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Britain's Best Sitcom

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Britain's Best Sitcom
GenreDocumentary
Written by
Directed by
  • Andy Devonshire
  • Steve Franklin
  • Carry John Hughes
  • Norman Hull
  • Becky Martin
  • Andrew Nicholson
Presented bySee list of episodes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Robin Ashbrook
  • Ricky Kelehar
Producers
  • Gerard Barry
  • Karina Brennan
  • Will Bryant
  • Stephen Franklin
  • Alex Hardcastle
  • Garry John Hughes
  • Norman Hull
  • Shirley Hunt Benson
  • Verity Maidlow
  • Stephen McGinn
  • Andrew Nicholson
  • Matt O'Casey
  • Cybele Rowbottom
  • Elaine Shepherd
  • Mark Turnbull
Running time60 minutes
(180-min. premiere; 90-min. finale)
Production companyBBC Manchester
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release10 January (2004-01-10)[1] –
27 March 2004 (2004-03-27)

Britain's Best Sitcom was a BBC media campaign in which television viewers were asked to decide the best British situation comedy. Viewers could vote via telephone, SMS, or BBC Online.[2] This first round of voting was conducted in 2003, after which the BBC published a list of the top 100 selections.[3][4] From this list, they produced a 12-episode television series broadcast by BBC Two from January through to March 2004.[1]

The series was a retrospective that examined the history and qualities of the contending programmes. In the first episode, Jonathan Ross summarised the progress of the poll and presented video clips from the 50 sitcoms that received the most votes.[2] Each of the next ten weekly episodes, one hour in length, focused on one sitcom.[1][2] In each episode, a different celebrity presenter advocated a particular sitcom, delivering 20 reasons why it deserved viewers' votes.[1][2] The sitcom's writers and actors, as well as celebrity viewers, also shared their own perspectives and memories. In the 90-minute series finale, transmitted live, Jonathan Ross announced the top sitcom to be Only Fools and Horses, with Blackadder in second place and The Vicar of Dibley in third place.[5]

Notably, all finalists were BBC productions, with ITV and Channel 4 sitcoms not appearing (Father Ted, the highest-ranked non-BBC sitcom, was at number 11).

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitlePresented byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Launch"Jonathan Ross[2]–10 January 2004 (2004-1-10)
Jonathan Ross recaps the 50 top British sitcoms, as determined by an electronic poll conducted in 2003.
2"Blackadder"John Sergeant[2]Ben Elton, Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson17 January 2004 (2004-1-17)
John Sergeant advocates Blackadder, a series of historical farces that premiered in 1983 on BBC1.
3"Fawlty Towers"Jack Dee[2]John Cleese and Connie Booth24 January 2004 (2004-1-24)
Jack Dee advocates Fawlty Towers, a comedy set in a dysfunctional hotel that premiered on BBC2 in 1975 and ran for two series.
4"The Good Life"Ulrika Jonsson[2]John Esmonde and Bob Larbey[6]31 January 2004 (2004-1-31)
Ulrika Jonsson advocates The Good Life, a sitcom about a middle-class English couple who make an attempt at farming at their house in the southwest London suburb of Surbiton. It premiered on BBC1 in 1975.
5"Yes Minister"Armando Iannucci[2]Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn7 February 2004 (2004-2-7)
Armando Iannucci advocates Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, a political satire that premiered on BBC2 in 1980 and its sequel.
6"One Foot in the Grave"Rowland Rivron[2]David Renwick14 February 2004 (2004-2-14)
Rowland Rivron advocates One Foot in the Grave, a dark comedy about the trials of an elderly curmudgeon and his longsuffering wife. It premiered on BBC1 in 1990.
7"Porridge"Johnny Vaughan[2]Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais21 February 2004 (2004-2-21)
Johnny Vaughan advocates BBC1's Porridge (1975–1978) and its sequel, Going Straight (1978). The programmes concern different aspects of prison life, including – in Going Straight – acclimatisation to a changed family life and outside world.
8"Only Fools and Horses"David Dickinson[2]John Sullivan28 February 2004 (2004-2-28)
David Dickinson advocates Only Fools and Horses, which centres on an ambitious Cockney market trader called Del Boy. It premiered on BBC1 in 1981.
9"Open All Hours"Clarissa Dickson Wright[2]Roy Clarke6 March 2004 (2004-3-6)
Clarissa Dickson Wright advocates Open All Hours, which premiered on BBC2 in 1973. It concerns a South Yorkshire shopkeeper and his wistful nephew.
10"The Vicar of Dibley"Carol Vorderman[2]Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer13 March 2004 (2004-3-13)
Carol Vorderman advocates The Vicar of Dibley, in which Geraldine, the buxom new vicar of a small village in Oxfordshire, lives among a colourful cast of characters there – and encounters some opposition. BBC1 premiered The Vicar of Dibley in 1994.
11"Dad's Army"Phill Jupitus[2]Jimmy Perry and David Croft[7]20 March 2004 (2004-3-20)
Phill Jupitus advocates Dad's Army. Set during the Second World War, it introduces viewers to an unlikely group of Home Guard volunteers on England's south coast. The series ran from 1968 on BBC1.
12"The Live Final"Jonathan Ross[2]–27 March 2004 (2004-3-27)
Jonathan Ross announces which British sitcom received the most votes from viewers.

