TV Comedy
Television comedy had a presence from the earliest days of broadcasting. The situation comedy, or sitcom, has been the most common, successful and culturally significant type of television comedy. As the name suggests, these programs feature recurring characters placed in humourous situations. Since the early 1950s with "I Love Lucy" in the US and "Hancock's Half Hour" in Britain, sitcoms have always had a special place in the hearts of viewers and gathered highly devoted followers, as the familar characters often become beloved. Below you may scroll though time to your fondly remembered telly programs. For Alice's motherlode of Television, stay with "Television Shows".
Pictured: Ricky Gervais as The Brentster in the BBC's brilliant 'The Office'.
Hancock's Half Hour: Volume 2 (1959)
8.6/10
Starring: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams
The yardstick against which all subsequent British sitcoms have been measured, many failing to measure up. The brilliant Tony Hancock translated his... Read more
You Bet Your Life! - The Best Episodes (1958)
Starring: Candice Bergen, Phyllis Diller, George Fenneman, Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Johnn...
Groucho Marx hosted this classic 1950s game show where he had free reign to say and do pretty much whatever he liked - with hilarious results. Collect... Read more
Hancock's Half Hour: Volume 1 (1957)
8.6/10
Director: Duncan Wood
Starring: Tony Hancock, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, June Whitfield, Dick Emery
Adapted from the equally successful radio programme of the same name, this early British sitcom still sets the standard for those made today. This DVD... Read more
The Johnny Carson Show (1955)
8.5/10
Starring: Johnny Carson
Late-night chat king Johnny Carson first graced American airwaves in 1955 when, as a young staff writer for 'The Red Skelton Show', he was asked to st... Read more
Father Knows Best: Season 1 (1955)
7.4/10
Starring: Robert Young, Jane Wyatt
The popular radio show comes to life in this hit sitcom about a wise family man, Jim Anderson, his common-sense wife Margaret and their children Betty... Read more
Sgt Bilko: Volume 1 (1955)
5.7/10
Starring: Harvey Lembeck, Phil Silvers, Paul Ford, Maurice Gosfield, Billy Sands
Comedy legend Phil Silvers is Sgt. Ernie Bilko, the ultimate con man. He runs the motor pool at a small Kansas US Army Camp, nominally run by Colonel... Read more
Red Skelton (1954)
8.1/10
Starring: Red Skelton
Paint the town red with this collection of TV show skits. Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years after being active in show business from... Read more
The Abbott and Costello Show: Season 1 (1952)
8.5/10
Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Hillary Brooke
The landmark comedy show that showcased the talents of the kings of slapstick. Contains all 26 episodes of the first season (1952-1953), complete and... Read more
I Love Lucy - Season 1, Volume 1 (1951)
Director: Anon
Starring: Lucille Ball
Here's how it all started. See the original, rarely-seen pilot and the first three episodes of the wild, wacky and wonderful series that changed TV fo... Read more
The Comedy Hour with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis: Vol 1 (1950)
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Rosemary Clooney
'The Colgate Comedy Hour' (1950-1955) was a favourite with audiences for six years, providing viewers with classic sketches by hosts Dean Martin and J... Read more