Snuff Box

First off, I want to say that "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" and "Mr. Show with Bob and David" are two of my favorite shows. And now another alternative comedy, "Snuff Box," is a new favorite. The show features comedians Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher. They played Dixon Bainbridge and Bob Fossil respectively on another marvelous show, "The Mighty Boosh." Berry was additionally on the brilliant "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" as well as "The IT Crowd."

Like any alternative comedy, "Snuff Box" does not adhere to any familiar format. It is not completely a sketch comedy, sitcom, or a dramedy. What is discernible is the outrageous humor. There is an ongoing storyline, which focuses on Berry and Fulcher as a hangman and his assistant. As foils, Berry and Fulcher are hilarious. Nonetheless, the show is strewn with unforgettable bits that display Fulcher's zaniness. There is never a slow moment, and much of the material is genuinely unique. Lastly, the music provided by Berry is a wonderful addition.

I cannot guarantee that those who liked Berry on "The IT Crowd" will enjoy "Snuff Box," as "The IT Crowd" was more mainstream. However, if you are a fan of "The Mighty Boosh," "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace," or alternative comedy in general, I am sure that you will like "Snuff Box."

There is a darkness in this humor that is hard to shake off. If you are already familiar with and enjoy the work of Berry and Fulcher then jump right in. They are at their peak here.

From the shocking opening scene to the oddly moving final song at the end of the series, Snuffbox will make you laugh at the strangeness of its writing and then gasp as suddenly it takes a vicious dark turn.

Not every sketch is what it appears from the outset and the use of what would normally be clichéd jokes as deliberate points to then rip from the norm is not only clever, but original if occasionally disgusting.

This is not comedy for the every day, this is not comedy for those who enjoy the nice sort of story that has happy couples having the vicar around for tea. This is comedy for those with a dark heart who enjoy exploring the dangerous side of humour.

So if you can find a gory death funny, can laugh at obsessive behaviour and are not easily offended, then this is for you. Not only that, the music is worthy of a listen on its own and it has to be said that Berry has the most unusual yet tuneful voice.

This show is not as nihilistically brutal as say Chris Morris' Jam, but it is still at the black edge of British comedy and is worthy of your time.

This show is a high point in the British tradition of sitcoms which give the most oblivious, selfish and lewd male characters free reign to inflict hurt upon the world. The boors also suffer but there is little justice or fairness to be found. More often the cruelty just mounts and no one escapes some awful fate. I am reminded of absurdist theater but with better jokes. I agreed with dschmeding that Mr. Show and the Tim and Eric Awesome Show from the USA are comparison points. But those shows exhibit some sense of balance and compassion. Perhaps dschmeding's low rating reflects his desire for this sort of ethical balance in a comedy story. That is a more popular approach, certainly in feature films. As for me, I find the laughs in Snuff Box harder for their sheer offensiveness and unfairness. The lack of ethical logic keeps the jokes from being predictable. In real life no one could never get away with doing anything that happens on this show. If you weren't killed on the spot you would be quickly locked away. Lovers of Peep Show, the original British The Office and Extras will enjoy this show though they should expect a heightened level of offensiveness. I call it offensive because I realize it is often seen as offensive, but I have not been offended by anything on Snuff Box. I haven't seen anything from American television that can compete for sheer low taste. But if you go out and watch stand-up groups like New York City's UCB perform live without censorship and advertiser pressure, you'll find some of the same type of funny, and it's more shocking and satisfying live.

BBC3 has brought some fantastic comedy shows to our screens over the last few years like little Britain and the mighty boosh. Snuff box is no exception, in fact it is hilarious and my favourite show of 06, though it isn't to everyones taste.

Matt berry and Rich Fulcher star as a hangman and his American assistant respectably, It is based somewhere in upper class London, which for some reason has a lot mentally ill people roaming the streets. The pair spend their days hanging condemned souls for cash, chasing women and sitting in their rather posh gentleman's club sipping whiskey.

The plot may seem strange but believe me, the comedy moments are priceless and couldn't be achieved by any other show, for example, the execution scenes where we see lads doing their job, hanging criminals with the priest who would rather be down the 'rubber dub' than stand around reading the last rights all day. It may seem sick but it is funny.

With original music including the awesome theme tune (written and composed by Berry),various sketch-like scenes and the incredible comedy double act of Berry and Fulcher, all in all a top show which, if you give it a chance, will have you in stitches.