UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

My lovely sister-in-law has been having a difficult time of it the past several months.

She's experiencing a mystery illness that hasn't been diagnosed yet.

Anyway...

She's trying really hard to keep her mood up.
Please recommend any tv shows, radio programmes, suchlike, that is laugh out loud funny.
Unfortunately, reading isn't an option but audio books would be.
She's Canadian but quite enjoys British humour.

Please post anything and everything, even if you think I already know it. You may remind me of stuff I've forgotten.

Thanks, you wonderful people!

The IT Crowd always makes me laugh.

Your poor sister-in-law. Sounds tough, I hope things improve

How about anything by PG Wodehouse? Whether talking books, radio adaptations or TV?

Rosemary (aiming to misbehave) wrote: "The IT Crowd always makes me laugh.

Your poor sister-in-law. Sounds tough, I hope things improve"

Thanks! I've heard of it but didn't know it's a comedy. I'll check it out.

Jim wrote: "How about anything by PG Wodehouse? Whether talking books, radio adaptations or TV?"

I've told her about Jeeves and Wooster.

They've got really crappy internet cuz they're in the back woods but she should be able to download radio if she's patient, I think.

They've got a silly number of satellite tv stations, though.

I love Not Going Out, with Lee Mack and others.
Also Outnumbered. Hugh Dennis is in that but he's hugely outshone by the children, particularly in early episodes.

Oh yes! She'd LOVE Outnumbered!

Thanks, Kath!

QI is good for the soul. Always
positive too.

Thanks Darren, yep told her about QI in the email I sent her this morning.

You really should check out 'no such thing as a fish'. Use child one's iPad.

Or download it on your desktop.

What about the film Mama Mia Patti ?
As you know I'm not into TV and stuff like that but I do have a few DVDs. I think it's a lovely film and it always makes me feel a bit batter after I have watched it.
I'm sure it's nothing like you were after but that would be my recommendation. I do hope your SIL will start to feel better again soon.

What about some silly spoof films, like Naked Gun or Top secret?

The show that I always looked forward to as it made me laugh out loud was The Last Leg, however since it was a topical live show, it may be difficult to get hold of.

There is quite a bit of The Last Leg on Youtube - its very funny. But if her internet is crappy that won't help. I get most of my comedy on Youtube. Watching a lot of Ross Noble at the moment. He has plenty of DVDs out, and he always has loads and loads of extras, usually at least another shows worth. Which makes them great value for money.

I just watch this and feel better straight away Amy G

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an excellent, if somewhat mental, comedy series.

Arrested Development is one of the greatest series ever made.

She sez they (she and my big brother) really enjoy Modern Family. Arrested Development, I bet they'd like.

She sez she PVRs every America's Funniest Home Videos she can find. Is there a British equivalent?

Think I'm gonna bring her a shed load of DVDs this summer.

You lot are lovely. Please keep the suggestions coming.

Darren wrote: "I just watch this and feel better straight away Amy G"

You've named it 'better'?

Patti (baconater) wrote: "...She sez she PVRs every America's Funniest Home Videos she can find. Is there a British eq..."

That would probaby be the ITV series 'You've Been Framed'. Not sure if it's still running, though it was still around last year, but there are episodes on Youtube I think.

My favourite comedian is Jeff Dunham. Anything he does makes me cackle!

I'm always wary of recommending things that I find funny as I know that what I like and don't like isn't always the popular type of thing.

I'm not a fan of You've Been Framed (even though there is a clip of my nephew that has been shown occasionally) and a lot of the comedy shows nowadays don't interest me at all.
I do like QI though and have also watched some of Not Going Out (which Kath recommended). One thing I have enjoyed recently is Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish.

No, I'm not a fan of You've Been Framed either, just mentioned it as the only one I know on UK TV that is an equivalent of the programme Patti mentioned.

I'm not a great fan of recent sitcoms apart from Not Going Out, but Father Ted is a favourite of mine.

If she likes Modern Family, can she watch "The Goldbergs?" It's on the same night as Modern Family or maybe she can get it online? It's a newish family sitcom and it's hilarious. It's literally one of the few shows that my husband and I can agree on.

I googled it and I think she can get it online.
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-goldbergs

Thanks!

I don't like AFHV either. Too cringe-worthy. Now you mention it, I think I've seen a few minutes of a you've been framed. Same. *shudder*
As Janet sez, humour is very personal.

Modern Life is Goodish is good. I watched a few over the Christmas hols.

I'll tell her about The Goldbergs, thanks Grace!

I've got to investigate Not Going Out.

