UKTV Gold: When Were We Funniest?: When Were We Funniest? 90s moments

Absolutely Fabulous: The Fire (1994)

Written by and starring Jennifer Saunders, Ab Fab followed the exploits of PR executive Edina Monsoon (Saunders) and her vice-laden hanger-on of a best friend, Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). This classic moment features chain-smoker Patsy waking up to discover that she’s burnt down the kitchen.

Big Train: Jockeys (1998)

An inspired moment of surreal genius from Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan, the writers of Father Ted. This sketch spoofs nature documentaries, and features jockeys being hunted and killed by a predator in the unlikely form of the Artist Formerly Known As Prince.

Birds Of A Feather: Like A Virgin (1992)

The ultimate Essex girl sitcom, Birds Of A Feather stars Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson as sisters Sharon and Tracey. In this clip, their man-eating neighbour Dorien, played by Lesley Joseph, performs probably the most ill-advised choice of song ever.

Brass Eye: Cake (1997)

Demonstrating subversive comedy at its best, Chris Morris and his satirical spoof documentary Brass Eye duped a variety of celebrities into campaigning against the dangers of a 'made up' drug, 'Cake'. Such was the impact of the show that questions were even raised in Parliament about the dangers of 'Cake'.

The Day Today: Losing the News (1994)

Another Chris Morris moment as he chastises hapless reporter 'Peter O'Hanarha-Hanrahan' for his inept attempts to interview the Minister for Ships. This satirical news programme also spawned Steve Coogan's most popular character, Alan Partridge.

Dinnerladies: Petula Makes Morning Coffee (1998)

Written by and starring Victoria Wood, this popular sitcom ran for two series, debuting in 1998. In this classic moment, Brenda's drunken mother, Petula, played by Julie Walters, has a spot of 'tummy trouble' whilst making her morning coffee in the kitchens of HWD Components.

Drop The Dead Donkey: Damien's Disaster Zones (1990)

Set in the offices of fictional TV News Company, Globelink News, the show featured an ensemble cast including Stephen Tompkinson as over-ambitious reporter Damien Day. Our chosen clip features Damien being reprimanded for using a teddy bear to 'sex up' his disaster scene reports.

The Fast Show: The Drinking Game (1997)

Ralph, the middle-aged country squire (Charlie Higson) has some bad news for his gamekeeper Ted (Paul Whitehouse), but he ends up embroiled in a drinking game with Ted and his friends. This is an iconic moment from a pioneering 90s comedy sketch show.

Father Ted: The Cows (1996)

More comedy genius from the writing team of Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan. In our chosen clip, Father Ted, played by the late, great Dermot Morgan, uses toy cows in a vain attempt to explain the concept of perspective to the relentlessly daft Father Dougal, played by Ardal O'Hanlon.

French and Saunders: Abba Spoof (1990)

French and Saunders' sketch show debuted in 1987 and has continued successfully into the new millennium. The duos highly-detailed musical parodies proved to be a highlight of the show, and in this memorable clip they brilliantly re-create an Abba video with their spoof song C'est La Vie.

French and Saunders: The Silence Of The Lambs (1993)

Another fabulous French and Saunders spoof. This time, the duo's target is hit Hollywood film, The Silence of the Lambs. Dawn French performs a brilliant parody of Sir Anthony Hopkins' performance as Dr Hannibal Lecter, whilst Jennifer Saunders takes on the role of Jodie Foster's FBI Agent, Clarice Starling.

Goodness Gracious Me: Going For an English (1998)

An enduringly popular sketch from the Goodness Gracious Me team of Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir and Nina Wadia. Here, they turn the British Friday night tradition of 'going for an Indian' on its head, in one of the most well observed pieces of comedy writing of modern times.

Harry Enfield's Television Programme: Smashie & Nicey Get the Boot (1992)

This series introduced the British public to a host of popular characters. Two of the most enduring were 70s-throwback DJs, Smashie and Nicey. In the chosen clip, the pair is demoted from FAB FM to the graveyard late-night slot on Radio Quiet, much to their dismay.

Harry Enfield's Television Programme: The Slobs and the Social Worker (1992)

Wayne and Waynetta Slob, played by Enfield and the brilliant Kathy Burke, were another enduringly popular comic creation from Harry Enfield's Television Programme. Our chosen clip shows The Slobs being paid a visit by a Social Worker concerned about the welfare of their daughter, Frogmella.

The Harry Hill Show: The Badger Parade (1997)

Badger-based brilliance from the king of daft comedy. In one of the show's longest running gags, Harry's weekly Badger Parade would inevitably be cancelled for bizarre reasons. In this clip, Harry and the Badgers perform a surreal version of Bucks Fizz's Eurovision hit Making Your Mind Up.

