Sitcom Showdown: Recent Episodes
Sitcom Showdown
Nominating the best sitcom episodes of all time, for the Sitcom Showdown hall of fame. Sibling team Steve and Jeffers take turns selecting a classic sitcom ep to put the case for its inclusion, having to convince each other along the way. Let the showdown begin!
Not Going Out gets nominated for the episode Escape Room from 2018. How will Lee Mack and his family & friends get out this one? However they end up, hilarity DOES ensue! Thanks to Kieran Scott for the suggestion (told you we'd get there eventually).
There's also some Sitcom Showdown housekeeping, where we suggest everyone subscribes to us on YouTube, as that's where future episodes will be released.
Aussie sitcom Fat Pizza (aka Pizza) is brought to the table by Jeffers, serving up something Steve doesn't want to consume! Partying, fights, drugs, sexy time, fake IDs, tabloid photos, burnouts and more. We cover 'Road Trip' from Pizza's third season in 2003, discussing the Paulyverse and creator Paul Fenech's legacy in the history of Australian sitcoms. We also issue the first ever Sitcom Showdown trigger warning. Buckle up and settle in!
Up Pompeii is brought along by Steve who introduces Jeffers to the delights of Frankie Howerd and his dinky donky doo-dahs! The episode in question is S01E08 'The Love Potion', from 1970, which also features Lynda Baron, John Ringham, Mollie Sugden and many more.
The Absolutely Fabulous classic episode 'Poor' (s02e05) gets put under the microscope by Jeffers & Steve, who are impressed by AbFab's amazing cast, but will it win them around to the series as a whole? The show has a top-shelf group of regulars including Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders, Julia Sawahla and the great June Whitfield, so what's not to like?
This episode is a visit the Hall of Shame as we check out the infamous British sitcom 'Heil Honey I'm Home' (1990) which was cancelled after only one episode! A big shout out to the Talking Bottom podcast, from whom we borrowed a clip of their amazing interview(s) with Paul Jackson.
Community gets the Christmas nod from Steve in 2023 as we look at the musical episode 'Regional Holiday Music' and all it's gleeful satire!
Community starred Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong and Jim Rash.
Merry Christmas y'all!
We hang with Mr Cooper in this episode of the Showdown, looking at the 1990s sitcom starring Mark Curry, Holly Robinson, Sandra Quarterman, Raven Symone, Nell Carter and Marquise Wilson. Thanks to listener Nick O for the suggestion!
ALF is selected by Jeffers for an almost Halloweenish peek into an alien-on-Earth sitcom.
'Working My Way Back To You' is the opener to ALF season 2, broadcast in late 1987, where Alf tries to avoid exile to the garage by becoming the Tanner family's butler for a week!
Steve & Jeffers also chat about Earth-based alien sitcoms in general, and this sitcom's challenges of filming around a puppet, which reportedly drove the cast to distraction.
Steve brings 'Barbara' to the showdown (a listener suggestion) so that he and Jeff can check out the turn-of-the-century UK sitcom starring Gwen Taylor and Sam Kelly.
The ep in question is Series 3 episode 2, titled FLOOD, and it turns out to be packed with plenty of quality jokes.
Thanks to Jono for the suggestion!
Steve uses Blackadder's 'Ink & Incapability' as a springboard to go on a Grand Tour of Edmund: A Butler's Tale & Boswell's Life of Johnson.
What were the links between Dr Johnson & Boswell, and the Prince Regent and Gertude Perkins and the great romantic poets (if any)? Or did Ben Elton and Richard Curtis simply fabricate them with hilarious results?
We find out in this ep of Sitcom Showdown.
We Are Men was a swiftly-cancelled 2013 sitcom on CBS (only 2 episodes!) starring some great actors such as Tony Shalhoub, Jerry O'Connell and Kal Penn. The show looked great, plenty of well-shot location work, with experienced hands at the helm. So what went wrong? Jeffers and Steve review both eps of We Are Men and give you the low-down.
The USA's 1979 version of Are You Being Served? titled Beane's of Boston is under the microscope in this edition of Sitcom Showdown. The pilot starred sitcom veterans Charlotte Rae (Diff'rent Strokes) as Mrs Slocombe and John Hillerman (Magnum PI) as Mr Peacock. Steve and Jeffers compare the two series and - as always - enjoy looking at transplanted sitcom attempts!
