Cult British TV comedy: From Reeves and Mortimer to Psychoville

by Leon Hunt

This book is the first sustained critical analysis of Cult British TV comedy from 1990 to the present day. The book examines ‘post-alternative’ comedy as both ‘cult’ and ‘quality’ TV, aimed mostly at niche audiences and often possessing a subcultural aura (comedy was famously declared ‘the new ‘rock’n’roll’ in the early ‘90s). It includes case studies of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and the sitcom writer Graham Linehan. It examines developments in sketch shows and the emergence of ‘dark’ and ‘cringe’ comedy, and considers the politics of ‘offence’ during a period in which Brass Eye, ‘Sachsgate’ and Frankie Boyle provoked different kinds of media outrage.

Programmes discussed include Vic Reeves Big Night Out, Peep Show, Father Ted, The Mighty Boosh, The Fast Show and Psychoville. Cult British TV Comedy will be of interest to both students and fans of modern TV comedy.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2013

Reviews

[Ksenia]

'Outside of comedy, sex is possibly the only other area where someone might actively seek embarrassment or humiliation as a source of pleasure. But, as Little Britain’s Marjorie Dawes would say, that’s not for here.'

yupppp... anyways. it literally what it is, almost a full on textbook. nevertheless quite enjoyed many of this person's insights. love them goats. and ofc laughed a little at the chapter about the miserable git graham linehan esp him being described as 'principled political voice on twitter' a bit of foreshadowing isn't it.

[Stark]

Good un, it’s a textbook and is textbook.