An evening of fun and laughter is guaranteed as Jonathan Ross counts down the 50 best British sitcoms of all time, as voted for by the viewing public. During the next three hours classic clips and celebrity interviews help illustrate all that's best about home-grown comedy. The programme also launches a series of in-depth, hour-long shows, each dedicated to one of the top ten comedy masterpieces, as over the next ten Saturdays celebrity advocates will be making the case for their favourite sitcom in the hope of winning the public's votes. The series concludes with a live programme revealing the winner of the poll -the most popular British sitcom of all time. Tonight's programme features interviews with a host of sitcom stars, including June Whitfield, Ronnie Barker, Penelope Keith, Ricky Tomlinson, Peter Kay, Andrew Sachs, Richard Briers, Richard Wilson, Ardal O'Hanlon and David Jason.
Journalist John Sergeant kicks off the ten-part countdown of our funniest home-grown comedies with a celebration of the cunning Blackadder and his hapless sidekick Baldrick. Featuring memorable clips and interviews with cast and crew, including Stephen Fry, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, Richard Curtis and Ben Elton.
Jack Dee checks in at Torquay's most manic hotel in a celebration of the classic 1970s sitcom. John Cleese , Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs help recall the farcical goings-on at the chaotic establishment.
Ulrika Jonsson champions the 1970s comedy that brought us those icons of Surbiton self-sufficiency, Tom and Barbara Good, and their social-climbing neighbours Jerry and Margo Leadbetter. Two of the stars of the series, Richard Briers and Penelope Keith, lend their support to the candidature.
Armando lannucci puts forward the case for the political comedy. Writers Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn are reunited with Derek Fowlds, the only surviving member of the main cast, to celebrate the relationship between MP Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) and the machiavellian civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne).
Rowland Rivron pays tribute to Victor Meldrew , the irascible pensioner whose catchphrase "I don't believe it!" struck a chord with world-weary viewers everywhere. Contributors include Richard Wilson , Annette Crosbie , Angus Deayton and Eric Idle.
Johnny Vaughan states his case for the prison-based sitcom. There are interviews with star Ronnie Barker and writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, as well as contributions from cast members Peter Vaughan, Tony Osoba, Ken Jones and Christopher Biggins.
David Dickinson states his case for the Peckham-based sitcom. Featuring interviews with stars David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst and writer John Sullivan.
Clarissa Dickson Wright champions the series set in the nation's favourite corner shop. Featuring interviews with stars Ronnie Barker and David Jason , co-stars Lynda Baron , Stephanie Cole and Kathy Staff , plus writer Roy Clarke.
Worshippers of the gentle comedy series set in a typically English parish have their chance as Carol Vorderman champions the show's cause. Featuring interviews with some of the stars, writers and fans including Robson Green and Sir Cliff Richard.
The wartime comedy is the final series in the top-ten rundown of the UK's favourite sitcoms. Arguing its case is comedian Phill Jupitus , whose tribute to the bumbling Home Guard unit features interviews with surviving cast members Clive Dunn and Frank Williams, writers David Croft and Jimmy Perry , and fans such as Major James Hewitt and MP Ann Widdecombe.
Weeks of voting to find out what tickles the nation's funny bone reaches a climax as Jonathan Ross hosts the grand final from BBC Television Centre in London. Each of the ten advocates, Jack Dee, Ulrika Jonsson, Rowland Rivron, Clarissa Dickson Wright, Jon Sergeant, Johnny Vaughan, Armando Iannucci, David Dickinson, Carol Vorderman and Phill Jupitus, are given a last chance to persuade the audience to vote for their comedy favourite in a head-to-head debate. The shows themselves, beloved gems Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley, Yes Minister, Open All Hours, Dad's Army, Blackadder, Porridge, One Foot in the Grave and The Good Life are eliminated two at a time, with any further polling focused exclusively on those remaining.