Best Sketch Shows From the UK
by daviroberts-02746 | created - 29 Apr 2017 | updated - 20 Jul 2017 | Public13 years ago, there was a poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom. Now, at the time of modern media, I've got a list of sketch shows and satires produced in the UK. Which one is your favourite? After voting, you may discuss the list here
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. The Benny Hill Show (1969–1989)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A skit based show with Benny Hill, often containing smutty humour.
Stars: Benny Hill, Henry McGee, Jackie Wright, Bob Todd
Votes: 5,520
2. 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: 78,824
3. Mr. Bean (1990–1995)
Not Rated | 25 min | Comedy, Family
Bumbling, childlike Mr. Bean has trouble completing the simplest of day-to-day tasks, but his perseverance and resourcefulness frequently allow him to find ingenious ways around problems.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Matilda Ziegler, Robin Driscoll, Matthew Ashforde
Votes: 133,745
4. 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: 26,144
5. Green Wing (2004–2007)
TV-14 | 65 min | Comedy, Drama
Funky hospital-based sketch-comedy-drama type show.
Stars: Sally Bretton, Oliver Chris, Olivia Colman, Michelle Gomez
Votes: 12,791
6. A Bit of Fry and Laurie (1987–1995)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie perform a variety of comedy skits and the occasional musical number.
Stars: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Deborah Norton, Geoffrey McGivern
Votes: 9,921
7. The Fast Show (1994–2014)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
UK comedy sketch show depicting most forms of stereotypical British society.
Stars: Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Arabella Weir, Simon Day
Votes: 5,230
8. The Day Today (1994)
204 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: 5,554
9. 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: 11,561
10. The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2009)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Sketches by Catherine Tate and her comedy troupe.
Stars: Catherine Tate, Mathew Horne, Niky Wardley, Derren Litten
Votes: 4,299
11. That Mitchell and Webb Look (2006–2010)
720 min | Comedy, Fantasy
A comedy sketch show featuring David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, James Bachman, Mark Evans
Votes: 9,537
12. 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: 2,804
13. French and Saunders (1987–2017)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders satirically present aspects of British life, films such as Batman Forever and Pulp Fiction.
Stars: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Simon Brint, Rowland Rivron
Votes: 3,751
14. The Morecambe & Wise Show (1968–1977)
Comedy
The Morecambe & Wise Show was a long running and massively popular sketch series starring British comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, plus a string of top-name international celebrity guests (of a bygone age), like André Prévin.
Stars: Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise, Ann Hamilton, Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen
Votes: 1,057
15. Big Train (1998–2002)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A British sketch comedy show where people in ordinary situations suddenly find themselves in absurd situations.
Stars: Kevin Eldon, Mark Heap, Simon Pegg, Julia Davis
Votes: 4,075
16. The Two Ronnies (1971–1987)
Comedy
This long-running BBC comedy show consisted of sketches and humourous musical routines.
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, The Fred Tomlinson Singers, John Owens
Votes: 3,592
17. Jam (2000)
24 min | Comedy
A surreal, ambient mix of bleak comedy sketches.
Stars: Christopher Morris, Amelia Bullmore, David Cann, Julia Davis
Votes: 2,657
18. Smack the Pony (1999–2017)
TV-14 | 24 min | Comedy
Three female comics perform sketches dealing with a wide variety of topics, from irritating flatmates to workplace issues to people who pretend to be ill to get free things or special treatment.
Stars: Fiona Allen, Doon Mackichan, Sally Phillips, Sarah Alexander
Votes: 2,256
19. Harry Enfield's Television Programme (1990–1992)
30 min | Comedy
Popular BBC sketch show that introduced a whole host of memorable characters such as Tim-Nice-But-Dim, the Slobs, Smashie and Nicey, The Old Gits and teenagers Kevin and Perry. The show spawned a slew of spin-off series and films.
Stars: Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, Kathy Burke, Jon Glover
Votes: 1,990
and its sequel, "Harry Enfield and Chums"
20. Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul (2007–2014)
30 min | Comedy
Sketches on the themes of class and gender, with the occasional spoof thrown in.
Stars: Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, Sophie Winkleman, Alice Lowe
Votes: 945
21. 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: 2,484
22. 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: 1,634
23. Bo' Selecta! (2002–2004)
30 min | Comedy
Comedy involving celebrity stalker Avid Merrion, and a whole host of "celebrities".
Stars: Leigh Francis, Craig Phillips, Patsy Kensit, Karen Hayley
Votes: 1,609
24. Alas Smith & Jones (1984–1998)
30 min | Comedy
Mel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones present a series of short (often tasteless, always scathing) sketches about modern life and the stupidity and gullibility of those who believe in it.
Stars: Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Robin Driscoll
Votes: 1,924
25. The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer (1993–1995)
30 min | Comedy
Bizarre, anarchic and frequently silly comedy sketch show written by and starring double act Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
Stars: Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Charlie Chuck, Patrick Allen
Votes: 1,079
and its sequel, "Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer"
26. The Goodies (1970–1982)
30 min | Comedy
The adventures of a crazy trio whose motto is "we do anything, anytime, anywhere."
Stars: Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie, Corbet Woodall
Votes: 1,885
27. Goodness Gracious Me (1998–2015)
45 min | Comedy
A British sketch-comedy that explores the integration of Indian and British cultures through a series of satires, musicals, and skits.
Stars: Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir, Nina Wadia
Votes: 1,308
28. Time Trumpet (2006)
Comedy
A T.V sketch show set in the future looking back over the beginning of the 21st century, between 2005 and 2030.
Stars: Armando Iannucci, Richard Ayoade, Adam Buxton, Jo Enright
Votes: 769
29. The Armando Iannucci Shows (2001)
26 min | Comedy
Observations of society and life by Armando Iannucci in comedy sketches and narration.
Stars: Armando Iannucci, Hugh Cecil, Karen Ascoe, Melanie Hudson
Votes: 1,025
30. Hale and Pace (1986–1998)
30 min | Comedy
Hale and Pace is a sketch-based British comedy show. The terms "Good Taste" and "Politically Correct" are obviously totally unknown to the writers.
Stars: Gareth Hale, Norman Pace, Melanie Kilburn, Regina Freedman
Votes: 592
31. Absolutely (1989–1993)
30 min | Comedy
Comedy sketch show.
Stars: Peter Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Jack Docherty, Moray Hunter
Votes: 284
32. The Kenny Everett Television Show (1981–1988)
30 min | Comedy, Music
Zany antics and sketches by the anarchic camp comic.
Stars: Kenny Everett, Cleo Rocos, Sheila Steafel, Andrie Reid
Votes: 1,037
33. The Dick Emery Show (1963–1981)
30 min | Comedy
Comedy skits featuring the talents of Mr Dick Emery.
Stars: Dick Emery, Pat Coombs, Victor Maddern, Helen Fraser
Votes: 213
34. Not Only... But Also (1965–1970)
45 min | Comedy
Not Only...But Also, most famously showcased Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in there so-called 'Dagenham dialogues' in which Pete (a nasal know-all who has utter confidence in his surreal and ... See full summary »
Stars: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Chris Karan, Peter McGuirk
Votes: 216
35. The Wrong Door (2008)
30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
Comedy sketch show set in a surreal parallel universe where film and TV special effects are part of everyday life. In this world, superheroes, wizards and dinosaurs are commonplace in the ... See full summary »
Stars: David Reed, Neil Fox, Simon Greenall, Pippa Haywood
Votes: 283
Tell Your Friends