Comedy classics are a thing of the past - it is what your father always told you and now it is official.

TV viewers in the UK have given overwhelming support to comedy programmes of yesteryear in a poll of favourite television programmes.

In their hierarchy of times to titter, the sixties and seventies came out best.

But is it true? Is comic genius lost to the archives? Are today's comedies hard put to raise a yawn - let alone a laugh?

Many of those polled think so. They say the old ones are the best and put the likes of Morecambe and Wise and Tony Hancock at the top of their list.

Many would agree. They have said for years that modern so-called "alternative" comedy is just an excuse to swear.

But those who like their comedy fresh accuse the critics of generalisation.

They argue that nostalgia can give most things a rosey hue - comedy is no exception.

They say programmes that used to make you cry with laughter only bore you to tears 15 years on.

But new comedy is born of lasting genius - not temporal innuendo and gags.

What do you think?

Is true comedy a thing of the past?

1980s-90s
Bread
Only Fools and Horses
Fast Show
Seinfeld
Frasier
Friends
Roseanne
Absolutely Fabulous
Men Behaving Badly

Your reaction in full

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