Comedy in the UK

british comedianComedy has been a huge part of British culture for hundreds of years, and in the last century alone British comedians have quite literally taken the world by storm. The success of Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and Absolutely Fabulous (amongst other famous television shows) is only an indication of things to come. You only have to consider the number of British comedy television shows and movies which have been remade for American audiences to understand just how successful British comedy has become.

A number of British comedians have experienced incredible success internationally in recent years. Sacha Baron Cohen of Ali G and Borat fame has had two television series broadcast in the United States, and Borat: The Movie has become a household name (as has many of the lines from the movie). Steve Coogan is another British comedian who has crossed the pond to the States and has experienced success in Hollywood movies such as Night at the Museum and Around the World in 80 Days. Ricky Gervais has also experienced incredible success – on his own as a stand up comedian and comic actor, and through his involvement in The Office, which has been remade into a US series. Other British comedians who are now becoming well known internationally include Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh fame, Ben Elton (whose books frequently top the bestseller lists in a number of countries), and Bill Bailey, whose appearances in shows such as QI, Black Books and Never Mind the Buzzcocks have made him all but a house-hold name.