In our 100th episode of Sitcom Showdown, Steve nominates a classic episode of Are You Being Served from 1976.
Captain Peacock is in a spot of bother after some suspicious overnight behavior with a store colleague makes him late to work. Mrs Peacock is on the rampage and Messrs Humphries and Lucas are enjoying the show. Meanwhile, Mrs Slocombe is interviewing for a buyers job in Mr Rumbold's office!
Come and join us for a good old chat about AYBS and help us celebrate 100 eps! Sitcom Showdown on Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
Night Court's 2023 revival is examined at the behest of Jeffers who is caught bringing it to the table purely on the Basil Brush connection of a new Night Court star.
John Larroquette returns to play his character Dan Fielding from the classic original Night Court (which we covered in ep 60 of the podcast) joining Melissa Rauch as Judge Abby Stone, and India de Beaufort as Olivia the prosecutor.
We look at the first two episodes and reveal our thoughts on the revival!
Steve nominates the highly-regarded Parks and Recreation episode 'Flu Season' for the Hall of Fame. Is it a fully-sick classic? According to fans, this is some of the best work that Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt and the team have done.
Friday Night Dinner gets a run on the Showdown thanks to a listener recommendation, so Jeffers and Steve check out 'Christmas' from 2012. Friday Night Dinner was a Channe; 4 sitcom starring Tamsin Grieg, Paul Ritter, Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal and Mark Heap. Written by Mr Popper.
15 Storeys High is selected from listener recommendations, focusing on the episode Blue Rat. With the show's recent-ish resurgence following Sean Lock's untimely death, does this tower block sitcom deserve all the belated praise that came its way? And does Perry Benson steal the episode from Benedict Wong and Sean? Tune in to find out.
Count Arthur Strong returns to the Showdown for a Halloween Special in which Jeffers nominates Stuck in the Middle (series 2, episode 4) in which Arthur appears to be a mad killer, having kidnapped a scamster plumber.
This ep of Count Arthur might be horror at its most hilarious, with Steve Delaney in top form, delivering a great script.
Taxi is nominated by Steve for the episode 'Reverend Jim a Space Odyssey'. This highly decorated sitcom is sure to impress Jeffers, with a killer cast including Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, Danny DeVito and of course Christopher Lloyd.
My Hero is nominated by Jeffers who thinks that Thermoman's series 4 episode 'The Living Dead' can impress Steve.
Thermoman's secret identity hits a hitch when George Sunday 'dies' publicly, while Mrs Raven becomes the world's finest (and most evil) hypnotherapist. Both of these events are causing major problems for Janet. And then George gets cremated! How will they get out of this one?
My Hero ran from 2000 to 2006, starring Ardal O'Hanlon as George, with Emily Joyce as Janet, and Geraldine McNulty as Mrs Raven.
Eric Chappell is the subject of our first 'writer special' in which we talk about his methods and the many sitcoms he penned including Rising Damp, Home to Roost and others. Steve selects an episode of 'Fiddlers Three' to investigate.
Black Books gets a second nomination from Jeffers for the series 2 epsiode 'Blood', where Bernard's new bookshop restaurant, Manny's high-street ambition and Fran's relatives all go into the cooking pot to make Sitcom Luxury Pie. But will Steve find it tasty enough for the Hall of Fame?
Black Books stars Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig. Bllood was written by Andy Riley and Kevin Cecil, with Dylan Moran.
The short-lived 'Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer' is brought in by Steve, to compare this USA-made historical comedy to its earlier UK rival Blackadder. Did Desmond's adventures deserve to be cancelled?
It sure didn't harm the actors' careers much, as Jeffers and Steve find out when they investigate.
Does Niblett hold a candle to Baldrick? Is Desmond as quick-thinking and cunning and vindictive as Edmund? And how good is Booger as a guest star?
The Goodies' classic 1977 Christmas episode 'Earthanasia' is nominated by Jeffers for a Hall of Fame spot. Will the doomsday-scenario adventures of Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor be hilarious enough to convince Steve? And in any case, will the Muppets suffer?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Blackadder the Third gets its inevitable nomination from Steve, who claims that the episode 'Amy and Amiability' is the greatest sitcom episode of all time!
