A bit late but I'm back with numbers 8 and 7

Big Train is a sketch comedy show in the vein of Monty Python. The show takes every day situations and makes them funny by adding an element of insanity. For instance one skit involves two employees at an office who don’t really get along and it just so happens that the two employees are Jesus and Satan, so you see what I mean?

The show stars a lot of familiar faces from the world of British comedy; the big names that stand out are Catherine Tate and Simon Pegg. Despite the limited run (2 series, 12 episodes total) there are an insane amount of memorable sketches including the aforementioned Jesus/Satan office scuffle, “wanking” being banned, a postal worker with a grudge and an animated stare down that is used in every first series episode.

I don’t want to go into any details on the skits because that would obviously take away half the fun of watching the show. What I will say is that the cast is able to jump in and out of various characters and for the most part always deliver a hilarious performance. Are there skits that don’t work? Sure but that’s true of any show of this nature. It’s not like SNL where basically everything falls flat, the good FAR outweighs the bad in this case.

Like I said it’s only 12 episodes (30 minutes each) and luckily it’s available on DVD in Region 1 so you have no excuse to not watch it. If there is one kind of show I feel benefits from these limited British runs its sketch comedy because they go out on a high note before things get stale. Give it a go.

Big Train on Amazon

Final Verdict

8 out of 10

#7. The Office

What is there to say at this point when it comes to the original Office? I’d imagine that this show is the most recognizable name on this list when it comes to comedy. By now you know the story, a sort of mockumentary following the day to day running of a paper distributor and the diverse group of characters that inhabit said company. All is overseen by the dim witted manager David Brent or the UK Michael Scott to those of you who know nothing about this version of the Office.

The show again only runs 12 total episodes over 2 series plus a Christmas special that wraps up the story lines. The man plot is similar to the early U.S. seasons as you may imagine. We see that Brent runs his office in a very unique way; he’s childish and craves attention. Unlike the U.S. version where Michael somehow never gets into real trouble the U.K. version takes a more realistic look at how a manager who act like Brent does would be handled by the upper management.

We also have the Jim/Pam love story EXACTLY only with Tim and Dawn. There’s also the Dwight character in the form of Gareth so all the main bases are covered if you’re a fan of the U.S. version.

As similar as I’m making the show sound they are actually pretty different beast. The U.K. version is a lot more personal and a bit more believable. Also unlike Jim and Pam who have become annoying with an air or arrogance to them Dawn and Tim are actually likeable characters. I hate how in the U.S. version it’s like anyone who isn’t Jim or Pam just isn’t important in the pairs world, it’s like they hate their life at work and dislike most of their co-workers while Tim and Dawn seem to at least be having a good time.

I suppose if the U.S. version had ended after a season or two I wouldn’t have so much Jim/Pam hate but sadly it’s not the case. At the end of the day I really enjoy both versions of the show in different ways and I think if you’ve seen the U.S. and not the U.K. you need to resolve that and see where the ideas came from.

The show is aviable on Amazon and many retailers as well as airing on Adult Swim (which is fantastic of them) so there are many, MANY ways to gain access to the show. Watch it!

The Office on Amazon

Final Verdict

8.5 out of 10