Watch The League of Gentlemen

The League of Gentlemen is a British sketch comedy television show that first aired on BBC Two in 1999. The show stars Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, and Jeremy Dyson, who are also the writers and creators of the series. The show ran for three seasons and a Christmas special from 1999 to 2002, and then returned for a three-part revival in 2017.

The show is set in the fictional town of Royston Vasey, a grim and isolated community somewhere in northern England. The town is inhabited by a bizarre cast of characters, including local shopkeepers, transvestite taxi drivers, sinister clergymen, and a family of inbred freaks. Each episode of the show follows several different storylines, often with a macabre or absurd twist.

One of the most notable aspects of The League of Gentlemen is the way it treats its characters. Rather than using caricatures or stereotypes, the show portrays its characters as complex and multi-dimensional people, even when they are grotesque or bizarre. The four creators of the show often play multiple characters each, and their performances are always nuanced and compelling.

The humor of The League of Gentlemen is both dark and absurd, with a focus on grotesque and taboo subjects. Some of the recurring gags in the show include a butcher who specializes in human meat, a taxi driver who dresses as his dead mother, and a shopkeeper who has a collection of bizarre and macabre objects. Despite its often grotesque subject matter, the show is surprisingly intelligent and self-aware, and often uses its humor as a way to comment on social and cultural issues.

Another notable aspect of The League of Gentlemen is its use of visual and musical elements. The show is filmed in a highly stylized way, with the camera often focusing on small details or using unusual angles to create a sense of disorientation. The music and sound design of the show are also highly effective, with eerie soundscapes and unsettling musical cues used to heighten the show's darker moments.

The show has been highly influential on British comedy, and has been cited as an inspiration by several notable comedians, including Edgar Wright and Chris Morris. Its impact can be seen in several other British comedy shows, such as Psychoville and Inside No. 9, both of which were created by Pemberton and Shearsmith.

Overall, The League of Gentlemen is a highly original and daring comedy show that is not afraid to push boundaries and explore taboo subjects. Its characters are rich and complex, its humor is dark and absurd, and its visual and musical style are highly effective. The show's legacy is a testament to the creativity and talent of its creators, and its influence can still be felt in British comedy today.

The League of Gentlemen is a series that ran for 4 seasons (22 episodes) between January 11, 1999 and on BBC