The best British sitcoms of the 1990s
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For some viewers, British sitcoms of the 1990s are the best shows they’ve seen on their television screens. We’ve taken a trip down memory lane with to highlight some of the best of what Britain had to offer in terms of comedy from the 90s so you can decide if you agree, or if you prefer comedies from a more modern era.
Dinnerladies
Set in a Manchester manufacturing company canteen, Dinnerladies told the tale of coworkers becoming good friends and the antics that ensued were hilarious. It was written and starred the late Victoria Wood and aired in 1998.
Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous tells the tales of two friends who use their financial gain for cigarettes and drinking. Whilst sounding crude, the humour between the duo shows cynicism in the then modern day and how having a positive look can make things seem like they aren’t too bad. The show was based off of a French and Saunders sketch and was rebooted in 2011 on BBC before becoming a feature length film.
The Detectives
The Detectives is a show based on two incompetent detectives and the antics they get into whilst on different cases. The slapstick idiocy between the pair made great television in the early to late 90s and the final episode premiered in 1997.
The Thin Blue Line
Another police show, The Thin Blue Line, showed audiences that there is a lighter side to the police. Starring Rowan Atkinson as Inspector Fowler, he and his team go on many the adventure whilst baffling for case power over CID.
Mr Bean
Mr Bean aired in 1990 and is a British icon of humour. Rowan Atkinson starred in and wrote Mr Bean before it was rebooted as an animated series in the early 2000’s. A film was made in 1997 as well as one in 2007 based on the character as well.
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a show about two bumbling con-men who’s get rich quick schemes never quite go to plan. Although the first episode aired in 1981, we added it to our list as it lasted all the way up until 2003 spanning over 20 years.
Father Ted
Father Ted followed three priests living off the coast or Ireland. The three characters have great chemistry on screen and the adventures involved are rib-tickling fun. The show aired in 1995 and ran up to 1998.
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf tells the story of the last human alive and his friends stranded 3 million years into deep space on a mining ship. The show premiered in 1988 and lasted up until 1999. The show was then picked up in 2009 by Dave and it still going to this day.
'Allo 'Allo!
Set in a small French cafe in World War 2, ‘Allo ‘Allo! tells the tale of the owner using the cafe as a safe-house for British airmen as well as running covert operations. The show premiered on BBC 1 in 1988 and ran up until 1992.
Bottom
Bottom told the tale of two idiotic flatmates trying to fit in with society with no positive results. The humour between the duo was crude, somewhat perverted and very slapstick based making it perfect for 90’s television. The show ran on BBC 2 for four years from 1991 to 1995.
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