It's hard to argue against that when you look at the talents of Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton, Richard Curtis, Miranda Richardson, Tony Robinson and Hugh Laurie all combining to create a classic masterwork.
The Young Ones 1984 episode 'Nasty' is the Halloween special for 2021 in the Sitcom Showdown Hall of Fame. We enjoy some scares with Rik, Vyvyan, Neil and Mike, but hold a grudge against Alexei Sayle for crimes against live comedy!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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AP Bio is nominated by Steve for the Hall of Fame. Will this modern school-based sitcom graduate into the big leagues? It all depends on the quality of the teaching!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Ted McGinley is nominated for the Sitcom Showdown Hall of Fame, giving us a chance to chat about his work in Happy Days, Married With Children, Hope & Faith, The Love Boat and more!
Geoffrey Palmer is inducted into the Sitcom Showdown Hall of Fame in this 'actor spotlight' special! The star of Butterflies and Executive Stress also had a terrific role in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, which Steve investigates.
Trial and Error, the 2017 sitcom and murder mystery mockumentary, is nominated by Jeffers for the Hall of Fame. Will Judge Steve rule favourably on the case? Any sitcom with John Lithgow and Sherri Shepherd (plus Jayma Mays and Steven Boyer) should be just fine, surely?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Yes Minister gets its second selection, as the listener-nominated episode 'Whisky Priest' is the subject of a Sitcom Showdown inquiry.
Thanks to Mrs Natural.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Seinfeld's classic Festivus episode 'The Strike' gets the Christmas nomination from Steve in 2020 for the Sitcom Showdown Hall of Fame. It's a tightly-woven tale of bagels, two-faced dates, Festivus poles and Elaine's Atomic Subs. Pull up a spot at the table with Jerry, Kramer, Elaine and George to see if they get to deck the Hall!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Hogan's Heroes gets a nomination by Jeffers for the 1965 episode 'German Bridge is Falling Down'. Will he need an elaborate scheme to smuggle Hogan, Klink, Schulz and the boys into the Hall of Fame? Or will Steve let Hogan's Heroes stroll right in?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Wellington Paranormal's spooky second-season opener is nominated by Steve for Halloween month 2020 and his job is to convince Jeffers that the New Zealand comedy cops can save the day.
This fresh mockumentary sitcom from the minds of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi has officers Minogue and O'Leary (led by Sgt Maaka) trying to solve some coastal disappearances, and finding the mighty Taniwha ... the 'not Ness monster!'
Dad's Army is nominated by Jeffers for the 1973 classic 'The Deadly Attachment' featuring Philip Madoc in a great guest-star role. Will Steve agree that this much-loved WW2 comedy should enter the Hall of Fame?
Stephanie Cole is the fourth actor to feature in a Sitcom Showdown special, earning a spot in the Hall of Fame for her superb work in Waiting for God (featured), Open All Hours, Keeping Mum and much more!
David Haig becomes the third actor to be chosen for tribute in Sitcom Showdown's Hall of Fame. He is lauded for his all-time hilarious performance as Detective Inspector Grimm in The Thin Blue Line (1995) but in this podcast episode we look into 'Keeping Mum' where David co-starred with Stephanie Cole.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Space Force gets a nomination from Steve who appreciates this brand-new sitcom's quality cast, sumptuous visuals and crafted scripts. But is it funny? And can its ninth episode 'It's Good to be Back on the Moon' get into the Hall of Fame? Let's see if Malkovitch, Carrell and crew have the right stuff.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Married With Children gets its second nomination for 'Married With Aliens' from its fifth season. Can Al Bundy, Peg, Kelly and Bud (plus aliens) get into the Hall of Fame once again? Jeffers thinks so, but he may be high on the powerful emanations from Al's socks...
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Mad About You is the second sitcom to have the dubious honour of being nominated for the Hall of Shame, for the episode 'Bing Bang Boom'. Steve suggests that this really does qualify as an example of a one-star episode from an otherwise much-loved sitcom. Is it possible that Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt laid an egg?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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In the first actor-focused episode of Sitcom Showdown, Judd Hirsch is the topic of conversation.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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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
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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
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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
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Upstart Crow is nominated by Jeffers, potentially giving Ben Elton his 6th entry into the Hall of Fame. Will Steve approve of David Mitchell's turn as Shakespeare? If music be the food of theatre, play on...
