brittas empire , but he was on the edge the whole time and brought everyone else down with him too!

PriamFarrl · 05/12/2021 21:45

@devildeepbluesea

I'm not sure I can think of any comedy that doesn't have a sad or black streak a mile wide. It's what makes them 'real'.

Anyone remember Roger and Val Have Just Got In, with Dawn French and Alfred Molina? The most beautifully written comedy about the first half hour after a couple gets in from work. Over the course of the episodes you find out they lost their baby and have never really dealt with it.

Roger and Val Have Just Got In was wonderful. So good, but it was meant to be a dark humour.
icelolly99 · 05/12/2021 22:13

I loved Roger and Val have just got in. Beautifully written.

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Floogal · 05/12/2021 22:40

@the80sweregreat

I loved the Brittas empire , but he was on the edge the whole time and brought everyone else down with him too!
Yes I remember, but unlike Arnold Rimmer, Brittas generally meant well. But rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
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TheMarzipanDildo · 05/12/2021 22:42

@TopTabby

I remember finding a Victoria Wood sketch about a schoolgirl swimming the channel hilarious in the 80s. I found it again on YouTube a couple of years ago & it was really tragic. Victoria was a comic genius so she had obviously written it that way. It had moments of comedy but the overall theme of neglect was so obvious, I just couldn't see it as a teenager at a time when comedy was very different.
This! That sketch is utterly heartbreaking. The girl’s naive cheerfulness Sad The parents who are too dim/ unbothered to worry that their daughter might have drowned. Sad
TheMarzipanDildo · 05/12/2021 22:47

Black books doesn’t depress me at all. It’s the dream to have a bookshop! (Even if Bernard hates it)

TellerTuesday · 05/12/2021 22:56

I came on to say Bread but see a PP has beaten me to it. I still love it though

thelegohooverer · 05/12/2021 23:02

I think a lot of comedy doesn’t age well, often because comedy is drawing attention to our prejudices before we’ve even realised we have them.

Fraser was funny in the 90s but the slut shaming of the single mother who dares to enjoy sex doesn’t sit well now.

I find Big Bang a bit uncomfortable now too - Shelton is autistic, get over it. I can’t bring myself to watch young Sheldon either because I don’t think a child with SN is an appropriate subject for comedy.

One I thought would be more depressing was Bewitched with its whole submissive housewife nonsense but I enjoy how cleverly subversive it was.