I think most people can agree that British humour can be very different from American humour, though that difference seems to be lessening recently with shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office and Parks and Recreation. That being said, my recent obsession on my on-demand cable service is a very British comedy that might not be to everyone’s taste. The IT Crowd appeals directly to my nerdy side and as the title suggests it follows the surreal escapades of three IT workers. Jen, Moss and Roy work in the basement IT department of a large company, and basically dole out advice that consists of ‘Have you tried turning it off and on again?’

At first glance, it may not seem to be a sophisticated comedy, since it’s filmed in front of a live audience in the traditional way and at some points it sounds as though a laugh track is used. But if you dismiss it for these reasons, then you’re just being a comedy snob. Being that it was created by Graham Linehan (who also creates Black Books and Father Ted) you know to expect the brilliantly absurd. While some jokes may miss the mark, others are laugh out loud funny which more than make up for it. The IT Crowd is defiantly uncool, laden with one-liners and a large dose of slapstick, but then the IT crowd themselves are uncool, and subtle comedy just wouldn’t be as funny. Broad strokes and stereotypes are just what is needed in a sitcom full of characters that are socially awkward and obtuse. All the main characters are caricatures to a certain extent, and the ‘normal’ people upstairs who call for IT help are given no lines and nothing interesting to do. And that’s the way it should be.

Nothing makes me laugh as hard as this show and that’s not an exaggeration. See for yourself. A little background to this clip – the gang are at a funeral and Roy thinks he will die at 3 o’clock thanks to one of those online, guess your death things.

I think the reason this show appeals to me so much is because this is the type of geek I am – constantly having ridiculous misunderstandings and mishaps that would be funny if they weren’t happening to me. Making jokes and references that the average person just doesn’t get (which leave me feeling like a bit of a fool) and not exactly flourishing in social situations. But The IT Crowd is different in the way it treats its nerdy leads. We’re never laughing at Moss, Roy or Jen because they are geeks (which even The Big Bang Theory is guilty of from time to time.) Instead we’re laughing at the situations they find themselves in and the way they react – their ridiculous understanding of certain social norms and their bizarre coping mechanisms. This isn’t pointing and laughing at stereotypes, but rather a comedic insight into the life of people who are often marginalised.

Just like Moss and Roy, The IT Crowd is a show which stubbornly refuses to conform to modern comedy conventions. In this way, I suppose, the very structure and set-up of the show itself let’s us know what to expect from the people on our screen. It isn’t the pinnacle of cutting edge comedy and that’s the point. But if you love irony and pratfalls in equal measure, you should definitely watch this.

[Ed.note:  I cant endorse The IT Crowd enough.  Two things to add here.  One, if you buy the DVDs be prepared for the greatest menu screens of all time.   Yeah, all time.  Also you will fall in love with Richmond and then freak out over a massive character pay off in season 4.]