We also discuss Liza Tarbuck's dad 'Tarby', the merits of Upstart Crow vs Blackadder and much more.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Get A Life, the early 1990s cult classic starring Chris Elliott, is nominated for the Hall of Fame this time around for the episode 'Chris's Brain Starts Working'. Does this cheap, stupid surreal comedy of craziness have a shot? Well, like Chris in this episode showing a rare glimpse of intelligence, perhaps this nomination might get lucky.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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A look back at the many sitcoms we've covered, listing a lot of top-fives to celebrate the 50th ep of Sitcom Showdown! The top 5 gags, top 5 sitcom episodes (by audience vote, by host and by downloads) the best writers and MUCH MUCH MORE.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Blackadder Goes Forth is the second of our listener-nominated shows for Hall of Fame consideration and we've selected 'Corporal Punishment' to go on trial. Naturally it's all a formality, because not even the the haplessness of Baldrick and George could keep this sitcom classic out of the Hall!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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'Sorry!' the classic 1980s Ronnie Corbett sitcom is the podcast's first listener nomination, with Steve putting the case, after winning a coin toss. But can this tale of a 40-something Librarian and his batty family make the Hall of Fame?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Schitt's Creek is nominated by Steve, who hopes that this Canadian sitcom (starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) will get into the Hall of Fame for the season 2 episode 'Lawn Signs'.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Swiss Toni is nominated by Jeffers, for the series 2 episode 'The Troubleshooter' with guest star Olivia Colman joining Charlie Higson and the crew. Can this 2004 tale of a second-hand car salesman make it into the Hall of Fame? Or is Jeffers trying to sell Steve a lemon?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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The IT Crowd makes it into the Hall of Fame this time around, nominated by Steve for the series 4 episode 'The Final Countdown'. Continuing the run of success for Graham Linehan, the antics of Moss (Richard Ayode), Jen (Katherine Parkinson) and Roy (Chris O'Dowd) go down like a nice warm tnetennba!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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House of Fools is nominated by Jeffers, a show that features some of the Hall of Fame's favourite comedy stars (Matt Berry, Dan Skinner) so this wacky UK sitcom should stand a good chance ... but of course it depends on Steve's reaction to all its inherent craziness. Let's see if Vic and Bob and the crew can blow his mind!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Miranda is nominated by Steve in the second Xmas ep for 2018, hoping her 'Perfect Christmas' will make it into the hall of fame. Jeffers finds Miranda to be marmite, so will he love it or hate it this Christmas? Download to find out!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Mother and Son's 1985 episode 'Christmas Drinks' is nominated by Jeffers, putting this top-shelf Australian comedy up for a spot in the Hall of Fame. Will Steve respond with a confirmation, buoyed by nostalgia and the Christmas spirit? Let's hope so!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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The Shuttleworths' audio sitcom adventures (or rather anti-adventures) are nominated by Steve in a first for the show, swapping TV comedy for radio. With a bit of luck these tales of the hyper-ordinary will make it into the hall of fame, if Jeffers likes what he hears from Graham Fellows' many voices...
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Porridge gets a nomination from Jeffers, who knows that Steve is a fan of this 1970s prison sitcom, but nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to the Hall of Fame. Fletch (Ronnie Barker) and Godber (Richard Beckinsale) should surely be able to break into it though. Lock it in!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Brooklyn Nine Nine is nominated by Steve to be a Halloween entry into the Hall of Fame. Can Jake steal the Captain's watch and pull of the ultimate heist? Can Steve pull off a similar miracle by convincing Jeffers that a show he dislikes should earn a place in the hall? Anything is possible on Halloween...
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Cheers earns a nomination from Jeffers in Halloween month for the season 10 episode 'Bar Wars V'. Will this tale of a prank war gone wrong get the nod of approval from Scary Steve-o?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Final Space is nominated by Steve, who thinks the fast-paced animated space adventures of Gary, Mooncake and Avocato have a shot at the hall of fame. Jeffers succumbs to a case of space madness and is left gasping for oxygen. Buckle up those butt cheeks, things are going to get heavy!
