10 Must-Watch British Comedy Shows, According to the Cast of ‘SNL UK’
The cast of Saturday Night Live UK named British comedy programmes they would recommend to US viewers, offering a varied introduction to the country’s comedy traditions. Their choices include political satire, awkward sitcoms and surreal sketch comedy, and show which series have influenced the performers.
Ayoade Bamgboye recommended The Thick of It, a four-season political satire that ran from 2005 to 2012 and features Peter Capaldi as the profane government communications director Malcolm Tucker. Paddy Young picked Big Train, a surreal sketch show that ran from 1998 to 2002 and featured performers including Simon Pegg, Julia Davis and Catherine Tate; Celeste Dring chose Peep Show. The article presents these programmes as a mix of established classics and cult favourites for viewers exploring British comedy.
In short
- SNL UK cast members shared British comedy recommendations.
- Picks span political satire, sitcoms and surreal sketches.
- The Thick of It and Big Train are among the suggestions.
Explained simply
British comedy includes sitcoms, sketch shows and political satire, with humour often built around awkward situations, eccentric characters or sharp dialogue. Some programmes become widely known, while others attract a smaller following and are treated as cult favourites.
The Thick of It, Big Train and Peep Show are among the programmes mentioned. The Thick of It satirises the workings of government, Big Train uses surreal sketches, and Peep Show follows the everyday lives of two friends. Their different styles offer a way into the range of British television comedy.
The performers’ recommendations also reflect the shows that have influenced newer comedians. For viewers unfamiliar with the UK’s comedy scene, they provide examples of how British programmes have approached politics, daily life and absurdity.