Have I Got News For You: Tub Of Lard (1993)

When MP Roy Hattersley cancelled his appearance on the show at short notice for the third time, the producers decided to replace him not with a stand-in guest, but with a tub of lard. Partnering Paul Merton, 'The Rt Hon Tub of Lard MP' amazingly found himself on the winning team.

I'm Alan Partridge: Programme Ideas Pitch (1997)

Following the demise of his disastrous TV chat show, Alan has been reduced to living in a travel tavern and presenting the graveyard slot on Radio Norwich. In our chosen clip, he tries desperately to revive his TV career by pitching a succession of increasingly bizarre programme ideas to the head of BBC commissioning.

I'm Alan Partridge: Alan's Valentine Serenade (1997)

In this classic moment, Alan attempts to impress his Valentine date by performing an impromptu version of the Carpenters' classic song Close to You with the house band. Unable to reach the right key, his resulting musical efforts are cringeworthy.

Last Of The Summer Wine: Compo’s Runaway Bath (1993)

Last of The Summer Wine made its debut in 1973 and is still going strong 35 years later. Created and written by Roy Clarke, our chosen clip features a bit of old-fashioned fun, when Compo, Cleggy and friends try to push an old bathtub up a hill, with disastrous results.

The League Of Gentlemen: The Local Shop (1999)

Created by Reece Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Jeremy Dyson, The League Of Gentlemen takes place in the dark, twisted town of Royston Vasey. This frighteningly funny clip features two of the most memorable characters, Tubbs and Edward, who run 'a local shop for local people'.

The League Of Gentlemen: Pauline's Job Club Interview (1999)

Making its debut in 1999, The League Of Gentlemen ran for three series with a successful spin-off film. This clip features more black comedy from the world of Royston Vasey, when domineering 'Restart' advisor Pauline finally gets her comeuppance at the hands of Ross, an unemployed member of the job club.

The Mary Whitehouse Experience: History Today (1992)

Childish humour abounds as David Baddiel and Rob Newman play two aging history professors and, in playground fashion, hurl petty insults at each other. Of all the characters created by the team, the two historians are probably the most fondly remembered.

Men Behaving Badly: Gary Nurses Dorothy (1995)

Reflecting the rise of the era's lad culture, Men Behaving Badly became one of the most successful sitcoms of the 90s. In this classic moment, useless lad's lad Gary, played by Martin Clunes, nurses long-suffering girlfriend Dorothy, played by Caroline Quentin, as she recovers from an operation.

The Mrs Merton Show: Debbie McGee (1995)

This is Caroline Aherne in her highly successful guise as the little old lady who just happens to have her own chat show. Here she comes up with one of the greatest one-liners in comedy history – and an unsuspecting Debbie McGee is left floundering by the killer question that we all wanted answering...

One Foot In The Grave: The Gnomes (1990)

In six series, writer David Renwick challenged the boundaries of traditional suburban sitcom with the misadventures of cantankerous grouch Victor Meldrew, played by Richard Wilson. Here, a mix-up leads to the delivery of hundreds of gnomes to his front door step - and much frustration as Victor tries to rectify the matter over the telephone.

One Foot In The Grave: Victor and the Mower (1996)

The hapless Victor attempts to get to grips with a ride-on lawnmower after getting a job as a gardener. Narrowly missing an expensive new glass summer house, he accidentally sets off a series of catastrophic events.

Only Fools And Horses: Batman and Robin (1996)

In one of the most timeless sitcoms ever made, David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst star as Del Boy and his idiotic brother Rodney. This is them at their blundering best when they turn up in fancy dress to what turns out to be a wake for their recently deceased host.

The Smell Of Reeves And Mortimer: Slade Go Camping (1995)

After leaving Channel 4 for BBC2 in 1993, surreal double act Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer team up here with Mark Williams and Paul Whitehouse to dress up as 70s glam rockers Slade. The foursome pitch their tents to go camping and sample the latest flavour of Cup a Soup.

The Vicar Of Dibley: The Puddle (1999)

Co-written by Richard Curtis and starring Dawn French as Geraldine, its larger than life female vicar, this comedy has been a huge success since its debut in 1994. In this clip, Geraldine has fallen for the roguish brother of the parish council chairman and, together, they take a romantic walk in the country...

The Vicar Of Dibley: I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (1994)

Geraldine's chats with ditzy verger Alice, played by Emma Chambers, are a regular highlight in the show. Here we see a typical Alice moment as she tries to explain a trip to the village shop to an increasingly bemused Geraldine.

When Were We Funniest? 90s moments

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