Top 10 Flat Mate Sitcoms

Top 10 Flat Mate Sitcoms

Something tells us this lot won’t be getting their damage deposits back. Welcome to Watchmojo UK and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten flat mate sitcoms.

For this list, we’re looking at the finest and funniest British sitcoms which centre on the many misadventures of a pair (or group of) flat mates. And the shared living set-up has to be a definitive aspect of the sitcom itself… So, shows like “Only Fools” haven’t quite made the cut, today.

#10: “Pulling” (2006-09)

Serving as Sharon Horgan’s TV breakthrough, as both a writer and comedy actress, this BBC series sought a fresh focus focus and female perspective on the trials and tribulations of flat-sharing. As Donna, Karen and Louise navigate their way through life, love and dating, the main story arc follows Horgan’s Donna and her crumbling relationship with her fiancé, Karl. Ever-tempted by her friends’ wild lifestyles of binge drinking and one night stands, she suspects that staying single might be more fun.

#9: “Rising Damp” (1974-78)

As the oldest entry today, this show takes a different approach to flat mate funniness. Centred on the miserly landlord Rupert Rigsby, “Rising Damp” explores his relationships with his long suffering tenants, who not only have to endure him, but also the general griminess of their rooms. There’s Alan Moore, a kindly but naive medical student; Philip Smith, a sophisticated planning student who says he’s the son of an African chief; and Ruth Jones, with whom Rigsby is madly in love. Bless him.

#8: “Not Going Out” (2006-)

With Lee Mack playing a fictionalised, unambitious and lazy version of himself, “Not Going Out” sees the popular comic keep his cheeky persona and deliver some stand-up material. Lee lodges at his best friend Tim’s flat, and spends most of the early series trying to impress his female flatmates - firstly Tim's ex girlfriend, Kate, and (from season two onwards) Tim’s sister, Lucy. Of course, most of Lee’s manic schemes fail spectacularly. But his story does develop significantly, and in later seasons he and Lucy are not going out for very different reasons.

#7: “Men Behaving Badly” (1992-98)

The title says it all, really. Setting a new benchmark for laughable lewdness in the nineties, “Men Behaving Badly” follows Gary and Tony, who are both in the throes of a never-ending childhood. Whether they’re watching telly, talking about women, getting drunk or trying to impress women, these chaps rarely get it right... Much to the annoyance of Gary's on-again-off-again girlfriend Dorothy and their upstairs flat mate Deborah, who Tony has the hots for.

#6: “Bottom” (1991-95)

Written by and starring Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson, this show is not for the weak-willed, faint-hearted or easily-injured. Revelling in its anarchic sense of humour and incredibly seedy tone, “Bottom” charts the questionable carry ons between Eddie and Richie as they strive to survive on next-to-no money. But, they always find funds enough for getting drunk, and they’re on an endless quest to woo women. All whilst routinely beating the living daylights out of each other. Naturally.

#5: “Fresh Meat” (2011-16)

From the creators of “Peep Show”, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, this sitcom showcases the lives of six students as they try to tame the tempestuous waters of university. “Fresh Meat” took a well established comedic setting, the humble student house, but redirected what’s expected by interjecting the script with more down to earth issues. Yes, there’s a lot of the usual partying (and a lot of getting drunk) but there are also genuine relationship problems and social pressures to deal with, too.

#4: “Him & Her” (2010-13)

Next, we follow the blossoming romance between Becky and Steve, as they try to enjoy their life of laziness, peace and quiet. But they’re forced to contend with friends, family and annoying neighbours. This entry is especially unique because almost all of it (for the first three series, at least) takes place inside the flat, or in the corridor outside - relying on the actors’ performances rather than zany plots. In fact, Sarah Solemani and Russell Tovey, who play Becky and Steve, hardly leave their bed, let alone the flat itself.

#3: “Spaced” (1999-2001)

Coupling absurdist, dark humour with rave and pop culture references, this surreal sitcom scales the daily struggles of twenty-somethings Tim and Daisy, played by Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes. Pretending to be a couple to get their London flat, they share in the adventures of friends and neighbours: including a constantly drunk landlady, a tormented artist, and a wannabe soldier gun nut. And in between all of that, they try to make sense of their own lives, dealing with deep-rooted, emotional dilemmas, and finding new ways to kill time.

#2: “The Young Ones” (1982-84)

Explosions, check. Decapitations, check. Smashing through the fourth wall, big check. There’s also mining for oil, atomic bombs, performances from the likes of Madness and Motörhead, as well as competing on University Challenge... But that’s by the by. Such is life for house-sharing students Mike, Neil, Vyvyan and Rick who are routinely caught up in over the top experiences, perfectly sending up student subcultures. A cult classic, “The Young Ones” wrote the rulebook for ‘80s alternative comedy.

#1: “Peep Show” (2003-15)

The successes and (mainly) failures of flatmates Mark and Jeremy are laid bare in excruciating detail in this, the longest running comedy in Channel 4 history. “Peep Show” separates itself from the rest with its POV style, and the outrageous inner monologues of ‘The El Dude Brothers’. Allowing us into every cringe-worthy thought, feeling and frustration, the series pairs a sardonic sense of humour with hands down hilarity. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned Super Hans. It’s a real one off.