The Big British Comedy Quiz! Can You Get 100%?

In the twentieth century (starting around the 1960's or so) the BBC exported so many comedy shows to the United States, Canada, and elsewhere that many of them are regarded as international classics. The series tend to rely on nostalgic British themes, like class obsession, stealing other culture's artifacts, and looking down their noses at people. Many of these shows are politically incorrect or outright racist but the satire and slapstick humour will keep them in your British relative's good graces.

When compared to American comedies it is true that British jokes are slightly less obtuse and straightforward. In fact, British jokes are either so dry that you can't tell if the speaker is kidding or not, or so bizarre that you have no idea how any writer imagined this creative material--like the entire Monty Python franchise. As for genres and humorist devices, British comedy often capitalizes on dramatic irony and sarcasm. BBC comedians poke fun at themselves as a British people, their history, and British culture. These writers often target the politics of Westminster, the Continent, or their brash American cousins when pitching material.

How well do you know BBC's wide ranging comedies? Below are questions from Black Books, QI, Would I Lie to You?, Fawlty Towers, Monty Python, and more!

Question 1

What's wrong with the parrot?

And Now For Something Completely Different was the first Monty Python feature length film which came out in 1971. The title sounds like something to introduce TV advertisements that interrupt your favourite show. Much of the material came from Flying Circus sketches and the movie was seen as an opportunity to break into the American market. Though the group did not consider the movie a success it crystallized some of the troupe's best sketches. The 1971 compilation was directed by Ian MacNaughton.

Question 2

Which programme is the BBC's most exported?

By 2016 this comedy has been bought internationally over a thousand times-- the most for any BBC TV show. The show was especially popular in Eastern European countries but was exported to others like Australia and Nigeria. Starring lady Patricia Routledge is particularly memorable and the show's creator thinks the show's success is due to her character. This show began in 1990 and due to it's commercial success the BBC came out with a second season about the protagonist's youth in 2016. The BBC's second most internationally acquired show was the Life of Mammals.

Question 3

In the Little Britain sketch who does Lou accompany?

Comedians David Williams and Matt Lucas created a series of sketches to represent the people of Britain. Every sketch takes a common stereotype to its furthest possible instantiation and makes fun of every character unmercifully. Lou and this character are arguably the show's most iconic duo. Lou is a gentle caretaker who speaks with a Cockney accent and slight lisp and is completely ignorant to the fact this character is only pretending to be paraplegic. This character's taglines are: "Yeah, I know," "Want that one," and "[I] don't like it."

Question 4

What does QI stand for?

This comedic game first aired in 2003 on BBC Four. It was hosted by Stephen Fry (of Fry and Laurie) until 2015 and is now hosted by former guest star Sandi Toksvig. The show asks about extremely obscure facts which decreases the changes that any guest or viewer will know the answer. Comedian Alan Davies is a permanent member of the panel, always seated to the immediate right of the host. QI won "Best British TV Panel Show" in 2010.

Question 5

What does Fran sell in Black Books?

In this strange yet dark comedy, we're introduced to three unlikely friends who seem to be very good at doing absolutely nothing. Manny seems to have had a "before" Bernard life, but it's mysterious and only alluded to. We're also introduced to Fran, who seems to be an independent and enterprising young woman who owns her very own shop next door to Bernard's. The question is of course how either of them ever got into the position of running a shop.

Question 6

Which is NOT a Monty Python movie?

Monty Python's Flying Circus first appeared as a BBC series in 1969. Both their haircuts and their cultural impact have prompted people to compare the troupe to the Beatles. The comedic group had complete creative control which allowed them to turn to surreal comedy, often bringing in bizarre situations and impossible plot scenarios. By the 1970's they were making feature length films. Three of the six Pythons were voted by American and British comedians and comedy writers to be amongst the top 50 comedians in a BBC poll.

Question 7

What do Hyacinth and her sisters have in common?

As the name of this show suggests Hyacinth aspires to appear as upper class as possible. Most of her efforts are foiled by her own lower class background and her aloof and disinterested extended family. So, it's more a show about inventing appearances than maintaining them. With visits to beautiful homes and elaborate dinners Hyacinth is convinced one day she will become upper-class by osmosis. Keeping Up Appearances was a success abroad which suggests many other countries know about and are ready to laugh at British class obsession.

