Greatest Sketch Comedy (What's Your Top 10?)

[Dannyalcatraz]

Been a long time since I’ve seen that one- thanks!

 

[trappedslider]

Needs Studio C

 

[Imaculata]

Monty Python is a classic, but it was never consistently good. It had only a few sketches that people remember, but most of it wasn't good at all. A bit of Fry and Laurie and French and Saunders were a lot more consistant in their quality. Madtv and SNL had a lot of fantastic sketches, but which were again easily outnumbered by their bad sketches.

 

[R_J_K75]

These are NSFW...actually anything NSFW is usually hilarious

UCB

UCB Ass Pennies - Search Videos

www.bing.com

Kids in the Hall - Dean the King of Empty Promises

SNL - The Sinatra Group

the sinatra group skit - Search Videos

www.bing.com

Anything Chapelle....

Mad TV and In Living Color...

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Monty Python is a classic, but it was never consistently good. It had only a few sketches that people remember, but most of it wasn't good at all. A bit of Fry and Laurie and French and Saunders were a lot more consistant in their quality. Madtv and SNL had a lot of fantastic sketches, but which were again easily outnumbered by their bad sketches.

Well, I wrote "For me, the following are the Top 10, combining a peculiar mixture of funny, personal preference, influence, and longevity into a special judging admixture ..."

In the end, it's all arbitrary, and mostly to spur conversation. I think that Monty Python would have to be in anyone's top ten (and certainly my number one) for the combination of funny and influence; of course, it's also hard to separate out the TV show from the later movies and individual work of the people involved.

Other shows (such as Portlandia) I put up there because they are amazingly funny, but they can also be hyper-specific; they don't have the madcap energy or randomness that a Monty Python or Mr. Show has, and I wonder if it will have the same "feel" in 30 years.

Most lists will necessarily be biased toward more current shows and/or "best of" shows depending on the age, given that humor can be very time-specific as well. Some classic shows (I'm thinking of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In) just don't seem very funny any more. IMO. On the other hand, other shows (like SNL) almost have to be there given the sheer longevity and influence.


.... I have to admit, I am somewhat surprised that the Muppet Show has 6 votes, but Mr. Show has zero. I love the Muppet Show, but no love for Mr. Show?

 

[Morrus]

.... I have to admit, I am somewhat surprised that the Muppet Show has 6 votes, but Mr. Show has zero. I love the Muppet Show, but no love for Mr. Show?

Well speaking for myself I’ve heard of the Muppet Show. No idea what that other one is!

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Well speaking for myself I’ve heard of the Muppet Show. No idea what that other one is!

It was a great, absolutely great sketch show with Bob Odenkirk ("Better Call Saul") and David Cross ("Tobias Funke") that aired on HBO for four seasons in the late 90s.

Netflix recently did a "reboot" (called W/ Bob and David) that had some really funny moments, but lacked the all-star comedic shops and writing of the original. You can never re-capture lightning in a bottle.

 

[Deset Gled]

On the other hand, other shows (like SNL) almost have to be there given the sheer longevity and influence.

This is exactly why I voted for SNL. Part of me really wanted to vote for SCTV instead, as I think that it's funnier on a per-show basis. But if you sum up all of the best sketches of SNL over time, SCTV can't hold a candle to it.

As someone who voted for Key and Peele over Chappelle's Show, I am legitimately surprised to see K&P with more votes than CS.

 

[Ulfgeir]

Most of these I hadn't even heard about.

 

[Istbor]

I am a little sad you omitted The Whitest Kids you Know from the list. Not consistently great but man, some of those episodes and skits were amazing.