All British Comedy Explained… to Abigoliah Schamaun, by Tom Salinsky
2.9: Season 2 reviewed. Released 11 June 2026.
Our second season consisted of eight classic BBC sitcoms. Next time, we’re going to finally include some ITV and Channel 4 shows, and we’ll be tackling the thorny question of SATIRE.
1. Spitting Image – the ferociously topical puppet show which taught generations of teenagers who was in the cabinet.
2. That Was the Week That Was – groundbreaking show which said the unsayable and emptied pubs on Saturday nights.
3. Not the Nine O’Clock News – precursor to the alternative comedy boom, this redefined the sketch show when plenty of people thought that Python had had the last word.
4. The Thick of It – Yes Minister in the age of spin, with a star-making turn from Peter Capaldi.
5. The New Statesman – politics from the Westminster side, with a typically powerhouse performance from Rik Mayall.
6. Drop the Dead Donkey – the sitcom with (some) jokes written in the week of production, with the working title “Dead Belgians Don’t Count”.
7. Hot Metal – early success for Renwick and Marshall, with a serialised story and a deft blend of character comedy and absurdity.
8. TBD - Patreons will choose between John Morton's W1A and Chris Morris's Brass Eye.
That’s our plan for the next eight episodes. We do hope you can join us. Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us.
Here’s a long list of social media systems where you can find the podcast and us.
The podcast
Abigoliah Schamaun
Tom Salinsky
All British Comedy Explained is produced by The Spontaneity Shop. If you enjoy this podcast, why not check out The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White, Tom’s other podcast Best Pick all about movies, or Abigoliah’s other podcast Neurodivergent Moments.
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