Current favourites

British sitcoms can date horribly. "The Likely Lads" used to be one of my favourites but I can't take to the re-runs on BBC4 at all. So here's my current Top Ten. In five years time I bet the list will look entirely different.

1 BLACKADDER: Still beautifully fresh and articulate. Miranda Richardson as Elzabeth I is a special joy.
2 HEBBURN: I just adore it. I can't remember anything combining such humour and such kindness. Lovely characters- Jim Moir (or Vic Reeves) and Gina McKee make such a smashing couple.
3 HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR: Even Hancock may sound better than he looks these days, but I can't foresake him. He's the original genius of Britcom, where it all started.
4 I DIDN'T KNOW YOU CARED: Haven't seen it for half a lifetime but it was so funny. Robin Bailey was a treat in it.
5 OUTNUMBERED: Gorgeously funny modern Britcom. Be interesting to see the new series with the children much bigger.
6 THE OFFICE: Excellent and clever ensemble acting. It was much closer to life than some might think.
7 EVER DECREASING CIRCLES: I do like this one, and I like it a lot more than "The Good Life". Penelope Wilton lends it a touch of real class.
8 ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES: The nation's favourite and it at least deserves a place here.
9 PORRIDGE: Once it would have been at the top of this list but it's beginning to creak. Just holding on here.
10 FATHER TED: Endearingly mad Irish comedy (does it count as Britcom?)

May have forgotten something, but that'll do for now.