Why do Americans only seem to find the slapstick elements in British 'humor' funny?

[Levin]

The rest seems to go over their heads!

[Roxxy99]

Well, different cultures have their own standards of humor. British humor is more subtle and dry in the delivery. I consider it more of an intellectual humor. It’s more self-deprecating. They use sarcasm, irony and innuendo a lot. If you’re not paying attention, you can miss it. American humor is much more literal and in your face. The punch lines are obvious. There’s more physical comedy. The characters are exaggerated and it’s definitely raunchier. I didn’t get British humor at first either but, if you stick with it, it starts to grow on you.

[Msputiton]

Tbh, it doesn't go over our heads.

We just find humor funny, if it is not something we need to think about to find funny

[Anonymous]

British comedy simply isn’t that funny. When you’ve got some effete toff speaking to you in some polished Oxford accent you want to hear him talk to you about Waterloo or Churchill or to explain economics or history. You don’t want to hear him try to tell a joke. It just falls flat. The set up. The delivery. The punch line. Terrible. It may be witty, or snarky, but actually funny?

Thats rare from what I’ve seen out of British comedians. Or their shows or movies—of which I’m a big fan.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

I love Monty Python. Welcome to The Spam Restaurant. No Spam? But you have to have Spam! Spam spam spam spam and eggs.

Answer me these questions three and you may cross the bridge. What is you favorite color blue, wait it's yellow!

[19magic]

Love it open all hours, one foot in the grave, goodnight sweetheart, obv Mr bean, Dinnerladies and porridge.

How many of these are actually British comedies I don't know, but I find them hilarious and they're all old, not even sure if they're considered dry or not tbh.

[RolandCuthbert]

British humor is second to none.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dI38GtWFihY

[Jamie05rhs]

Because British humor isn't actually funny. People just pretend that it is. The same way that people pretend that they actually like Kpop.

[belle_kai]

You're definitely not British or familiar with it then. It is absolutely the best humour. Its dry, sarcastic and witty.

[Jamie05rhs]

@belle_kai Can you provide an example?

[19magic]

Easy one foot in the grave, put it on five minutes and I'm laughing my head off

[Jamie05rhs]

@19magic Okay. :) What channel is it on?

[19magic]

Last time I watched it on telly it was on the historical channel, where they did reruns of 90s comedies - check my answer for my list. Though failing that, try youtube or simply type full episode into Google, they're normally about 15-20 mins or so long.

[Jamie05rhs]

@19magic Oh, okay. Cool!

[belle_kai]

Bottom, only fools and horses,

[Jamie05rhs]

@belle_kai Thank you!

[gorydetails]

That's an odd generalization.