Results

[edit]
Top 100 sitcoms
Rank Title Years broadcast Channel Number of votes[5][4]
1 Only Fools and Horses 1981–2003 BBC1 342,426
2 Blackadder 1983–1989 BBC1 282,106
3 The Vicar of Dibley 1994–2000[i] BBC1 212,927
4 Dad's Army 1968–1977 BBC1 174,138
5 Fawlty Towers 1975–1979 BBC2 172,066
6 Yes Minister 1980–1984 BBC2 123,502
7 Porridge 1974–1977 BBC1 93,902
8 Open All Hours 1976–1985 BBC1 67,237
9 The Good Life 1975–1978 BBC1 40,803
10 One Foot in the Grave 1990–2000 BBC1 31,410
11 Father Ted 1995–1998 Channel 4 Undisclosed
12 Keeping Up Appearances 1990–1995 BBC1 Undisclosed
13 'Allo 'Allo! 1982–1992 BBC1 Undisclosed
14 Last of the Summer Wine 1973–2003[ii] BBC1 Undisclosed
15 Steptoe and Son 1962–1974 BBC1 Undisclosed
16 Men Behaving Badly 1992–1998 ITV (series 1–2)
BBC1 (series 3–7) 		Undisclosed
17 Absolutely Fabulous 1992–1996, 2001–2003[iii] BBC1 Undisclosed
18 Red Dwarf 1988–1999[iv] BBC2[iv] Undisclosed
19 The Royle Family 1998–2000[v] BBC1 Undisclosed
20 Are You Being Served? 1972–1985 BBC1 Undisclosed
21 To the Manor Born 1979–1981[vi] BBC1 Undisclosed
22 Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em 1973–1978 BBC1 Undisclosed
23 The Likely Lads 1964–1966 BBC1 Undisclosed
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? 1973–1974 BBC2
24 My Family 2000–2003[vii] BBC1 Undisclosed
25 The Office 2001–2002[viii] BBC2[viii] Undisclosed
26 Drop the Dead Donkey 1990–1998 Channel 4 Undisclosed
27 Rising Damp 1974–1978 ITV Undisclosed
28 Dinnerladies 1998–2000 BBC1 Undisclosed
29 As Time Goes By 1992–2002[ix] BBC1 Undisclosed
30 Hancock's Half Hour 1954–1961 BBC1 Undisclosed
31 The Young Ones 1982–1984 BBC2 Undisclosed
32 Till Death Us Do Part 1965–1975 BBC1 Undisclosed
33 Butterflies 1978–1983 BBC2 Undisclosed
34 The Thin Blue Line 1995–1996 BBC1 Undisclosed
35 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin 1976–1979, 1982 BBC1 Undisclosed
36 Phoenix Nights 2001–2002 Channel 4 Undisclosed
37 Waiting for God 1990–1994 BBC1 Undisclosed
38 Birds of a Feather 1989–1998 BBC1 Undisclosed
39 Bread 1986–1991 BBC1 Undisclosed
40 Hi-de-Hi! 1980–1988 BBC1 Undisclosed
41 The League of Gentlemen 1999–2002 BBC2 Undisclosed
42 I'm Alan Partridge 1997–2002 BBC2 Undisclosed
43 Just Good Friends 1983–1986 BBC1 Undisclosed
44 2point4 children 1991–1999 BBC1 Undisclosed
45 Bottom 1991–1995 BBC2 Undisclosed
46 It Ain't Half Hot Mum 1974–1981 BBC1 Undisclosed
47 The Brittas Empire 1991–1997 BBC1 Undisclosed
48 Gimme Gimme Gimme 1999–2001 BBC2 (series 1)
BBC1 (series 2–3) 		Undisclosed
49 Rab C. Nesbitt 1988–1999[x] BBC2 Undisclosed
50 Goodnight Sweetheart 1993–1999 BBC1 Undisclosed
51 Up Pompeii! 1969–1970, 1975, 1991 BBC1
ITV (1991 special) 		Undisclosed
52 Ever Decreasing Circles 1984–1989 BBC1 Undisclosed
53 On the Buses 1969–1973 ITV Undisclosed
54 Coupling 2000–2002[xi] BBC2 Undisclosed
55 George and Mildred 1976–1979 ITV Undisclosed
56 A Fine Romance 1981–1984 ITV Undisclosed
57 Citizen Smith 1977–1980 BBC1 Undisclosed
58 Black Books 2000–2002[xii] Channel 4 Undisclosed
59 The Liver Birds 1969–1996 BBC1 Undisclosed
60 Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps 2001–2003[xiii] BBC2 (series 1)
BBC Choice (series 2)
BBC Three (series 3 onward) 		Undisclosed
61 The New Statesman 1987–1994 ITV
BBC1 (1994 special) 		Undisclosed
62 Sykes 1972–1979 BBC1 Undisclosed
Sykes and a... 1960–1965
63 Please Sir! 1968–1972 ITV Undisclosed
64 Dear John 1986–1987 BBC1 Undisclosed
65 Barbara 1995–2003 ITV Undisclosed
66 Spaced 1999–2001 Channel 4 Undisclosed
67 Bless This House 1971–1976 ITV Undisclosed
68 Love Thy Neighbour 1972–1976 ITV Undisclosed
69 Man About the House 1973–1976 ITV Undisclosed
70 Desmond's 1989–1994 Channel 4 Undisclosed
71 Duty Free 1984–1986 ITV Undisclosed
72 All Gas and Gaiters 1966–1971 BBC1 Undisclosed
73 Happy Ever After 1974–1979 BBC1 Undisclosed
Terry and June 1979–1987
74 Only When I Laugh 1979–1982 ITV Undisclosed
75 Brass 1983–1990 ITV Undisclosed
76 The Rag Trade 1961–1978 BBC1 (series 1–3)
ITV (series 4–5) 		Undisclosed
77 Sorry! 1981–1988 BBC1 Undisclosed
78 Kiss Me Kate 1998–2000 BBC1 Undisclosed
79 Doctor in the House 1969–1970 ITV Undisclosed
Doctor at Large 1971
Doctor in Charge 1972–1973
Doctor at Sea 1974
Doctor on the Go 1975–1977
Doctor at the Top 1991 BBC1
80 I Didn't Know You Cared 1975–1979 BBC1 Undisclosed
81 Shelley 1979–1992 ITV Undisclosed
82 Nearest and Dearest 1968–1973 ITV Undisclosed
Fresh Fields 1984–1986
84 The Army Game 1957–1961 ITV Undisclosed
85 Robin's Nest 1977–1981 ITV Undisclosed
86 The Dustbinmen 1969–1970 ITV Undisclosed
87 Whoops Apocalypse 1982 ITV Undisclosed
88 My Wife Next Door 1972 BBC1 Undisclosed
89 Never the Twain 1981–1991 ITV Undisclosed
90 Nightingales 1990–1993 Channel 4 Undisclosed
91 Early Doors 2003–2004 BBC2 Undisclosed
92 Agony 1979–1981 ITV Undisclosed
93 The Lovers 1970–1971 ITV Undisclosed
94 Father, Dear Father 1968–1973 ITV Undisclosed
95 Hot Metal 1986–1989 ITV Undisclosed
96 ...And Mother Makes Three 1971–1973 ITV Undisclosed
...And Mother Makes Five 1974–1976
97 Life with The Lyons 1955–1960 BBC1 / ITV Undisclosed
98 Marriage Lines 1961–1966 BBC1 Undisclosed
99 A Sharp Intake of Breath 1977–1981 ITV Undisclosed
100 No Problem! 1983–1985 Channel 4 Undisclosed

