Sitcom Showdown

In this first-ever 'Hall of Shame' version of the podcast, Jeff nominates an episode of Still Open All Hours to show that even a classic David Jason & Roy Clarke sitcom can produce one-star clunkers. 

What We Do in the Shadows is the sitcom nominated this time, with Steve suggesting this vampire comedy has Hall of Fame potential.  Let's see if the powers of producers Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement and Paul Simms, along with a cast including Matt Berry and Natasia Demetriou, can rise to the occasion! Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.

The Mighty Boosh is nominated for the Hall of Fame by Jeffers for their series one episode 'Electro' (2004). Will the adventures of Vince Noir and Howard Moon slip into the hallowed hall like a warm kitten? That's up to Steve, the spirit of sitcom. Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.

Loved By You - the UK version of Mad About You - is selected by Steve to be inspected as part of the cross-Atlantic sitcom swap month of March 2020. Is this transplanted remake as bad as you's expect? It can't be any worse than the partially dodgy audio quality from our hosts as they try a spot of remote recording forced by lockdown... Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.

Payne, the USA version of Fawlty Towers, is Jeffers' choice this episode. In March 2020 we're looking at sitcom reworkings in other continents, and this 1999 imitation of Fawlty Towers is a notorious one, even with John Larroquette and JoBeth Williams doing the best they can. Let's find out how payne-ful it is! Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

A look back at THE GOOD PLACE.

The Nordic sitcom 'Norsemen' is nominated for the Hall of Fame by Steve, who goes to bat for the 'village & pillage' adventures of vikings in the 8th Century. Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Fawlty Towers gets its second nomination for the Hall of Fame, for the episode 'Communication Problems', starring the formidable Mrs Richards. Surely any example of this all-time classic sitcom from John Cleese and Connie Booth is a dead cert winner, just like Dragonfly ... (or is that Nitwit?) Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Rising Damp's 1975 Christmas episode 'For the Man Who Has Everything' is nominated for the Hall of Fame by Steve, who is impressed by the fast-talking Leonard Rossiter and his castmates.

NewsRadio gets its second nomination for the Hall of Fame, thanks to Jeffers putting up the festive episode 'Xmas Story' from season 2. Steve gets to decide whether the Christmas adventures of Dave Nelson, Lisa Miller, Jimmy James, Matthew and the crew of WNYX will be able to deck the Hall with bouts of funny. Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Arrested Development is nominated for the Hall of Fame by Steve, trying to get Jeffers on the Bluth family hype train about a decade later than most.  Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

3rd Rock From the Sun is nominated by Jeffers, who believes this 1990s alien-based yet Earth-bound sitcom is a Hall of Fame lock. Series 1, episode 10 (Truth or Dick) is selected for scrutiny by Steve, whose vague memories of 3rd Rock are generally positive, so this could mean success for Dick, Sally, Harry and Tommy! Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

A 'Night Court' Halloween episode is selected by Steve, to check out the un-spooky legal adventures of Judge Harry, Bull and the lawyers. It's a little funny and a lot emotional when Harry's cheeky urchin pal Leon returns to the fold and turns things upside down! Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Bottom is nominated for the Hall of Fame with the 1995 Halloween episode 'Terror' giving Steve and Jeffers an insight into how the British go Trick-or-Treating. Watch out with that cattle prod, Richie! Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Victor Meldrew's exploits go under the microscope in this episode of Sitcom Showdown, as One Foot In The Grave is nominated by Steve for the Hall of Fame.  Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Julia Sawalha is inducted into the Hall of Fame in the second of our two-part 'actor' specials. We illustrate Julia's range and talent by comparing her role as Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous with her turn as Janet Wilson in the 2000 sitcom Time Gentlemen Please. Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

In the first actor-focused episode of Sitcom Showdown, Judd Hirsch is the topic of conversation. Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Quacks is nominated by Steve for the Hall of Fame, showcasing this dramatic 1800s-set medical sitcom led by Rory Kinnear. Can this lavishly-produced comedy tweak Jeffers' funny-bone or is it too good at being a drama?  Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Allo Allo is nominated by Jeffers for its 1987 episode 'Pretty Maids All in a Row'. Will this high-stakes comedy's incompatibility with the Sitcom Showdown format work against it? Or will Steve be so confused by 'Allo 'Allo's complex chicanery and sauciness that it'll roll unopposed into the Hall of Fame? There's also some at about David Croft sitcoms and a bit of Blackadder news. Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!

Steve nominates a 1970s hidden gem from the UK called 'I Didn't Know You Cared' and it's anti-adventures from the Brandon family's life in South Yorkshire. Will this bleak-ish comedy win over Jeffers and make it into the Hall of Fame? Let's see if Carter and his elders (created by Peter Tinniswood) have what it takes!  Twitter: @SitcomShowdown Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!