Why is British humour so different from American humour?!


Question: I've noticed that our sitcoms rely on dry humour, wit, and use of the English language - and I love them for it.
I've tried to watch American sitcoms, but (don't hate me for this) there's something "crude" and more physical about them that I just don't like for some reason.

When my brother had a friend over from America, we were watching stuff like Black Books, Father Ted, Vicar of Dibley etc and he just didn't seem to find it as funny as we did.

Why is this? Oh, and no saying "Americans are stupid", because that's not true, and no saying "the British are boring", because that's not true either. Politeness, please. :P


Answers: I've noticed that our sitcoms rely on dry humour, wit, and use of the English language - and I love them for it.
I've tried to watch American sitcoms, but (don't hate me for this) there's something "crude" and more physical about them that I just don't like for some reason.

When my brother had a friend over from America, we were watching stuff like Black Books, Father Ted, Vicar of Dibley etc and he just didn't seem to find it as funny as we did.

Why is this? Oh, and no saying "Americans are stupid", because that's not true, and no saying "the British are boring", because that's not true either. Politeness, please. :P

Because Americans can't appreciate the subtleties of british comedy. They have to dirty the name of comedy itself with dull, predictable chaff like friends. You missed out a few incredible (and original) british comedy programmes like Garth Merenghi's Dark Place, The Mighty Boosh, Monkey Dust, Brass Eye, Jam..............

Its just the way things are.....they did like The Office....and Til Death us do part...but had to change it for American Actors....I like friends and Frasier.....but generally you are right, they don't really go in for subtle humour, more slapstick...but lets face it, we used to have Benny Hill...Urghhh

Our humour has evolved over many centuries, it's well-written and clever. I just think that American humour is more pc and 'clean'. I love both though.

Culture. this is not only for British and America but you can find it all over the world.


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Ahhh but then theres always the genius of the Simpson's, Family Guy, Curb your enthusiasm. They have their mainstream sitcoms that are pretty dull and so do we, I don't think our humours that different.

Every country has its own essence for humour. Try German and see how different to British and American that is!
I am sure culture and weather conditions have a lot to do with it.
Laugh you not, I mean it!

Because the British have the ability to laugh at ourselves whilst Americans think that being laghed at is not funny.

I agree...I mean, would you rather watch Friends or Fawlty Towers...Frasier or Blackadder...In saying that, I met a friend through Yahoo from the US and we met because she was a fan of Red Dwarf...No offence to anyone from the States but the funniest things to come out of your country are "The Simpsons" and "Southpark". Does that tell you something?

I think its because Americans are stupid

UK comedies are written by one, or at most, two people, and are highly personal to their style of humour. If your humour coincides with theirs, you will think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

US shows are written by committees, and each line is finely tuned until "perfect", in order to appeal to the greatest number of people.

Dont you reckon american comody is all the same it starts of then they have a problem with something or someone then it gets fixed at the end.

Shity Shity Shity Shity Shity Shity Shity ShityShity ShityShity ShityShity ShityShity ShityShity ShityShity Shity US TV

Both have got their own originality thats is why they got different form of humour.Am an asian but i can relate

old hippie in Alaska pondered this question for awhile ..
start by stating a an idea and defending said statement ..
British humor is subtle American humor is direct ...
simple reason British ..created the language ..
had centuries to play with the words ... learn the subtleties..
of a very descriptive language ..
Americans have only been using the language a short length of time ..thus haven't developed the skills to appreciate the depth of the tongue ...
practice makes perfect
and for appreciation too ...

Have to agree with woood.

American humour is still new and very direct. They also haven't had quite as many centuries to laugh at themselves quite the same way the British have. But those who are more attuned with the frailties of their own society and culture, have a true sense of understanding. Culture has so much to do with humour. And if you look closely at British humour, I think you will see it is even far more direct than American. It all depends on what hits your funny bone.

How come nobody posts Qs about Pakistani, German, Sri Lankan humour? We need a lot more diversity.



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