dehumour1-8, Exercise 1: Three performers or programmes

Model answer (check the details):

1. Heinz Erhardt. Humour: puns, nonsense verse and a mild, polite manner. Era: 1950s to 1970s, in films and on television. British counterpart: Ronnie Barker, or the verse comedy of Spike Milligan.
2. heute-show. Humour: political satire in the style of a spoof news bulletin with a presenter, clips and sketches. Era: since 2009. British counterpart: Have I Got News for You, or Mock the Week.
3. Otto Waalkes. Humour: silly songs, impersonation and visual gags, with a childlike manner. Era: from the 1970s, with his film success in 1985. British counterpart: the broad comedy of Tommy Cooper or Benny Hill, or of The Goodies.

Other possible choices: Die Anstalt (Mock the Week or the political side of the Fringe), Helge Schneider (the absurdism of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer), Hape Kerkeling (the character comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen).

Point: the genres have close British counterparts, which suggests the two countries share more comic forms than the stereotype supposes.