Question 8

Who is the host of Would I Lie To You?

Would I Lie to You? Is a British comedy panel show that aired on BBC One in 2007. Each team is headed by a captain who is joined by a celebrity guest. The teams compete for points. Points are won if panellists can determine whether a bizarre fact or personal story is true or not. However, viewers can't follow the point scores because some questions are edited out of each round (for entertainment value). Also if you have a particularly silly story, the host will shut you down.

Question 9

What does Basil Fawlty own?

From BBC Two, Fawlty Towers follows the business undertakings of a family establishment owned by Basil Fawlty on the "English Riviera" town of Torquay. Enacted by the famous John Cleese, Basil is a middle-class man who is looking to up his class status in life by serving a prestigious and old-monied clientele. Unfortunately his establishment often attracts riff-raff like Cockney sparrows and American tourists. Basil himself is a frugal and uptight individual who tries to perfect everything in his business so it appears respectable to high-end clients.

Question 10

What does Basil do for Sybil's anniversary?

In Fawlty Towers Basil and Sybil's fifteenth anniversary falls on the 17th of April. Sybil spends all morning venting to Polly about how Basil forgot the date last year. Sybil expects him to forget again and tries to give him subtle hints about it all morning. However, Basil has remembered but decided to go through with it in his own typically stubborn fashion. In this episode we see how involved Polly is in all of the extra-business affairs that go on at Fawlty Towers.

Question 11

In Fry and Laurie, what does Laurie say his name is?

In arguably the best episode of Fry and Laurie the duo enact a skit at a police station. Fry, always the character of authority, is a policeman asking wide-eyed Laurie for his name and address. But Laurie provides him with an extremely unorthodox response. The two go back and forth on issues of orthography and pronunciation but they don't seem to resolve the matter. Instead Fry resorts to violence to get back at Laurie for his sarcastic and enigmatic responses.

Question 12

How does Hyacinth insist her last name is pronounced?

In Keeping up Appearances Hyacinth has married into a similar low-class family but is trying her best to erase this reality. Though she takes her husband's sir name she insists it is pronounced in a more highbrow fashion. However her husband laments before he married her his surname was always pronounced phonetically. Moreover, she always answers the phone with this mispronounced family name. This is just another one of Hyacinth's attempts at attaining a higher status in her neighbourhood.

Question 13

In Black Books how does Bernard respond when a customer ask if his books are real leather?

You have an idea of how uncooperative Bernard can be in the first episode when a customer wants to ensure some book bindings are made from real leather. Of course, the customer is asking this for aesthetic and materialistic reasons, so Bernard gives him a snob answer, the only one imaginable from a bookshop keeper. Bernard lives in organized chaos and once chases his customers out of the store with a broom because he wanted some alone time. Manny and Fran's attempts to change his lifestyle or socialize him never prevail.

Question 14

What is Never Mind the Buzzcocks about?

This comedy panel game began on BBC and aired from 1996 to 2015. Like "Would I Lie to You?" the show consisted of two teams headed by permanent team captains. Never Mind the Buzzcocks was known for dry humour and merciless mockery of anything musical. Nothing was sacred, nothing was safe. The show consisted of four rounds, one with music videos, a cappella improvisations, band recognition, and lyric recall. The show was named after a play on words of a Sex Pistols' album.

Question 15

Who is NOT a regular guest on QI?

The current host of QI was a regular guest before Stephen Fry stepped down. It pays to know these things. The show invites actors, musicians, clergymen, and scientists to give voice to trains of thought in hopes of finding the most interesting answer. Guests are scored and even the victor mostly ends up in the negatives, once prompting Fry to comment no one in the universe knows how the QI scoring system works. Guests often reappear to have another chance to give quite interesting answers.

Question 16

What name does Bernard NEVER call his assistant?

In Black Books Bernard is a toxic antisocial being who doesn't even attempt to be kind to his own housemate and assistant. His assistant normally takes Bernard's bad temper and name-calling in good stride. However, his assistant once lashes out at Bernard for interfering when he is interested in a girl. Pensive and stubborn Bernard is the exact opposite of his chipper and helpful assistant. Of course Bernard never appreciates him, but at least Fran can sometimes show him kindness.

Question 17

Who says: "Have you tried turning it off an on again?"

