Do Americans get British Humor? I often see in various forums, that the English criticize Americans for not getting British humor. That Britain's sense of humor is more sophisticated or whatever. But I've noticed that this only seems to be the case when British comedy involves one or more of the following in their comedy sketches: 1. British slang. 2. Celebrities who are unknown internationally. 3. British way of life. 4. Current events only popular to Britain and Commonwealth nations. Whenever I have watched British shows that do not involve any of these elements, I usually find it funny.
Well first of all, I don't consider myself a Yank. I'm from a southern (Rebel) state, Louisiana. We call the northern part of the United States Yanks. Yeah we're much different! Anyway, I never really watch or know of many British comedians or comedy. I know what you mean by "sophisticated" though. They're basically calling us Americans stupid in a non-direct way. It's predictable Or they'll make fun of our accents. when actually our accents are closer to the original british while theirs has changed more. I'm not worried about it. I don't hate them for driving on the wrong side of the road.
Haha. Well, you know the first self-propelled road vehicle was invented in France. So if we go by the French standard of what side of the road is the correct side to drive on, then I think we can actually say that we Americans are driving on the "correct" side of the road.
Well these days were making alot of jokes about this whole "War on Terror" issue. Bill Bailey - a brit lengend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w5YQmic2X0
Thanks for the tip, Miikey. I'll be sure to check him out. A couple English comedians that always crack me up are Eddie Izzard and Ricky Gervais. However, when Eddie Izzard starts talking in French, I get totally lost...I guess because I don't speak french.
I also think that the English don't get american humor or humour as we spell it here. I like US comedy shows but sometimes watching american stand-up comedians is just plain boring, the US crowds seem to love it though.
Have you seen the whole of part troll? One of the best stand ups I have even been lucky enough to see.
Do you get the jokes, but you just don't think it is funny? ...or do the jokes fly right over your head. I agree. There are a lot of really bad stand-up American comedians that don't deserve to be as popular as they are.
There might be bad american stand-ups but our sitcoms are retarded. I'm surprised he likes those. The main purpose of our sitcoms is to sell stuff during commercial breaks. So if you're putting one on your network you don't really want it to be too smart or funny or you'll alienate a bunch of potential viewers. Does the BBC have commercial breaks? I don't think they do.