I adored 'Drop the Dead Donkey.' That show defined Channel 4 at the time; it was so inventive and off the leash.
I have always regarded Mr. Bean as a timeless, ageless character, and I would rather he be remembered as a character mostly in his 30s and 40s.
When I'm in the U.K. I find myself using a lot of Britishisms.
I have gotten a couple of letters meant for Mr. Bean aka Rowan Atkinson. These letters would say things like, 'You're so funny, you make me laugh, with your big rubbery face,' and I would say, 'You can't mean me!'
I am huge fan of Australian comedy. 'Strictly Ballroom' is one of my favorite movies. Definitely the British Commonwealth's sensibility is where I draw a lot of my influences.
You know, I think British comedy is very smart comedy. You don't get too much dumb comedy over here. Or at least I haven't seen it. If I'm wrong about that, I apologize to all the dumb comedy makers over here.
I'm one of those pesky Brits.
Dad loved movies, and I grew up with British comedy. My ultimate favourite is Peter Sellers.
There is something fantastically post-modern about David Frost.
The English are terribly lazy about fighting. They like to get it over and done with and then set up a game of cricket.
Americans just don't understand dry wit.
I've been a fan of Eddie Izzard since school.
But I'm English. We don't do uplifting.
The ability for us to laugh at ourselves is Britain's saving grace.
When I first started writing, I was living in England and I had that uniquely English sense of sarcasm, which has definitely seemed to have left me. I am a naturalized American and my sensibility has become far more American.
My Dad was from Liverpool, and he picked it up in the army. He'd often come out with this stuff.
The Americans all love 'The Holy Grail', and the English all love 'Life Of Brian', and I'm afraid on this one, I side with the English.
Occasionally, there are programmes - like 'The Office' or 'Gavin and Stacey,' perhaps - where you get the feeling everybody's seen it.
Sarcasm is a Manchester trait.
I love British humor. It's just so - surreal.
It's funny because growing up, when Ali G first burst off the screen, it was something that I was probably too young to be watching, but I absolutely loved it.
Here in the UK the audience immediately reacts and they get the fact that: "What would be the most annoying thing in the world?" A Chesney Hawkes alarm clock!
The understatement is the English contribution to comedy.
I love the energy over here in the U.K., the hospitality is insane.
I think American guys tend to be a bit more forward, a bit more chatty and open than the Brits. The Brits seem to have a darker sense of humor, though I have met some Americans who have adopted bits of the British dry sense of humor as well.
