30 Greatest Political Comedies
by tonymarshall-56902 | created - 22 Apr 2019 | updated - 22 Apr 2019 | PublicThe list of programs as decided my the UK Parliemnt as their favourite political comedies
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1. Yes Minister (1980–1984)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The Right Honorable James Hacker has landed the plum job of Cabinet Minister to the Department of Administration. At last he is in a position of power and can carry out some long-needed reforms, or so he thinks.
Stars: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott
Votes: 16,531
2. Spitting Image (1984–1996)
25 min | Comedy
A satire show using puppets that are caricatures of major public figures.
Stars: Steve Nallon, Kate Robbins, Chris Barrie, Jon Glover
Votes: 2,480
3. Bremner, Bird and Fortune (1997– )
60 min | Comedy
A satirical British television programme produced by Vera Productions for Channel Four.
Stars: Rory Bremner, John Bird, John Fortune, Pauline McLynn
Votes: 126
4. Have I Got News for You (1990– )
29 min | Comedy, Game-Show, News
Long-running satirical news quiz featuring regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Originally chaired by Angus Deayton, the series has adopted "guest hosts" since 2002.
Stars: Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, Angus Deayton, Alexander Armstrong
Votes: 5,476
5. Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1998)
Comedy
Political satire about television news company Globe Link and its team of workers such as anchors Henry and Sally, reporter Damien, editor Dave, execs George and Helen, assistant Joy and manager Gus Hedges.
Stars: Neil Pearson, Jeff Rawle, David Swift, Stephen Tompkinson
Votes: 1,615
6. Little Britain (2003–2006)
TV-MA | 29 min | Comedy
Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the creators of this character-comedy sketch show, delight in all that is mad, bad, quirky and generally bonkers about the people and places of Britain.
Stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Tom Baker, Paul Putner
Votes: 26,109
7. That Was the Week That Was (1963–1985)
30 min | Comedy
An Americanized version of the famous hit British TV show, retaining David Frost from the British cast.
Stars: David Frost, Phyllis Newman, Nancy Ames, Pat Englund
Votes: 116
8. The New Statesman (1987–1994)
TV-14 | 70 min | Comedy
The ultra right-wing Alan B'Stard, the most selfish, greedy, dishonest, sadistic and sociopathic Conservative MP of them all, plots to achieve his meglomaniacal ambitions.
Stars: Rik Mayall, Michael Troughton, Marsha Fitzalan, Terence Alexander
Votes: 2,805
9. Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
British sketch comedy starring the likes of Rowan Atkinson and Mel Smith.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Pamela Stephenson, Griff Rhys Jones
Votes: 2,801
10. Dead Ringers (2002–2007)
30 min | Comedy
Celebrities and politicians are lampooned by a talented team of impressionists in this comedy sketch show.
Stars: Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Mark Perry
Votes: 405
11. Da Ali G Show (2000–2004)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Sacha Baron Cohen provides an inimitable mix of global reportage and celebrity chat via his characters Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Brüno Gehard.
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, T.N.T. Crew, Steve Ellington
Votes: 18,278
12. The Comic Strip Presents (1982– )
Comedy
A series of self contained television movies starring performers from London's "Comic Strip" comedy club and their friends. Noted for a high sense of parody of previous movies, literature, and generally everyone in sight.
Stars: Peter Richardson, Adrian Edmondson, Jennifer Saunders, Nigel Planer
Votes: 1,626
13. Absolute Power (2003–2005)
29 min | Comedy
The inner workings of a successful PR firm - lying for a living.
Stars: Stephen Fry, John Bird, James Lance, Zoe Telford
Votes: 1,039
14. Mike Yarwood in Persons (1982– )
Comedy
Stars: Mike Yarwood, Dudley Moore, Shirley Bassey, Anneka Rice
Votes: 14
15. The Thick of It (2005–2012)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
Stars: Chris Addison, James Smith, Peter Capaldi, Joanna Scanlan
Votes: 26,109
16. Brass Eye (1997–2001)
TV-MA | 25 min | Comedy
Controversial spoof of current affairs television, and the role of celebrity in the UK.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Mark Heap, Kevin Eldon, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 11,552
17. Till Death Us Do Part (1965–1975)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A working-class Cockney bigot with a biased and experienced opinion of everything shares them bluntly and carelessly.
Stars: Warren Mitchell, Anthony Booth, Una Stubbs, Dandy Nichols
Votes: 1,010
18. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.
Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
Votes: 78,763
19. Harry Enfield and Chums (1994–1999)
40 min | Comedy
The BBC sketch show that while continuing to show the misadventures of a series of popular characters now introduces a slew of new oddballs and misfits, including Tory Boy and The Lovely Wobbly Randy Old Ladies.
Stars: Harry Enfield, Kathy Burke, Paul Whitehouse, Louisa Rix
Votes: 3,451
20. The Daily Show (1996– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, News, Talk-Show
A comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.
Stars: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, Roy Wood Jr.
Votes: 48,180
21. Alexei Sayle's Stuff (1988–1991)
30 min | Comedy
Comedy sketch show which ran on BBC2 for a total of 18 episodes over 3 series from 1988 to 1991.
Stars: Alexei Sayle, Tony Millan, Angus Deayton, Owen Brenman
Votes: 161
22. Double Take (2003– )
Comedy
Stars: Dean Kilbey, Mary Reynolds, David Brent Mendenhall, Julian Curry
23. A Very Social Secretary (2005 TV Movie)
90 min | Comedy, Drama
A satirical look at Home Secretary David Blunkett and his affair with publisher Kimberly Quinn
Director: Jon Jones | Stars: Bernard Hill, Gillian Goodman, Ellie Haddington, Archie Panjabi
Votes: 130
24. Jeffrey Archer: The Truth (2002 TV Movie)
90 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
A satirical look at the fascinating 'secret' TRUE life of disgraced 1980's Tory politician turned bestselling author Jeffrey Archer. The Truth, the whole truth and everything BUT the truth.
Director: Guy Jenkin | Stars: Damian Lewis, Greta Scacchi, Polly Walker, Ben Miller
Votes: 138
25. Don't Watch That, Watch This (2005– )
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Lewis Macleod, Lucy Montgomery, John Fortune, Alex Lowe
Votes: 30
26.
Screen Two (1985–1998)
Episode:
Crossing the Floor
(1996)
TV-14 | 70 min | Drama
Political satire closely mirroring real-life British politics of the time - a self-serving Conservative minister "crosses the floor" to join the opposition Labour Party, at a time when the ... See full summary »
Director: Guy Jenkin | Stars: Tom Wilkinson, Neil Pearson, Clive Russell, James Fleet
Votes: 78
27. TV Nation (1994–1995)
60 min | Documentary, Comedy, News
Michael Moore presents a humorous news-magazine that focuses primarily on wrongdoing by big business, privileged society and right-wing politicians.
Stars: Michael Moore, Bruce Brown, Louis Theroux, Karen Duffy
Votes: 641
28. Norman Ormal: A Very Political Turtle (1998 TV Movie)
50 min | Comedy
A guide to Norman Ormal: A Very Political Turtle, the 1998 BBC One TV sketch show. The comic life and times of an unlikely politician, starring the many faces of Harry Enfield.
Director: Metin Hüseyin | Stars: Harry Enfield, Harriet Walter, Alice Wilson, Jimmy Gardner
Votes: 34
29. The Day Today (1994)
30 min | Comedy
A spoof of the British style of news broadcasting - including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Steve Coogan, Patrick Marber, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 5,543
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