16 British Comedies Americans Probably Haven't Heard Of

If you are American and you have seen these shows then congratulations. You can expect a letter from the Queen any day now.

1. Nathan Barley

Talkback Productions / Via killeroo.tumblr.com

This came out in 2005 and basically predicted the rise of the hipster BEFORE IT WAS COOL. It was created by Chris Morris and Charlie Brooker who are two of the funniest people alive so just watch it because I can't be arsed to type anymore and it's only the first one.

2. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

Avalon Television / Via spacebeets.tumblr.com

Horror parody centered around fictional horror author Garth Marenghi (played by amazing Matthew Holness) and his publisher Dean Learner (played by amazing Richard Ayoade). It's bloody great.

3. Smack the Pony

Talkback Productions / Via mugswithjumpers.tumblr.com

Sketch show featuring three badass women - Sally Phillips, Fiona Allen and Doon Mackichan. I didn't know this but Smack the Pony won an Emmy back in 1999 for Best Popular Arts Show, so...there. It must be good, it won an American TV award.

4. The Day Today

BBC / Via criterionforum.org

News parody show created by Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris. I resent having to write why it's so good here. I shouldn't have to justify this show. You should have watched it by now. You should have watched everything by Chris Morris by now.

5. Brass Eye

Talkback Productions / Via crappyhomemadegifs.tumblr.com

This was the sequel to The Day Today. Also a current affairs parody show in the mid 90s. It was controversial, disturbing and very fucking funny. Be sure to watch the Paedophilia special. It's a real belter.

6. Nighty Night

Baby Cow Productions / Via fuckyeahjuliadavis.tumblr.com

Lovely little dark comedy series created by and starring comedy boss, Julia Davis.

WIKIPEDIA ALERT: the show follows narcissistic sociopath Jill Tyrell (Julia Davis) – who manages a beauty parlour alongside her moronic, asthmatic assistant Linda (Ruth Jones) – as she learns that her husband Terry (Kevin Eldon) has cancer. She uses this fact to manipulate new neighbour Cathy Cole (Rebecca Front), a wheelchair user with multiple sclerosis.

It really is a barrel of laughs.

7. Big Train

Talkback Productions / Via domsantiago.tumblr .com

Surreal comedy sketch show created by Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan (who were the writers on Father Ted). It stars British comedy royalty - Julia Davis, Simon Pegg, Mark Heap and Amelia Bullmore.

8. Black Books

Assembly Film and Television / Via vatnjotnr.tumblr.com

Yeah, you've probably heard of it but IDGAF. It's about the life of a miserable, alcoholic, chain-smoking curmudgeon Bernard (Dylan Moran) who owns a book store, his assistant Manny (Bill Bailey) and their friend Fran (Tamsin Grieg).

Bernard is the anti-hero we deserve.

9. Green Wing

Talkback Productions / Via jeff-goldblums-laugh.tumblr.com

Another surreal comedy set in a hospital. Created by Victoria Pile (who also created Smack the Pony). I'm annoyed I can't add more than one image to this, or maybe I can but I just can't be arsed to work it out. URRGHH.

10. Monkey Dust

Talkback Productions / Via metaleffectsolid.tumblr.com

Lord, how do I describe Monkey Dust? It's animated. It's super dark. It deals with everything from murder to bestiality. It made me laugh but it also gave me nightmares.

11. The Thick of It

BBC / Via goodpixgallery.com

Political satire. All you need to know is that it's about a spin-doctor who works in the British government. His name is Malcolm Tucker and he's the Shakespeare of swearing. His insults are a work of art. One day, I hope my children will swear like him.

12. Look Around You

Talkback Productions / Via wifflegif.com

This series mainly satirises educational films of the 70s and 80s. It was created and written by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz. It's brilliantly ridiculous. Watch and learn.

13. Jam

Talkback Productions / Via themoviedb.org

Postmodern British sketch comedy (how wanky does that sound?). Created, written and directed by Chris Fucking Morris. It's terrifying, unsettling, and wonderfully hard to watch - a winning comedic combination. I couldn't even find a decent image for it.

14. The Mighty Boosh

Baby Cow Productions / Via on-a-high-note.tumblr.com

Comic, fantasy show that often include musical numbers. It stars the brilliant Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding (who I was in love with for a short time). Season 1 follows their adventures as hapless zookeepers. Season 2 they're flatmates and season 3 they work in a magic shop. Just watch it, please. Start with Season 1 though, just to get a feel of the characters.

15. I'm Alan Partridge

Talkback Productions / Via dingus--malingus.tumblr.com

Now I'm just adding ones you probably know because I don't want a bunch of whiny comments being all like "Hey, you missed Alan Partridge, have you not heard of him?" Of course I've fucking heard of him you cretin.

Anyway, Alan Partridge makes me laugh the most out of anyone on this list. He's a tactless and inept radio DJ who just says and does what he wants. He's the UK version of Larry David. Steve Coogan plays Alan Partridge and if you don't know who Coogan is then WELL SORRY I CAN'T HELP YOU ANYMORE.

16. Spaced

Big Talk Productions / Via brigitcross.tumblr.com

Should I just not write anything here? I'm only putting Spaced in to show that I'm NOT A MONSTER.

Directed by Edgar Wright, it stars the awesome Jessica Stevenson and Simon Pegg as twenty-something flatmates trying to get by. There's a whole host of other characters including The militant best friend (Nick Frost), the saucy landlady (Julian Deakin) and the tortured artist (Mark Heap).

It's like if Friends were set in the UK and hilarious.

YEAH, I JUST WENT THERE. DON'T TALK TO ME TILL YOU'VE WATCHED IT.