Watch This: "The IT Crowd"

When it comes to comedies, the Brits seem to always do so much better than us Yanks. It can be said going as far back as Monty Python, who paved the way for absurd, intellectual comedy that could also be sharp, biting social commentary. They also gave us the original version of "The Office", which eclipses the US version in it's brilliant subtle humor, amazing performance from co-creator/writer Ricky Gervais, and real human emotion.





Even having said that, there are so many great BBC comedies that never really take off here in the states, which is a damn shame (for example, The Mighty Boosh, which I've already praised). Another great comedy to check out is the sitcom "The IT Crowd", which just wrapped it's fourth series (that's British for "season") on Channel 4.

The show focuses on Roy (Chris O'Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade), two IT employees working out of the basement of a luxurious business tower, their supervisor Jen (Katherine Parkinson), and the company head Douglas (Matt Berry). Roy and Moss are IT geeks of sorts of constantly that lament the fact that they have to work for people who are held in such high regard, yeah can't solve the simplest computer problems. Jen is their supervisor, a job that was given to her merely because it was open-Jen is equally as clueless as the other employees. And Douglas is the head honcho, who is money-grubbing, a little self-centered, and certainly not the sharpest crayon in the box.

 Moss, Roy, Jen, and Douglas

In typical sitcom fashion, there are small running story threads (such as Douglas inheriting the company from his father and his ineptitude in doing so), but mostly the episodes are situational comedy (such as one great episode in particular that involves Jen getting a date, only to have Roy and Moss question his heterosexuality until they tag along to prove themselves right). The thing that separates the show from other sitcoms of a similar nature is that the situations are original and continually hilarious.

Another factor that makes the show stand out is the performances all around. Ayoade and Berry shine in particular, as a smart but socially embarrassing geek and a man who barely knows what his job is, other than to sit in a huge office and enjoy the view from his window.

The show is funny for both those who are techies and those who are anything but, so it's not pegged down to mere geek humor (something I feel "The Big Bang Theory" does). For example, a continuous running gag of Roy answering his phone "have you tried turning it off and on again?", as well a classic sitcom staple that is Jen's odd inability to find a good man.

Bottom Line: "The IT Crowd", then, is a sitcom for all kinds, and all kinds will find it funny. It's a breath of fresh air in the sitcom world (yes, there is a laugh track, but it's manageable and well-timed), and it helps keep the genre from completely tanking. Go check it out, starting with the following clip!