I asked her for an update on their internet situation. Seems in the last few weeks, they're now able to access one bar of 4G if they stand out on the front deck. Bit chilly to do that for long at this time of year. Not to mention they pay for every byte with no cap.
If they've got anything big to download, my bro takes the laptop to the local library and uses the super fast broadband there. Seems everyone along the lakefront does that, so the library is well used and well supported!

This is what she said about some British shows. She does make me smile!

Unlike the easy-to-understand aristocratic accents in Downton Abbey, we’ve tried to occasionally tune in to other British shows … and our conversation usually ends up going something like this:
“What did he say? I didn’t catch it with the accent.”
“Neither did I.”
(After rewinding and playing it back again:)
“What did he say?”
“ I don’t know … Still didn’t catch it.”
“Let’s turn on the close captioning. There. Much better now.”
“Wish those Brits would learn to speak English. ”
“This is almost as difficult as understanding the Aussies in “McLeod’s Daughters”.
“Great show though. “

Bottom is a fantastic series from the 1990s if she can appreciate some slapstick British humour.

Coupling always made me laugh, though a bit close to the knuckle at times. Red Dwarf, but that's kind of niche with it being sci-fi and all. And, of course, Yes, Minister/Prime Minister which makes me laugh and weep at the same time because it's so funny and yet so like a documentary of our modern politics.

American -wise, the three big hitters of Cheers, Frasier an Friends are always good value.

I used to like The Golden Girls, I wish they'd reshow that.
I also like Still Game, a Scottish comedy and Mrs Brown's Boys, an Irish one.
Also Green Wing, set in a hospital.
Northern Exposure, set in Alaska.

Radio programmes are all old ones -
The Glums
The Clitheroe Kid
Hancocks Half hour

If she can't understand some British TV shows, I'd say she would have no hope deciphering Mrs Brown's Boys!

I think I'd have to agree with you.

Or cornish man Jethro.

I would definitely agree with the IT crowd, Father Ted and Green Wing. Think they are my all time favourites. Also good are The Mindy Project, New Girl and the Inbetweeners (although kind of gross out humour a lot of the time).

There's also 8 out of 10 cats does countdown or Would I Lie to You for panel type quizzes. Film wise you can't beat the Princess Bride, Hot Fuzz or Shawn of the Dead. That reminds me, Spaced is also good.

Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "Or cornish man Jethro."

I've got a ticket to see Jethro, on the 17th!...hope I can understand him.

If we're talking films here then I have to put in a word for The Court Jester. If she hasn't seen the 'pellet with the poison' scene then this is the film to see.

Suggestions for films are most welcome, thanks.

Vanessa (aka Dumbo) wrote: "Pat (Scorpio) wrote: "Or cornish man Jethro."

I've got a ticket to see Jethro, on the 17th!...hope I can understand him."

Oh lovely, I hope you enjoy the show

Shaun of the dead is amazing. I'm a zombie addict and it's the best zombie movie ever made. I did have moments where I had to stop and rewind and stop and rewind and I still don't understand what they said. I like the close caption idea. I'm going to have to try that.
I agree with Vanessa that Golden Girls was awesome.

Fawlty Towers is hilarious.

If it's feelgood viewing she likes I can recommend the box set of Anne of Green Gables also All creatures Great and Small.

I hope SIL gets a diagnosis and appropriate treatment soon Patti.

Went to a Fawlty Towers event a few months ago - agree it's absolutely hilarious!

(really need to get my hands on Anne of Green Gables - can't find it online!)

Thanks, she's having yet another scan on Valentine's Day. Hoping for answers.

There's RudeTube, it's like a more modern You've Been Framed.
Father Ted
Chocolat (film)

I'm going to a Fawlty Towers dining experience on Sunday, with the local coach firm. Should be fun, really looking forward to it.

That should be interesting, Vanessa!

Vanessa (aka Dumbo) wrote: "I'm going to a Fawlty Towers dining experience on Sunday, with the local coach firm. Should be fun, really looking forward to it."

Just don't mention the war!

We did a Fawlty Towers Dining Experience a few years ago. It was great fun.

Fawlty Towers is exceptional.

Also, the most dangerous double bill I ever saw in my life was Monty Python's Life of Brian and Airplane 2. Went with a bunch of friends and several of us nearly ruptured ourselves. Also recommend Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, but the broad-minded only need apply.

Gingerlily - Mistress Lantern wrote: "Vanessa (aka Dumbo) wrote: "I'm going to a Fawlty Towers dining experience on Sunday, with the local coach firm. Should be fun, really looking forward to it."

Just don't mention the war!"

Qué?

Si!

Vanessa (aka Dumbo) wrote: "I'm going to a Fawlty Towers dining experience on Sunday, with the local coach firm. Should be fun, really looking forward to it."

Ahhhh. Have so much fun. It's like thee best laugh,