Television series
Newman and Baddiel in Pieces
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
- Dip in and out
A sketch comedy show from early-90s BBC Two featuring David Baddiel and Rob Newman at their sharpest. Fast, clever, and anarchic—it tears through cultural references, absurdist setups, and character work with real wit. Perfect if you want comedy that trusts you to keep up.
If you liked this
The Fast Show1994
Ensemble sketch brilliance with recurring characters that somehow get funnier each time. Rapid-fire pacing, surreal logic, and jokes that land in multiple directions at once.
But Scattered format means some sketches don't land. Occasionally feels more interested in catchphrases than actual punchlines.
Brass Eye1997
Chris Morris and team at their most fearless—satire that's precise, cruel, and genuinely shocking. Every sketch is a tightly wound attack on something real and deserving.
But Aggressively mean-spirited. Some material hasn't aged well; offensiveness is sometimes the whole joke, which wears thin fast.
The League of Gentlemen1999
Four comedians creating a grotesque, deeply committed world of damaged characters. Character comedy at maximum commitment, with real horror lurking beneath the laugh track.
But Genuinely unsettling in places. Relies on shock and discomfort as much as actual jokes—not everyone finds that funny.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Newman and Baddiel in Pieces
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
That Mitchell and Webb Look2006
Direct spiritual successor to this era of sketch. Same DNA, same class of comedian, same willingness to mock culture and reference, but sharper and slightly colder.
David Mitchell and Robert Webb doing sketch comedy a decade later—faster, meaner, more focused. If you liked the anarchic energy and cultural references of early-90s sketch, this is what it evolved into.
But Feels post-internet in its structure—jokes land faster but sometimes without earning them. Not as many genuine characters; more intellectual jokes doing the work.
More like this (6)
Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge1994
Steve Coogan's finest sketch-show work before I'm Alan Partridge. One character, infinite ways to humiliate him. Squirm comedy that's perfectly written and performed.
But The joke—Alan is an idiot—doesn't move much. If you don't find cringe comedy funny, forty-five minutes of it won't change your mind.
Have I Got News for You1990
Topical comedy with two team captains sparring over the week's news. Sharp, fast, irreverent, and full of genuine affection between the panellists. Comedy for people who read newspapers.
But Heavily dependent on knowing what's happened that week. Also uneven—sometimes panellists clearly haven't prepared.
Monty Python's Flying Circus1969
The DNA for everything else on this list. Sketch comedy that's anarchic, clever, and willing to let jokes fail spectacularly. Watch if only to understand where all modern comedy is descended from.
But Pacing is glacial by today's standards. Some sketches overstay dramatically. Not every bit lands, and Monty Python seems to know it and doesn't care.
The Day Today1994
Armando Iannucci's news satire is a masterclass in satirical precision. Every joke targets something actual and specific. Smarter than it has any right to be, and genuinely funny about how news works.
But Very much of its moment—you need to know what it's satirizing to get it. Some sketches are driven more by irritation than actual comedy.
A Bit of Fry and Laurie1987
Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie's sketch partnership is impeccably performed, with strong writing and willingness to commit fully to ridiculous setups. Period variety show that genuinely varies.
But Sketch show unevenness applies here too. Some ideas stretch past their joke. Occasionally feels more interested in showing off how clever it is than making you laugh.
French and Saunders1987
A female sketch partnership that holds its own completely. Strong character work, celebrity parodies that are affectionate and sharp, and a real sense of ease between the two leads.
But Celebrity parody format limits scope—only as funny as the thing being parodied. Some sketches feel padded; not every idea needs six minutes.
People
Cast
David BaddielVarious
Rob NewmanVarious
Production
- Harry ThompsonProducer