Armstrong and Miller

This series is great. The two leads act their parts well, but it's most notable for the weird and wonderful ideas that they've thought up. There are lots of really odd, interesting, and most importantly, hilarious sketches. Armstrong and Miller deserve to be better known, as they've created one of the best sketch shows of recent times. This deserves just as much recognition as The Fast Show, Harry Enfield, or Goodness Gracious Me. I saw their live show and it was equally good. Highly recommended.

This groundbreaking series displays amazing quick-fire humour but (crucially) combined with real acting talent. Miller went on to star in Johnny English (as Rowan Atkinson's partner) where he turned in a class performance, but this earlier work is every bit as elegant. Armstrong moved on to the lead role in a surprisingly funny UK TV series about a lovelorn vet. That was also a great show, but this sketch show which launched it all (a UK Channel 4 production) should really have run and run and it's a great shame that it didn't. The duo had already enjoyed success as an in-character slot on the BBC's Friday Night/Saturday Morning, alongside Ben Elton, Harry Enfield and Josie Lawrence, each special in their own way. What set them apart was their comic timing and acting ability. Miller's performance (in the Armstrong & Miller Show) as the school teacher is breathtaking and demonstrates his ability to turn on the head of a pin without breaking character. And the send-up (by both) of a Guardian-type indie music writer - well, you have to see it to believe it. Definitely worth a look if you can get your hands on a recording - and a great shame that the show was so short-lived.

This is certainly one of the funniest comedy shows I've ever seen, right up there with The Fast Show and The League Of Gentlemen. The sketches are consistently hilarious and often give me shooting-pains in my sides - both Armstrong and Miller are comedy geniuses in terms of both writing and acting, and are well supported by various actors including the gorgeous Sarah Alexander. I hope there are plenty more series still to come. The kids' TV parodies are particularly sharp and witty.