The IT Crowd is a shot-lived but absolutely amazing sit-com featuring absurd characters that get up to just about everything in the exact opposite way that they ought to. Few people know that the show was exported to the US where a pilot was actually produced. However, without the timing of Chris O'Dowd and a much more obvious love interest replacing Katherine Parkinson, the chemistry was just off. Still, this iconic quote has made it across the pond since it's well useful when dealing with computers.

Question 18

John Cleese is in charge of a Ministry. What Ministry is it?

In this Monty Python skit comes from the Flying Circus and talks about a made up government ministry. John Cleese is most prominent in this sketch and puts this talent to use later in Fawlty Towers. His long legs make the sketch particularly entertaining, and the juxtaposition of physical comedy with the seriousness of the grant discussion is truly hilarious. In later years John Cleese has denied repeating this sketch before audiences because his legs are not as nimble and agile as they once were.

Question 19

People often misdial Hyacinth calling for who?

Hyacinth wants to be taken seriously, as a lady of her house. So it is much to her dismay when this very unserious caller believes her to be an enterprise. Again there's a juxtaposition with how refined Hyacinth believes she is and how the caller treats her. There's also a contrast between Hyacinth first answering the phone in a refined, proper, "received pronunciation" accent until she realizes who the caller is. What are people looking for when they misdial Mrs.Bucket?

Question 20

What question stumps Sir Robin on the Bridge of Death?

In this Flying Circus skit the Pythons are dressed as Prince Arthur's Knights and must surmount dangerous obstacles in their quest for the Holy Grail. The film was made with entirely new material and backed by rock legends like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. The Knights are almost at their destination when they have to cross a rickety bridge or be cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril. They must answer the gatekeeper three questions that are harder than they initially seem.

Question 21

Who is Sebastian in Little Britain?

Sebastian has the type of haircut that is barely long enough to stay out of his face; the character is always having to mess with it and flip it during scenes. Sebastian is extremely besotted with his boss and tends to see any new colleague or work friend as a romantic threat. He vies for the attention of his boss, but his boss seems completely unaware of Sebastian's immature and inappropriate comportment. In Little Britain USA Sebastian is excited to meet his American counterpart.

Question 22

How do Fry and Laurie say "cheers"?

Fry and Laurie are known for their slapstick humour, elaborate wordplay, and innuendo. In series three and four the duo come up with an entirely new way to say cheers at the end of each episode. Fry and Laurie have actually been said to be working on a new animated film, an adaptation of the Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde. Though production has been delayed there are rumours they continue to work on the project. It might be more nostalgic than hilarious.

Question 23

How does Basil give the Germans a warm welcome at his hotel?

The episode "The Germans" is meant to portray how the British will never let go of historical wars or relations where they've come out victorious. Basil is hosting some Germans at Fawlty Towers and mentions all of the wrong things to them. John Cleese's goose-stepping silly walk makes an appearance when he is, of course, impersonating Adolf Hitler. Also, the permanent hotel tenant Major is ruffled once he hears Germans will be staying at Fawlty Towers. Basil's German guests are impressed by the how dysfunctional the hotel business is.

Question 24

What sort of shop did Fran run?

In Black Books shopkeeper Bernard has a friend in Fran, an old acquaintance who runs a shop next door. Normally her and Bernard close their shops early to enjoy a quiet glass of wine. However early in the series she loses her shop and has to resort to all sorts of odd jobs. She convinces Bernard to keep his Manny as an assistant because she thinks it might make Bernard more sociable. Bernard eventually realizes Fran is trying to look out for him and heeds her advice.

Question 25

Which sister is Hyacinth very proud of?

In Keeping Up Appearances Hyacinth Bucket always makes sure to use the best silverware for dinner parties. She believes in putting her best foot forward and even sometimes brags to other people about her belongings. When she has a relative she is fond of it's generally because said relative is financially stable and rather high-class. Hyacinth has one sister like this who often calls for advice. Whenever she does Hyacinth is sure to announce how well-off and happy her cherished sister is.

Question 26

On QI what are wrong or pathetically obvious answers called?

QI is all about contextualizing something in an interesting way. The hosts often pose such difficult questions people are forced to come up with fantastical, but interesting answers. However, if a guest is not quick-thinking enough they might answer something obvious or disinteresting. This prompts the sound of klaxons, alarm bells, and flashing red lights to make fun of the pathetically obvious answer. Alan Davies typically gets called out for these answers-- he once responded that "oxygen" was the "main ingredient of air."

