NR, 1998
WISE Score
A surreal, deadpan masterclass in British sketch comedy that’s as weird as it is influential.
If your teen thinks they’ve seen everything, show them the 'World Staring Championship' or the 'Working from Home' sketches. It’s a cult classic for a reason.
It’s dry, it’s deeply weird, and it’s the bridge between Monty Python and the kind of absurdism you see in modern internet memes. It's a great 'literacy' builder for kids who want to understand where the last 20 years of comedy came from.
This is strictly for the 14+ crowd. It’s not 'dangerous,' but the humor is sophisticated, dry, and occasionally crude in a way that will fly over a younger kid's head. It's perfect for the teen who thinks they're too cool for mainstream sitcoms.
It's intentionally absurd and often cynical. While not 'toxic,' it thrives on workplace misery, social awkwardness, and dark subversions rather than warm-heartedness.
A benchmark for surrealist sketch comedy. It breaks the rules of reality constantly—think world-championship staring competitions and office workers behaving like wild animals.
Generally fine for older teens, but contains strong language, adult themes, and some 'twisted' scenarios that earned it a 15 rating in the UK. Not for the primary school set.
Excellent for developing a sophisticated sense of irony and understanding how sketch comedy structure works. It's a masterclass in the 'deadpan' delivery style.
Before Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, there was Big Train. For a parent, this is a fun 'I knew them when' moment to share with a teen. Seeing Simon Pegg in 1998, working with the writers of Father Ted, gives you a clear line of sight into how British comedy evolved.
What makes the show work for a 2026 audience is that it doesn't rely on topical 90s politics. Instead, it relies on human awkwardness and breaking the laws of physics. It’s the kind of show that rewards kids who have a 'weird' sense of humor—the ones who find the silence in a scene funnier than the dialogue.
"It's a sketch show for people who usually hate sketch shows because it refuses to lean on catchphrases."
If you're looking for a way to bond with a cynical 15-year-old, this is a low-stakes, high-reward pick. Just be prepared for them to start trying to 'stare you down' at the dinner table for the next week.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
