A study by boffins at King’s College London has found that British humour in TV shows is supposedly more intelligent, but American TV comedies are more watchable
British humour is more intelligent than American comedy but US TV sitcoms are still more watchable, a study found.
King’s College London researchers discovered that the British sense of humour is one of the main reasons young Europeans watch our TV shows and films. Those interviewed described British wit as “ironic”, “unique”, “intelligent” and “subtle”.
Many claimed they preferred it to American humour – which was deemed more “basic” and “simplistic” with their jokes being “less subtle”. However, respondents said humorous American content is still “more easily watchable” on telly – which may explain why US sitcoms are often chosen for comfort viewing.
One respondent, 24-year-old Emilia, from Germany, said: “American comedies are very predictable. So, you can predict most of the jokes and everything.
“And I think that’s not the case for British humoristic formats.”
Annette, 19, from The Netherlands, added: “I think it’s a smarter level of humour – more sophisticated humour than, like, American content.
“I think it’s more easily watchable, while British content does require a bit more listening and following.”
Europeans in particular praised British comedies such as Fleabag, After Life and Sex Education, which they said made serious topics more engaging.
Professor Andrea Esser, one of the study’s investigators, said the results rebuffed the idea that “humour doesn’t travel well”.
She said: “The idea that humour doesn’t travel well due to cultural differences doesn’t hold true for many young audiences.
“Those proficient in English especially appreciate UK screen content for its humour.
“Young viewers, spurred on by social media, crave humour and increasingly watch with the original English-language soundtrack to ‘get the joke’.”
In the world of American comedy, the stalwart NBC show Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrated its 50th anniversary this month.
A wealth of former cast members and celebrities were in attendance for the show, including Steve Martin, John Mulaney, Amy Poehler, Scarlett Johansson and Jack Nicholson.
Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively were also shown on-screen, amid the couple’s legal battle with Lively’s It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Singers Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter opened the show with a duet of Simon and George Harrison’s 1990 hit Homeward Bound, while Sir Paul McCartney closed the show with a medley of songs from The Beatles’ Abbey Road album.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