Question 27

What is Sybil's catch phrase?

In Fawlty Towers Sybil is a far more collected and efficient hotel manager than Basil. She is also one of the few characters that can demand respect from him. However, Sybil constantly asks Basil to do small decorative things for her (hang a painting) and when the hotel is in a rush she can often be seen talking on the phone to her best friend Audrey. When talking to Audrey she has a favourite tagline that is used to convey empathy and understanding.

Question 28

What TV series did Fry and Laurie collaborate on?

Fry and Laurie were a comedy duo who met at Cambridge and came to prominence in the in the 1980's and 1990's. They had their own tv sketch comedy show called A Little Bit of Fry & Laurie. They also collaborated on other projects, the most acclaimed being the comic fiction of P. G. Wodehouse. Though they adopted separate roles for these new plots, Fry and Laurie keep the same character dynamic with Fry often being the authoritative, respectable figure and Laurie being a bit daft.

Question 29

What is Vicky Pollard's catchphrase?

In Little Britain Matt Lucas takes on the role of Vicky Pollard, a delinquent fifteen year old with more than twelve children. Always in the same hot pink Kappa track suit, Vicky spends her time gossiping or stealing things from the local grocery stores. However she always tries to explain her way out of situations with long-winded situations that typically involve something happening to a friend on the other side of town. Vicky is never seriously reprimanded except in Little Britian USA when she has to go to boot camp for burning down Disneyland.

Question 30

Which book does Manny accidentally eat in the first episode?

In the first episode of Black Books Manny rushes in completely flustered looking for a very specific title. Bernard knows exactly where it is but suggests other books before it just to delay Manny. In this hilarious scene as soon as Manny gets the book he reads a short passage and is immediately relieved of his frantic stress. He blames his mannerisms on his job. Manny later comes to work as something like an indentured servant to Bernard but he remains cheerful and optimistic throughout.

Question 31

What does Basil compare his wife's laugh to?

Fawlty Towers is run by couple Basil and Sybil who love each other but show it in very bizarre ways, typically by bugging each other until their help Polly has to get involved. Sybil intimidates Basil so he constantly makes fun of her with exasperated and inventive names as a way to rebel against her authority (though he eventually follows through on her demands). Sybil has a high conversational tone and manages to say Basil in the shrill British way possible.

Question 32

What is Fran's real name?

Fran from Black Books is a very mysterious character. She is only slightly less nihilistic than the protagonist, Bernard. This leads her to sometimes try to escape their destructive lifestyle, for example by trying yoga, but she always ends up returning to it. We don't know much about her past except that her grandparents taught her to cheat at poker and that she has a very unfortunate love life. She changed her name in her early life and only states her birth one in the last episode.

Question 33

Which is a habit of Hyacinth's?

Keeping Up Appearances is hilarious because Hyacinth tries to enact all of the behaviours she would imagine an upperclass person to have. However, it is doubtful an upperclass person would contribute half the effort Hyacinth does. In short, even if her family didn't butt in and ruin her charade, she gives herself away by trying too hard. Also Hyacinth equates class to material wealth when this does not strictly mean class. The writer for Keeping Up Appearances once said the show was so popular because everyone knows a Hyacinth.

Question 34

What strange animal attacks Arthur and his Knights on the quest for the Holy Grail?

In Monty Python and the Holy Grail the Pythons have to pass all sorts of dangerous tests to get to their eventual goal. For one, they must pass the Cave of Caerbannog wherein lives a particularly ferocious animal. No one knows what this monstrous animal is and when they first see it they stop taking it seriously because of its fluffy nature. However, when the knights approach the monster bites of limbs with its long teeth and the Pythons have to engage in battle. They defeat it with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.

Question 35

What was comedian Peter Cook's comedy based on?

The comedy shows available in this quiz date to the early 1970's. But comedians' comedian Peter Cook was around before then and known as the "father of modern ******." Many of these shows (though not the panel ones) and other comedic material available on the BBC have stemmed from his movement. He was known for his dry humour and absurd sketches and is hailed as one of the most influential comedians. One of his famous disses was, "you fill me with inertia."

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