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Britain's Best Sitcom preceded the Vicar of Dibley specials transmitted by BBC One in 2004 and 2006.
  2. ^ The first round of voting preceded series 25–31 of Last of the Summer Wine. BBC One transmitted series 31 in 2010.
  3. ^ Britain's Best Sitcom preceded the Absolutely Fabulous 2003 Christmas special, and Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary.
  4. ^ a b Britains Best Sitcom preceded the Red Dwarf revival series and specials transmitted by Dave.
  5. ^ Britain's Best Sitcom preceded the five Royle Family specials that aired in 2006–2012
  6. ^ Britain's Best Sitcom preceded the 2007 Christmas special of To the Manor Born.
  7. ^ The first round of voting preceded the My Family 2003 Christmas special and all subsequent episodes. BBC One transmitted series 11 of in 2011.
  8. ^ a b The first round of voting preceded the Office specials transmitted by BBC One in 2003 and 2013.
  9. ^ Britain's Best Sitcom preceded the As Times Goes By reunion specials transmitted by BBC One in 2005.
  10. ^ Britains Best Sitcom preceded the 2008 special of Rab C. Nesbitt, and all subsequent episodes and specials. BBC Two transmitted series 10 in 2011, and a later special in 2014.
  11. ^ Britains Best Sitcom preceded the fourth series of Coupling, which BBC Three transmitted in 2004.
  12. ^ Britains Best Sitcom preceded the third series of Black Books, which Channel 4 transmitted in 2004.
  13. ^ The first round of voting preceded series 4–9 of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. BBC Three transmitted the ninth series in 2011.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "BBC TWO asks the nation what is Britain's Best Sitcom?". BBC Online. BBC. 30 December 2003. Archived from the original on 18 April 2005. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "The battle of the sitcoms begins..." (Press release). London: BBC. 10 January 2004. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Britain's Best Sitcom: The Top 10". bbcattic.org. London: BBC. 2004. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Britain's Best Sitcom: Top 11 to 100". bbcattic.org. London: BBC. 2004. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b "The Final Top Ten Sitcoms". bbcattic.org. London: BBC. 2004. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  6. ^ Webber, Richard (2000). "A Celebration of The Good Life". Orion Books.
  7. ^ Croft, Perry, and Webber (2003). "Dad's Army: The Complete Scripts". Orion Books.

Further reading

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