Define the difference between the three types of comedies in
television series form. I think American is situational based (irony
of a situation - ie. Sienfield) and English is language based (irony
of language) and the fact that English is "high brow" and American is
"low brow" but those are just general statements. Are comedy's shown
on the BBC more "high brow" than those shown on the commercial british
televisions? Please provide a brief history and names of television
series that illustrate your points made.

Hi Ryan,

What a ripper of a question!

I can't resist your asking. Your question appears to be essay related,
however my thoughts may somehow engender your further research with my
limited references on offer by nomenclature alone.

Even your opening question headline sounds like a common set up for a
joke to follow .. an Englishman, an American and an Australian were
sitting in a bar ..

I know that one .. but it isn't conducive to mixed company here.

As an Aussie, I find our humour tends toward minimalising tragic
circumstance, in favour of the unexpected values placed upon the
basics of creature comfort. To put it another way .. we might lose our
fishing gear and boat in an unfortunate accident .. but we managed to
retrieve the beer .. so all is OK. We also share the intelligence of
humour by twisting the punch line to that which was presumed in
meaning.

I find that American "humour" is canned, as in canned laughter. I can
not relate to the seeming fact that our American friends have to be
told when to laugh. I don't "get it". To me, American humour is
"plastic". I suppose it is a matter of culture.

English humour is the best when televised or audible on radio. Further
to the Yanks canned laughter of simplistic things, I do not believe
that our American friends can relate to, nor understand the subtleties
of English or Australian humour. They too, just don't get it. It's all
about perception.

Refer:

Sienfeld (sp).. Yes, funny stuff about nothing .. "No soup for you" was the best.

Rosanne .. negative lifestyle with cynicism. Canned laughter points.
Raymond .. who lives like that? Ray's wife was the only "natural" actress.
Simpsons .. typical Yanks in cartoons .. aspired to by the Yanks? I Hope not!
Bob Hope (RIP) .. reverred in the pregnant pause ... yet always waited
to be laughed at/to. Canned.
Tool Man Tim (RIP) .. misunderstood perhaps and not funny at all.

British humour .. The best of all time was Dave Allen (sp), RIP. Who
else but Dave could entrance an audience with props no greater than
than a stool, a small bar table and a glass of Scotch against a black
background? That was before he chose to go into the skits.

English/Irish humour is the best in recognition of twisting the funny bone.

Silver 

ps also remember Benny Hill; The Two Ronnies (Where would Corbett be
without Barker?); Open All Hours; Grace Brothers (Mrs. Slocombe with
her pussy in tow); etc. etc. etc.

Hi Silver

No this isn't an essay question, just something that I wanted to
understand after watching some English comedy tonight (VERY LITTLE
BRITAIN - ABC 21.15).

I understand there is a few main types of British comedy - 

High brow - word play jokes - monty python-esk - ie. Life Of Brian -
the latin joke regarding 'romans go home' - only those who did latin
(which means you went to a selective high/private school) would get
the joke.

Tits and Ass/Crass jokes - ie. Benny Hill

Wierd Skits - ie. Hale and Pace

Australia went through this stage as well - Comedy Company, Fast
Forward and D Generation/Late Shows of the 80s (parody based) but then
skit based shows obviously modelling themselves on the UK Skit Shows.

Then theres the American sitcom based comedy such as Seinfield and the
Nanny - both canned laughter.

Then theres the presented comedy (that is one presenter introducing
skits) - like the Paul Hogan and Dame Edna show, but nowadays the
single presenter is replaced by a group or 'panel'.

And then theres the current affairs based comedy such as Good News
Week (ABC version which I miss alot, not like when it moved to channel
10).

Its one of those things you know what it is when you see it but can't
describe it... Thats what I'm looking for - not looking for an essay -
even point form of what the key similarities and differences are for
all the different types. (which is actually way more than 3 now that I
think about it). I think its a case of looking for the elements I like
in order to search for more shows that contain the same elements.