Why Don't Americans Get British Humour?

[Norsemaiden]

The Brits seem to appreciate American comedies, despite thinking them a lot more prosaic than our own. But why don't Americans understand the nuiances of British humour?

The funniest thing I have ever seen is this - but can Americans appreciate it?
http://www.heretical.com/miscella/vizloves.html

According to this article
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3516969.ece

it seems to be the kind of comedies like "One Foot In the Grave" that most baffle Americans since it is finding humour in grumpiness. The article says that our sense of humour is largely genetic which is interesting.

What is the view of Americans here on British humour? Do you think it is not as funny as American humour?

 

[kmik]

True. American sitcoms are shit. I prefer gentle British humor. Monty Python is fucking awesome. I also watched a few episodes of Coupling and it was pretty funny and well thought out. There's an American version of it, of course, because Americans make remake of everything and the comparison is funny - look for it on the internet.

 

[waif]

I love Monty Python. However, that thing you linked to honestly isn't that funny. It seems like an Onion article...

Anyone seen Ripping Yarns?

 

[fah-q]

Comedy, (beware, broad generalization) is often based on life experiences. When we identify with something a comic is talking about, we generally find it funny. The life experiences of a comic from the UK isn't necessarily going to be funny for me because I can't identify with much of it.
On a side note. I used to watch The Young Ones every week on MTV. I enjoyed that very much.

 

[waif]

Most British humor is better than American humor. Not sure this warrants a thread, though...

 

[BlackMetalWhiteGuy]

I have a lot of friends who love Monty Python and think it's about the funniest thing ever, although I don't see the appeal. However, I don't usually like SNL or Mad TV very much either, because I'm probably over-sensitive to the fine line between funny and annoying. With most British humor though, I find that it's not so much that it isn't funny, it's just that the presentation is so weak that most of the humor is lost.

 

[kmik]

Most British humor is better than American humor. Not sure this warrants a thread, though...

US is commercialism + capitalism + materialism but old Europe is Aryan, noble and pagan thus the humor is better. I think

There is actually one funny American show - Arrested Development. I don't watch TV but this and The Wire are truly exceptional shows. It's very fast paced and genuinely funny, and the characters are just great.

 

[Donnie Darko]

I cant speak for all Americans but I love British humour

 

[waif]

US is commercialism + capitalism + materialism but old Europe is Aryan, noble and pagan thus the humor is better.

 

[Norsemaiden]

After studying 2,000 pairs of British twins and 500 pairs of Americans, researchers at the University of Western Ontario in Canada – not a nation famed for its home-grown jokes – concluded that humour lies in the genes. Both nations, the researchers found, liked positive humour, but only the British appreciated sarcasm, self-deprecation, teasing and ridicule, and the less pleasing aspects of racist or sexist humour.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3516969.ece

Trying to make the thread a bit more intelligent...
Does that quote sound correct? It seems from the answers so far that a lot of Americans can appreciate " sarcasm, self-deprecation, teasing and ridicule, and the less pleasing aspects of racist or sexist humour" but the fact that Americans don't produce this kind of humour shows that it must not really quite strike a chord the same way it does with Brits.

 

[hibernal_dream]

Both nations, the researchers found, liked positive humour

I wonder if anyone can provide an example of such humour. Preferably something that is actually funny yet offends or targets no group or individual.

 

[WeAreTheLastMen]

Well, I'm American, and I like British humor. And pretty much every American I know likes British humor.
Why is this a thread on the PHILOSOPHY forum??

 

[WeAreTheLastMen]

The funniest thing I have ever seen is this - but can Americans appreciate it?
http://www.heretical.com/miscella/vizloves.html

I'm gonna say no, mostly 'cause it's not at all funny. I'm a huge fan of British humor though (Blackadder being my favorite).

 

[waif]

Does that quote sound correct?

Not at all...maybe it's just me and everyone I know...

 

[BlackMetalWhiteGuy]

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3516969.ece

Trying to make the thread a bit more intelligent...
Does that quote sound correct? It seems from the answers so far that a lot of Americans can appreciate " sarcasm, self-deprecation, teasing and ridicule, and the less pleasing aspects of racist or sexist humour" but the fact that Americans don't produce this kind of humour shows that it must not really quite strike a chord the same way it does with Brits.

As popular as those types of humor are in the US, I think that article is bullshit.

 

[zacmenta]

I'm an Australian, and like most Australians (at least most of the ones I know) I love British humour, and enjoy some stuff from the US. Seinfeld is absolutely classic, but my favourite shows would have to be Black Books, The Mighty Boosh, Dark Place, etc. I was practically raised on the Young Ones + Monty Python + The Simpsons as well.

I'm not sure what it is that makes many Americans dislike British humour, but I think we can dismiss the opinion of anyone who finds David Letterman, or Ellen Degenerous (not sure how her name is spelt) funny.

 

[Norsemaiden]

I suppose I am going to have to close this thread. It didn't go in as philosophical (or psychologically enlightening) direction as I had hoped and so is inappropriate for the forum. Thanks to all those who answered.