If you have someone on your shopping list who is a lover of British television, you can give them just what they want this year! What follows is a list of the top seven Brit TV box sets, both popular and more obscure (so that you can please even the person who has everything already!).
1. The Office
The first series put together by English comedians Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. First produced in 2001, The Office is a mock-umentary, which follows the (somewhat mundane and always hilarious) lives of David Brent, the boss of a paper supply company in Slough, and his bored-to-death employees. Filled with dry sarcasm and laughable glances at the camera, The Office is an essential.
2. Extras
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant paired up again in 2005, producing another hit series, Extras. Teamed with the clumsy, yet loveable Ashley Jensen, Extras revolves around Andy Millman (Gervais) and his best friend Maggie Jacobs (Jensen), who are struggling to stay afloat in life on the insignificant salaries of background movie actors. Extras brings in a celebrity guest for each episode – from Ben Stiller and Daniel Radcliffe to the illustrious David Bowie – and they are always more than willing to poke fun at themselves.
3. Little Britain
Known and loved by so many people around the world that an American version was recently produced, Little Britain can get a laugh out of just about anyone. Written by and starring odd comedy couple David Walliams and Matt Lucas, this sketch comedy series makes fun of everything from politics to obesity. Be prepared to laugh and cringe, and then laugh at the fact that you’re cringing. Within a couple of episodes, you’ll find yourself inexplicably attached to some of the recurring characters. Sheer brilliance.
4. Spaced
A few years before they shot to fame with Shaun of the Dead, actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, along with their director Edgar Wright teamed up with the riotous and wonderfully expressive Jessica Stevenson (now Jessica Hynes) in Spaced. This quirky series chronicles the lives of Tim and Daisy, who were complete strangers until they were forced to pose as a “professional couple” to get a flat they could afford. Complete with numerous comedic call-backs – in typical Simon Pegg style – Spaced is a must-have box set.
5. Absolutely Fabulous
Take the fashion and attitude of Sex and the City and multiply it by ten, and then throw in a lot of booze and you’ve found Absolutely Fabulous. Follow Patsy and Edina through the countless trials and tribulations associated with doing…well, nothing. Count on hearing lots of “darling” and “sweetie,” and treasure every hideous outfit. This is female comic gold.
6. Flight of the Conchords
If you haven’t heard of these boys yet, you are missing out. They are certainly not British (to set the record straight, they are from New Zealand), but their humour has a similar flavour. Flight of the Conchords is the name of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement’s self-proclaimed “two-man novelty band,” a.k.a. “New Zealand’s fourth most popular digi-folk parodists.” They’re going to be the next big thing…eventually?
7. Black Books
You will recognize Irish actor Dylan Moran if you’re a fan of the work of Simon Pegg, but he carries his own weight in Black Books. This more obscure series follows Bernard Black, a heavy drinker and smoker who runs his own book shop in London, even though he really hates his customers – and people in general, for that matter. Definitely worth a watch.
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