Shows like Fawlty Towers?

[Perroquet]

I recently finished watching all 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers and absolutely loved them! I had been hesitant to watch them because I had already tried Monty Python (both Holy Grail and Flying Circus short sketches) before and didn't like it, so I had thought FT would be similar.

What other classic shows involving simple, witty, family-friendly humour would you recommend for someone who loved FT but not MP? (I did like Mr Bean as well, both the show and the films.)

Allo Allo is still funny (can't believe they made a sitcom in nazi occupied France but somehow it works!)

@musicalfrog

Allo Allo is still funny (can't believe they made a sitcom in nazi occupied France but somehow it works!)

I bet you can’t watch it anymore, I suspect it’s not PC.

Allo Allo is still shown on one of the Freeview channels although I can't remember which one...the theme tune is so nostalgic

I agree about Monty Python, though I quite liked Life of Brian .
Blackadder
Hi-de-Hi!
Some mother's Do 'Ave 'em

I quite liked The Detectives with Jasper Carrott and Robert Powell

One foot in the grave

@Comedycook

Allo Allo is still shown on one of the Freeview channels although I can't remember which one...the theme tune is so nostalgic

Yes we've seen it on quite recently!

@Magdalena543

Another comedy series I love, but not many people I know watched it, is Third Rock from The Sun. We have the box set and rewatch it every couple of years. Great cast and very clever. John Cleese is in one season too!

Absolutely loved that

Only Fools and Horses
and Blackadder
Maybe Dad's Army too

Funny isn't it, I actually love the first series of Blackadder but hate the second series (Melchett, Flasheart and Nursie aside) so maybe try all 4 (and christmas special) series and see which you like.

Other suggestions - Ever Decreasing Circles, Black Books, Dear John and Alan Partridge

Young ones and Bottom are great if you're into a bit of gross-out and slap stick.

There's nothing quite as good as Fawlty Towers. Connie Booth (Polly) co-wrote the series and never gets credit for it's brilliance, but it's very telling that John Cleese never wrote anything near as good without her.

Does anyone remember Terry and June? I used to love that when I was a kid.

Also Reggie Perrin - that was pure class! They re did it a few years ago with Martin Clunes.

[quote SuperSocks]I really like 'Only When I Laugh', which I think is from exactly the same era. It's more mildly humorous than Laugh Out Loud, and very 'of its time' in terms of women and ethnic minorities, but if you can see past that it's quite entertaining - 3 hypochondriacs in a hospital ward making each other worse.

To The Manor Born is good if you don't mind all the references to fox hunting and pheasant shooting and stuff. Again, mildly humorous not laugh out loud.

John Cleese was in a film called 'Clockwise' which is quite good. Again, mildly humorous!

I can't think of anything from this era which is really hilarious, apart from Fawlty Towers. A couple of Monty Python sketches are brilliant though! You ABVU if you don't enjoy these:

[/quote] I have seen the first video you linked, and while it was certainly funny, it wasn't as "naturally" funny as Fawlty Towers, if you see what I mean. I will check out the other two. Other Monty Python sketches I've seen include the cheese shop one and the dead parrot one. Again, funny but too extreme/forced. FT is so organically funny in a way that is hilarious but doesn't feel forced. That's the kind of humour I'm looking for!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! What's wrong with Blackadder series 1, if I may ask?

Not an old series but Not going out with Lee Mack is simple harmless humour too. Plus ghosts on bbc

Blackadder was written by someone else - can’t remember who. And I think Ben Elton wrote the other three Blackadders. Someone feel free to correct me.

But it’s not just that. Blackadder I is a wet, useless no-hoper.

Blackadders II, III and IV are intelligent, sarcastic, withering and do not suffer fools (difficult, because surrounded by them). Blackadder II is even my secret crush.

Forget about Ghosts

Not sure family friendly but recently absolutely loved Bluestone 42

If you don't mind going modern, Ghosts is brilliant!! I've rewatched it multiple times.

Black Books, IT Crowd, Father Ted, Ghosts, Vicar of Dibley, Red Dwarf, Yes Minister.

You rang m lawd ? Some of the cast from Hi de hi are in it. It’s a funny upstairs downstairs set in the 1920s.

@embolass

You rang m lawd ? Some of the cast from Hi de hi are in it. It’s a funny upstairs downstairs set in the 1920s.

I love that show!

Just proves humpur is so personal.

I cannot abdide Fawlty Towers , hate it with a passion.
But I love Monty Python! ( Originally had the LP so of course I could quote it all from repeated listening )

Love OFITG
DH insisted on watching Some Mothers recently it was cringeworthy , my hand was itching to slap Frank to kingsom come .

dinnerladies , love it except Christine . It flows , the characters are so good together

3rd Rock , not watched it for ages but I'm a huge fan of John Lithgow (especially when he catches sight of his reflection and declares My God , I;m gorgeous )

Steptoe ans Son with poor , down trodden 'Arold ?
(Love the one where Albert has to pretend to be his wife to avoid being rumbled for fraud )

They really don't make them like that any more, do they?