American Reacts to Stephen Fry on American vs British Comedy

As an American I have always been fascinated by the difference between British comedy and American comedy. Today I am very excited to learn about the differences from none other than Stephen Fry. If you enjoyed the video feel free to leave a comment, like, or subscribe for more!

[Aethid]

American comedy is about silly people in ordinary circumstances. British comedy is about ordinary people in silly circumstances.

[sholomrabin]

Stephan Fry is one of the most interlectual people to come out of britain, hes not only a great intelectual hes also a great comedian in himself.

[ianwalker]

Stephen Fry is quite simply brilliant, in the most engaging, enthralling way.

[CobraChicken]

If i were British i'd call Mr.Fry a national treasure.
A man as eloquent as him, with an encyclopedic knowledge, a great sense of humor, and who is honest about his own failures and struggles in life is very hard to dislike.

[roaringviking]

I'm neither British or American, but this is why British comedy is soooo much better than American comedy in my book. Sure, I occasionally giggle or laugh a bit when watching certain American shows or comics, but nothing is close to achieving legend status, like Monty Python, Black Adder, Fawlty Towers, The Office (the UK version) etc.

[KiteEatingTree]

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in the early series ‘a bit of Fry & Laurie’ is an absolute classic. Especially the Language sketch.

[MaryB-txxq]

Bill Bailey- “how are you?”, “not too bad, could be worse, all things considered”. Very well worth a watch and typically British

[Jp-nb]

I find that Americans like slap stick, British comedy can be sarcastic, witty and dark, being a Brit we use these types of humour daily. I worked on a market and helped out my neighbour who sold cheese, the daughter went to Australia for a year, I told all her customers that she was in jail, her mother just laughed and when the daughter came back we told her, the daughter laughed.

[johnmannymoo]

We're not negative, We're realists.

[squarecircle]

Stephen Fry is an intellectual powerhouse. You'd be hard-pressed to find a clip where the things he says aren't of some deeper philosophical significance. And his eloquence makes him always such a joy to listen to. Great reaction too, btw.

[jeanbicknell]

It's because Brits are an old 'people' and so mature enough to accept we have faults but know we have virtues too and take it all in the round ie over the centuries we have become comfortable in our skin and do not care what others think of us. The Americans are still a 'young' people and have not yet gained that confidence as they have only been around for a couple of hundred years and still care what the world thinks about them.

[LouNelson-rxct]

Stephen Fry is both an acedemic genius whilst also a comedic genius, he is a national treasure in every sense!

[t.a.k.palfrey]

Brits, and also Aussies, Kiwis, and in some cases Canuks, aren't afraid of ridicule, sarcasm, and even sometimes cruelly blunt self-deprecating humour. I think this is because there is an innate self-confidence and historic strength in most Ango-Saxons and Celts. The US is more flamboyant and full of outward expressions of confidence, but inwardly are generally more fragile and sensitive to criticism.

[robertlisternicholls]

A really funny British comedy character is Victor Meldrew from One Foot in the Grave. A funny moment was when Victor who is getting on age wise reflected on his life - thinking he may die soon. He was in bed and said to himself 'well I've not had a bad life'. He then paused and said 'no I havn't - I've had a bloody awful life'.

[gerardmackay]

My sister worked at a summer camp in New York State back in the 90s. There was a regatta for the kids one day with a big canoe race. A sudden squall got up and the lake got very choppy and one of the canoes started to sink (the kids were in no danger as the lake was warm and they all had life jackets on) but as they determinedly kept paddling and as they started sinking all the European counsellors laughed hysterically and the American ones were appalled at such hilarity. That’s the essence of being able to laugh at misfortune, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, which is entirely missing in the American pysyche.

[GusMcGuire]

For me, the most relatable American comedy to British humour was Frasier - probably because, despite all his success and pomposity, his bubble can be burst very quickly. The most relateable parts of Frasier are when, despite his best efforts, everything is going to hell in a handbasket all around him and he's racing to save a situation that is rapidly spiralling out of control. I can watch that and think: "That's exactly what would happen to me."

[YDdraigGoch]

Is it just me, but i reckon Tyler has to be one of the nicest guys on YT. The genuine pleasure you display whilst comparing our cultures warms my heart 😊

[jamesdignanmusic]

In 10 words or less: American comedy - Seinfeld; British comedy - Mr. Bean. When Stephen Fry talks on any subject it's well worth listening - he's very very insightful.

[Suprahampton]

An American comedian would say "I saw a funny thing happen to this guy on the way to the studio"
A British comedian would say "A funny thing happened to me on the way to the studio"

[Albags]

And that’s why Chandler Bing resonated in the UK so much ❤