Basil Brush is nominated by Jeffers for his mid-2000s sitcom aimed at the kids. Will the episode 'Doggone It' have enough boom-boom action to enter the hall of fame?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Yes Minister is nominated by Steve for the episode 'Death List'. This highly-acclaimed British sitcom should have a cake-walk into the hall of fame, as long as it doesn't stray close to the edge of the pavement or stand near any windows! It all depends on whether Jeffers wants to shoot this nomination down.
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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The Games is nominated by Jeffers for a place in the Hall of Fame as a golden example of mockumentary and a high watermark of Australian sitcommery. Looking at the series 1 episode 'Robbo and the 100 Metres', it seems a medal is assured, but of course that's up to referee Steve. Will The Games get a place on the podium?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Penguins of Madagascar is nominated by Steve, introducing the animated delights of 'Hello Dollface' to Jeffers. Can its 14-minute runtime pack enough gags and goodness in to justify a slot in the Hall of Fame?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Chance in a Million is nominated by Jeffers, who expects this 1980s British disastercom to have a much bigger chance of entering the hall of fame than its title suggests. It all depends on whether Tom and Alison's adventures with the Taxman and some Portuguese runaways can impress Steve.
Can Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen get a second sitcom into the Sitcom Showdown hall of fame?
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
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Open All Hours is rightfully nominated by Steve for the hall of fame, hoping that Ronnie Barker's exploits with Jamaican Ginger Cake will go down well with Jeffers.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Lano and Woodley present Jeffers with a challenge: explaining to Steve why their series 2 episode Primal Warrior is a five-star candidate for the hall of fame. This lesser-known Australian sitcom ep contains some of the best and worst gags imaginable, but will the highlights be enough to convince Steve that it's worthy?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Only When I Laugh is nominated by Steve, introducing this late 70s / Early 80s hospital sitcom to Jeffers for his judgment. Does Steve have this nomination stitched up?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Sledge Hammer blasts his way into contention for the Hall of Fame, with Jeffers bringing the nomination for this late-80s cop show parody. Hopefully Steve will be infected by the gleeful stupidity and give it the thumbs-up, otherwise Jeffers' blood pressure will rise as high as Captain Trunk's.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
The Good Place gets a nomination from Steve. Is this fresh USA sitcom heavenly or something more sinister? Jeffers will make the call as to whether Elanor's afterlife will enter the Hall of Fame.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Blackadder finally gets a nomination, following a 10-episode Ben Elton ban, with Jeffers selecting 'Potato' from Blackadder II. Steve has the task of deciding whether this seafaring half-hour of classic comedy will ascend to the throne or be consigned to Baldrick's trousers, never to be spoken of again...
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Count Arthur Strong gets a nomination from Steve for the series 1 episode 'The Seance'. This Steve Delaney and Graham Linehan sitcom should be aces, but nothing is guaranteed, so Jeffers and Steve get out the haunted blackboard and the crystal ball to see if Count Arthur can make it into the hall of fame.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
My Name Is Earl gets nominated by Jeffers, who chooses the pilot episode. Steve's balance of Karma depends on whether he admits it to the Hall of Fame!
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Darkplace hospital is the setting of this week's showdown, with Steve bringing the nomination. He's recently discovered Garth Marenghi's universe and hopes to convince a skeptical Jeffers to appreciate as much as he does. Will Jeffers drink the green kool-aid and be converted?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
The Goodies get a very keen nomination from Jeffers for their series 7 classic 'Scoutrageous'. If Steve doesn't give this gem of 1970s British comedy the big tick, then it'll be time to apply some subtle persuasion with knots, two sticks and a scout pen-knife...
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Newsradio gets the first nomination for 2018 courtesy of Steve, for the episode 'Arcade'.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Vicar of Dibley gets a nomination from Jeffers in the 2nd Christmas Special and the last episode of 2017. Will Steve tuck into The Christmas Lunch Incident and be left feeling satisfied? Or will it make him sick? Find out in the longest episode of Sitcom Showdown so far.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
'Merry Christmas Mr Bean' gets a hall-of-fame nomination from Steve in the first of December's Xmas specials. Ho Ho Ho!
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
1970s classic sitcom George and Mildred gets a nomination from Jeffers. This comedy of class, embarrassment and marital strife was highly popular in its day, but will it be popular with Steve?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Aussie sitcom UTOPIA is nominated by Steve, the first antipodean sitcom to be honoured thus far, but will Jeffers green-light this political satire?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Jeffers nominates a 1961 episode of Hancock for the Hall of Fame. Will this black and white classic comedy 'The Blood Donor' tickle Steve's Funny bone or will it be found wanting treatment?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Black Books gets a nomination from Steve for the hall of fame, and separately, Dylan Moran moves into the top position in the 'drunk acting' charts.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
The Brittas Empire gets a nomination courtesy of Jeffers, keen to see another distastercom enter the hall of fame. Tune in to see if Steve gives it the thumbs up, or whether it'll get the 'concrete boots' treatment like Gordon Brittas.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
This time Steve brings out the big guns with an episode of Seinfeld, which he thinks will be a 'slam-dunk'. What with pretzels making Kramer thirsty and Jerry's reservation not being held, how could Jeffers possibly disagree? But anything is possible on Sitcom Showdown...
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Episode 12 is a quick break from regular programming in which we discuss a bit of housekeeping and talk sitcoms in general.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Canadian sitcom 'Corner Gas' makes a reappearance on Sitcom Showdown, with Steve nominating Telescope Trouble for the hall of fame.
The maligned Red Dwarf episode 'Krytie TV' is nominated by Jeffers to the hall of fame. Will this era of the Dwarf pass muster with Steve? It's lite on the sci-fi and heavy on the lowbrow laughs, which angers Red Dwarf fans but is right up Jeffers' alley (ooer-!).
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Episode 9 continues what seems to be a Ben Elton run, when Steve chooses an episode of the Young Ones to go into the hall of fame. The series 2 opener 'Bambi' gets the treatment, where Neil, Vyv, Rik and Mike go to University Challenge. Tune in to find out who produced the world's stickiest bogey!
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
This time, Jeffers nominates Filthy Rich and Catflap for the hall of fame and awaits Steve's verdict. Will this 30-year-old show from Ben Elton's peak writing days (with a full-powered Rik Mayall, Ade Edmonson and Nigel Planer) make the cut? It had better do, or else!
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
A trip to Yonderland is on the cards in episode 7 of Sitcom Showdown, where Steve introduces Jeffers to the fantasy human / puppet creature characters created by the bods from Horrible Histories.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
In Sitcom Showdown's 6th episode, Jeffers nominates a sterling series two highlight from Ben Elton's police comedy Thin Blue Line.
Steve selects an episode of The Office (US) from season 2, to see how the Dunder Mifflin staff handle another visit to 'The Dundies'. Will it receive its own award-winning slot in the Sitcom Showdown hall of fame?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
In ep 4 of Sitcom Showdown, an excited Jeffers gets Steve to watch the Married With Children classic 'The Gas Station Show'. Al Bundy and the family leave the house for a day of fun but don't get far in the Dodge. Will the self-induced suffering of Al be hilarious enough to make it into the SS Hall of Fame?
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
'Corner Gas' is selected by Steve, repping the podcast's first Canadian sitcom. Will Jeffers enjoy the antics of the folks from Dog River? He might when he finds out how Hank, Wanda, Lacey and the gang deal with Brent Butt's supposed poverty, and a whole lotta Amethyst.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Episode 2 sends us into the wacky world of Father Ted and his fellow priests Jack and Dougal, in which they conspire to rig a raffle to mend the church roof. Jeffers brings this one to the table to see if Steve will induct it into the Hall of Fame, with the help of a cup of tea from Mrs Doyle.
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Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!
Sitcom Showdown episode one features Steve's first selection, the Fawlty Towers classic 'Basil the Rat'. Jeffers prepares himself to undergo the strain of watching the world's most stressful sitcom.
Surely putting this masterwork from John Cleese and Connie Booth into the Hall of Fame is a slam dunk? It seems highly likely ... but join in the fun to find out for sure!
Twitter: @SitcomShowdown
Theme tune 'Billy Blues' by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2015. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. Thanks texasradiofish!